Coates Talent League 2025 live stream: Oakleigh Chargers v Brisbane Lions Academy
The latest member of a famous Western Bulldogs family has stepped up in a clutch moment on his Coates Talent League debut. Watch both girls and boys REPLAYS here.
A Western Bulldogs father-son prospect has sealed victory as the Oakleigh Chargers snapped a three-game losing streak on Sunday.
Forced to hold off a persistent Brisbane Lions Academy right until the final minutes, the Chargers prevailed 10.4 (64) to 8.6 (54) at Windy Hill.
Both the boys and girls Coates Talent League clashes were live streamed exclusively on KommunityTV.
And it was Will Darcy – brother of rising star Sam and son of dogs great Luke – in who had the last say in the contest on debut for the Chargers,
With the ball locked on Oakleigh’s attacking 50m line, Charlie Whitehead booted the ball out of mid-air to Darcy in the goalsquare.
The first-gamer calmly went back to slot the winner and extend the lead to 10 points.
Earlier, the Lions held an 11-point lead at the first change before the Chargers booted five straight to roar back into the contest.
Oakleigh had a 13-point advantage at three-quarter time but a dour final term meant scoring was hard to come by for both sides.
Brisbane got back to a kick down after a classy left-foot finish from Harrison Bridge for his second of the day.
However, as the Lions spurned a couple of gettable chances, the Chargers produced a moment of brilliance of their own through Whitehead and Darcy.
Ben Fergusson was the only multiple goal kicker for Oakleigh with two, while Bridge and Isaac Waller both booted a pair of majors for the Lions.
Replay: Oakleigh Chargers v Brisbane Lions Academy (Girls)
In the girls clash, a dominant defensive display and a final quarter blitz led the reigning premier Chargers to a 7.9 (51) to 1.3 (9)
Just four points separated the two sides at the first break but from there Oakleigh’s backline was a wall, keeping the Lions goalless in the following three terms.
Four of the Chargers’ seven majors came in the fourth quarter.
Oakleigh, winners of the last two Coates Talent League girls flags, is now undefeated after five games this season and has won 24 of its past 26 matches.
PREVIEW
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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