Under Age U17s - 2025 AFL Draft General Discussion

[DTLSchulzy16]

10/28 Allies, Jai Murrray missed out probably due to White being named. Can’t have all the GC guys

Can’t wait for them to blow the doors off everyone at the Nat Champs

 

[cairo tiger]

Lachlan Dovaston 175cm Eastern any good?

 

[GC2015]

I'm really curious about what other draft onlookers think - is Zeke Uwland really as good as they are letting on? These articles almost make it sound like he's clearly the best prospect in this draft class and is being hyped in a similar way to Nick Daicos. Fair or unjustified?

Family ties, Academy guns loom large in 2025 AFL Academy squad

The Marsh AFL National Academy Boys squad has been revealed, with some familiar names among the 28 players selected

www.afl.com.au

 

[EricCartman]

No way Kalani actually made the team. Thomas McGuane is the most notable player missing.

 

[Jen2310]

No way Kalani actually made the team. Thomas McGuane is the most notable player missing.

Yeah I was surprised, but I guess only so many mids you can put into the team so lucked out.

 

[Kedron lions]

At what point do we start having legitimate conversations about the Allies needing to be split up? This Queensland cohort already beat Vic Metro in Melbourne a few months ago so I'm inclined to believe a Queensland U18 team would more than hold its own in the National Championships next year.

Queensland already competes on its own in the female version of the National Championships so it's not like this can't be done. It'd be better for the juniors as well because they wouldn't have to fly to states all over the country just to participate in the Allies program and could remain based in south east Queensland while they juggle school commitments.

yes however the bigger problem would be the NSW side in the comp as right now Queensland is arguably carrying the bulk of the load. A Better option could be to make tassie have its own for the obvious they will need to have systems in place for when they start and the second being the distance is so much greater. mind you the national academy has a lot of people travelling from across Australia for a camp

 

[danster168]

No way Kalani actually made the team. Thomas McGuane is the most notable player missing.

how come?

Initially I heard high praise of Kalani White a couple of years ago. And then the whispers were that he really wasn't that good and since then there really hasn't been much news.

But then I saw him play on a game that was streamed a few months ago and I was very impressed. Super athletic. He'll grow to be over 200cm and super agile. He played in defence and looked good there. Foot skills looked very good also. His impact on games may not quite be there but his athletic profile and scope for improvement are high end. To me, he is similar to Darcy Moore who also didn't impress that much during his draft year. I think Kalani White will get a first round nomination.

 

[EricCartman]

how come?

Initially I heard high praise of Kalani White a couple of years ago. And then the whispers were that he really wasn't that good and since then there really hasn't been much news.

But then I saw him play on a game that was streamed a few months ago and I was very impressed. Super athletic. He'll grow to be over 200cm and super agile. He played in defence and looked good there. Foot skills looked very good also. His impact on games may not quite be there but his athletic profile and scope for improvement are high end. To me, he is similar to Darcy Moore who also didn't impress that much during his draft year. I think Kalani White will get a first round nomination.

I suppose in terms of needs he does fit the team.

From the footage I’ve seen he just doesn’t impact the game, however he did do a few good acts in the futures game, other than that he’s quite meh for me.

 

[danster168]

I suppose in terms of needs he does fit the team.

From the footage I’ve seen he just doesn’t impact the game, however he did do a few good acts in the futures game, other than that he’s quite meh for me.

What's needs got to do with anything?

Yeah, his impact on games is the main question but the physical traits he showed were so high end that you could argue that he's the most athletic guy in the draft. at least in terms of vertical leap. And his foot skills were decent enough. Darcy Moore wasn't doing much either in his draft year.

 

[Futbolista]

Live 17's PNG v Fiji. Hopefully a few are good enough for Allies consideration.

 

[Futbolista]

Live 17's PNG v Fiji. Hopefully a few are good enough for Allies consideration.

This is fun. Some of the PNG players are the real deal. Super quick, very elusive.

 

[EricCartman]

Live 17's PNG v Fiji. Hopefully a few are good enough for Allies consideration.

