Rising stars: The top 60 young players in Outer East league in 2024

With finals around the corner, the best young players in the Outer East league have been revealed — all 60 of them. SEE THE LIST

Outer East league’s young guns.

Stand-out talents, emerging stars and underrated guns…

They’ve all been identified in a list of 60 of the best young players of the Outer East Football league in 2024.

Lachie Alderman, Wandin

Is set to captain Wandin’s under 16s in a grand final against Woori Yallock on Sunday. He made his debut at senior level as a 15-year-old in June. Moves well and has exceptional skills...potentially a future captain of the club.

Konner Allcott, Gembrook Cockatoo

Lightly famed wingman who is brave and talented. He can really jump as he proved by taking a huge hanger a few week ago. Good in traffic, astute decision maker…played about 60 senior games now, including a senior premiership as an 18yo in 2022.

Chris Bourne (left) and Konner Allcott go at it for Gembrook Cockatoo.

Chris and Michael Bourne, Gembrook Cockatoo

Identical twins with terrific talent. Chris played the first six games in the seniors this season before an injury but he’s fighting his way back. Michael has been playing down back in the seniors and impressing. Both are tall, with a basketball background and good readers of the football and can take a strong mark…developing nicely.

Tyler Barclay, Healesville

The 17-year-old small forward has slotted 20 goals, including bags of five and four. Continually impressing.

Noah Battle, Yarra Glen

Plays on a wing; very clean, smart player with plenty of upside.

Jett Benninga, Seville

Has made strong progress this season as a defender, and he stands as an important player in the strong Blues side.

River Benninga, Seville

He slotted four goals in his senior debut playing as a small forward and has been a dominant force in under-18s footy this season.

Josh Brown, Belgrave

Half back flanker; a good rebounding player with exceptional ball use.

Zack Charles, Officer

Has been good across half back with his run, setting up Officer’s defence with his voice and leadership.

Blake Cherry, Mt Evelyn

The 16-year-old has been awesome this season at half forward and on a wing. He’s super skilled and fast, and has genuine X-factor.

Fletcher Daniel, Powelltown

Played his first senior game against Belgrave, looking like he’d played a hundred. Has tackle pressure and his willingness to get to the contest is first rate. He had eight tackles against Yarra Junction.

Rhys Fletcher, Berwick Springs

Has been one of the Titans best players this season with seven mentions in the best in his 16 matches after playing in a grand final last season.

Riley Frankcombe, Alexandra

Has put together a strong season with six best player mentions in 14 matches.

Brad Frater, Gembrook Cockatoo

Inside ball winner who can kick a goal, too. Has impressed since crossing from Cranbourne. Good decision maker, good ball user and still developing.

Nick Gilbee, Yea

Played at Healesville last year and has got better and better as the year has gone on. Has played on the opposition’s best small forwards and impressed.

Sam Gregory, Yea

Sam Gregory in action for Yea. Picture: Leesa Clarkson

The Year 11 student has played 11 games in the seniors and had some cracking performances. He’s an exciting wingman, quick and evasive, and dynamic with his movement.

Oscar Grenfell, Yarra Glen

Has played 14 matches as an 18-year-old second ruck but probably suited at centre half back. Big upside.

Will Hamilton, Belgrave

The Magpies’ designated kicker possesses an elite left foot booming kick.

Josh Haggar, Pakenham

Josh Haggar.

Developing as a key back this season, providing height, speed and drive. Has huge upside.

Justin Hale, Mt Evelyn

Has played on the ball in the seniors as a 19-year-old this season and doing a great job.

Ziggy Hatherley, Monbulk

A super fit centre half-forward who’s kicked 21 goals in 13 matches. Tall and wiry, he’ll be even better next season.

Tyson Henry, Warburton Millgrove

The talented 18-year-old on-baller won the Burras’ best and fairest in 2023 at 17. He’s putting together another solid campaign with six mentions in the best.

Jackson Honey, Officer

Has played six senior games as a 17-year-old holding down centre half back.

Sam Hoghton, Officer

The former Gippy Power midfielder returned from injury in the second half of the season and has impressed with his elite skills.

Will Howe, Narre Warren

Has consolidated his standing as one of the premier forwards in the league, kicking 49 goals this season. Has played a selfless role, working hard defensively and pushing up the ground.

Bailey Humphrey, Warburton Millgrove

The mid-size forward, kicking 47 goals in 2023, is currently on 33 goals from 14 matches this season, including a bag of eight against Powelltown.

Ryan Hutton, Officer

The first-year senior player has done well as an inside mid, with clean hands and the ability to win the footy.

Percy Hyett, Olinda Ferny Creek

Only 18 but has already had a couple of full years in the seniors. Mature, tough and relishes the battle against bigger, stronger players. He loves it.

Kobey Jarvis, Yarra Glen

The club’s under-16 captain has done a mighty job to play eight senior games this season as a high forward.

Alistair Johansen, Mt Evelyn

Plays half back and has come on in leaps and bounds this season. A really solid contributor.

Sam Johnson, Narre Warren

Sam Johnson of Narre Warren takes a kick. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

The teenager has kicked 10 goals in the seniors this season from a wing, impressing with his pace. He’s like a sprinter, with genuine toe, and is quite hard at it.

Jett Kearney, Berwick Springs

A consistent season has brought 18 goals and seven mentions in the Titans best.

Dan King, Belgrave

A developing ruckman who also plays under 20s netball for Australia. Only 18.

Ben Lewis, Emerald

A high-leading forward who’s taken his game to another level this season. After a taste of senior footy last year he’s consolidated his spot playing on quality back men every week. Strong overhead, good kick and has a tank.

