Brisbane-tied midfielder and top five prospect Dan Annable will make his VFL debut for the Lions this weekend, with fellow Lions Academy talent Isaac Waller also set to feature against Williamstown for his maiden appearance at the level.
Annable has been one of the most consistent performers of his draft class to start 2025, having featured for the Lions Academy in the Coates Talent League, the AFL Academy and for the Allies in the U18s Boys National Championships over the weekend.
In his return for the Allies, Annable was among his side's best, recording 28 disposals, five tackles, eight score involvements, eight inside 50s and 613 metres gained in a seven-point loss to South Australia.
Annable was named best afield for the AFL Academy earlier this year when the representative side faced Richmond's reserves, with the midfielder managing 22 disposals, four clearances and two goals.
His ball-winning nous and decision making have Annable as a likely early selection at this stage of the season, with the Lions-linked teenager now set to follow in the footsteps of Ashcroft brothers Will and Levi in adding to his draft campaign with a VFL showing.
Will played three games at the state league level in 2022, averaging 27.3 disposals and 5.3 tackles per outing while also booting five goals. His younger brother found similar success for Brisbane's VFL side last year, with Levi amassing 35 disposals, eight marks and a goal in a 50-point win over GWS.
Annable was listed with the Lions' VFL program ahead of the 2025 season, being the only player of his age to be listed across the entire competition.
He won't be alone in making his VFL debut on Saturday, with 203cm Lions Academy and Allies teammate Isaac Waller also named for his first game.
Waller also featured for the Allies in their opener in Blacktown last week and will pull on the Lions VFL jumper when they host the Seagulls in Springfield on Saturday.
The pair's VFL debuts will come a week after Essendon named Next Generation Academy prospect Hussien El Achkar for their clash with Brisbane in the VFL, with the small forward booting three goals in the second half amid a close contest.
Annable's AFL Academy teammates Dyson Sharp (Central District) and Fred Rodriguez (South Fremantle) have also featured for their state senior sides this year.
Sharp appeared in the Bulldogs' SANFL finals run in 2024, while Gold Coast handed VFL debuts to Academy players Zeke Uwland, Beau Addinsall, Dylan Patterson and Koby Coulson.
All of Patterson, Coulson, Addinsall and fellow 2025 Academy prospects Max Hudson, Cooper Collins and Jonah Harris have been named for the Suns' reserves this weekend when they head to Geelong to face the Cats on Sunday.
