Is Sam Lalor the beast he looks in that photo?Draft watch: The APS school footy standouts who have impressed throughout the 2024 season
Here’s who have been the standouts across the competition this season.
Tairon Ah-Mu, Haileybury College
The bottom-age ruckman has been in Haileybury College’s best nearly every week. In addition to racking up the hit-outs, Ah-Mu can, and has, hit the scoreboard. Once he fills in his frame a bit more, he will be incredibly difficult to stop.
Jasper Alger, Caulfield Grammar
Caulfield Grammar has never been short of exciting goal kickers. Alger has lit up some games for CGS this year, kicking hauls of eight, five, five and four. He’s been getting high-possession numbers in each of his games and has got involved in other scores as well as his own.
Harry Armstrong, Haileybury College
It’s hard to look past a forward who kicked 10 in his last game. Armstrong stuffed the stat sheet against Melbourne Grammar, booting 10 of Haileybury’s 22 goals. Armstrong’s stocks as a draft prospect are rising as quickly as his goal tally.
Levi Ashcroft, Brighton Grammar
Ashcroft hasn’t put a foot wrong when playing for Brighton Grammar this year. He’s found the footy at will and regularly hit the scoreboard. The Brisbane Lions father-son prospect has won just about every accolade there is to offer for a draftee so far this year, so an APS title would be just another chapter to what has been a superb year.
Levi Ashcroft on the move. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images
Jesse Dattoli, Carey Grammar
Dattoli had some big games for Carey before impressing for Vic Metro at the national championships. The Northern Knights prospect had 30 disposals, 19 contested possessions and slotted three goals in Carey’s round two loss to Scotch College and booted four majors in their win over St Kevin’s in round five. Had led the way for Carey when he hasn’t been called up for higher honours.
Tom Evans, Xavier College
Evans stuffed the statsheet in his most recent game for Xavier, finishing with 37 disposals and 23 contested possessions. His round two display against Geelong Grammar (34 disposals, 15 contested possessions and eight clearances) also stood out. The Xavier College captain has impressed with his inside ball-winning and leadership this season and has had some promising games for the Bendigo Pioneers.
Archer Hanegraaf, Geelong College
Hanegraaf has been a key part of Geelong College’s midfield with his contested ball-winning, strong defensive pressure and scoreboard impact. The Geelong Falcons prospect went into the mid-season break in red-hot form, slotting three majors against Wesley and following it up with another three goals. 22 disposals, 16 contested possesions and eight tackles in their win over Xavier. He has combined nicely with his younger brother, Charlie, who is eligible for the 2026 draft.
Lenny Hoffman, Brighton Grammar
Hoffman has really increased his draft worth this year while playing for Brighton Grammar as well as Coates league, so much so, there’s discussion he will fall out St Kilda’s grasp as a Next Generation Academy product. He was among Brighton’s best in its last win over Carey Grammar.
Taj Hotton, Haileybury College
Hotton has been one of Haileybury College’s most consistent performers this year. He started the season in red-hot form, having 27 disposals and three goals in successive weeks. He unfortunately sustained an ACL injury which will keep him on the sidelines for an extended period of time.
Taj Hotton playing for the AFL Academy. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images
Xavier Ivisic, Geelong Grammar
Ivisic has been racking up the Sherrin at will and has got better as the season has gone on, culminating in a promising national championships campaign. The Geelong Falcons midfielder registered a whopping 47 disposals, 13 marks and 10 clearances against Carey and backed it up with 36 disposals in their loss to Haileybury the next week. Initially viewed as an outside midfielder, his form at school level and the Falcons has seen him used on the inside for Vic Country at times.
Ben Kennedy, Xavier College
Kennedy has been consistently among Xavier’s best players this season when he hasn’t been in action for the Allies at the national championships. He has stood out with his reading of the play and defensive attributes, but he was swung forward in their most recent gone and starred with five goals. The Murray Bushrangers product has played every game for the Allies as a lockdown defender.
Doug Kerr, St Kevin’s
Part of Collingwood’s NGA, Kerr has had some productive outings at APS level. One of his best came early in the season when he gathered 31 disposals, 21 contested possessions and 12 clearances. Kerr played three games for the Chargers earlier in the season.