The first minute of that game is jam-packed

 

[tombomb]

I'm really curious about what other draft onlookers think - is Zeke Uwland really as good as they are letting on? These articles almost make it sound like he's clearly the best prospect in this draft class and is being hyped in a similar way to Nick Daicos. Fair or unjustified?

Family ties, Academy guns loom large in 2025 AFL Academy squad

The Marsh AFL National Academy Boys squad has been revealed, with some familiar names among the 28 players selected

www.afl.com.au

Unjustified imo.

I am far from an expert, but have watched a few of the rep games this year as I am following our academy players, but I don't think he is a standout by any means.

 

[GC2015]

yes however the bigger problem would be the NSW side in the comp as right now Queensland is arguably carrying the bulk of the load. A Better option could be to make tassie have its own for the obvious they will need to have systems in place for when they start and the second being the distance is so much greater. mind you the national academy has a lot of people travelling from across Australia for a camp

If Queensland continues to produce high level talent each year, then why not just copy what they do in the female U18 competition? Queensland becomes a standalone team and the Allies are made up of NSW, ACT, NT and Tasmania. That way you have six teams and you can avoid byes. I'm pretty sure Queensland would be stronger than Tasmania these days.

Unjustified imo.

I am far from an expert, but have watched a few of the rep games this year as I am following our academy players, but I don't think he is a standout by any means.

That's interesting. I have thought numerous times that the media is getting a bit carried away with Zeke and that potentially has to do with frustration surrounding the Suns Academy. From what I've seen, he's good but I don't think I'd say he's at the level you would expect from a predicted number 1 pick. Top 10 sure, but number 1 seems too high IMO.

 

[Jen2310]

Agreed. I saw Kalani play for the Allies against SA this year and he looked way off the mark. Unsurprisingly, didn't suit up again for the Allies this season. That's not to say he can't get there, just that he didn't look like he was at that level this year as a bottom ager. Maybe taking part in the national academy this off season will help.

The poster is referring to Zeke, not Kalani.

 

[GC2015]

The poster is referring to Zeke, not Kalani.

My mistake. Post edited and updated.

 

[Jen2310]

My mistake. Post edited and updated.

He's top 5 for sure. But think its hard to say if there is a clear #1 at this point. As we know, academy or FS prospects rarely go #1
Only happened in recent times with JUH.

 

[GC2015]

He's top 5 for sure. But think its hard to say if there is a clear #1 at this point. As we know, academy or FS prospects rarely go #1
Only happened in recent times with JUH.

Maybe it will be a bit like Nick Daicos? There didn't appear to be 100% consensus on who was number 1 between Horne-Francis and Daicos, but JHF went number 1 because North wanted the number 1 pick on their own list and Daicos consequently slid. Wouldn't be surprised to see whichever club finishes last next year (probably Richmond) doing the same thing if Uwland is a line ball decision with another player. I think if the Allies win the national championships AND Zeke has a big carnival, then there's a chance that it may happen. However, a lot will have to go right for Zeke IMO.

 

[tombomb]

That's interesting. I have thought numerous times that the media is getting a bit carried away with Zeke and that potentially has to do with frustration surrounding the Suns Academy. From what I've seen, he's good but I don't think I'd say he's at the level you would expect from a predicted number 1 pick. Top 10 sure, but number 1 seems too high IMO.

I think you hit the nail on the head with the hype being more based on the media's obsession/frustration with the Gold Coast academy. As well as just a generally superficial analysis that we get about future drafts.

 

[Jen2310]

Maybe it will be a bit like Nick Daicos? There didn't appear to be 100% consensus on who was number 1 between Horne-Francis and Daicos, but JHF went number 1 because North wanted the number 1 pick on their own list and Daicos consequently slid. Wouldn't be surprised to see whichever club finishes last next year (probably Richmond) doing the same thing if Uwland is a line ball decision with another player. I think if the Allies win the national championships AND Zeke has a big carnival, then there's a chance that it may happen. However, a lot will have to go right for Zeke IMO.

In the end, 1, 2 5, or 50, I don't think it really matters. Its just a number that quickly gets forgotten once you enter the AFL system.