There were plenty of AFL Draft prospects who shone across the weekend, with the return of schoolboys in the Coates League and many big performances in the VFL.
All the latest below.
VFL debutantes
Top-five contender Cooper Duff-Tytler, St Kilda Next Generation Academy prospect Kye Fincher, and Melbourne Next Generation Academy prospect Toby Sinnema all impressed in their first outings at VFL level.
Duff-Tytler has been exposed increasingly forward in recent times to prove his positional flexibility, and played exclusively forward for Essendon VFL, kicking 3.2 from 13 disposals, including two first-quarter majors.
Fincher looked accomplished for Sandringham VFL, providing dash, precise ball-use and confident flair off halfback, racking up 24 disposals to follow up a strong U18s National Championships.
Sinnema, a winger, used his beautiful foot skills to great effect, finishing with 15 disposals and an important third-quarter goal.
All handled the step up in physicality to the VFL level well.
Meanwhile, fellow National Combine invitee and North Adelaide U18s captain Blake Oudshoorn-Bennier made his senior debut and had 10 disposals.
Northern Academy prospects shine
Gold Coast Academy trio Koby Coulson, Beau Addinsall and Dylan Patterson all played arguably their best games at VFL level in the Suns' victory over GWS VFL.
Coulson had 26 disposals as he got exposure higher up the ground to back up his U18s All Australian National Championships campaign.
Addinsall had 26 disposals, eight clearances and 12 contested possessions in an important reminder of his excellent tools as a midfielder, having missed an extended period with a hamstring injury.
Patterson, meanwhile, was energetic as ever with 24 touches. It was the trio's last game in Gold Coast colours before the AFL Draft.
Brisbane Academy prospect Dan Annable continued his strong VFL form, leading the Lions midfield with conviction in its draw with Frankston.
Carlton tied prospects impress
It's becoming rinse and repeat for Cody Walker, with the classy and competitive bottom-aged father-son prospect Bendigo's best again on Saturday, showcasing his wide array of attributes.
A stunning first-quarter goal from 50 laid the foundation for a near-perfect day as he finished with 29 disposals and 2.2.
Next Generation Academy prospect Jack Ison had 22 disposals and two goals as a powerful forward-midfielder.
School footy dominator, excellent at Coates League level
Midfielder Archie Dollman received a State Combine invite largely off the back of his excellent form for St Kevin's College.
A late addition to Oakleigh's list, Dollman played a breakout game at the level, racking up 23 disposals with his ball-winning and balance impressing as he was given midfield minutes.
It's his fifth game for Oakleigh, and he has averaged 18 disposals.
Top prospects return to Talent League
With school footy wrapped up for 2025, a host of big names returned to the Coates League across the weekend.
Carey Grammar captain Max Kondogiannis and Camberwell Grammar's Sam Grlj were back at Oakleigh, with Kondogiannis calmly controlling the backline and Grlj at his clean best in the middle, while Jai Saxena had six scoring shots.
Caulfield Grammar's Ollie Wilson returned to Gippsland and was an intercepting force, while Bendigo regained Geelong Grammar's Wil Bennett, who was one of their most influential.
At Sandringham, midfielders Jack Dalton and Rory Wright were among the Dragons' best, while Dandenong forward Tairon Ah-Mu kicked 2.2
Nairn proves midfield capabilities
Exciting South Australian prospect Cam Nairn showed his ball-winning capabilities and positional flexibility.
He caught recruiters' attention with a seven-goal outing for South Australia at the National Championships, but at 189cm, showing off his dynamic skillset will further strengthen his draft case and prove he's more than just an aerial threat.
Having shared the forward line at Central Districts with top 10 prospect Aidan Schubert and still showing promise has been a great feather in his cap.
He's averaged almost two goals per game and eight marks.
Dahlitz excellent in defence
Sturt defender Jett Dahlitz racked up a whopping 42 disposals and 16 marks to control his team's backline with great intercepting and sure ball use.
The 187cm prospect was a key part of South Australia's Championships-winning side to cap an excellent rise, having never previously represented the state.
He has averaged 25 disposals and seven marks from 13 SANFL U18s appearances in 2025.
Evans season over
West Coast Eagles Next Generation Academy prospect injured his syndesmosis playing for West Perth on the weekend.
In his second senior game of footy, he went off with the season-ending injury in what was just his third game back from a back injury that had ruled him out of the U18s National Championships.
An AFL Academy prospect with great hype entering 2025, the powerful 187cm midfielder has managed just six games this season as a result of injury.
