AFL Draft prospects to watch from exciting 2027 pool after under-16 championships
The U16 champs have come to a close and the future looks very bright — particularly for Essendon, Port Adelaide and the 19th AFL team. These are the prospects to watch out for from the 2027 draft class.
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The future is looking bright if the 2025 under-16 national development championships are anything to go by, and three AFL clubs will be particularly excited — including the competition’s newest entrant.
Recruiters were wowed by the exciting 2027 draft crop on the Gold Coast last week with many promising talents announcing themselves on the national stage.
SCROLL DOWN FOR THE 27 PROSPECTS TO WATCH FROM 2027 CROP
Tasmania will dominate the top-end of the 2027 draft ahead of its entry into the AFL ranks in 2028 and the Devils should be bullish about the local talent on offer - which they will have priority access to at the draft.
Tasmania claimed the division two title at the championships and a host of prospects from the Apple Isle put themselves on the map.
Essendon and Port Adelaide could also hit the jackpot in a heavily compromised pool.
The Bombers have one of the standout talents in father-son Koby Bewick (son of Darren) tied to the club, along with Next Generation Academy duo Tevita Rodan and Moustafa Darwish.
Rodan will have a decision to make given he is also eligible as a father-son to Port Adelaide as the son of David Rodan, who played 111 of his 185 AFL games for Port Adelaide.
Port Adelaide also has access to another father-son in Louis Salopek (son of Steven) and freakish forward Zemes Pilot, who shapes as an early selection, through their NGA program.
We take a look at the top prospects to keep tabs up over the next two years, including Kevin Sheehan medallist Baxter Sruk and WA No.1 pick contender Axel Walsh.
27 PROSPECTS TO WATCH FROM 2027 DRAFT
Angus Abbonizio
Midfielder, 183cm, Western Australia/Subiaco
U16 champs stats ave: 114 SuperCoach points, 24 disposals, 16.3 uncontested possessions, 5.3 marks, 5.0 tackles (3 games)
Abbonozio certainly has no trouble finding the footy, registering 25 disposals and six clearances to halftime in WA’s win over Vic Country. He was agile and clean in the clinches and his workrate on the outside was relentless, winning 21 uncontested possessions against both Victorian sides.
Laurence Andriani
Midfielder, 170cm, South Australia/West Adelaide
U16 champs stats ave: 153 SuperCoach points, 29 disposals, 14.3 contested possessions, 7.0 clearances, 5.7 tackles, 5.3 marks (3 games)
The prolific midfielder was a bull at the contest where his attack on the ball and the man was ferocious. He also had a strong influence on the outside with 21 uncontested possessions in their win over Vic Country, where he finished with 32 disposals, nine clearances (seven centre clearances) and four score assists.
James Artemis
Midfielder, 176cm, Western Australia/East Fremantle
U16 champs stats ave: 104 SuperCoach points, 10.7 contested possessions, 8.7 tackles, 5.0 clearances (3 games)
Western Australia’s MVP turned heads with an array of streaming runs across the carnival, the pick of the bunch a long-range goal against Vic Metro after sprinting all the way from the halfback flank to receive it. He kicked another fantastic goal in that game as he came close to getting his side over the line. Artemis also showed his thirst for the contest on the inside with 10 tackles and five centre clearances in game three.
Koby Bewick (Essendon father-son)
Midfielder/defender, 177cm, Vic Metro/Calder Cannons
U16 champs stats ave: 125 SuperCoach points, 23.0 disposals, 8.0 inside 50, 7.0 score involvements, 4.3 marks, 1.0 goals (3 games)
Essendon will be bracing for an early bid in the 2027 draft for Bewick, the son of dual premiership Bomber Darren. Having already shone against 18-year-olds in the Coates Talent League on debut earlier this year, Bewick led Vic Metro to victory against Vic Country with three goals, 23 disposals, 10 inside 50s, seven clearances in a dominant midfield showing. He was deployed halfback in their final win over South Australia where his run from behind, elite kicking and footy IQ stood out, finishing with 29 disposals and 10 score involvements. In his one ‘off’ game he still had nine inside 50s to go with 17 disposals. Provides enormous drive and oozes class.
Jackson Bridge
Defender, 187cm, Lions Academy/Sherwood
U16 champs stats ave: 130 SuperCoach points, 18 disposals, 8.7 marks, 8.0 intercept possessions, 6.0 score involvements. 5.0 intercept marks (3 games)
Opposition sides simply couldn’t cross this Bridge during the champs. The medium defender took five intercept marks in each of his three games, with his vertical leap, reading of the play and strong hands standing out. Bridge skills by foot and attacking play also impressed, highlighted by a classy goal on the run in their championships opener.
