Coates Talent League 2024: Analysis of every under-18 Eastern Ranges boy
The Ranges have a rich history of producing AFL talent – and this year could follow the trend. We examine every player in the 2024 boys squad.
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Talls, smalls, and everything in between, there’s no shortage of talent at the Eastern Ranges’ boys.
Some are tipped to feature at the pointy end of the AFL draft at year’s end, others are looking to make their mark while some are itching for their opportunity.
We’ve analysed every under-18 player, in alphabetical order, with insights from Eastern Ranges talent manager Danny Ryan.
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Cody Anderson (Healesville)
An inside-bull – “probably the most physical player that I’ve seen come through,” Ryan says, remarking “His burst of speed and competitiveness is quite incredible”. Third year with the Ranges and one the club hopes can trial for Vic Metro.
Jamie Armitage (Blackburn)
The bottom-aged, big-bodied midfielder moves well and brings plenty of physicality. He’ll be looking to build a solid foundation for 2025.
Jack Baldwin (Mitcham)
The 185cm defender typically takes the second or third forward, and featured in 14 matches last season.
Andrew Barker (Mooroolbark)
One of the Ranges’ key backs – “Really good shape and size, moves well, a really good set of hands and can spoil and body-spoil, so when he defends he really defends,” Ryan says.
Connor Brown (Vermont)
Small, speedy forward and winger who proved himself in the under-16 carnival for Vic Metro last year.
Zac Brown (The Basin)
The bottom-ager has overcome injuries this summer and is set to play a variety of roles when his opportunity arrives – forward, back or on the wing.
Mitchell Buckland (Montrose)
The midfielder is on the comeback trail from back-to-back ACL injuries, and could make an on-field return in the early-to-mid part of the season while also juggling school footy commitments with Caulfield Grammar. A former Victorian under-15 representative in the School Sport Australia National Championships.
Oscar Cafiso (Vermont)
A silky, smart player boasting speed, the Caulfield Grammar student is likely to play as a small forward and potentially up the ground.
Ry Cantwell (North Ringwood)
The 19-year-old half-forward and wingman is listed with Richmond VFL but has been given a permit to play for the Ranges when available, which is valid until mid-year. “It just allows him to stay in the system and play under the noses of recruiters,” Ryan says. “He’s definitely got AFL traits, launches at the footy and his speed and endurance is quite good”. Has also aligned with Mooroolbark in the Eastern league’s Division 1.
Blake Chambers (Lysterfield)
Silky-skilled with a potent shoe, who sets up play coming out of defence. Touted to play a high half-back role and potentially on the wing. Also set for a big year with Caulfield Grammar where he’s expected to play most of his footy.
Lachy Dovaston (Blackburn)
The highly-talented bottom-age player earned All Australian selection at under-16 level – quick, evasive and smart with the footy.
Josh Galstians (Park Orchards)
Small, but an accumulator of the footy. Featured last year as a defender but is said to boast the weapons of an attacking midfielder. He’s expected to play off a half-back flank and roll through the midfield.
Mitch Gamel (Rowville)
Missed last season through injuries, but the big-bodied, 184cm half-back flanker is set to pull on the Ranges jumper at long last, where he should provide plenty of run out of defence.
Jamie Gilchrist (East Ringwood)
A potent, speedy, medium-sized forward who knows where the goals are, starring for Vic Metro in the under-16 carnival last year. “If he gets the footy around 30 or 40m from goal, he’s a high percentage chance to kick the goal,” Ryan says of the Yarra Valley Grammar footballer.
Oliver Greeves (Vermont)
A big-bodied midfielder with sound stoppage craft who can go forward and take a grab. Could be spoken about a bit over the next 18 months according to Ryan. Selected as All Australian at under-16 level.
Mitchell Hansen (Blackburn)
Bottom-aged at 17 but has considerable height at 188cm. His body is coming good after injury, and is touted as a versatile forward or back who could also feature on a wing. His speed and endurance have impressed.
James Hepburn (The Basin)
The forward and defender has only just turned 17 but he stands at 191cm. Took some nice marks in the Ranges’ recent scratch-match and played in the Coates Carnival last year.