Felix Kneipp, Wesley College
Kneipp could have made this list from his fill-up game against Caulfield Grammar alone. The smooth-moving midfielder gathered 48 disposals and kicked two goals. It wasn’t a handball feast either, with 30 of Kneipp’s possessions being kicks and 24 of them being effective. In addition to that game, Kneipp has been a driving force for Wesley – regularly being named among the Lions’ best.
Sam Lalor, Geelong Grammar
Coming off a very limited pre-season, Lalor set the APS competition alight with a stunning seven-goal haul in round one against Wesley – six of those coming in the second half. The potential top-10 selection has been kept out by a couple of other injury niggles but he showed his class with a monster display in the final round before the bye, amassing 42 disposals, 22 contested possessions and two goals against St Kevin’s.
Sam Lalor celebrates one of his seven goals. Picture: Alan Barber
Sam Marshall, Melbourne Grammar
The Brisbane Lions Academy prospect produced a jawdropping statline before the APS break, raising the bat for 50 disposals in a heavy loss for Melbourne Grammar. He has won possessions for fun whenever he has taken the field for Melbourne Grammar, but he hasn’t been as available as other draftable talents as part of the Allies squad. Marshall has played for five different teams this year – recently turning out for Brisbane’s VFL side.
Bailey McKenzie, Brighton Grammar
McKenzie has been the final product in a selection of Brighton Grammar wins this year. He’s hit the scoreboard consistently, including a best-on-ground eight in his last match.
Harry O’Farrell, St Kevin’s
The AFL Academy member has been a crucial cog down back for St Kevin’s. The key defender was particularly impressive in the last game before the APS break, where he clunked seven intercept marks. He has been named in the best in just about every game he has played this season and has also played two games for Vic Metro, missing their third game against South Australia with injury.
Riley Onley, Scotch College
Onley is running a bit of a one-man-band in the Scotch College midfield, and he is doing it beautifully. Scotch has won four games this year, which have largely been due to the output of Onley. He ran amok in the early rounds, winning a pile of the footy – majority of them contested.
Flynn Penry wins a hitout for Geelong Grammar. Picture: Alan Barber
Flynn Penry, Geelong Grammar
Penry has been one of the most dominant ruckman in the APS competition, continuing his strong form from last year. The GWV Rebels big man has found plenty of the ball and given the likes of Xavier Ivisic and Sam Lalor first use in the midfield. One of Penry’s best performances came in round two when he had 28 disposals, 19 contested possessions and 12 clearances against Xavier College.
Angus Phillips, St Kevin’s
Phillips, the brother of 2024 Hawthorn supplemental signing Ethan, has had some strong performances for St Kevin’s in the midfield. He dominated against Geelong Grammar before the APS break, booting three goals and tallying 43 disposals and seven clearances. He has also played three games for the Oakleigh Chargers this season.
Murphy Reid, Caulfield Grammar
The potential no.1 pick has been a clearance beast at APS level this season. Prior to his dominant national championships, Reid was winning his fair share of possessions for Caulfield Grammar but was having his biggest say at stoppage. In one game this year, more than 50 per cent of Reid’s disposals for the day were clearances.
Murphy Reid. Picture: Paul Kane/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)
Ben Rongdit, Geelong Grammar
Rongdit is an eye-catching player with his outstanding leap and doesn’t need a lot of the ball to have an influence. The Cats Next Generation Academy talent, who is a 2025 draft prospect, has impressed with his intercept work and defensive acts for a Geelong Grammar side that has found itself under the pump often this year. He had 28 disposals, nine spoils and three intercept marks against Haileybury and also stood out in the Geelong school derby.
River Stevens, Geelong College
Stevens, the son of dual North Melbourne premiership player Anthony, has been Geelong College’s standout player this season. The highlight of his APS campaign came in the Geelong school derby, where the creative small won the best-on-ground medal with 21 disposals, 11 contested possessions and two goals. Geelong College coach Adam Cooney believes Stevens has a lot of talent and “definitely has some AFL attributes”. Stevens has gone on to show some good signs for Vic Country, including a two-goal performance against South Australia.
Nathaniel Sulzberger, Caulfield Grammar
Sulzberger started the APS season as one of the early bolters in this year’s draft and has maintained his trajectory for Caulfield Grammar. The powerful Tasmanian was among Caulfield’s best in their last hitout.
