Academy: Gold Coast SUNS Gun Factory

[Ben Drever]

Leo named Allies MVP

 

[TheSunGod]

Absolutely butchered the ball at times

He’ll fit right in then.

 

[Jen2310]

How does the academy system work in AFLW now that the draft has gone national? Is there a bidding system, or available to everyone?

Not eligible until the 2025 draft, Georja Davies was a dominant presence for Queensland. The youngest sister of already AFLW-listed trio Giselle (Sydney), Fleur (GWS), and Darcie (Gold Coast) worked her way through the ruck, into the midfield, and offered support across the backline. Davies' 24 disposals, 15 hitouts, and nine marks were all game highs.

QLD sharpshooter, youngest Davies sister shine in U18s win

Dekota Baron and Georja Davies starred as Queensland defeated Victoria Country in the U18 Girls National Champs

www.afl.com.au

 

[GC2015]

Archie Hill has continued his exceptional form at the U16 National Championships this week with a huge 36 disposal performance against GWS. Callinan also appears to be one to keep an eye on and Heathcote sounds dominant as a key forward. Shoutout to Leroy Kaesler as well - son of our VFL coach Tate Kaesler.

#18 Archie Hill
Defender/Midfielder | 182cm | 04/03/2008

Stats: 36 disposals, 6 marks, 10 rebound 50s

Hill was again prolific for the Suns, storming off half-back with his patented running game and driving kicks. On top of taking the kick-ins, he accumulated possessions with ease as his side’s designated playmaker, launching several counterattacks in the face of GWS’ 58 forward 50 entries. Hill sometimes chose the low-percentage option by foot but got good purchase on his kicks and was given a run in midfield after half time, to provide the same dash and creativity.

#16 Jake Callinan
Midfielder | 188cm | 18/08/2008

Stats: 27 disposals, 7 tackles, 11 clearances

Callinan provided plenty of grunt work with 19 contested possessions and 11 clearances, proving one of the key factors for the Suns’ ascendancy in that area. He was strong amongst the inside circle and tended to dump the ball long when clearing, but could hardly be faulted for his contested craft. At 188cm, his size and frame will be difficult to combat at Under 16s level.

#31 Harry Heathcote
Tall Forward/Ruck | 193cm | 03/08/2007

Stats: 17 disposals, 10 marks, 2 goals

Heathcote was the Suns’ spearhead forward and put on a marking clinic with 10 while also rotating through the ruck. He presented nicely up the ground and was nimble enough to follow up his competitive aerial work. Heathcote gave the Suns an unlikely lead to start the second half, snaring consecutive set shot goals on the end of his side’s surge footy out of the centre.

#7 Leroy Kaesler
Midfielder | 175cm | 19/12/2008

Stats: 15 disposals, 6 clearances, 4 inside 50s

The majority of Kaesler’s contribution came at the contest, where he won six clearances – including three clean snares at the centre bounces. Later in the game he could have spread a little harder from the restarts, but was prepared to go when his name was called and produced some strong efforts to win the ball in dispute. Ethan Johnston‘s hitout dominance certainly helped.

Scouting Notes: 2024 AFL U16s - Suns Academy vs. Giants Academy

The Giants Academy picked up its first win of the Under 16 National Championships, defeating the Suns Academy by 38 points on Monday.

central.rookieme.com

 

[Jen2310]

Kall Burns doesn't expect any of these U16 to be top end players in 2026. Of course they still have 2 years to keep developing so things can change.

 

[GC2015]

Kall Burns doesn't expect any of these U16 to be top end players in 2026. Of course they still have 2 years to keep developing so things can change.

Ethan Read is probably a great example of that. Wasn't on anyone's radar until his 17th year when he had a massive growth spurt and suddenly began getting plenty of opportunities to develop into a high quality tall prospect. Even going into his draft year he was still considered unlikely to be taken in the first round. So to go #9 by the end of the year is pretty remarkable given 24 months earlier he wouldn't have even been selected in the rep teams and goes to show you don't necessarily have to be a standout at the U16 level to make it.

