Top under-15s AFL Townsville players uncovered for 2025 season
The AFL Townsville junior season has begun with a number of rising stars already making their mark on the competition. See the top under-15 male players to keep an eye on in 2025.
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The AFL Townsville junior season underway for 2025 and we’re shining a light on the current crop of rising stars that are making their way through the grades.
With the region producing a handful of AFL and AFLW talent in recent years, led by GWS star Tom Green and Lions standout Breanna Koenen, we hope to highlight some of the best male and female rising talents from the under-13s to under-17s divisions.
- Top under-13 male Townsville Aussie rules players uncovered for 2025 season
- Top under-14 female Townsville Aussie rules players uncovered for 2025 season
This week we uncover some of the top players to watch from the under-15s male division.
The list is in no particular order and all players were highlighted by their specific club or head coach.
TOWNSVILLE AUSSIE RULES TOP U15 MALE PLAYERS TO WATCH
Taylar Ronke (Thuringowa Bulldogs)
A very versatile and smooth mover who is another Gold Coast Suns Academy member, Ronke covers the ground with ease.
Best known for his clearance work and ability to read it off the hands of the ruckman but becomes a real weapon as an intercept defender playing behind the football.
Preston Fraser (Thuringowa Bulldogs)
Fraser has entered his second season in the Townsville competition and definitely won’t fly under the radar in 2025.
A top end talent from the Northern Territory, Fraser glides around the forward line effortlessly and has a raking left foot kick to boot.
With a big tank he does some of his best work up the ground through the wings where his ability to turn his opponent inside out is breathtaking.
Ari Baban (Hermit Park Tigers)
One of the rising stars of the competition, Baban is a name to remember.
With precision kicking, a rock-solid core and a natural ability around the contest, he’s already turning heads as a junior rising through the grades.
Baban has the versatility to play across all positions, but his dominance at clearances and instinctive feel for the game makes him a key figure in the midfield engine room.
Anakin Kuchta (Hermit Park Tigers)
After an impressive pre-season, Kuchta is set to make a serious impact in 2025.
Having grown in both confidence and stature Kuchta has taken on a leadership role within a refreshed Hermit Park line-up.
With representative honours for North Queensland U15s under his belt, and another selection this year, Kuchta brings valuable experience to the field.
He is expected to rotate through multiple positions as he continues to develop his all-round game, with a strong eye for goal likely to keep his name on the scoreboard all season long.
Eli Groves (Hermit Park Tigers)
A standout recruit from Ignatius Park College, Groves brings elite athleticism and a competitive edge to the Hermit Park squad.
Selected for this year’s North Queensland AFL team, Groves is a natural all-rounder having already represented the region in four other sports.
While new to Aussie rules, his high-level background in touch football and rugby league gives him exceptional vision and spatial awareness, particularly from behind the footy.
His kicking game will only improve as the season unfolds, complementing his dynamic style across multiple codes.
A genuine talent with sky-high potential.
Kylan Miller (Hermit Park Tigers)
Recruited out of last year’s Schools Cup in Townsville, Miller is another exciting code-hopper that’s joined the Hermit Park ranks.
A product of Kirwan High, Miller made a strong impression as a standout in both the ruck and backline, showcasing athleticism, smarts, and a natural read of the play.
With representative experience in Townsville Basketball, his multi-sport background adds another layer to his game.
As he continues to recover from an injury, Miller’s teammates are eagerly awaiting his debut in the black and yellow and his coaches say they won’t be surprised when he starts catching the opposition off guard.
Patrick Forbes (Hermit Park Tigers)
Forbes is building momentum week by week and his rising confidence is becoming a real asset for Hermit Park.
Set to play in key positions throughout the season, Forbes is being trusted with significant roles as the club looks to fast-track his development.
While taller players often take a little longer to mature, his potential is clear and the coaching staff see him as a key cog in the team’s engine.
With a strong work ethic and growing presence, there’s no doubt his impact will be crucial to Hermit Park’s success in 2025.
Joel Krause (Northern Beaches Suns)
Krause is an impact player capable of bursting out of the centre square, kicking a long-range goal or hitting up a forward target.
He’s blessed with natural evasive skills and sees himself as a team player.
Logan Pedersen (Northern Beaches Suns)
Pedersen is only in his second year of Aussie rules but has shown that he is capable of playing at both ends of the ground.
He makes good decisions, has a beautiful left foot kick and also knows where the goals are.
Is definitely a player to watch this year.
Charley Bales (Northern Beaches Suns)
Clean hands combined with great decision making pretty well sums up this Northern Beaches Jet.
Bales can find a target by foot or by hand which has quickly made him one of Townsville’s most promising junior players.
The Curra Swans did not respond prior to the time of publishing.
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Originally published as Top under-15s AFL Townsville players uncovered for 2025 season
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