RISING STARS: AFL Sydney’s unheralded young male, female talent from across the competition
The AFL Sydney competition is filled to the brim with rising stars destined for bright futures. We take a look at the 30+ unsung young men and women across the AFL Sydney divisions.
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There are plenty of young guns floating around in the AFL Sydney competitions who are set to take the next step in their Aussie rules journey.
We take a look at the 30+ young male and female unheralded talents who are shining across various divisions.
MALE
Kohan Prenter
South West Sydney Blues
Utility
Is able to play various positions across the midfield, back or forward line and impact with his running power and delivery of the football. His adaptability to play all positions and improved one-on-one defending has seen his success across the lines.
Louis Jans
Manly Wolves
Midfield
An inside midfielder with a good mix of pace and power, ‘Jansy’ is a real line breaker who loves taking the game on. His dynamic footwork around the contest is coupled with a penetrating kick that he uses effectively to bring his teammates into play.
Archie Christie-Day
Sydney University
We know his big-game ability after booting four in last year’s U19s grand final. Has backed that up with another strong year as the former Sydney Swans Academy product inches closer towards a senior debut.
Cooper Flint
UNSW-ES Bulldogs
Forward
Currently leads the goalscoring ranks in the U19s division with 31 goals from 12 games. Has been rewarded with his men’s Premier Division debut in June and looks to have a bright future as a key forward.
Angus Langley
South West Sydney Blues
Midfield/Small forward
Carries the nickname ‘Bull’ because of his ability to lurk and hit hard with a rib tickler. His defensive pressure, thirst for the contest and crafty ball use makes him a very dangerous inside player.
James Lugsdin
Manly Wolves
Midfield
A midfield game breaker with a presence that belies his young age, ‘Luggo’ has had a
breakout year at every level. He’s a genuine ball magnet, extremely strong, quick and has
elite aerobic capacity. These attributes sit well alongside a work ethic that is every coach’s
dream.
Khy Gibbs
South West Sydney Blues
Half-back/Midfield
A smooth mover and silky user of the football. Is able to get his own ball both in the contest and in aerial competition and can also provide run and carry making him a very difficult player to match up on.
Thomas Charles
UTS Bats
Was part of the senior team that took part in the pre-season invitational and has been able to make his senior debut throughout the season. In six games of U19s action he has kicked nine goals and been rated among the best five times.
Cooper McClennan
Manly Wolves
Wing
A hard running wingman who can post up at either end of the ground, sitting in the hole, helping
the defence one minute and thrusting forward to get on the end of a scoring chain the next.
‘Coop’ is also a skilful ball user who is an ideal link up man on transition.
Kieran Thomas
East Coast Eagles
After getting a taste of Premier Reserves last year, Thomas has graduated to make his Premier Division debut for the Eagles. Has been rated among the best for East Coast in 12 of 14 U19s games this season.
Riley Hawes
Pennant Hills Demons
A new recruit for the Demons this season after coming down from Maitland. His form in the U19s saw him boot 19 goals in six games, and from the moment he made his Premier Division debut in late May he has been a regular ever since.
Caleb May
South West Sydney Blues
Ruck/Key Forward
Among the best young ruck talents in Sydney. Commands the stoppages particularly against seasoned footballers in a position that usually takes young men years to develop. Impacts when he moves forward as he’s able to take contested marks and kick set shots.
Sam McMeekin
Manly Wolves
Midfield
An in and under midfielder, ‘Sammy’ has a great balance to his game. He’s equally happy feeding hands to his teammates or laying tackles to hold up the opposition. With old fashioned footy smarts and genuine toughness, he’s a really mature and consistent performer every week.
Tye Gander
St George Dragons
A high level talent coming off a Coates League campaign with the Swans last season and also a stint with the Allies at the U18s National Championships. Has starred for the Dragons in the Premier Division with 31 goals for the year, including hauls of six and seven.
Rhys Seurberlich
Macquarie University
Midfield
Rhys is a great talent as a footballer, with an excellent kick and is super athletic. His endeavour and commitment to go hard into any contest is impressive for a 17-year-old against grown men. He has shown a commitment both on and off the field to help out the club in whatever role possible while injured, something highly valued by Macquarie University.
