The U18s national championships are drawing nearer, which is putting a premium on strong performances.
We cast an eye on what is making news in the talent pathway industry this weekend...
Gippsland's number one pick contender Willem Duursma is answering the critics one game at a time.
Duursma had 31 disposals in another excellent showing on Saturday for Gippsland Power, as a big first term laid the foundation for a brilliant day.
While his stats line has been ultra impressive across recent weeks, even more noteworthy has been the areas of his game Duursma has shone in.
"I thought the great thing about what Willem has been able to do this year is he's been able to work on those things we've been consistently encouraging him to do, which is his ability to defend and win contested footy in close," Gippsland coach Rhett McLennan told Craft of the Draft.
"He keeps getting better every week, and he had a couple of moments in the game where his tackling was awesome.
"I'm happy with how he's tracking – he's developing a few different ways to kill you.
"It's not just his athleticism and outside run, it's what he can do on the inside, so he's becoming a good teammate and complete footballer."
Following scintillating form at APS level, Will Darcy, the son of Western Bulldogs great Luke and brother of current star Sam, got the opportunity to represent Oakleigh on Sunday.
It came despite him missing Oakleigh's initial list, before his form for Scotch College propelled him into the squad and the 23 for Sunday's game.
He finished with just four disposals, but seized his moment when it came in the last quarter, putting the Chargers up by 11 points with just over five minutes to go to effectively seal the result.
While his moments were spasmodic, those who have watched the tall swingman at school level are adamant that he has AFL attributes, so he'll be worth keeping an eye on as the year progresses.
Forgotten Collingwood NGA Doug Kerr was outstanding for Oakleigh in his return game from an ACL rupture.
A strong-bodied midfielder-forward, Kerr finished with 12 disposals, seven tackles and a goal from three quarters of footy as his return is closely managed, with his clearance-winning, power and ball-handling all highlights of his game.
The 192cm Kerr was expected to be around the mark for Vic Metro selection last year before his injury, and has returned to the Chargers as a 19-year-old.
Meanwhile, Carlton NGA prospect Jack Ison also had some eye-catching moments in his first Coates League match of the season, with injury delaying his start to the season.
Ison combined 13 disposals with six tackles and a goal, while Noah Yze, the son of Richmond coach Adem, was also in excellent touch with 19 disposals.
Geelong Next Generation Academy forward/midfielder proved his six-goal haul in a Vic Country trial game two weeks ago was no fluke, booting five of his team's 11 on Sunday in a 20-disposal outing.
The strong-marking, explosive talent was considered one of the best players to miss the Vic Country summer hub, but looks set to play a major role for the side during the national championships as his rise continues.
His ability to threaten in the forward half regardless of his designated position makes him a brilliant asset, with his consistency underlined by averaging 18 disposals, five marks, four tackles and 1.5 goals per game in 2025.
For the first time in Gold Coast's history, their Academy program has finished its four-game Coates Talent League series undefeated, following an at-times dour victory over Northern Knights.
It's fitting that it happens in a season they are almost certain to have at least six players taken at the draft, but is equally a testament to the resources the club invest into nurturing the next generation.
Stars in waiting Beau Addinsall, Dylan Patterson and Koby Coulson were all among the standouts on Sunday, but just as scary for other clubs were the performances of bottom-agers Taj Murray and Leroy Kaesler.
Both are shaping as players to watch next year with Murray impressing on the wing, while Kaesler booted three goals.
Murray is the brother of 2025 prospect Jai, who has been ruled out of the remainder of the season with a foot injury, while Kaesler is the son of Suns VFL coach, Tate.
Central Districts midfielder Dyson Sharp was named SA U18s best afield in their 14-point loss to the SA U20 side at Norwood Oval on Sunday.
It continues the brute on-baller's strong form after he racked up plenty of possession in the second AFL Academy game.
Fellow AFL Academy member Sam Cumming was also among the best, while Cam Nairn and Noah Roberts-Thomson kicked three goals.
South Adelaide midfielder Jesse Nye and Norwood key back Noah Daw were also among the standouts, while Will Patton and Phoenix Hargrave led the way for SA's U20 side.
Carlton father-son and Richmond Next Generation Academy prospect Cody Walker dragged Bendigo Pioneers over the line against GWV Rebels on Sunday.
Walker kicked two goals in two minutes deep in the last quarter to give the Pioneers the lead and help them clinch a come-from-behind victory.
The 2026 top-10 prospect's competitiveness and efficiency were on show as he finished with a sensational statsline: 31 disposals, thee goals, 10 marks, eight tackles, seven inside 50s, seven rebound 50s.
Mid-Season Draft prospect Archer May kicked two goals in a promising performance in the WAFL v SANFL state game, which WAFL won by 30 points on Saturday.
May finished with two goals from 13 disposals, while Ryan Borchet kicked four, Subiaco midfielder Taj Schofield kicked two and Mid-Season prospect Michael Sellwood had 19 disposals, while Milan Murdock was named best afield.
Midfielder Manni Liddy was named the best for the SANFL, winning 20 disposals and three clearances, while Lachie Hosie kicked four goals.
Dandenong Stingray Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves kicked four goals in his return game from a six-week shoulder injury.
The courageous hybrid forward kicked the first goal of the game for the Stingrays and had some moments of poise and class to prove why he's held in such high regard.
Hibbins-Hargreaves' bottom-aged season propelled him into conversation as a potential top 15 selection and he has fallen out of that discussion somewhat only as a result of injury.
Sunday was just his second full game of the season and he'll hope to build into strong form across the next few weeks ahead of the national championships.
Gippsland Mid-Season Draft prospect Zac Walker entered concussion protocols following Saturday's game after being involved in a heavy collision in the third quarter.
It means the interceptor, who has caught the eye of multiple clubs this year ahead of the Mid-Season Draft, having not previously played U18s talent pathway footy, won't get another opportunity to play before the Mid-Season Draft.
Having also represented the Young Guns in recent weeks, he is viewed as a third tall capable of controlling the airways with his contested marking, athleticism and clean hands, all impressive.
200cm Gippsland Power player Xavier Ladbrook played his best game at Coates League level on Saturday.
The 2024 U16s Vic Country representative has so far played on a wing due to his team's surplus talls, Ladbrook started in defence, where he looked assured, before making his mark when moved forward.
While still incredibly raw, he took some big contested marks and finished with two goals and a direct goal assist to frank his acclaim as a prospect for next year.
Northern Knights co-captain Seb Murphy, the brother of Adelaide's Lachie played as strong a game as you're likely to see in a losing team on Sunday.
The hard-at-it forward-midfielder had 36 disposals, with his effort and bravery around the footy unquestionable, and hard-running to try and get things going for his team unbelievable given the Knights managed just four goals for the game.
He also laid four tackles, had three shots on goal and won himself six free kicks as he was prepared to go harder than anyone else in an uncompromising performance.
The 176cm Murphy has had a strong start to 2025, averaging 36 disposals, a goal and five tackles, but missed Vic Metro selection given the strength of their small forward brigade.
Efforts like Sunday will help him advance his draft case.
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