Daniel Curtin’s younger brother Cody set to join him in AFL ranks after kicking 8.4 in WAFL Colts practice match

You’ve heard of Adelaide young gun Daniel Curtin. But after kicking 8.4 for Claremont in a WAFL Colts scratch match on Sunday, it’s time to introduce you to his younger brother Cody.

Cody Curtin in action on Grand Final Day in the National Futures Boys match. Picture: Daniel Pockett/AFL Photos/via Getty Images.

You’ve heard of Adelaide young gun Daniel Curtin.

But after kicking 8.4 for Claremont in a WAFL Colts scratch match on Sunday, it’s time to introduce you to his younger brother Cody.

The 18-year-old key forward has already been touted as a potential first-round pick in this year’s draft as one of the top key position prospects. But after spending most of the summer training with the WA State Academy and Claremont’s league side, Curtin has staked his claim with one of the most dominant displays in recent memory.

Curtin’s 8.4 (52) tally nearly double Subiaco’s final score of 4.5 (29). The Tigers kicked 18.17 (125) on their way to a 96-point win.

Claremont Colts coach Ricki Smith was mobbed by AFL recruiters post-game who had all flown into Perth for the Colts pre-season Super Round, playing three games back-to-back at the same venue for the benefit of list managers.

“He’s going to be an exciting prospect to watch in the next eight months,” Smith said. “He’s an extremely talented young lad.

Cody Curtin of Western Australia and Harry Armstrong of Victoria Metro contest for a mark during the National Championships. Picture: Paul Kane/AFL Photos/via Getty Images.

“His movement was elite … just his running patterns and contested work. Good luck getting in a wrestle with Cody and coming out on top. He’s got an elite work rate.

“They checked him pretty closely but he still managed to get others involved in the game. I thought for his first game after not a lot of training with the group, he played really well.

“Some were on the lead, some he held space really well and some were a result of him hitting the contest really hard and the ball hit the ground and he got on the end of it.

“His first goal was quite special. He showed some really good evasive skills and then he slotted it from 20m out.

Subiaco tried to double-team Curtin and regularly sat two defenders on him but it didn’t matter. He could’ve had 12 goals if he didn’t uncharacteristically miss a handful of set shots. And Curtin gave a few off as well.

Smith has been lucky to coach several future AFL stars over the years and Curtin’s performance reminded him of a certain Coleman Medallist.

“In terms of a player similar to Cody that I’ve been involved in, it would be Jesse Hogan,” Smith said. “Jesse played a variety of roles for us in 2012.

“Tom Barrass was also our captain in 2013 and he was an unbelievable mark of the footy. Those would be the guys I’d put him up alongside at this stage of his career.”

Cody Curtin in action on Grand Final Day in the National Futures Boys match. Picture: Daniel Pockett/AFL Photos/via Getty Images.

A member of the AFL Academy, Curtin has also trained with Fremantle this pre-season. And he’s all but certain to make his league debut for Claremont following the National Championships.

Curtin has also been working closely with Tigers footy boss and former Essendon and Fremantle key forward Kepler Bradley on his craft.

“I can only see him continuing on the upward spike,” Smith said. “Dan obviously isn’t key position.

“Cody is a big lump of a lad. But he moves really well for someone that size.”

Curtin was one of several famous surnames that will take to the field for Claremont this year.

Noah Braun, son of premiership Eagle Michael, kicked two goals after coming on in the second half.

Brothers Charlie (18) and Harper (17) Banfield are hoping to follow in the footsteps of their father Drew. Charlie will unfortunately miss a few weeks after hurting his ankle on the weekend but he’s still a strong father-son prospect for the Eagles.

While Benji van Rooyen, younger brother of Melbourne forward Jacob, is already 203cm at the age of 17 and is showing a strong desire to learn and improve after working through a series of stress fractures.

Claremont’s premiership defence begins against Peel Thunder in Round 1 on April 5.