Monte Cairns
Midfielder, 185cm, Swans Academy/North Shore Swans
U16 champs stats ave: 153 SuperCoach points, 22.7 disposals, 12.7 contested possessions, 7.7 score involvements, 6.0 clearances, 6.0 marks, 5.3 tackles, 1.3 goals,
Cairns was immense for the Swans Academy across the championships, finishing with his side’s MVP medal around his neck. His contested ball-winning, evasiveness and tackle pressure was prominent at the contest and he was able to push forward and kick two goals in each of their wins against the Giants and Suns. Cairns blew up the stat sheet in their win over Gold Coast with 29 disposals, 22 disposals, 15 contested possessions, 12 score involvements, 11 marks, eight tackles, two goals and 196 SuperCoach points.
Harvey Chapman
Defender, 194cm, South Australia/Sturt
U16 champs stats ave: 131 SuperCoach points, 21 disposals, 18.3 kicks, 8.3 intercept possessions, 4.0 intercept marks (3 games)
The intercepting key defender put himself on the map against Western Australia, producing one of the games of the tournament with 33 disposals, 31 kicks, 18 rebound 50s, 16 intercept possessions, 10 marks, eight intercept marks and 206 SuperCoach points. Chapman has an elite kick, strong hands overhead, reads the play to perfection and is very nimble.
Moustafa Darwish (Essendon NGA)
Defender, 179cm, Vic Metro/Calder Cannons
U16 champs stats ave: 107 SuperCoach points, 16.3 disposals, 6.7 intercepts, 4.7 marks, 2.0 intercept marks
A Bachar Houli Foundation product and a member of Essendon’s NGA program, Darwish excelled up on the Gold Coast with his pinpoint kicking, composure and intercepting off halfback. Darwish won eight intercept possessions against Western Australia, including three well-judged intercept marks, and shone offensively and defensively in their final game. He capped his carnival with 27 disposals, nine intercepts, nine score involvements and six tackles, hitting the target with all but one of his 15 kicks.
Cooper French
Midfielder, 178cm, Giants Academy/Ainslie
U16 champs stats ave: 121 SuperCoach points, 22 disposals, 15.3 uncontested possessions, 8.3 score involvements, 1.3 goals,
The Giants Academy’s MVP had significant forward-half impact with his possessions as a midfielder. In their win over Northern Territory, 14 of French’s 25 disposals were score involvements, which included two set shot goals. The Canberran capped his championships with 26 disposals, seven marks and an impressive goal from 50m off a couple of steps.
Max Gulliver
Midfielder, 178cm, Tasmania/Glenorchy
U16 champs stats ave: 138 SuperCoach points, 18 disposals, 11.3 contested possessions, 6.3 clearances, 2.3 goals
Tasmanians, you’re going to be hearing more about this guy. Gulliver took the micky in his two full-games and would have been in contention for Tasmania’s MVP if his third game didn’t end prematurely with injury. The accomplished midfielder absolutely dominated, eclipsing 200 SuperCoach points in both and averaging 27 disposals, 16.5 contested possessions, 9.5 clearances and 3.5 goals. In game two against Gold Coast he accelerated away to kick two eye-catching running goals from long range. Gulliver’s inside ball-winning, penetrating kick and acceleration makes him a very well rounded midfield talent.
Lucas Heazlewood
Forward, 176cm, Tasmania/Ulverstone
U16 champs stats ave: 114 SuperCoach points, 24 disposals, 16.3 uncontested possessions, 5.3 marks, 5.0 tackles
There are shades of Izak Rankine in this Tasmanian talent – and it’s not just the peroxide blond hair. Heazlewood was a human highlight reel at the championships, kicking three goals in each of his three matches to earn Tasmania’s MVP award. The lightning quick forward put his exciting traits on show with a spellbinding six minute stretch against GWS where he booted three majors. The last of those came after he paddled the ball to himself, burst away and shrugged two tacklers and put it through. Expect to see more freakish goals, baulks, sizzling kicks and rundown tackles from Heazlewood in the future.
Sam Husband
Midfielder/forward, 180cm, Tasmania/Launceston
U16 champs stats ave: 146 SuperCoach points, 20.3 disposals, 7.7 score involvements, 1.0 goals
Husband oozes class with his creative ball use and ability to find space in traffic. He was able to have a big impact up forward and through the midfield, with his best game coming against the Suns where he booted two goals and had 21 disposals, 11 score involvements and three score assists. Husband spent more time on the inside in their final game and collected 13 contested possessions and six clearances, also showing his dash with a searing run out of defence.
