AFL Draft: The top Queensland prospects in 2023, 2024 and 2025
The two Queensland Academy programs continue to churn out AFL-ready talent and the immediate future looks bright for footballers from the Sunshine State.
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Gold Coast will go to the 2023 AFL draft next month armed with numerous selections to use as capital to match bids on four of its Suns Academy products.
We’ve heard so much about three of those players – Jed Walter, Ethan Read and Jake Rogers – in particular, given they come with first-round grades on their shoulders.
Then there is Will Graham, who improved his draft stock with a stellar showing at the combine and should land somewhere within the top-40.
Gold Coast currently boasts nine Academy graduates on its AFL list. All going to plan, that number will swell to 13 before pre-season – more than a quarter of its 48-player squad.
Boasting first access to talent from the Northern Territory to North Queensland and down to the Gold Coast – sans Brisbane – the Suns have a major well of talent to draw from.
It’s part of the reason list boss Craig Cameron chose to base himself on the Gold Coast, rather than in Melbourne like the rest of his contemporaries.
Cameron has plugged himself into the day-to-day running of the Suns Academy and believes the quality of players now coming through the system is credit to the club’s long-term investment.
“It’s a strong year, certainly,” Cameron told this masthead last month.
“(Former Academy coaches) Jason Torney and Andrew Raines had a lot to do with the boys coming through this year so they should be congratulated on this group.
“Ethan has improved markedly and Jake in particular, his improvement is testament to the work the Academy has done. Both of those boys have got to a position beyond what we expected.
“The changes we’ve made are reflected in the U16s area in a big way. We have five All-Australians in both the boys and girls at the U16s level and I think that’s a reflection of the bigger investment and more full-time staff working in that talent pathway.”
Brisbane’s Academy meanwhile has churned out a host of big-name AFL players including a key quartet of the Lions’ grand final side.
Co-captain Harris Andrews and his key defensive lieutenant Jack Payne are both products of the Lions Academy, as are running defender Keidean Coleman and forward 50 spearhead Eric Hipwood.
The two Queensland Academy programs continue to churn out AFL-ready talent and the immediate future looks bright for footballers from the Sunshine State.
Read on for a list of some of the top Academy talents heading to the draft in the next three years.
2023
SUNS ACADEMY
Jed Walter (Key Forward)
Announced himself as one to watch when earning All-Australian honours as a bottom-ager in 2022 before breaking the shackles this year to become one of the most talked about players in his draft class.
Walter profiles as the most ready-made key forward to hit the draft in recent memory, with his combination of size, power and strength belying a manic desire to tackle and pressure when the ball hits the ground. Expect Walter’s name to be called within the first few selections and the Suns to quickly match any bid.
Ethan Read (Ruck-Forward)
If the 200cm All-Australian ruckman wasn’t tied to Gold Coast’s Academy his name would be thrown around a lot more in draft circles. The Palm Beach Currumbin product is an elite runner, finishing third in the 2km time trial at the draft combine, and is the clear top ruck prospect in this draft class.
Has great skills for a player of his size and took out the Hunter Harrison Medal as the best player in the Academy series.
Jake Rogers (Mid-Forward)
Considered a Dayne Zorko clone by his former coach at the Broadbeach Cats, Rogers is one of the most skilful players in the 2023 draft class. Rarely fumbles and almost always makes the correct decision by hand or foot.
Played senior QAFL footy last year and made a handful of VFL appearances for the Suns in 2023. Averaged 26 disposals, four inside 50s and seven tackles in the Academy Series and was adjudged the National Academy’s best player in the four-point win over Carlton’s VFL side in May. Joined Walter and Read in the All-Australian side.
Will Graham (Def-Mid)
A victim of the supreme midfield depth of the National Championship-winning Allies squad, Graham played much of his U18s rep footy across halfback but still profiles as an inside midfielder or winger at AFL level.
Graham is gifted with impressive physical traits as evidenced by his star showing at the recent national draft combine. He finished second in the 20m sprint, equal-second in the vertical jump and equal-third for the running vertical jump.
Joins Walter and Read as a product of the Palm Beach Currumbin Lions.
Nick Williams (Defender)
A Tasmanian who moved to the Gold Coast four years ago and has been part of the Suns Academy since 2021, Williams impressed as a medium-sized over-age defender for the Allies at the National Championships.
The 19-year-old stands 191cm but plays more as a running defender and covers the ground well. Offered plenty as a hybrid small-tall defender and could be a value add later in the draft for teams in need of a versatile option down back.
LIONS ACADEMY
Patrick Snell (Key Defender)
The Northern Territory product earned an invite to the Victorian Draft Combine in early October and could be in the Lions’ sights later in the upcoming draft.
