Draft Watch: Hawks NGA on fire again; VFL debut for Tigers-tied talent

Plenty of draft hopefuls were in action over the weekend.

There were six Talent League games plus the APS Final and a few VFL cameos.

Richmond NGA prospect Tanner Armstrong debuted for the Tigers in the VFL at RSEA Park against St Kilda on Saturday.

The gun Murray Bushrangers midfielder produced 18 disposals with three rebound 50s, two inside 50s, six marks and five intercepts in a big Tigers win.

North Melbourne father/son Sam Harris stepped out in the VFL for the first time and kicked 1.2 from eight touches in a loss to Geelong at Arden Street.

Hawthorn father/son and Brisbane Academy talent Cooper Hodge again played VFL for the Lions in their massive 103 point win over the Suns. He finished with 18 disposals, four tackles and a goal.

Hodge’s Lions Academy mate Ethan Duke also booted a goal from his 15 possessions, 200cm Connor Freiberg had it 14 times with 9 hitouts and six clearances and Caylen Murray contributed 13 touches.

Academy jet Cooper Collins had 15 touches and kicked a goal for Gold Coast, while Taj Murray, brother of Jai, had 13 disposals in his VFL debut.

In Brighton Grammar’s APS Final triumph over Caulfield Grammar, Tonners’ skipper Arki Butler (Sandringham Dragons) booted the sealer and Jake Miller (Western Jets) kicked three goals. Gippsland Power pair Wil Malady and Marlon ‘Nuke’ Neocleous were among Caulfield’s best.

Top 10 Talent League Fantasy Points

1 - Albert Macgowan (SD) - 139
2 - Angus Tippett (WJ) - 133
3 - Moustafa Darwish (CC) - 126
4 - Keenan Boi (GP) - 116
5 - Logan Shepherd (NK) - 115
6 - Jordan Knapp (ER) - 112
7 - Archie Elliott (GWV) - 110
Eq.8 - Baxter Sruk & Zac Antonellos (ER) - 109
10 - Max Gulliver (TD) - 106

Northern Knights (74) v (64) Eastern Ranges

The Knights beat the Ranges by 10 points at Preston City Oval in a contest full of emerging stars. Logan Shepherd was arguably best afield with 21 disposals and four goals plus five inside 50s and a team-high six tackles. Harvie Cooke was massive again with 27 touches, five inside 50s and three tackles, continuing his stellar form throughout 2026. Highly-rated ruckman Harry Van Hattum was slow to begin but worked his way into the game to eventually come out on top with 24 possessions, 11 hitouts and a goal, providing a strong presence around the ground. Harrison Leeder could have had a day out, taking eight marks and kicking 2.3 plus one on the full. He’s getting the chances inside forward 50 but not quite finishing his work at the minute.

Ranges star Jordan Knapp produced another excellent game with 26 disposals, eight inside 50s, eight marks and a goal. His form has been elite in 2026, particularly in recent weeks. Baxter Sruk also continued his top form with another 28 touches, seven inside 50s, five tackles and a goal, while Zac Antonellos contributed 22 possessions, eight inside 50s, four rebound 50s and five tackles. Archie Spencer had it 22 times and lay seven tackles, 202cm Marcus Krasnadamskis had 22 touches with seven marks and a goal, and Mitch Gillan 21 disposals and five tackles.

1 - Logan Shepherd (NK) - 115
2 - Jordan Knapp (ER) - 112
Eq.3 - Baxter Sruk & Zac Antonellos (ER) - 109
5 - Archie Spencer (ER) - 104

Gippsland Power (88) v (96) Oakleigh Chargers

The Chargers edged the Power by eight points in a tight contest in Morwell. Will Johnson had 19 disposals, a team-high nine marks and five tackles for the victors, aided by Noah Hanegraaf who contributed 20 touches, eight marks, five tackles and four inside 50s. Archie Fogarty was dangerous up forward with three goals from 15 disposals, and Flynn Woolhouse also booted three majors.

Keenan Boi was Gippy’s best once again after a huge outing last weekend. The Hawthorn NGA prospect bagged 4.3 and had 23 touches, eight inside 50s and four tackles in another accomplished mid-forward performance. He spent time in the mid rotations, playing primarily as a high half-forward. Ruckman Cohen Dent was enormous with 44 hitouts, 21 disposals and six inside 50s, while Leo Stephenson had it 21 times with seven inside 50s, six marks and five tackles. Talented forward Augustus Finsterer booted four goals and took nine marks, and Judd Burgiel was busy with 26 disposals touches and four tackles.