When it comes to the northern academies, it seems to be a case of success breeding success. We've seen it in the past with examples like Isaac Heeney being followed by Callum Mills the next year, Harris Andrews being followed by Eric Hipwoof and Ben Keays the next year, Jacob Hopper and Harry Himmelberg being followed by Will Setterfield and Harry Perryman the next year. The same can be said about our academy quartet from last year being followed by Leo Lombard this year.

This current U16 academy group is going to get the opportunity to play with Zeke Uwland next year and if Zeke the Freak is as good as advertised (believe me, he's very good) then they will get plenty of opportunity to push their case as talented prospects in their own right. The really good players make those around them look good as well so hopefully that's the case with Zeke and our next crop of youngsters. Plus, if our AFL team is genuinely competing for a flag by that point then I'm sure the motivation for these kids to make it will increase.

 

[noobermensch]

The stats look fantastic, but Leo had his struggles in this game. He was dynamite at stoppage especially early in the contest, but repeatedly turned the footy over with sloppy disposal and was caught holding the ball a couple of times.

 

[Ben Drever]

The stats look fantastic, but Leo had his struggles in this game. He was dynamite at stoppage especially early in the contest, but repeatedly turned the footy over with sloppy disposal and was caught holding the ball a couple of times.

Late teen pick

 

[Sun Stormer]

Kall Burns doesn't expect any of these U16 to be top end players in 2026. Of course they still have 2 years to keep developing so things can change.

Wouldn't take much notice of Kall's projections.

 

[Choppers]

2 years is a long time in a teenager's life.........anything can happen in 2 yrs...

 

[Supersuns]

Wouldn't take much notice of Kall's projections.

Why would he say yeah we have heaps of talent coming through? Gives Vic clubs more ammo to whine about "unfair systems"

 

[DTLSchulzy16]

Leo goes at 71% DE “he’s a hacker of the ball”. When 14 of 28 touches are contested of course you aren’t going to use it at 90%

 

[OB11]

I reckon it's not the worst thing to not have to pick a bunch of academy kids every year. If they are not elite, or we just have too many of the same type of player then it's ok to let them ply their trade somewhere else.

Just watching this kid Lawson Humphries picked in the 60s - you need to have list spots available to take talented kids across the whole country and not just out little pocket of the world. Especially if you can get talented kids that actually fill an identified future list need.

 

[Maybe Tomorrow]

I reckon it's not the worst thing to not have to pick a bunch of academy kids every year. If they are not elite, or we just have too many of the same type of player then it's ok to let them ply their trade somewhere else.

Just watching this kid Lawson Humphries picked in the 60s - you need to have list spots available to take talented kids across the whole country and not just out little pocket of the world. Especially if you can get talented kids that actually fill an identified future list need.

Agreed, and a lot of the time the best kid in the academy will be a midfielder, and you only need so many of those.

 

[manintheknow]

The stats look fantastic, but Leo had his struggles in this game. He was dynamite at stoppage especially early in the contest, but repeatedly turned the footy over with sloppy disposal and was caught holding the ball a couple of times.

My thoughts on this may be controversial- but he isn’t really the player the suns need. We have enough midfielders who hack kick it forward. We need a high level exquisite kick in our mids.

 

[KaySwizzle]

My thoughts on this may be controversial- but he isn’t really the player the suns need. We have enough midfielders who hack kick it forward. We need a high level exquisite kick in our mids.

Agreed, actually. Not saying not to take him, but if we had open draft we might try and take a different type of player.

Unfortunately the top prospect from the academy will likely be a midfielder each year. The top players usually are. We got three last year. Hope many can we keep picking up each year, and for how long?

If Uwland was this year, that would be ideal… gotta wait another year to plug that hole.

