We reveal more than 40 young guns performing well in the Ballarat this year
The future is now in the Ballarat league with rising stars continuing to make their mark in the competition. See our best from the 2025 season.
It’s going to be hard this year to pick a final under-23 squad for Ballarat to take on Hampden in interleague.
There’s plenty of young guns impressing in the competition, helping sides to become premiership threats.
From midfield guns to brothers of AFL players there are plenty playing well.
We’ve compiled a list of the best 21 and under players this season.
Those who are playing full-time for the Greater Western Victoria Rebels or Western Jets in the Coates Talent League and in the VFL have not been included.
Check out the list below.
Kyle Anderson, Lake Wendouree
The defender won the rising star at the Lakers last year. This year, he’s been an important part of the team in defence.
Sam Artz, North Ballarat
A tackling machine who is capable of playing in multiple roles in the midfield. Has been among the best in half of the games this season.
Jack Bambury, Sebastopol
Recently played his 50th senior game for Sebastopol and is one of the leaders at the club despite his age. The midfielder, who also plays as a halfback, has been in the best players in half of the games he’s played.
Taj Bond, Redan
Getting better every season as a key forward. In his second year at Redan after moving from Maryborough at the end of the 2023 season. Is a former Bendigo Pioneer player.
Jesse Cairns, East Point
One of the key young midfielder for the Kangaroos this season. Been among the best in a couple of games.
Benjamin Cameron, Sunbury
A former Bendigo Pioneers player who has been with Sunbury for the past couple of years. Has also played with Coburg in the VFL. Got plenty of skill and strength and a strong footy IQ. A key player for the Lions.
Noah Cockerell, North Ballarat
A key position player who came to the Ballarat league last season from Queensland. He’s been playing mostly in defence and has been a key member of the team.
Jake Connolly, Redan
Won last year’s under-17 best and fairest at Redan and is still eligible for under-19 football this year despite playing plenty of senior games. Connolly has averaged a goal a game and is a young gun with a strong future at the Lions.
Riley Constable, Ballarat
The defender has been a mainstay in the Swans defence this season. Is part of the extended interleague squad this year.
Jake Egan, Sunbury
One of the best midfielders in the competition and is averaging two goals a game. Has been among the best in most games this season. Was part of last year’s Ballarat interleague team and is going to be part of it this year. A talented midfielder.
Conrad Farrugia, Melton
A player who plays taller than his height of 188cm. Can play in the ruck or as a target in the forward line and knows how to deliver in big games. Has represented Ballarat in interleague the past two seasons.
Tarkyn Findlay, Bacchus Marsh
Impressed in his first full season of senior footy for the Cobras. Has been in the best players in almost half of the games he has played.
Rudie Forde, Redan
A young ruckman who is impressing. Described by Redan as a future star, he’s been leading the ruck stocks at the Lions this year. Is part of this year’s Ballarat league team.
Mitchell Gardner, Darley
The former Western Jet has been among the best in half of the games he’s played for Darley. One of a few Devils young guns doing well at the club.
Luke Gray, Ballarat
Won the most improved player award last year at the Swans and has taken another step in his game to be selected in the extended squad for interleague. The midfielder has averaged almost a goal a game and been in the best players a few times this season.
Rory Gunsser, Redan
Spent the summer with Essendon’s VFL team but has returned to play for the Lions. Is a beautiful kick and has been among the best in the midfield for the Lions this season.
Isaac Hucker, East Point
Bounced back well from a season-ending injury last year to play all games for East Point this season.
Josh Huxtable, Bacchus Marsh
Risen to a new level this year with his goalkicking. Huxtable, who is a former Greater Western Victoria Rebel, has averaged more than a goal a game to become a big part of the Cobras.
Lucas Impey, Darley
The leading ruckman at the Devils this season. The former Western Jet, who was part of Victoria Country’s squad last year at the national championships, has also played for Williamstown this year in the VFL. Impey was the number one ruck in the Coates Talent League last year and is also quick for his height. A former state basketballer.
Cooper James, Lake Wendouree
A former under-19 best and fairest. Has been among the best players for the Lakers this year in the forward line and has averaged almost a goal a game.
Jack Jeffrey, East Point
Averages a goal a game this season for the Kangaroos in the forward line. Is part of the Ballarat interleague extended squad this year.
Khy Jess, Redan
A talented midfielder who knows how to kick the ball. Jess has been among the best in most games he’s played and averages almost a goal a game. Last year he plaed interleague and is on track to do it again.
