Draft Watch: Potential No. 1 pick proves his worth in the Coates Talent League

A busy round of the Coates Talent League saw round 8 showcase plenty of the top-end talent in the 2025 draft.

Potential number 1 draft pick Cooper Duff-Tytler, saw the 200cm ruckman accumulate 18 disposals, 4 marks and 22 hit-outs, adding to his resume of seriously impressive performances.

Other potential number 1 pick Willem Duursma dominated yet again, collecting 25 disposals, 3 tackles and a goal. With all his siblings currently playing in the AFL or AFLW, Willem Duursma could be the star of his family.

The highly-touted Collingwood father-son prospect, Thomas McGuane, had another day out against the Western Jets, outlaying 29 disposals, 6 inside 50s, 9 marks and a goal.

Sticking on the family route, Tyson Gresham, the brother of Essendon forward Jade Gresham, was in fine form this round, booting 4 goals and racking up 27 disposals.

The best performance of the round, however, came from GWV Rebels key-forward, Charlie McKinnon, which saw the youngster boot 8 goals, now averaging over 4 goals per game.

Below are the 10 best performers for Round 8 in the CTL, based off fantasy points:

1 - Charlie McKinnon (GWV Rebels) – 135
2 - Billy Wigmore (Western Jets) – 131
3 - Thomas McGuane (Western Jets) – 128
4 - Adam Sweid (Calder Cannons) – 128
5 - Tyson Gresham (Northern Knights) – 125
6 - Zac Harding (Murray Bushrangers) – 125
7 - Rylee McHenry (Tasmania Devils) – 120
8 - Brodie Atkins (Gippsland Power) – 118
9 - Callum Smith (Dandenong Stingrays) – 118
10 - Max Roney (Tasmania Devils) – 116

Gippsland Power (92) – (26) Oakleigh Chargers

The Chargers now sit 16th on the ladder, after being annihilated by the 2nd place Gippsland Power.

1 – Brodie Atkins (GP) – 118
2 – Sebastian Wolff (OC) – 112
3 – Luke Cheffers (GP) – 108
4 – Mitchell Stevens (OC) - 106
5 – Josh Shepherd (OC) – 106

Dandenong Stingrays (89) – (56) Bendigo Pioneers

With both teams having three victories coming into this matchup, the Stingrays made light work of the Pioneers, claiming their fourth win of the season.

1 - Callum Smith (DS) – 118
2 - Patrick Blake (BP) – 115
3 - Jasper Russel (DS) – 111
4 - Cody Walker (BP) - 98
5 - Tom Evans (BP) - 87

Tasmania Devils (45) – (54) Murray Bushrangers

In a narrow victory against the Devils, the Murray Bushrangers managed their second win of the season.

1 - Zac Harding (MB) – 125
2 - Rylee McHenry (TD) – 120
3 - Max Roney (TD) – 116
4 - Cody Gardiner (MB) – 112
5 - Harry Dean (MB) – 106

GWV Rebels (97) – (66) Western Jets

Both teams were in the bottom 4 entering this game, but the Rebels proved too good for the Western Jets, lifting GWV Rebels to 14th on the ladder.

1 - Charlie McKinnon (GWV) – 135
2 - Billy Wigmore (WJ) – 131
3 - Thomas McGuane (WJ) – 128
4 - Thomas Burton (WJ) – 116
5 - Finnegan Davis (WJ) – 117

Northern Knights (89) – (86) Sandringham Dragons

The in-form Northern Knights have now won four of their last five games, surviving a 47-point last-quarter surge from Sandringham.

1 - Tyson Gresham (NK) – 125
2 - James Arnold (SD) – 113
3 - Sebastian Murphy (NK) – 110
4 - Sam Buck (SD) – 88
5 - Gabriel Stumpf (NK) – 83

Geelong Falcons (84) – (66) Calder Cannons

A goalless last quarter by the Cannons saw the Geelong Falcons storm home to victory, causing the Cannons to slip to 5th on the ladder.

1 - Adam Sweid (CC) – 128
2 - Angus Ford (GF) – 113
3 - Gus Papal (CC) – 111
4 - Archer Hanegraaf (GF) – 97
5 - Mason Williams (GF) – 96