Pete Lucas, Olinda Ferny Creek

The “Shaggy Bull” plays in the guts, and loves to win contested ball. His physicality is outstanding and he’s super fit; often you’ll see him rack up the touches in the last quarter when everyone else is tired, he’s still running on top of the ground.

Ben Matthews, Upwey Tecoma

Ben Matthews.

A six foot five centre half back, with a booming left foot. Made team of the year last season as a 19-year-old. His intercept marking and ability to play as a shut-down defender is first rate. Having another terrific season.

Ryan Martini, Pakenham

The under-19 eligible dashing wingman can kick both feet and slice through traffic. A niggling injuy has sidelined him mid-season and the Lions missed him.

Jack McGough, Emerald

Can play forward or on a wing, ripper kid…he played in under-19s premiership in 2022, had a taste of seniors last year and this season has played 14 games. Maturing well.

Oscar Miles, Upwey Tecoma

Came to the club at the start of year and has impressed with his willingness to compete, his athleticism and ability to play everywhere.

Blake Morison, Seville

Burst onto the scene last season as a dynamic small forward and taken another step forward this season.

Blake Muir, Woori Yallock

Blake Muir of Woori Yallock. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

He’s had a sensational season; an elite kick, so much so that Woori had him taking the kick outs — not bad for a 17-year-old (now 18). Disappointingly, a knee injury has curtailed his season. But he’s got a bright future.

Zach Orr, Upwey Tecoma

The teenager showed his ability when he did a great job on Narre gun Sam Toner in Round 11. Promising type.

Zack Papadopoulos, Yea

Has worked his way through the reserves to become an important senior player. Still in Year 11. Plays as a wing or midfielder…a great kid, fierce tackler.

Ryley Pentland, Belgrave

An inside mid who is a great decision maker and uses the ball well, as he’s done in 15 matches this season.

Nathan Power, Belgrave

The key forward has kicked 39 goals in 15 matches this season, including bags of nine and seven.

Francis Seal, Olinda Ferny Creek

Francis Seal is having a fine season for Olinda Ferny Creek. Picture: Facebook

The 21-year-old is vice-captain and a stand-out player. Conscientious and mature and that’s how he plays his footy. His effort is 100 percent all the time. Growing into a strong midfielder but can play anywhere, wing, half back…he’s fearless and has aerial ability for his size.

Patrick Seymour, Olinda Ferny Creek

He’s coming into his own as a key defender. He’s got size and length and speed but his stand out trait is his ball use by foot…for such a tall guy he’s got terrific skills by foot.

Ben Schultze, Gembrook Cockatoo

Started the season playing forward but has blossomed since moving to centre half back, impressing as a rebounding, intercept defender. Should be a team of the year walk-up.

Brodie Snooks, Officer

The 18-year-old has elite running capacity, impressing at both Officer and Gippsland Power this season.

David Sollberger, Pakenham

David Sollberger. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Still eligible for under-19s, he’s played every game in the Lions’ seniors this season and impressed. A left-footer who plays wing or forward and making strong progress.

Matt Szczesny, Upwey Tecoma

Plays at half back and on a wing, goes under the radar but he’s a terrific player, uses the ball so well. Upwey’s best kick in the team.

Dan Toner, Narre Warren

He’s making his mark this season, his first out of under 19s. Has kicked 22 goals, providing forward pressure, and has also ventured into the midfield at times.

Sam Toner, Narre Warren

Sam Toner of Narre Warren celebrates kicking a goal. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

What he’s been able to achieve so far in his first year has been stunning. He has kicked 50 goals in 13 senior games, and in recent weeks has played at the Dandenong Stingrays as his star rises — even being invited to test at the state AFL Draft Combine. What he’s able to do with and without the footy is equally impressive; his defensive side is terrific.

Josh Trembath, Pakenham

Josh Trembath. Picture: Valeriu Campan

The running half back flanker has played every game in the Lions’ seniors this season. Has real dash and is an excellent kick of the footy.

Louis van Dam, Gembrook Cockatoo

First season of senior footy after crossing from Beaconsfield. After an jury interrupted start to the season he’s played the past six weeks in the seniors and shown he’s going to be an excellent senior footballer; a half forward, wingman, good skills, good speed and developing.

Harrison van Duuren, Wandin

Elite wingman who’s running power is second to none (he’s an ex-state 800m runner). His ability to get back into defensive 50 and create 2 v 1 sets him apart. Played in the premiership last year.

Noah Van Haren, Emerald

Absolute gun…when he gets the ball he’s dangerous. He gets one of the opposition’s best backs most games. Has started to push up into the midfield, a bit higher.

Dylan Walker, Warburton Millgrove

Plays as both a lockdown and creative backman. Finished second in the senior best and fairest in 2023 as a 16-year-old. Has had 10 mentions in the best players in 16 games this season.

Kurt Weiser, Belgrave

Impressive ruckman who has missed most of the season however is back for the last couple of rounds.

Liam Westlake, Warburton Millgrove

The key forward kicked 39 goals at senior level in 2023 as a 17-year-old and maintained his high standards this season, with 25 goals in 12 games. Has also played five games with the Eastern Ranges.

Joshua Westra, Officer

The full-back is in the top three in intercept marks in the comp and goes at 90 percent efficiency by foot. Rarely beaten, cool under pressure.

Sam Wicks, Upwey Tecoma

Has graduated from the under-19s last year, making an immediate impact at senior level. The midfielder plays above his size, exuding intensity. Drives with his legs out of the contest and challenges the opposition, runs forward too — a game changer.