1 - Keenan Boi (GP) - 116
2 - Cohen Dent (GP) - 102
3 - Leo Stephenson (GP) - 101
4 - Augustus Finsterer (GP) - 100
5 - Will Johnson (OC) - 98

Calder Cannons (117) v (67) GWV Rebels

The Cannons did it easy against the Rebels, winning by 50 points in Craigieburn. Essendon NGA talent Moustafa Darwish was immense yet again for Calder. This time he delivered 31 disposals (21 kicks) along with eight marks, five inside 50s, three rebound 50s, three tackles and a goal. He continues to impress as a high-volume and high-impact midfielder. Bombers father/son prospect Koby Bewick was prolific with 32 disposals, four rebound 50s and four inside 50s, showcasing why Dons fans are eager to get him to the club via the 20127 draft. Port Adelaide father/son Tevita Rodan kicked 2.2 from 17 possessions and his fellow Dons NGA jet Blake Justice kicked two goals from 19 disposals. Isa Merhi had it 26 times with five rebound 50s and the sublimely talented Nate Jenkins took 10 marks and had 21 touches.

For the Rebels, Archie Elliott starred with 17 disposals, a game-high 11 marks and four goals as the most dangerous forward on the ground. Leo Ellerton had 20 disposals and eight marks, Ethan Drever was industrious around stoppage to finish with 26 touches (20 handballs) and a goal, while Jake Connolly contributed 23 possessions.

1 - Moustafa Darwish (CC) - 126
2 - Archie Elliott (GWV) - 110
3 - Koby Bewick (CC) - 96
4 - Isa Merhi (CC) - 92
5 - Nate Jenkins (CC) - 90

Sandringham Dragons (88) v (78) Geelong Falcons

The Dragons trailed the Falcons at each of the breaks before coming over the top to win by 10 points at Trevor Barker Oval in Sandringham. Albert Macgowan was excellent yet again, continuing his brilliant season with another 28 disposals, a team-high 10 tackles, eight marks and five inside 50s. He had nine more touches than the next best Dragon who was Judd Lemon with 19 as well as six inside 50s and five tackles. Luke Leo contributed 17 possessions and a game-high 11 tackles and ruckman Kayne Watt had 20 hitouts, 15 touches and kicked a goal. Jody Cripps, the son of Port Adelaide list boss and former Saint Jason, kicked three goals, as did Jack Davies.

The Falcons had a few standouts including Nate Mensch who booted five goals from 13 disposals and six marks, and Darcy Harrington who had it 25 times with six inside 50s, four rebound 50s and a goal. Charlie Gray had 23 touches, six tackles and a goal, Jordan Penrice produced 21 disposals, and Richmond father/son prospect Archie Daffy had it 20 times with six inside 50s and two goals in a promising display.

1 - Albert Macgowan (SD) - 139
2 - Darcy Harrington (GF) - 97
Eq.3 - Luke Leo (SD) & Nate Mensch (GF) - 94
5 - Charlie Gray (GF) - 92

Tasmania Devils (37) v (108) Dandenong Stingrays

The Stingrays made light work of the Devils at North Hobart Oval. Marcus Prasad was a dominant force up forward, bagging 5.2 from 16 disposals with four inside 50s and as many tackles. Darcy Szerszyn was a key driver out of defence with 25 possessions and 12 rebound 50s, while Wil Antrobus had 26 touches, Ben Carroll contributed 22 disposals and Zye Bergles-Brown had it 20 times. Bentley Avenell kicked four goals to accompany 11 touches and 17 hitouts.

The best for Tassie were Max Gulliver who had 21 disposals and a game-high 11 tackles, Jake Beams had 28 touches (20 kicks), seven inside 50s and four rebound 50s, Archie Devine had 23 possessions, Tom Geappen had it 20 times and took 10 marks and Sam Husband had 21 disposals.

1 - Max Gulliver (TD) - 106
2 - Jake Beams (TD) - 105
3 - Marcus Prasad (DS) - 103
4 - Darcy Szerszyn (DS) - 100
5 - Bentley Avenell (DS) - 96

Bendigo Pioneers (50) v (72) Western Jets

The Jets won again, beating the Pioneers by 22 points in Bendigo. Angus Tippett was massive with a game-high 30 disposals plus eight marks and kicked 2.1, leading the way with help from Billy Wigmore who had it 26 times and regular Jets star Lachlan Hicks who also had 26 touches. Noah McMenamin had a busy game, finishing with 16 disposals, seven marks, six hitouts, five tackles, and 1.3, while Griffin Barker had 24 possessions, six inside 50s and a goal, and Hawks father/son talent Kobe Williams kicked two majors from 19 touches.

For the Pioneers, Luca Iudica continued his good form with 27 disposals, Charlie Bull had 21 touches and a goal, Sonny Beasy contributed 22 disposals while Cruz O’Sullivan (21), Lewis Pigdon (20) and Max Thompson (20) all had 20 or more. Charlie Sutton kicked three goals.

1 - Angus Tippett (WJ) - 133
2 - Billy Wigmore (WJ) - 105
3 - Noah McMenamin (WJ) - 100
4 - Luca Iudica (BP) - 94
Eq.5 - Charlie Bull (BP) & Lachlan Hicks (WJ) - 91