Kai Ivins
Midfielder/forward, 180cm, South Australia/Norwood
U16 champs stats ave: 131 SuperCoach points, 22.5 disposals, 6.0 inside 50s, 6.0 score involvements, 2.0 goals (2 games)
Ivins has plenty of x-factor with his power and damaging play in the attacking half, underlined by his two goals on the run against Vic Country. He finished with 26 disposals, 10 inside 50s, six marks and 3.1 in a dominant display as he led his side to a comeback win. Ivins is also a marking threat and clean and agile in traffic, making him dangerous customer in the midfield and while resting forward.
Duke Marshall-Orr
Forward, 186cm, Swans Academy/Melbourne Grammar
U16 champs stats ave: 140 SuperCoach points, 18.0 disposals, 8.7 score involvements, 6.3 marks, 2.0 goals (3 games)
A medium forward who can hurt sides in the air and at ground level, Marshall-Orr produced an eye-catching carnival for the Swans Academy. He pushed up the ground to get involved and kicked six goals, his best coming in their win over the Giants where he gathered against an opponent, turned one way and then the other before snapping a banana on the wrong side for a right footer. The Melbourne Grammar boarder also showcased his strong overhead marking inside 50, particularly in their final game where he kicked three majors.
Harper McCullough
Midfielder, 176cm, Vic Metro/Oakleigh Chargers
U16 champs stats ave: 159 SuperCoach points, 18.7 disposals, 8.0 tackles, 8.0 score involvements, 5.3 clearances, 0.7 goals
McCullough showcased his strong inside traits and was also able to get involved offensively with great effect. The relentless midfielder’s contested ball-winning, work in traffic and relentless and tackling pressure stood out in the clinches. But he showed he more than just an inside bull in his final game where he set up five score and kicked a long-range goal on the run, highlighting his burst of speed.
Jake Miller
Forward, 195cm, Vic Metro/Western Jets
U16 champs stats ave: 84 SuperCoach points, 7.0 disposals, 5.4 score involvements, 4.3 marks, 3.0 goals, 1.3 contested marks
A key forward with strong hands overhead, Miller booted multiple goals in every game and finished with nine majors across the championships. Miller’s best performance came in their final game, where he slotted 4.3 – one of those a terrific snap from 40m on the boundary – and clunked eight marks (three of those contested). The 195cm prospect managed to hit the scoreboard despite limited possessions in his other two games.
Chaice Oliver
Midfielder, 187cm, Tasmania/Glenorchy
U16 champs stats ave: 120 SuperCoach points, 13 disposals, 6.3 score involvements, 5.7 marks, 4.0 contested marks, 3.7 goals
Tasmania looked to have a cheat code up forward against the Suns as Oliver clunked 10 marks inside 50 – seven of those contested – and booted 7.3 That monster haul saw Oliver top the goalkicking across the division two carnival, also finishing with three goals and four contested marks against the Giants. Oliver has vice-like hands overhead and showed his brute strength at marking contests.
Zemes Pilot (Port Adelaide NGA)
Forward, 190cm, South Australia/South Adelaide
U16 champs stats ave: 150 SuperCoach points, 19 disposals, 11 contested possessions, 8.5 score involvements, 5.5 tackles, 1.5 goals (2 games)
Fittingly, Pilot is a high-flyer and he showed off his rare blend of attributes and matchwinning qualities at the championships. The Port Adelaide NGA prospect plays like a small and a tall: he lays chasedown tackles, soars high for marks, is clean at ground level, and has great goal sense and footy IQ. Pilot spurred the Croweaters to a comeback win in their second game with two clever handball assists and then two final quarter goals, while in game one he had a major impact as a midfielder-forward. One for Power fans to get excited about.
Tevita Rodan (Port Adelaide father-son/Essendon NGA)
Utility, 179cm, Vic Metro/Calder Cannons
U16 champs stats ave: 100 SuperCoach points, 20 disposals, 5.0 score involvements, 4.7 inside 50s, 4.0 tackles (3 games)
Rodan is tied to Port Adelaide as a father-son and Essendon as a Next Generation Academy prospect. The son of current goal umpire and former Power, Tiegrs and Demons goalkicker David Rodan played all over the ground across the carnival, but it was his final game as an inside midfielder which stood out. Rodan shone on the inside and the outside with 30 disposals, nine score involvements, six clearances and an eye-catching goal on the run. The small utility is quick, very clean at ground level and makes things happen when the ball is in his hands.
Benji Russell
Midfielder, 176cm, Tasmania/Lauderdale
U16 champs stats ave: 114 SuperCoach points, 21 disposals, 5.3 inside 50s, 5.0 score involvements (3 games)
Russell nearly broke the AFL Draft combine record for the agility test earlier this year at the age of 15, and he danced his way through traffic with ease across the championships. His elite kicking and speed was also difficult to stop during an eye-catching campaign. He starred like many of his Tassie teammates against the Suns with 23 disposals, 12 score involvements and nine inside 50s, also showing his intent on the defensive end with seven tackles.
