List Mgmt. Future NGA's or Father Sons

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Platform28 said:
For my BigFooty debut, I would like to provide an update on St Kilda’s Next Generation Academy.

There is reason to be optimistic about the talent coming through – did you know the Saints Under-15 NGA side was the best performed at this year’s Victorian tournament?

Alongside Carlton as the only undefeated team, St Kilda demolished Essendon 96-0, beat North Melbourne comfortably 68-6 and got over the top of Melbourne 38-21. By comparison, the Blues defeated the Demons 31-18.

But let’s start with this season, as we have some exciting prospects.

I’ve tiered each player in our academy to give a guide to the likeliness of each being drafted.

2024

*** (played in Under 18 National Championships)

Adrian Cole, Sandringham
Lenny Hoffman, Sandringham & Brighton Grammar

** (U18 Coates League)

Sam Linder, Sandringham & Brighton Grammar

*(Hasn’t played any representative games this season)

Jacob Duryea, Frankston
Kento Hikima, Hampton
Jet DiSanto, Langwarrin
Anthony Colacino, St Kilda City
Roanin Jackson, East Brighton
Zac Bowen, Beaumaris
Baxter Kam, Prahran

Potential draftees

Adrian Cole - 197cm full back
Cole is an old school full back who just doesn’t get beaten often. He has played on all of the highly touted key forwards this season, aside from teammate Harry Armstong, and hasn’t had a bag kicked on him.

He is limited offensively - his intercepting has improved as the year has gone on but in general play he tries to avoid getting in the way/involved. Be prepared for an awkward kicking style, especially on his opposite.

It was his one on one work though that impressed the St Kilda coaching hierarchy after he participated in a couple of weeks of pre season training. He is a “reverse Phillipou”, born in the first week of January, so he might have finished his growing at 197cm.

Range: Pick 40-60.
Don’t be surprised to see Sydney bid on him. The Swans love to bid and Kinnear Beatson will be keen to get one back on new St Kilda list boss Simon Dalrymple after he left Sydney.

Lenny Hofmann - 190cm third defender
Hofmann is described by Brighton Grammar’s head of football as a “rebounding freak”, and by teammates as “super quick”.

The versatile defender produced his best performances for Brighton, where he was named in their best two players three times. Impressively, he was named best on ground against Caulfield - one of the top sides - and was prominent in the decider against Haileybury where he took the points, in favourable conditions, on Harry Armstrong who is looming as the first key forward selected in the draft.

Hofmann and arguably the best player in the draft, Levi Ashcroft, were the only two players to play in the title winning Sandringham, Brighton and Vic Metro sides this season. Such is the quality of the teams Hofmann represented, he played 24 matches in 2024…and lost just once.

Hofmann, who debuted for Brighton Grammar in Year 10, is the second oldest of four brothers with Quentin next draft eligible in 2026.

Range: Rookie draft
Hofmann is very highly rated internally at Brighton & Sandringham but was quiet at the National Championships. He has attributes that could turn him into a long term Josh Battle replacement.

Sam Linder - 178cm back pocket
Linder has had a consistent season with Sandringham, averaging 20 touches. Though this in inflated by regularly taking the kick ins. For a player his size, he intercepts well.

He’s been the man that the Dragons have sent to the opposition’s best small forward, such as top 15 fancy Isaac Kako (Linder was named in the best). He had five goals kicked on him by Waylon Davey-Motlop in round 12 of the Coates League and this was from Linder running off and being out of position on turnover, rather than being beaten one on one.

Linder, who is the most impressive speaker I’ve heard for a junior footballer, is deputy vice captain of Sandringham and captain of Brighton Grammar, where he saved his best performance of the season for the “grand final” against Haileybury. He was named best on ground with two late defensive efforts crucial in securing the one point victory.

Linder has been a star junior his whole career. In 2019, he won the Under-13 SMJFL Division 1 League Best and Fairest. That year, the Under-15 award was claimed by George Wardlaw and the Under-16 Marcus Windhager.

Range: Rookie draft
There hasn’t been a lot of talk about Linder but if the Saints miss out in the national draft on a small defender such as Harrison Oliver, I could see them taking Linder with a rookie pick. Finding a Jimmy Webster replacement is crucial.

2024 summary
Matching a bid for defenders Adrian Cole and Lenny Hofmann, if it comes, bolsters an area of the ground the Saints are weak in for depth.

With three list spots already needed for Max Hall, Elwood Peckett and the Sandringham rookie, things will get tight on whether there is room for Linder.