Jordan Hider (Vermont)
Small, nippy forward who can go on-ball and is clean with the footy. Can kick goals and roll through the midfield.
Darcy Jamieson (The Basin)
Small, light, skilful and quick, Ryan says he’s got a nice sidestep on him and is set to play as a forward-winger. The Ranges are keen to set him up well for 2025.
William Jones (North Ringwood)
The ruck-forward “came in and impressed us with his competitiveness,” Ryan says, touting the developing tall for opportunities this year.
Marcus Krasnadamskis (Knox)
Currently in the national basketball academy, the 200cm prospect doubles as a forward and ruckman with damaging follow-up work and skills.
Bailey Lloyd (South Belgrave)
The bottom-age 174cm midfield prospect twice featured for the Ranges at under-16 level last season, putting up a best-afield display against the Oakleigh Chargers. Powerful, speedy and skilful and could be pushing for Round 1 selection.
Seth MacDonald (South Belgrave)
Emerged late last pre-season as a bottom-age product and didn’t miss a beat, impressing to earn 11 matches. A tall wing prospect at 197cm, MacDonald caught the eye of recruiters in the second half of last year, kicking two goals from 15 disposals in the grand final.
Remy MacLean (East Ringwood)
Came from the clouds last season and made an immediate impact as a key defender. He has excellent closing speed for a player that stands around 195cm, taking in 16 games last year. Also linked to Box Hill’s VFL program.
Tom Matthews (North Ringwood)
The 17-year-old key back marks his inaugural season in the program and looks a nice prospect at 187cm. Has had a limited pre-season due to a knee injury, but could fill a role in defence when he’s expected to return in the back end of the year, with the Ranges crying out for defenders of his size.
Zac McGown (Warrandyte)
The defender missed most of last season through school footy commitments with Yarra Valley Grammar. Typically takes the second or third forward and is a nice size at 188cm.
Lachlan Monteath (Ferntree Gully)
The 196cm ruckman is touted as a fierce competitor. Joined the Ranges’ program just ahead of last season, but he impressed in that time, playing 16 games and averaging 14.6 hitouts.
Jackson Mooney (North Ringwood)
Touted as one of the hardest trainers in the program, the Yarra Valley Grammar student is said to be in a sound position to play the early block of matches before school footy returns. Small and versatile, and “very coachable” according to Ryan.
Christian Moraes (Knox)
Touted to be at the pointy end of the draft at year’s end, he’s one of two national academy players in the program. An accumulator of the footy with a big tank, quick and can run at high speeds over long periods of the game.
Ryan Muir (Wantirna South)
The tall prospect turns 18 in August and stands at nearly 196cm. He’s been lighting it up for some time as a junior, which included a top-five finish in the Eastern league’s under-15C best and fairest in 2021. Has enjoyed a solid pre-season after injuries last year, and is touted as a forward and ruckman. Has impressed in scratch matches with his leap, and the Ranges harbour high hopes for him.
Jeremy Newsome (Healesville)
Boasting speed and endurance, Newsome provides drive off half-back and earned Vic Metro selection last year.
Max Nicoll (The Basin)
A ruckman and a “super competitor” according to Ryan, the Scotch College student has had an interrupted pre-season due to injury and may play more school footy than Coates league this year. He boasts versatility and could slot in up forward or down back.
Mason Porter (Mitcham)
Solidly-built inside midfielder with “incredible” endurance, who won the Ranges’ 2km time trial among other tests. “He wins the ball at the source and spreads well, and can link up on the outside, so he’s going to be one to watch,” Ryan says.
Jak Ryan (Woori Yallock)
A former Vic Metro representative, Ryan played plenty of Ranges matches last year as a bottom-ager, including the finals. Quick, evasive, and smart with the footy in hand.
Josh Smillie (Park Orchards)
The National academy-listed player is touted to be “in the top four or five picks by the end of the year” according to Ryan. In the mould of Patrick Cripps, he’s a 194cm midfielder with power and presence. Boasts speed, stoppage craft and goal-sense, and spent a week training at Hawthorn over the summer where he held his own.