Louis Salopek (Port Adelaide father-son)
Midfielder, 184cm, Vic Country/Dandenong Stingrays
U16 champs stats ave: 95 SuperCoach points, 24 disposals, 4.7 tackles, 4.3 marks (3 games)
A rangy midfielder with a wide array of promising traits, Salopek book ended the carnival with eye-catching performances. The son of 121-game Power midfielder Steven Salopek collected 32 disposals, 14 contested possessions and 11 clearances against Vic Metro and had a team-high 24 disposals to close out the carnival. Salopek produced plenty of highlights in their final game of the championships with his defensive efforts, vertical leap and vision.
Hugo Semmler
Ruck, 199cm, South Australia/Gawler
U16 champs stats ave: 108 SuperCoach points, 24.7 hit-outs (8.3 to advantage), 11.3 disposals, 7.7 contested possessions (3 games)
The athletic ruckman’s follow up at ground level, overhead marking and tapwork stood out as he was crowned South Australia’s MVP. The Central District product’s commanding performance against Vic Country was his best as he tallied 38 hit-outs (12 to advantage), 17 disposals, six marks (three intercept marks), five clearances and 144 SuperCoach points.
Tom Steinfort (Geelong NGA)
Defender/forward, 194cm, Vic Country/Geelong Falcons
U16 champ stats ave: 72 SuperCoach points, 9.7 disposals, 4.3 intercepts, 2.0 intercept marks 11.3 disposals, 7.7 contested possessions (3 games)
The son of former Geelong and Collingwood player Carl Steinfort was immense in Vic Country’s narrow loss to South Australia. Steinfort’s reading of the play and strong hands came to the fore as he picked off five intercept marks – two of those contested – among 10 intercept possessions, and he was then swung forward in the final quarter and kicked a crucial goal. A member of Geelong’s NGA program, Steinfort showed his ground level play with a ripping snap goal from 40m in the final game before he was sidelined in the second half with a corky.
Baxter Sruk
Midfielder, 182cm, Vic Metro/Eastern Ranges
U16 champs stats ave: 138 SuperCoach points, 23.0 disposals, 9.0 score involvements, 7.3 score involvements, 5.7 marks, 2 goals (3 games)
Sruk put his lethal left boot on show to recruiters with four goals on the run from beyond 40m against South Australia to cap his Kevin Sheehan Medal-winning carnival. The gamebreaking midfielder also had 27 disposals, 17 kicks at 70 per cent efficiency and 12 score involvements, cutting the Croweaters apart with his kicking weapon. His best goal of the championships came with the game in the balance against WA, selling candy and launching long from the paint in the final quarter. Sruk collected 20-plus disposals and kicked a goal in every game at the championships, with his presence at the contest and outside run also impressing
Max Thompson
Forward/midfielder, Vic Country/Bendigo Pioneers
U16 champs stats ave: 125 SuperCoach points, 15.7 disposals, 7.3 marks, 7.3 score involvements, 5.7 marks, 3.3 goals (3 games)
An extremely dangerous and clever small forward/midfielder who can kick goals from all angles, Thompson earnt Vic Country MVP honours for his eye-catching championships campaign. He booted multiple goals in every game, the highlight a stunning five-goal haul against Vic Metro, and played a hand in 22 Vic Country scores across the carnival. Thompson combination of goal sense, elite skills, work rate and pressure make him an extremely damaging forward-half player.
Kyan Walters
Defender, 185cm, Vic Country/Geelong Falcons
U16 champs stats ave: 108 SuperCoach points, 18.7 disposals, 14.3 kicks, 0.7 goals (3 games)
Walters’ exquisite kicking and dash were a feature in the last two games as he propelled Vic Country’s from defence. The rebounding defender was pushed into the midfield in their third game and kicked two goals in their final clash against Western Australia – one of those a soccer off the deck from a tight angle.
Axel Walsh
Ruck, 201cm, Western Australia/East Perth
U16 champs stats ave: 189 SuperCoach points, 27 hit-outs (seven to advantage), 21.5 disposals, 16.0 contested possessions, 6.0 marks, 5.0 intercept marks, 4.5 tackles (2 games)
Walsh likely would have taken out the Kevin Sheehan Medal if it weren’t for a serious knee sidelining him in the final game, but he still shapes as a serious pick one contender for Tasmania in 2027. The ruckman does it all: he is freakishly athletic, clunks intercept marks, has a soaring leap and becomes a midfielder when the ball hits the deck. In wet conditions against South Australia, the ruckman clunked seven intercept marks – five of those contested – to go with 29 hit-outs, 23 disposals, 17 contested possessions, six tackles and 206 SuperCoach points, and his second game was nearly as dominant.
Originally published as AFL Draft prospects to watch from exciting 2027 pool after under-16 championships
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