River Stevens in action for Geelong College.
Luke Trainor gets a kick away for Vic Metro. Picture: Paul Kane/AFL Photos/via Getty Images
Luke Trainor, Brighton Grammar
Trainor has played with an even greater sense of freedom than he typically does for Brighton Grammar this year. His ability to hold his opponent accountable has been excellent this year. While Trainor’s knock may have been his ability to defend dominant match-ups, in APS footy he has been a far bigger problem for those opponents than they to him.
Miles Tyrer, Melbourne Grammar
The bottom-age ruckman has been one of Melbourne Grammar’s top performers this season. The Sandringham Dragons prospect, who is in his bottom-age year, has been named in the best in most of their games, and was recognised as their best player against Caulfield Grammar in round five.
Ollie Warburton, Caulfield Grammar
The classy wingman has been among Caulfield Grammar’s best each and every week this APS season. Warburton was in the middle of a strong purple patch when the mid-season break hit but he will have his chance to bounce back into it next week.
Archie Watt, Xavier College
Watt has waxed well with his Pioneers teammate Evans in the midfield. He has consistently hit the scoreboard for Xavier and had an absolute blinder in their win over Wesley Colllege, kicking four goals to go with 40 disposals and 10 clearances. He has also played a handful of games for the Pioneers this season.
Levi West, Carey Grammar
West, the son of five-time All-Australian Scott and the younger brother of current Bulldog Rhylee, has been named in the best most weeks for Carey. That’s no mean feat for a kid who is in Year 10. One to watch in the future.
Agree, bar Rankine were quite bereft of pace, even on our wings/HBFs (Hinge, Sholl, Dowling, Nankervis etc). Need to address that
this kid looks an absolute unit from that picture.Sam Lalor, Geelong Grammar
Coming off a very limited pre-season, Lalor set the APS competition alight with a stunning seven-goal haul in round one against Wesley – six of those coming in the second half. The potential top-10 selection has been kept out by a couple of other injury niggles but he showed his class with a monster display in the final round before the bye, amassing 42 disposals, 22 contested possessions and two goals against St Kevin’s.
Sam Lalor celebrates one of his seven goals. Picture: Alan Barber
Sad thing is, we will probably do the first part and then trade those picks to wangle out Petty
We are not trading 1 top ten, let alone 2 top tens for Petty.
I think we’ll trade some depth for 2nd/3rd rounders
Midfielder/Forward Gun
Interesting they call out Murphy Reid as potential no. 1 pick. Haven’t ever seen him described like that. Had a great champs, could go anywhere in the top 10.Draft watch: The APS school footy standouts who have impressed throughout the 2024 season
Here’s who have been the standouts across the competition this season.
Tairon Ah-Mu, Haileybury College
The bottom-age ruckman has been in Haileybury College’s best nearly every week. In addition to racking up the hit-outs, Ah-Mu can, and has, hit the scoreboard. Once he fills in his frame a bit more, he will be incredibly difficult to stop.
Jasper Alger, Caulfield Grammar
Caulfield Grammar has never been short of exciting goal kickers. Alger has lit up some games for CGS this year, kicking hauls of eight, five, five and four. He’s been getting high-possession numbers in each of his games and has got involved in other scores as well as his own.
Harry Armstrong, Haileybury College
It’s hard to look past a forward who kicked 10 in his last game. Armstrong stuffed the stat sheet against Melbourne Grammar, booting 10 of Haileybury’s 22 goals. Armstrong’s stocks as a draft prospect are rising as quickly as his goal tally.
Levi Ashcroft, Brighton Grammar
Ashcroft hasn’t put a foot wrong when playing for Brighton Grammar this year. He’s found the footy at will and regularly hit the scoreboard. The Brisbane Lions father-son prospect has won just about every accolade there is to offer for a draftee so far this year, so an APS title would be just another chapter to what has been a superb year.
Levi Ashcroft on the move. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images
Jesse Dattoli, Carey Grammar
Dattoli had some big games for Carey before impressing for Vic Metro at the national championships. The Northern Knights prospect had 30 disposals, 19 contested possessions and slotted three goals in Carey’s round two loss to Scotch College and booted four majors in their win over St Kevin’s in round five. Had led the way for Carey when he hasn’t been called up for higher honours.
