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Draft Watch: The best midfielder from this year’s crop goes ballistic
Connor Scanlon • June 16th, 2025 2:31 pm
All the future stars of the AFL went head-to-head on the weekend, with the Under-18 National Championships featuring a massive clash between South Australia and Western Australia, and 4 amazing Coates Talent League games.
South Australia absolutely demolished WA, with arguably the best midfielder from this year's draft going crazy, and one particular forward from SA kicking more goals individually than what the entire WA team kicked combined.
With the draft race heating up for the top selections, here’s a breakdown of the standout performers from the South Australia vs Western Australia clash:
South Australia (116) vs (40) Western Australia
South Australia
Cameron Nairn
Medium forward Cameron Nairn delivered a breakout performance, slotting 7 goals in a dominant display. He kicked more goals than the entire WA side combined, and now looms as a genuine first-round draft bolter.
Dyson Sharp
The South Australian captain was everywhere again. Dyson Sharp is probably a lock to be a top 5 pick, and he is arguably the best midfielder in the draft. Sharp collected 33 disposals, 7 tackles, 6 clearances and kicked 2 goals, backing up his 32 touch, 2 goal effort against Vic Metro last week.
Aidan Schubert
Aidan Schubert impressed with his versatility, proving that he is more than just a tall forward, rotating through the ruck and tallying 21 disposals, 12 hitouts, 4 clearances and a goal. With Schubert being tall, athletic, and flexible, he’s one for clubs in need of a ruck/forward hybrid.
Mitchell Marsh
While not quite booting another bag, Mitchell Marsh proved a threat again inside 50. He finished with 2 goals from 5 scoring shots and continues to show he knows how to get the ball in dangerous areas.
Louis Kellaway
The Richmond father-son prospect was solid again, collecting 21 touches, 5 marks, and 3 tackles. Duncan Kellaway’s son is a reliable ball-winner who can also roll into defence, and he’s making a strong case for Tigers recruiters.
Sam Cumming
South Australia’s vice-captain and another likely first-round pick, Cumming played his usual crash-and-bash game through the midfield, finishing with 15 disposals and a goal in a physical outing.
Western Australia
Fred Rodriguez
Despite the heavy loss, WA’s best midfield prospect battled hard. Rodriguez finished with 20 disposals, 3 tackles, and 3 clearances, working tirelessly against overwhelming opposition pressure.
Benji Van Rooyen
The younger brother of Melbourne’s Jacob Van Rooyen showed promise in the ruck. At 10cm taller than his brother, Benji had 14 disposals and an equal game high 6 clearances. He definitely has potential to be a better and more diverse footballer than his brother.
Cody Curtin
Another big-bodied WA ruck, Curtin (brother of Adelaide’s Dan Curtin) rotated effectively with Van Rooyen. The 200cm utility and AFL Academy member recorded 12 disposals, 3 clearances, 3 tackles and 3 marks.
Sam Swadling
A hard-running midfielder/forward, Swadling was among WA’s most productive in their losing side. He notched 20 disposals, 4 marks and 2 clearances and continues to be one of WA’s top draft hopes.
Toby Whan
The Fremantle NGA midfielder worked tirelessly, alongside Rodriguez and Swadling in the midfield, gathering 18 touches, 3 tackles and 2 clearances in a solid showing under pressure. Whan could be a handy addition to Fremantle’s talented squad.
Wesley Walley
The West Coast NGA talent and AFL Academy member had another quiet game, managing just 6 disposals, but did show flashes of ability with 3 marks up forward.
Round 11 of the Coates Talent League also saw some of the potential Victorian draft stars prove their case for the 2025 draft.
Luke Cheffers was by far the rounds best performer, racking up 35 disposals, 3 scoring shots, 9 tackles, and 6 inside 50’s. The silky midfielder added to his resume of dominating performances for the Power.
Geelong NGA prospect Jesse Mellor had another standout performance, with the forward kicking 2 goals from 4 scoring shots, 18 disposals, and 6 inside 50s. The Cats could have a very special player here.
Potential no. 1 pick, Willem Duursma, showed off his incredible marking ability this round, taking 8 marks, while having 21 touches, and 5 rebound 50s.
Below are the 10 best performers for Round 11 in the CTL, based off fantasy points:
1 - Luke Cheffers (Gippsland Power) – 1482 - Callum Smith (Dandenong Stingray) – 1243 - Brodie Atkins (Gippsland Power) – 1194 - Finnegan Davis (Western Jets) – 1185 - Charlie Whitehead (Oakleigh Chargers) – 1156 - Lachy Dovaston (Eastern Ranges) – 1157 - Noah Yze (Oakleigh Chargers) – 1088 - Hugo Mikunda (Geelong Falcons) – 1069 - Billy Wigmore (Western Jets) – 10510 - Charlie McKinnon (GWV Rebels) – 104
Dandenong Stingrays (56) – (83) Oakleigh Chargers
The Chargers seem to have hit form, winning 3 out of their last 4 games, snapping the Stingrays winning streak, thanks to a dominating final quarter.
1 - Callum Smith (DS) – 1242 - Charlie Whitehead (OC) – 1153 - Noah Yze (OC) – 1084 - Josh Shepherd (OC) – 935 - Lucas Tovey (OC) – 93
GWV Rebels (94) – (45) Murray Bushrangers
Just when the Bushrangers season started to get going, they lose again. The Rebels never looked like losing this game, thrashing the Bushrangers since the first bounce.
1 - Charlie McKinnon (GWV) – 1042 - Max Bihun (MB) – 1033 - Floyd Burmeister (GWV) – 984 - Flynn Penry (GWV) – 985 - Riley Holloway (GWV) – 98
Eastern Ranges (70) – (69) Geelong Falcons
In an absolute nail-biter, the Eastern Ranges held on by 1 point against the Falcons. The Ranges now sit at 5th on the ladder.
1 - Lachy Dovaston (ER) – 1152 - Hugo Mikunda (GF) – 1063 - Bailey Lloyd (ER) – 1014 - Jesse Mellor (GF) – 985 - Josiah Landy (ER) – 98
Gippsland Power (95) – (41) Western Jets
Western Jets only kicked 1 goal after half time, losing their 6th game for the season. Gippsland on the other hand, sit 2nd on the ladder, winning their 7th game of the year.
1 - Luke Cheffers (GP) – 1482 - Brodie Atkins (GP) – 1193 - Finnegan Davis (WJ) – 1184 - Billy Wigmore (WJ) – 1055 - Lachlan Hicks (WJ) – 95