Will Johnson, Darley
Among the top goalkickers in the Ballarat league this season. The forward has kicked 33 goals to be the Devils best forward.
Jack Kovacevic, Bacchus Marsh
Capable of playing anywhere around the game but has held a position in defence for the past few weeks. Kovacevic knows how to use the ball and is smart around the ground with his decision making.
Will Lalor, Bacchus Marsh
The brother of Richmond young gun Sam. Lalor has been one of the best for Bacchus Marsh this year and has been selected in the extended squad to play interleague for the first time for Ballarat. The talented athlete was also part of Bacchus Marsh’s cricket team who won the Ballarat Cricket Association first grade competition.
Cooper Littlehales, Sebastopol
Averages two goals a game in the forward line for the Burras this season and has kicked three or more goals in three matches.
James McDonald, Sebastopol
Won the best young player of the year award at the Burras last year. Has continued the form this year and is averaging goal every two games.
Dec McGuigan, North Ballarat
Back this season after shoulder surgery ruled him out for most of last year. The winger/forward has picked up where he left off in 2023, when he played 16 senior matches.
Mitch Mclean, Sunbury
McLean has been an important part of the Sunbury forward line the past two years. This year he’s averaged a goal a game but has been starting to transition into a midfield player. Has been part of Ballarat’s interleague squad the past two years.
Taj McMillan, North Ballarat
A young gun on the rise at the Roosters. Last year he kicked 18 goals in 16 senior games and is on track for similar numbers. Can play in the forward line, or on the wing and in the midfield.
Alex Molan, East Point
The former VFL player has already made an impact at East Point, kicking two goals last year in extra time to help the Kangaroos beat Darley in the finals. Molan is a midfielder who is another of the young guns excelling at the Kangaroos.
Isaac Nixon, Bacchus Marsh
Another Cobra who has signed for Werribee this season in the VFL. Has impressed in recent weeks kicking three goals in two consecutive Ballarat league games.
Jack O’Brien, Ballarat
Has averaged a goal a game for the past two seasons for the Swans, making himself a valuable part of the Ballarat forward line. He’s also been in the best players a couple of times and knows his way around the goal.
Reggie Palmer, North Ballarat
Capable of playing defence and attack, Palmer recently kicked two goals against East Point, while also being able to play well down back.
Rye Penny, Bacchus Marsh
Currently VFL listed with Werribee but has played the majority of the season with the Cobras. Is a handy medium-sized defender who is known for flying high to take a strong mark.
Fraser Perkins, Ballarat
Been one of the best for Ballarat this year, being in the best players in seven out of 10 games. The forward has averaged almost a goal a game.
Luke Phillips, Sebastopol
Another young gun at the Burras who has worked his way into the senior team regularly. Has been in the best players a couple of times for the Burras.
Brody Pope, Redan
An inside midfielder who joined the club in the off-season from the Horsham Demons in the Wimmera league. Pope, who knows how to attack a contest, has been among the best players in almost all games he’s played. Been a handy recruit for the Lions.
Bailey Ryan, Lake Wendouree
The defender has played every game this season and has been a part of the senior team for the past three years.
Cody Salmon, Bacchus Marsh
Played in Ballarat’s under-17 interleague team last year and is part of Bacchus Marsh’s best senior team this year. Salmon is a forward who is almost averaging a goal a game. He kicked four against Redan earlier in the season.
Chase Scoble, Melton
The son of Melton coach Troy. After making his senior debut last year, he’s become a part of the premiership winning outfit, playing in the midfield in multiple roles. A talent for the future.
Lachlan Sheridan, Sebastopol
Kicked 75 goals in the U19s two seasons ago and is playing his part in the forward line in seniors this year. Has averaged almost a goal a game for the Burras.
Zachary Steven, Sunbury
A running machine who can play either at half back or in the midfield. Played under-19s and seniors last year and has been part of the main team this year.
Josh Stewart, Melton
Another young ruckman who made his senior debut last year for Melton and has been a big part of the team this year.
Wyatt Squires, Ballarat
The midfielder has been among the best in half of his games for the Ballarat Swans this year. Was the best first year player at the club in 2023 and is part of this year’s extended interleague squad.
Hamish Thompson, East Point
Worked his way into the senior squad full-time this year after playing 14 games and missing out on finals last year. Thompson is averaging a goal a game for the Kangaroos this season.
Hugh Trigg, North Ballarat
A high-flying forward who is playing for Port Melbourne in the VFL while playing for the Roosters. Has averaged almost two goals a game when he has played for North Ballarat this season. A young gun with a big future.
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