 

[Jen2310]

Lombard has tied for the Larke medal for the mvp in the champs. Alongside Langford from Vic country


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[GC2015]

Lombard has tied for the Larke medal for the mvp in the champs. Alongside Langford from Vic country

Allies gun, Vic Country mid tie for Larke Medal

The Larke Medal has been shared by Leo Lombard and Harvey Langford

www.afl.com.au

 

[Jirik13]

Trent Cotchin names 16-year old Far North gun as ‘a player who could be anything’​

One of the rising guns of the Far North had the opportunity to run out alongside three-time premiership captain Trent Cotchin

9

Trent Cotchin

Age

34

Ht

185cm

Wt

86kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

23.4

5star

K

13.8

5star

HB

9.5

5star

M

3.4

3star

T

3.9

5star

CL

5.2

5star

D

19.0

4star

K

9.5

4star

HB

9.5

5star

M

2.7

3star

T

4.3

5star

CL

3.5

4star

D

16.6

4star

K

8.0

3star

HB

8.6

5star

M

4.6

5star

T

1.0

3star

.

Flocks of Far North footy fans arrived at the Croc Pit to see the 2012 Brownlow Medallist Trent Cotchin

9

Trent Cotchin

Age

34

Ht

185cm

Wt

86kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

23.4

5star

K

13.8

5star

HB

9.5

5star

M

3.4

3star

T

3.9

5star

CL

5.2

5star

D

19.0

4star

K

9.5

4star

HB

9.5

5star

M

2.7

3star

T

4.3

5star

CL

3.5

4star

D

16.6

4star

K

8.0

3star

HB

8.6

5star

M

4.6

5star

T

1.0

3star

don the Port Douglas colours for a one-match special against South Cairns Cutters.

After the match, Cotchin singled out one-time Crocs teammate Zayne Moore as a future player to watch.

“There’s clearly a lot of talent across the field, I think we’ve got some good runners on the outside, Joshy (Lea) and young Zayne (Moore),” Cotchin said.

“ (Zayne’s) a player who could be anything, he’s got all the attributes, he can run all day.

“I think he plays two games (seniors and juniors) most weekends so it’s a credit to him to show up today and then go again tomorrow.”


Moore was selected for the Suns Under-16 academy earlier this year alongside fellow Far Northerners Brae Agrums (Crocs) and Cooper Glass (Saints).

The trio travelled to the Gold Coast at the end of June to play against the academies of Brisbane Lions, GWS Giants and the Northern Territory in the AFL National Development Championship.

CODE Sports

CODE Sports

www.codesports.com.au

 

[Jen2310]

Zeke and Leo picked in the All Australian team

U18 All-Australian squad: Vic Metro dominate, gun pair picked again

The two Victorian teams contribute 13 players to the 2024 All-Australian team

www.afl.com.au

 

[cootagc]

U18 All-Australian squad: Vic Metro dominate, gun pair picked again

The two Victorian teams contribute 13 players to the 2024 All-Australian team

www.afl.com.au

 

[RedmanWasHere]

 

[GC2015]

View attachment 2056706

Do we know much about Archie Hill? I remember hearing he was unlucky to not be named in the U15 AA team last year.

 

[Sun Stormer]

Do we know much about Archie Hill? I remember hearing he was unlucky to not be named in the U15 AA team last year.

Generel word of mouth is that Archie's about it for this crop of kids. Not as strong a group but guess we'll see.

 

[GC2015]

Generel word of mouth is that Archie's about it for this crop of kids. Not as strong a group but guess we'll see.

A bit like this year with Lombard being the only guaranteed draftee from our academy. I know a lot was made of our academy quartet from last year, but I very much doubt we'll ever see anything close to that ever again and we'll probably be lucky to have just one standout a year from here onwards. Seems like this is the production line of academy standouts at the moment:

2024: Leo Lombard
2025: Zeke Uwland
2026: Archie Hill

No other players seem to be putting their hand up at the moment. We'll find out next week if there are any 2027 standouts coming through when the U15 National Championships take place. Taj Murray was named as an U15 AA last year as a bottom ager so it'll be interesting to see if he can back that up with AA selection this year as well.