Tom Evans, Xavier College
Evans stuffed the statsheet in his most recent game for Xavier, finishing with 37 disposals and 23 contested possessions. His round two display against Geelong Grammar (34 disposals, 15 contested possessions and eight clearances) also stood out. The Xavier College captain has impressed with his inside ball-winning and leadership this season and has had some promising games for the Bendigo Pioneers.
Archer Hanegraaf, Geelong College
Hanegraaf has been a key part of Geelong College’s midfield with his contested ball-winning, strong defensive pressure and scoreboard impact. The Geelong Falcons prospect went into the mid-season break in red-hot form, slotting three majors against Wesley and following it up with another three goals. 22 disposals, 16 contested possesions and eight tackles in their win over Xavier. He has combined nicely with his younger brother, Charlie, who is eligible for the 2026 draft.
Lenny Hoffman, Brighton Grammar
Hoffman has really increased his draft worth this year while playing for Brighton Grammar as well as Coates league, so much so, there’s discussion he will fall out St Kilda’s grasp as a Next Generation Academy product. He was among Brighton’s best in its last win over Carey Grammar.
Taj Hotton, Haileybury College
Hotton has been one of Haileybury College’s most consistent performers this year. He started the season in red-hot form, having 27 disposals and three goals in successive weeks. He unfortunately sustained an ACL injury which will keep him on the sidelines for an extended period of time.
Taj Hotton playing for the AFL Academy. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images
Xavier Ivisic, Geelong Grammar
Ivisic has been racking up the Sherrin at will and has got better as the season has gone on, culminating in a promising national championships campaign. The Geelong Falcons midfielder registered a whopping 47 disposals, 13 marks and 10 clearances against Carey and backed it up with 36 disposals in their loss to Haileybury the next week. Initially viewed as an outside midfielder, his form at school level and the Falcons has seen him used on the inside for Vic Country at times.
Ben Kennedy, Xavier College
Kennedy has been consistently among Xavier’s best players this season when he hasn’t been in action for the Allies at the national championships. He has stood out with his reading of the play and defensive attributes, but he was swung forward in their most recent gone and starred with five goals. The Murray Bushrangers product has played every game for the Allies as a lockdown defender.
Doug Kerr, St Kevin’s
Part of Collingwood’s NGA, Kerr has had some productive outings at APS level. One of his best came early in the season when he gathered 31 disposals, 21 contested possessions and 12 clearances. Kerr played three games for the Chargers earlier in the season.
Felix Kneipp, Wesley College
Kneipp could have made this list from his fill-up game against Caulfield Grammar alone. The smooth-moving midfielder gathered 48 disposals and kicked two goals. It wasn’t a handball feast either, with 30 of Kneipp’s possessions being kicks and 24 of them being effective. In addition to that game, Kneipp has been a driving force for Wesley – regularly being named among the Lions’ best.
Sam Lalor, Geelong Grammar
Coming off a very limited pre-season, Lalor set the APS competition alight with a stunning seven-goal haul in round one against Wesley – six of those coming in the second half. The potential top-10 selection has been kept out by a couple of other injury niggles but he showed his class with a monster display in the final round before the bye, amassing 42 disposals, 22 contested possessions and two goals against St Kevin’s.
Sam Lalor celebrates one of his seven goals. Picture: Alan Barber
Sam Marshall, Melbourne Grammar
The Brisbane Lions Academy prospect produced a jawdropping statline before the APS break, raising the bat for 50 disposals in a heavy loss for Melbourne Grammar. He has won possessions for fun whenever he has taken the field for Melbourne Grammar, but he hasn’t been as available as other draftable talents as part of the Allies squad. Marshall has played for five different teams this year – recently turning out for Brisbane’s VFL side.
Bailey McKenzie, Brighton Grammar
McKenzie has been the final product in a selection of Brighton Grammar wins this year. He’s hit the scoreboard consistently, including a best-on-ground eight in his last match.
Harry O’Farrell, St Kevin’s
The AFL Academy member has been a crucial cog down back for St Kevin’s. The key defender was particularly impressive in the last game before the APS break, where he clunked seven intercept marks. He has been named in the best in just about every game he has played this season and has also played two games for Vic Metro, missing their third game against South Australia with injury.