2025

*** (Vic Metro Under-17)

Kye Fincher, Sandringham & Brighton Grammar

** (U18 Coates League)

Jack Karthigesu, Frankston Dolphins

*(Hasn’t played any representative games)

James Mikhael, Murrumbeena & St Kevin’s
Nicky Robertson, Old Brighton
Rio Barry, Glen Iris
Kendyn Brown, South Melbourne Dist
Lucas Hornblower, Brighton Beach
Phoenix Smith, Frankston YCW
Mangok Lok ?

Potential draftees

Kye Fincher - 185cm half back
After playing for Vic Metro in the Under 16 National Championships in 2023, Fincher had limited opportunities to impress this year.

Like Lenny Hofmann and Sam Linder, he is part of the successful Sandringham and Brighton Grammar programs.

He is a bit timid defensively but moves well and wants the ball in his hands - he loves taking a kick out. I’ve seen him run from beyond the 50 metre mark just to take the kick in.

He averaged 13 touches in his three matches for the Dragons in 2024 off half back.

Fingers crossed we see Fincher pushed up the ground onto the wing or midfield in 2025 as he does have some potential.

Range: Rookie draft
Fincher recently missed out on being named in the Futures squad of the best 46 prospects.

2026

*** (U16 National Championships)

Kyle Harrison, Edithvale & Dandenong U16

** (U16 Talent League)

Quentin Hoffmann, Beaumaris & Sandringham U16

*(Hasn’t played any representative games)

Luke Mahimarajan, Brighton Bears (2024 B&F)
Aidan Tremsal, Seaford
Archer Francis, Carrum
Rowan Mackenzie, Beaumaris

Potential draftees

Kyle Harrison - 175cm back pocket

Harrison played back pocket in all three matches for Vic Metro at the recent Under 16 National Championships but wasn’t named in the best. With the game and tournament on the line, Harrison was the one taking the kick outs deep in the final quarter, as his side won by a point.

He has played representative footy for Dandenong earlier this year and for his league (Frankston & District) in 2022 & 2023.

Luke Mahimarajan - ?

Though not selected in any representative football in 2024, he won the SJMFL Under 16 Division 1 Best and Fairest. The recent form line of that award is solid, with Murphy Reid second in 2022, and Marcus Windhager claiming the medal from Finn Callaghan in 2019.

2026 summary
If the draft was today, Harrison would be in the rookie range.

There’s also a couple of brothers to keep an eye on in this crop - Rowan Mackenzie, the brother of the one that got away, Cam, and Quentin Hofmann, brother of 2024 NGA hopeful Lenny.

2027

*** (U15 All Star Indigenous v NGA game)

Ruben Nagar, Dingley (2024 B&F)
Findlay Johnston, Prahran
Ben Nish, Beaumaris
Erik Hennequin, Caulfield Bears

** (U15 Division 2 Metro Championships)

Billy Blazey, East Brighton
Eric Michel, Carrum Patterson Lakes
James Cassar, Langwarrin

*(Hasn’t played any representative games, other than St Kilda NGA side)

Tanish Singh, Caulfield Bears

2027 summary

We had four players make the Under-15 Indigenous v NGA match played in July. Eric Michel and James Cassar recently played in the VLine Cup - the regional U15 tournament - for the South East (Dandenong) Stingrays’ Division 2 side. Cassar was named in the best in both games. Ruben Nagar won the SMJFL Div 2 Best and Fairest this year.

2028

*** (U15 All Star Indigenous v NGA game or U14 Division 1 Metro Championships)

Nevon Eshwara, Edithvale Aspendale
Jai Gunasekera, Edithvale Aspendale
Zac Alter, Ajax
Aidan Rawack, East Brighton
Tyrone Nesbitt, Mount Eliza

** (U14 Division 2 Metro Championships)

Zach Mahimarajan, Murrumbeena
Max Brook, East Sandringham
Taj Davey, Frankston YCW
Robert Chong, East Brighton

*(Hasn’t played any representative games, other than St Kilda NGA side)

Ben Montgomery, Hampton (2024 B&F 3rd)
Aidan Teo, St Paul’s (2023 B&F)
Krishanth Devanesen, Mordialloc Braeside
Dom Monga, Bonbeach
Jimi Windust, ?

2028 summary

Alongside 2024 as our most exciting crop. Early days obviously, but Nevon Eshwara is the most promising player in our Academy alongside Adrian Cole and Lenny Hoffman.

Next week, I’ll have a look at our father son prospects - is the curse about to be lifted?
Click to expand...


Our bloody president closed down the academy bonuses at the wrong time.
 
Speak to any St Kilda fan long enough, and it won’t be long before the Saints’ luck with the father son rule is mentioned.

