Coates Talent League 2025 live stream: Oakleigh Chargers v Brisbane Lions Academy
He’s the son of a Hawthorn champion – but a choice is emerging for this improving Brisbane Lions Academy draft prospect. Watch him LIVE in the Coates Talent League on Sunday.
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It is the decision which could break Hawthorn hearts.
As Cooper Hodge continues to emerge as a 2026 AFL draft prospect, he faces having to make a big choice in 18 months’ time on whether to nominate as a father-son for Hawthorn or as an academy product for the Brisbane Lions.
The son of three-time Hawks premiership captain Luke, the 16-year-old has caught the eye for the Lions Academy during under-18 matches in the Coates Talent League this year.
And he will be one of the top prospects to watch when Brisbane takes on the Oakleigh Chargers in a boys and girls double header, live an exclusive this Sunday on KommunityTV.
The recent performances have come after Cooper starred at under-15 level in 2023, earning All-Australian honours while playing for Queensland at national championships.
After starting this season across half-back – a position where his father made his name – Cooper was injected into the midfield for a round 5 match against Tasmania a fortnight ago.
He gathered 22 disposals (10 contested), six clearances and six tackles that day, before showing more positive signs onball in a win over the Eastern Ranges last week.
“He’s pretty versatile in the positions he can play but is still pretty raw within his development, so we’ve been working pretty hard with that,” Lions Academy coach Mitch Hahn said.
“The past couple of weeks he’s shown some real improvement playing through the midfield and showing off his athletic attributes, which are his power and speed and his aggression and courage.
“He’s driven out of stoppage a few times really well with his legs and his tackle pressure and intent to defend as a midfielder are really strong.”
Cooper’s athletic traits were also on show during pre-season testing when he ranked equal-eighth nationally in the running vertical jump off his left foot, recording a leap of 95cm.
Hahn said he was “still unsure” what the son-of-a-gun’s best position would be long-term, but he will continue to work on his midfield craft for now.
“He’s got attributes to be able to play across all three lines, which is really important,” Hahn said.
“He’s also got a dad who can impart him with a fair bit of knowledge. But if you talk to Coop, he’s also trying to forge his own path with his career as well. That’s something that he’s really strong on. He’s a strong-willed young lad. But he’s showing some really good signs for an under-ager.”
The Hodge family has lived in Queensland since Luke made a backflip on his retirement plans at the end of 2017 and finished his decorated career with two years at the Lions.
Sydney defender Nick Blakey famously made the decision to nominate as a member of the Swans Academy ahead of the 2018 national draft, having also been eligible to join North Melbourne or the Brisbane Lions as a father-son and follow in the footsteps of his father John.
Cooper will be back in action for the Lions Academy on Sunday when they take on the Chargers live streamed from 10.30am, followed by the girls clash at 1pm.
The Lions also have multiple top-end prospects for this year’s national draft, headlined by captain Daniel Annable.
A 184cm midfielder, Annable has also been part of the AFL Academy squad this year and logged 23 disposals, 13 clearances and nine tackles against the Ranges last week.
“He’s just a classy individual. Everything he does is professional,” Hahn said of Annable.
“He’s been in our system now for three years at under-18 level. Whatever level that he plays at, he rises to the occasion.
“He’s really clean below his knees, his clearance work has been fantastic and this year what we’ve really liked is his ability to be able to hit the scoreboard as well. He kicked a few goals in those national academy games and he’s kicked goals for us. Good midfielders always get forward and kick goals. He’s a star.”
Originally published as Coates Talent League 2025 live stream: Oakleigh Chargers v Brisbane Lions Academy
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