Averaged just under 14 disposals and four intercept possessions in the Coates Talent League and was a reliable key tall in defence for the U18 Allies.
2024
SUNS ACADEMY
Leonardo Lombard (Mid-Forward)
What a year it was for Lombard, who not only impressed in limited minutes with the National Championship-winning U18 Allies, but also won a VFL flag with the Suns as a 16-year-old.
The midfielder looms as the clubhouse leader for best Queensland talent in the 2024 draft class and another Suns Academy product making a name for himself.
Lombard led the U18 Suns Academy side in disposals and inside 50s this year. He also earned U16 All-Australian honours in 2022 and was named Gold Coast’s MVP in the process.
Caleb Nancarrow (Ruck-Forward)
Hailing from Cairns, Nancarrow is an undersized ruck (193cm) who makes up for it with a supreme vertical leap. Another who boards in Melbourne, Nancarrow played for Oakleigh in the Coates Talent League. Has all the attributes to be an athletic utility at AFL level. Next year will be a big watch on his development ahead of the 2024 draft.
LIONS ACADEMY
Sam Marshall (Midfielder)
A hard-running 185cm midfielder who boards in Melbourne and doubles his time with the Sandringham Dragons, Marshall averaged 24 disposals and 3.4 clearances per game in the Coates Talent League.
Impressed with 19 touches in his sole Brisbane VFL appearance in Round 16 and was one of the best on display in the U17 futures curtain raiser to the AFL grand final last month. Could come into first round consideration next year.
Tom Gillett (Ruck-Forward)
Standing 201cm, Gillett is capable of playing in all three areas of the ground. Has rucked for Queensland and the Lions Academy while also spending time forward. Covers the ground well and is effective with the ball in-hand, averaging 14 disposals in the Coates Talent League this year.
2025
SUNS ACADEMY
Beau Addinsall (Mid-Forward)
Addinsall claimed Suns Academy and Pool B MVP honours at the U16 National Championships after a starring role through the midfield and across half-forward for Gold Coast that also earned him All-Australian honours.
Standing 179cm, Addinsall displays a serious knack for finding the footy in close and can get forward to hit the scoreboard regularly as evidenced by his 24 disposal, five-goal performance against Tasmania.
The Burleigh Bombers product looks a classy prospect and genuine day one selection when his draft year rolls around in 2025.
Kalani White (Tall Utility)
The son of 268-game AFL ruckman Jeff White, Kalani is therefore tied to both the Suns – as an Academy product – and as a Father-Son to Melbourne.
The 197cm key position prospect played across CHB for the U16 Suns Academy and earned All-Australian honours.
Has a knack for taking contested grabs and can cover the ground well.
Zeke Uwland (Midfielder)
Younger brother of Bodhi Uwland, who made his AFL debut for the Suns in 2023.
Zeke was among Gold Coast’s best during the U16 Championships averaging 25 disposals, 9.7 marks and two goals per game.
Blitzed the Swans Academy with 29 disposals, seven inside 50s and three goals.
He was named on a wing in the U16 All-Australian side.
Dylan Patterson (Midfielder)
Occupied the opposite wing to Uwland in the All-Australian side.
Patterson didn’t find as much of the footy as his teammate but was still dangerous going forward and at 183cm is capable of taking a solid contested grab.
Made his QAFL debut for Palm Beach Currumbin this year as a 15-year-old.
Jai Murray (Mid-Forward)
A prototypical AFL half-forward flanker, Murray led the U16 Championships with an average of eight tackles per game to go with 22 disposals.
He was crucial to the Suns’ midfield rotation and earned an All-Australian berth at half-forward for his standout championships. Loves the contested footy and rarely wastes his disposal.
The son of former Australian surf lifesaving champion Michael Murray, Jai is also a standout in the surf having won a glut of state SLS medals as a junior.
LIONS ACADEMY
Daniel Annable (Midfielder)
Skippered the Lions Academy to the Pool B Championship and earned MVP honours in the process. A gritty midfielder capable of winning his own footy – and plenty of it – he averaged 30.3 disposals, 5.3 clearances and 6.7 tackles.
Annable is a true contested bull who wins his own footy and sets up scoring forays. Will be one of the top Queensland prospects in the 2025 draft class if he continues on his current trajectory.
Harrison Bridge (Defender)
A classy left-footer who averaged 21 disposals for the Lions Academy at the U16 National Championships, Bridge was one of two Brisbane boys named in the All-Australian side.
Went at 71 per cent by hand and foot over the Lions’ three games and was one of the most damaging outside runners at the championships.
Got a taste of senior footy this year in the QAFL and looks an exciting prospect with major upside.
Originally published as AFL Draft: The top Queensland prospects in 2023, 2024 and 2025
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