A pair of Under-17s Futures Trial games were held at Casey Fields on Saturday.
Vic Country took on Queensland and Vic Metro took on NSW/ACT, with both Victorian sides prevailing and, more importantly, there was plenty of impressive talent on display.
A Hawthorn-tied pair were among the standouts.
Isa Merhi (Calder Cannons/Vic Metro): Provided undeniably the highlight of the afternoon, gathering the ball on the wing, and looking up and seeing no-one between he and the goals. With a state level athletic background, he put his head down, took five bounces and backed his pace, running into an open goal. That boldness and athletic profile was on show at times throughout the afternoon and his decision-making, too, was quite good.
Harper McCullough (Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro): Was on fire until a concussion ended his day early on the stroke of halftime. The strong-bodied utility played off half forward and kicked two first quarter goals, including a classy one-touch snap from 45 which showcased his ability to get the ball from hand to foot quickly. Was unselfish across the day, setting up plenty of scoring chains and drawing his teammates into dangerous space, highlighting his footy IQ. Also powered through some forward half stoppages and provided an outlet by hand or foot when needed. Another strong performance in a strong year.
Baxter Sruk (Eastern Ranges/Vic Metro): The standout player for Vic Metro, Sruk was comfortably the leading ball-winner to halftime, winning clearances and motoring away from contest with ease. His decision-making and execution by foot was simply a class above and cut through the opposition defence with his balance between contest work and outside polish exquisite. Was moved out of the midfield after halftime, but had already done the damage and opened up a sizeable lead stamping himself as a top 10 prospect for next year.
Jett Flower (Eastern Ranges/Vic Metro): Was an important conduit between defence and attack, showing his class with ball in had and proving competitive in some important contests throughout the match. Took an important mark at the top of defensive 50 in the second quarter and was always bold with his decision-making and intent to keep the game moving forward.
Archie Bakoulas (Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro): Led the backline well, putting himself in the right spots to get plenty of intercept possessions and wasn't afraid to bite off brave kicks to open the game up. Was also competitive in one-on-one contests and although much of the opposition's forward forays were from rushed kicks, he still did well to neutralise their forward threats.
Jed Corbett (GWS Academy/NSW/ACT): Kicked three goals and was his team's most potent forward threat, showing an ability to hold front position and take the ball at its highest point. Kicked a goal after taking a strong mark deep inside 50 but was otherwise starved of opportunities in the first half, but continued working and got some more chances after halftime to show his exploits. Follows Allies representation throughout the Under-18s Championships.
Campbell McCarty (Bendigo Pioneers/NSW/ACT): Took some strong intercept marks in defence, with his body positioning and read of the ball highlights. Competes hard and showed an ability to neutralise his direct opponent aerially.
Lachie Petrie (GWV Rebels/Vic Country): Neutralised some massive contests late when he looked outbodied and outnumbered which showed impressive strength and application. His work rate was a feature throughout the afternoon as he covered the ground well. Had some effective moments throughout, including a strong tackle which resulted in a holding the ball free kick. One who cracks in and gives 100 per cent in every facet.
Lincoln Brand (Murray Bushrangers/Vic Country): The big-bodied midfielder used his brute strength to his advantage and his vision to find targets, often laterally into the corridor, was impressive, knowing he had the power to brush off physical contact. Won some important contests in the first half then was moved into defence where he found opportunities to counterattack.
Kyan Walters (Geelong Falcons/Vic Country): The diminutive left-footer had some classy moments by foot and played with great intensity. Took an intercept mark in the third quarter which showcased his ability to read the cues of the kicker and impact. Made good decisions and got energy on the footy.
Charlie Fischer (Gippsland Power): An impressive performance from the Hawthorn Next Generation Academy prospect. Spent the first half up forward where he competed hard and won or neutralised his one-on-one contests with his repeat efforts and willingness to stay engaged and his ability put the footy to a dangerous spot made him an ominous threat. Was moved down back after halftime where he backed his line breaking and agility to power through tackles and set up offence. Won a one-on-one on the last line of defence early in the third quarter and never panicked with the footy which made him an asset when Vic Country was put under scoreboard pressure.
Alex Whitlock (Murray Bushrangers/Vic Country): The younger brother of AFL twins Jack and Matt had some classy moments. Kicked a classy snap goal in the second quarter and followed it up a few minutes later with an excellent goal assist as he proved a damaging ground level player inside 50. Had a set shot late in the contest which just drifted but puts himself in dangerous areas.
Louis Salopek (Dandenong Stingrays/Vic Country): The Port Adelaide father-son was absolutely everywhere in the first quarter, with his work rate, clean hands, power and toughness all on show in spades. Proved to be strong through the hips as he was hard to tackle when throwing himself through a contest and took the game on by foot. When he disposes of the footy, he often continues tracking it, getting a secondary disposal in the chain often from a handball receive, where he showed his classy ball use. Is stamping himself as a bona fide prospect next year. Ran out of puff, a little, after halftime in just his second game back from injury but the class is evident.
Leo Stephenson (Gippsland Power/Vic Country): Performed well in the midfield, spreading hard from contest and using his chiselling kicking to his team's advantage. He stepped through traffic nicely allowing him to go from inside to outside, won clearances and was dangerous at centre stoppage. Has clean skills but at times looked to take on too much. Showed plenty of scope and has the tools and upside.
Henry Allsop (Gippsland Power): Another Hawthorn Next Generation Academy talent, Allsop took a whopping seven intercept marks across the game, positioning himself well in the backline and winning plenty of one-on-one contests. Also showed the smarts to peel off his opponent and support teammates when the opportunity presented and went safety first with the spoil when it was the percentage play. Was arguably best afield with his toughness and aggression to hit the footy strongly complementing his strong hands overhead and sound athleticism. The big riser of the day.
Rohan Bickerton (Queensland/Brisbane Academy): Took a couple of big marks in defence and showed some raw traits that suggest he could develop into a likeable marking player at either end with his ability to protect the drop zone and stand his ground in marking contests. Played on a bigger direct opponent and won the matchup comfortably highlighting his ability to negate, wrestle and get his hands on the footy.
Other talent pathway tidbits
South Australian quartet Zacky Young, Kodah Edwards, Ethan Herbert and Memphis Webb all got senior footy opportunities across the weekend. Port Adelaide Next Generation Academy member Young had 11 disposals and five tackles playing as a connector and Edwards had 16 disposals and three clearances in a heavy loss, both in seniors. For North Adelaide's reserves, Herbert had 14 disposals, 16 hitouts and two contested marks and Webb had 12 touches.
Archie Van Dyk roared back to form with a whopping 36 disposals, eight tackles and 15 clearances for South Adelaide. In his third game of the season after a back injury sidelined him for the first half of 2026, he caught the eye with his trademark competitiveness at stoppages, defensive intent and class with ball in hand. A highly-regarded prospect last season,
Essendon Next Generation Academy prospect Blake Justice made his VFL debut for the Bombers. Playing on the wing, he had eight touches but complied with his role well and did not look out of place in a strong lineup. There is optimism he may get another opportunity at VFL level this weekend.