Iliro Smit (Montrose)
The 198cm ruckman missed last season as he recovered from a knee injury, following eight matches in 2022. Has returned to the Ranges as a 19-year-old this year, and is linked to Hawthorn’s Next Generation Academy and listed with Box Hill Hawks in the VFL.
Baylin Spencer (Woori Yallock)
At 182cm and some 80kg, the fast, strong prospect earned opportunities in the midfield last season despite being a bottom-ager, playing 17 matches. Looks set to fire again.
Tom Swainston (Rowville)
Another taller prospect, the 16-year-old has already shot past 191cm and played junior footy for Lysterfield before crossing to Rowville this year. Ryan says he’s come a long way and grown over the summer, exhibiting sound endurance. It could be a development year for the bottom-aged winger/half-back but he may find opportunities as he looks to build a foundation for 2025.
Oskar Taylor (Upwey-Tecoma)
The courageous, smaller half-back flanker is a left-footer and uses the ball well – “He’ll put himself in danger a lot of the time … we’re looking forward to seeing what he can do in our program over the next two years,” Ryan says.
Xavier Taylor (East Ringwood)
Tenacious defender who “marks everything”, a competitor with AFL attributes and a handy size at some 190cm, Taylor starred in the Eastern league’s interleague program which included a best-afield medal against the Southern league in 2022. Son of East Ringwood premiership player, Cameron.
Kye Tormay (Knox)
Turns 18 in December and could turn a few heads this season as a 191cm intercepting defender with great hands. He stood out in the Ranges’ trials last year.
Cooper Trembath (Park Orchards)
Caught the eye of some AFL recruiters last year, after the 192cm, 90kg ruck-forward reinvented himself as a defender, lighting it up for the Ranges among standout performances for Park Orchards in the Eastern league’s Premier Division. Now 19, Trembath is also on North Melbourne’s VFL books and could be one to watch come mid-season draft time.
Zach Tulloch (Lysterfield)
The developing 200cm ruck played just one match last year as a bottom-ager, but had always been earmarked as a longer-term prospect. Turns 18 in April.
Will Verrell (Lysterfield)
A defender who leaves no stone unturned, and could play through the midfield: “An incredibly big tank who really works hard, pushes himself to the limit and gets everything out of his footy … he’s another one that played a handful of games last year and as a top-ager hopefully gets a few more games under his belt this year,” Ryan says.
Cameron West (Norwood)
Developing tall at 192cm, athletic with sound closing speed. Set to play a big role in defence this year.
Liam Westlake (Warburton-Millgrove/Wesburn)
The 181cm medium-sized forward can match up on talls, and has already proven himself in senior footy in the Outer East league, playing 12 matches for Warburton-Millgrove last season, kicking 39 goals. He won Warburton-Millgrove’s under-18 best and fairest in 2022 on the way to the league medal while also helping the club to the premiership. Boasts athleticism and his kicking has improved out of sight according to Ryan and hasn’t missed a beat over summer.
Riley White (Park Orchards)
The tall defender earned Vic Metro selection and could go close again. The strong intercept marker is coming off a PCL injury but could return in the early part of the season. A potential surprise packet.
Blair Wilson (Olinda-Ferny Creek)
The medium-to-tall defender boasts AFL attributes with his athleticism and speed according to Ryan, but is likely to miss the first two months of the season following ankle surgery. He’s also in the mix for senior footy at Olinda-Ferny Creek once he returns. Brother of AFLW player Charlotte Wilson.
Luke Wilson (Vermont)
An under-16 Vic Metro player two years ago, Wilson could be back mid-year for contact training following a serious bike accident. Smart player, a proficient ball-user and right-footed, but capable on both sides of the body.
Lincoln Wright (Norwood)
The former Emerald junior is a developing tall forward-ruck, who took in 13 matches last season at just 16 years of age.
Cameron Zani (Vermont)
The developing key forward and ruck was sidelined all of last season with a fracture in his foot. Boasts plenty of size at 195.5cm.
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