Tyler Sheehan
Manly Wolves
Half-back
A half-back who provides something different when he injects himself in the midfield, ‘Tiz’ is
a multifaceted footballer. He locks down well but with good decision making and foot skills, he also starts many attacks from deep in defence. He’s well-built too, often lending his power
in the mids to add some real grunt around stoppages.
FEMALE
Zali Currie
Manly Wolves
Midfield
Zali has followed up two consecutive AFL Sydney Juniors league best and fairest awards by cementing a spot in the Premier team. Hails from a basketball background, and brings agility, speed and power from that sport, to go with a great reading of the game, tenacity and ball skills.
Ella Parker
UTS Bats
Half-back/Half-forward
Has come through the Swans Academy and that experience has been on full display with the Bats. She’s had to endure a busy schedule with U18s National Championships and the Coates League, but will prove a key figure in the run to the finals.
Annabelle McHale
South West Sydney Blues
Cemented herself as one of the most exciting up and coming players in the competition. A silky ball user and a footballer that can play in every position on the ground her height, speed and athleticism is what sets her apart.
Georgia Keen
Parramatta Goannas
Proving herself as a dominant force in the Women’s U20s division with an incredible 37 goals from her 11 games this season. Has booted some big bags throughout 2024 and has been rewarded with a few games in the seniors.
Elise Wallace
Manly Wolves
Elise has only converted to Aussie rules from Soccer in the last few years. She brings a great tenacity and endeavour to her play that sees her as a leading player in the Wolves backline. Elise uses her speed to great advantage and is an excellent one-on-one competitor.
Jade Baskerville
South West Sydney Blues
In only her third year of Aussie rules, her progress is second to none at this point in her career. She is the last person you want to be tackled by and her work rate on the field is a standout.
Emma Byrne
North Shore Bombers
Has been a key part of the North Shore’s strong U20s season to date, booting home 23 goals in nine games to set up an impressive average. Has also given back off the field as a junior in helping to coach a fellow youth team.
Lauren Bull
Manly Wolves
Forward
Lauren is in to her second year as a valuable member of the Wolves forward line. She plays with great surety and composure and is very difficult to match up on with her speed and marking ability. Lauren is well on her way to great achievements in the game.
Alexis Paulo
South West Sydney Blues
Defender
A brick wall in defence after a year off footy. Recovering from injury, she has come back better than ever and has made an impact over the last few weeks. At the rate she’s going she will make an immediate impact when playing senior football full time.
Lucy Smith
Sydney University
The former Victorian has shown her class since making the move north. Been a standout in all six games at the U20s level for Sydney Uni and that form has seen her graduate up to the Premier Division for a handful of games.
Charlotte Tidemann
North Shore Bombers
Wing/Midfield
Despite being just 15 years old, Tidemann is one of the most promising members of the Swans Academy. This year she has made her Premier Division debut, and was named among the best players in her first five games.
Darcie Prosser-Shaw
East Coast Eagles
Half-back
It’s quite extraordinary to think Prosser-Shaw is 15, and capped her Premier Division debut in style for East Coast with a Rising Star nomination. Is excelling in a new role at half-back where she has been able to run and gun.
Megan Mifsud
Parramatta Goannas
Another exciting prospect from the Giants Academy, Mifsud is an Allies representative who made her VFLW debut this season for the GWS. Is a regular in the Premier Division and has made a great impact in a team gunning for a flag.
Abbie Hayes
Manly Wolves
Ruck
Abbie is still in the U17s but is already making her mark at the Wolves. She dominates the ruck, winning the hit outs and then acting as an extra on-baller. Her aerobic capacity enables her to get around the ground and use her impressive vertical leap down back and in the forward line.
Karmel Potts
South West Sydney Blues
Half-back
A damaging running half-back with a very elite kick. A clean mover with ball in hand who is always demanding attention from opposition players. She has a bright future in this game and is someone who is a future leader of the program.
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