It’s not just that St Kilda has had just two father sons - David Sierakowski and Bailey Rice - play a combined 104 matches.

It’s that they’ve also lost Grand Finals to a Geelong team in 2009 that featured four father son selections and to Collingwood in 2010 that had two as well.

By comparison to the Saints’ dismal record, the Cats have had ten father sons amass 1346 matches and the Magpies 1182 from 15.

It’s with that in mind that excitement has built as Justin Peckett’s son, Elwood, improved week on week this season for Dandenong in the Coates Talent League. This culminated in a 25 possession, five goal haul against the Murray Bushrangers in August.

It isn’t time just yet to declare the curse lifted though. Aside from Peckett, the only other father son looking potentially draft quality - at this stage - over the next five years is Darryl Wakelin’s son Gill, who lives in Adelaide and is also eligible to be drafted to Port Adelaide.

Let’s take a closer look at what the Saints have coming through.

2024

Elwood Peckett - 187cm midfielder (Dandenong & Bonbeach)

Halfway through the Coates Talent League season it looked touch and go whether Peckett was draft quality.

His finish to the season was very impressive though and it would now be a big shock if he isn’t a Saint in 2025.

Peckett spent a lot of time early in the year playing as the defensive midfielder alongside star teammates Harvey Langford and Cooper Hynes.

As those two went to play for Vic Metro, Peckett stepped up his performances and also captained the Stingrays. The return of Langford and Hynes late in the year didn’t affect Peckett as he averaged 20 touches and 1.3 goals over the last seven matches.

Elwood’s youngest brother Ace is draft eligible in 2026 though is behind Elwood at the same age.

Boston Everitt - 188cm forward (Carey Grammar & Balwyn)

There were high hopes for Everitt after he moved down from Gold Coast to further his football last year.

It just hasn’t worked out for him though, missing out on selection on any Coates Talent League list.

He played a few matches for his school Carey Grammar and ended the season in the reserves at Balwyn.

2025

Gill Wakelin (Sturt)

Wakelin burst out of the blocks in 2023 and kicked 31 goals in 11 matches. This season though, he has been moved to defence, which his Dad, Darryl, says is his best position.

He hasn’t appeared to have the influence on games that he did as a forward and he was a surprise omission from South Australia’s Under 17 side.

Adelaide born, Gill is also eligible to play for Port Adelaide where his old man played 146 matches.

Interestingly, Gill is a St Kilda supporter. It will still be a big shock though if he was to pick the Saints over the Power.

Port Adelaide supporters are confident they will land him (if he’s good enough) and it would take a pretty driven 18 year old to choose to move to a different state away from friends and family.

2026

Ace Peckett (Edithvale Aspendale)

The youngest of the Peckett clan that also featured Sunny and Jett, who play for Bonbeach.

Despite a good season for Edithvale Aspendale, where he was named in the best in 8 out of 14 matches, Peckett was not selected for any representative side.

2027

Koby Schneider (Lavington)

Schneider missed out on selection in the GWS U15 Academy that his club Lavington is zoned to earlier this season. Was named in the best in five out of 13 matches this year.

Kai Jones - 165cm midfielder/forward (Dandenong U15 & Nar Nar Goon)

Just this week Jones represented Gippsland’s Division 2 U15 side at the annual VLine Cup. Wearing his old man’s famous number 5, the 165cm Jones kicked two goals in the second match but wasn’t listed in the best.

2028 -

2029 - Koschitzke

2030 - Brown, Jones

2031 - Loewe, Hayes

2032 - Loewe, Loewe, Riewoldt, Blake

2033 - Dal Santo, Savage

2034 - Hayes, Riewoldt

2035 - Dal Santo, Schneider

2036 - Montagna, Gilbert

2037 - Riewoldt, Armitage

2038 - Geary, Gwilt

2039 - Gilbert, Ross, Ross, Gwilt

2040 - Gram

2041 - Webster

2042 - Hill

Those in bold played junior footy in 2024.

Each time a player has a child it is mentioned by the club on the socials or in an article. The list above is a summary of that information and there may be more that I’ve missed.

For anyone that wants to keep track of these players - or cross reference - the PlayAFL app is your friend.

Next week I’ll have a look at what St Kilda will do with its inaugural Sandringham selection this year. What is the solution to a rookie error?
 

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Interesting on that list, you will notice a lot of names from the 09/10 grand final squad starting to shine through from 2029 onwards. Saints just haven’t had enough good eras like that. It’s no surprise the Lions are going to produce a few quality father sons from that 2001-04 era. Team was littered with stars.
 
maxresdefault.jpg


"I have 2 sons named Jett and Ace."