Riley Onley, Scotch College
Onley is running a bit of a one-man-band in the Scotch College midfield, and he is doing it beautifully. Scotch has won four games this year, which have largely been due to the output of Onley. He ran amok in the early rounds, winning a pile of the footy – majority of them contested.
Flynn Penry wins a hitout for Geelong Grammar. Picture: Alan Barber
Flynn Penry, Geelong Grammar
Penry has been one of the most dominant ruckman in the APS competition, continuing his strong form from last year. The GWV Rebels big man has found plenty of the ball and given the likes of Xavier Ivisic and Sam Lalor first use in the midfield. One of Penry’s best performances came in round two when he had 28 disposals, 19 contested possessions and 12 clearances against Xavier College.
Angus Phillips, St Kevin’s
Phillips, the brother of 2024 Hawthorn supplemental signing Ethan, has had some strong performances for St Kevin’s in the midfield. He dominated against Geelong Grammar before the APS break, booting three goals and tallying 43 disposals and seven clearances. He has also played three games for the Oakleigh Chargers this season.
Murphy Reid, Caulfield Grammar
The potential no.1 pick has been a clearance beast at APS level this season. Prior to his dominant national championships, Reid was winning his fair share of possessions for Caulfield Grammar but was having his biggest say at stoppage. In one game this year, more than 50 per cent of Reid’s disposals for the day were clearances.
Murphy Reid. Picture: Paul Kane/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)
Ben Rongdit, Geelong Grammar
Rongdit is an eye-catching player with his outstanding leap and doesn’t need a lot of the ball to have an influence. The Cats Next Generation Academy talent, who is a 2025 draft prospect, has impressed with his intercept work and defensive acts for a Geelong Grammar side that has found itself under the pump often this year. He had 28 disposals, nine spoils and three intercept marks against Haileybury and also stood out in the Geelong school derby.
River Stevens, Geelong College
Stevens, the son of dual North Melbourne premiership player Anthony, has been Geelong College’s standout player this season. The highlight of his APS campaign came in the Geelong school derby, where the creative small won the best-on-ground medal with 21 disposals, 11 contested possessions and two goals. Geelong College coach Adam Cooney believes Stevens has a lot of talent and “definitely has some AFL attributes”. Stevens has gone on to show some good signs for Vic Country, including a two-goal performance against South Australia.
Nathaniel Sulzberger, Caulfield Grammar
Sulzberger started the APS season as one of the early bolters in this year’s draft and has maintained his trajectory for Caulfield Grammar. The powerful Tasmanian was among Caulfield’s best in their last hitout.
River Stevens in action for Geelong College.
Luke Trainor gets a kick away for Vic Metro. Picture: Paul Kane/AFL Photos/via Getty Images
Luke Trainor, Brighton Grammar
Trainor has played with an even greater sense of freedom than he typically does for Brighton Grammar this year. His ability to hold his opponent accountable has been excellent this year. While Trainor’s knock may have been his ability to defend dominant match-ups, in APS footy he has been a far bigger problem for those opponents than they to him.
Miles Tyrer, Melbourne Grammar
The bottom-age ruckman has been one of Melbourne Grammar’s top performers this season. The Sandringham Dragons prospect, who is in his bottom-age year, has been named in the best in most of their games, and was recognised as their best player against Caulfield Grammar in round five.
Ollie Warburton, Caulfield Grammar
The classy wingman has been among Caulfield Grammar’s best each and every week this APS season. Warburton was in the middle of a strong purple patch when the mid-season break hit but he will have his chance to bounce back into it next week.
Archie Watt, Xavier College
Watt has waxed well with his Pioneers teammate Evans in the midfield. He has consistently hit the scoreboard for Xavier and had an absolute blinder in their win over Wesley Colllege, kicking four goals to go with 40 disposals and 10 clearances. He has also played a handful of games for the Pioneers this season.
Levi West, Carey Grammar
West, the son of five-time All-Australian Scott and the younger brother of current Bulldog Rhylee, has been named in the best most weeks for Carey. That’s no mean feat for a kid who is in Year 10. One to watch in the future.
Please enlighten us on what 'depth' of ours could possibly net us a second or third rounder?
Stream
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Keane is the obvious one. Berry would get a late 2nd.