Buckley%20Nathan%20Web%202024.png.jpg


"Jinx!"
 
Platform28 said:
Speak to any St Kilda fan long enough, and it won’t be long before the Saints’ luck with the father son rule is mentioned.

It’s not just that St Kilda has had just two father sons - David Sierakowski and Bailey Rice - play a combined 104 matches.

It’s that they’ve also lost Grand Finals to a Geelong team in 2009 that featured four father son selections and to Collingwood in 2010 that had two as well.

By comparison to the Saints’ dismal record, the Cats have had ten father sons amass 1346 matches and the Magpies 1182 from 15.

It’s with that in mind that excitement has built as Justin Peckett’s son, Elwood, improved week on week this season for Dandenong in the Coates Talent League. This culminated in a 25 possession, five goal haul against the Murray Bushrangers in August.

It isn’t time just yet to declare the curse lifted though. Aside from Peckett, the only other father son looking potentially draft quality - at this stage - over the next five years is Darryl Wakelin’s son Gill, who lives in Adelaide and is also eligible to be drafted to Port Adelaide.

Let’s take a closer look at what the Saints have coming through.

2024

Elwood Peckett - 187cm midfielder (Dandenong & Bonbeach)

Halfway through the Coates Talent League season it looked touch and go whether Peckett was draft quality.

His finish to the season was very impressive though and it would now be a big shock if he isn’t a Saint in 2025.

Peckett spent a lot of time early in the year playing as the defensive midfielder alongside star teammates Harvey Langford and Cooper Hynes.

As those two went to play for Vic Metro, Peckett stepped up his performances and also captained the Stingrays. The return of Langford and Hynes late in the year didn’t affect Peckett as he averaged 20 touches and 1.3 goals over the last seven matches.

Elwood’s youngest brother Ace is draft eligible in 2026 though is behind Elwood at the same age.

Boston Everitt - 188cm forward (Carey Grammar & Balwyn)

There were high hopes for Everitt after he moved down from Gold Coast to further his football last year.

It just hasn’t worked out for him though, missing out on selection on any Coates Talent League list.

He played a few matches for his school Carey Grammar and ended the season in the reserves at Balwyn.

2025

Gill Wakelin (Sturt)

Wakelin burst out of the blocks in 2023 and kicked 31 goals in 11 matches. This season though, he has been moved to defence, which his Dad, Darryl, says is his best position.

He hasn’t appeared to have the influence on games that he did as a forward and he was a surprise omission from South Australia’s Under 17 side.

Adelaide born, Gill is also eligible to play for Port Adelaide where his old man played 146 matches.

Interestingly, Gill is a St Kilda supporter. It will still be a big shock though if he was to pick the Saints over the Power.

Port Adelaide supporters are confident they will land him (if he’s good enough) and it would take a pretty driven 18 year old to choose to move to a different state away from friends and family.

2026

Ace Peckett (Edithvale Aspendale)

The youngest of the Peckett clan that also featured Sunny and Jett, who play for Bonbeach.

Despite a good season for Edithvale Aspendale, where he was named in the best in 8 out of 14 matches, Peckett was not selected for any representative side.

2027

Koby Schneider (Lavington)

Schneider missed out on selection in the GWS U15 Academy that his club Lavington is zoned to earlier this season. Was named in the best in five out of 13 matches this year.

Kai Jones - 165cm midfielder/forward (Dandenong U15 & Nar Nar Goon)

Just this week Jones represented Gippsland’s Division 2 U15 side at the annual VLine Cup. Wearing his old man’s famous number 5, the 165cm Jones kicked two goals in the second match but wasn’t listed in the best.

2028 -

2029 - Koschitzke

2030 - Brown, Jones

2031 - Loewe, Hayes

2032 - Loewe, Loewe, Riewoldt, Blake

2033 - Dal Santo, Savage

2034 - Hayes, Riewoldt

2035 - Dal Santo, Schneider

2036 - Montagna, Gilbert

2037 - Riewoldt, Armitage

2038 - Geary, Gwilt

2039 - Gilbert, Ross, Ross, Gwilt

2040 - Gram

2041 - Webster

2042 - Hill

Those in bold played junior footy in 2024.

Each time a player has a child it is mentioned by the club on the socials or in an article. The list above is a summary of that information and there may be more that I’ve missed.

For anyone that wants to keep track of these players - or cross reference - the PlayAFL app is your friend.

Next week I’ll have a look at what St Kilda will do with its inaugural Sandringham selection this year. What is the solution to a rookie error?
Click to expand...
Awesome post P28. Thanks for the info. Hopefully a couple of them come through in the coming years.
 

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