Players returned to form, a known surname broke out and a club-tied player maintained his strong form.
That and more in this week's AFL Draft Watch.
AFL Academy member returns
It was a solid return for Dandenong Stingrays defender Darcy Szerszyn on Saturday night against Eastern Ranges.
In greasy conditions, Szerszyn took some strong grabs and looked to take the game on in the backline and got through unscathed, save for some second half cramp. He even had a stint forward of the footy late in the game.
Szerszyn entered the year in first round consideration after representing Vic Country as a bottom-ager last year, and remains very highly thought of, so will undoubtedly be a key piece for Vic Country at the Under-18s National Championships.
Gippslander hits form in different position
AFL Academy member Wil Malady was Caulfield Grammar's clear best on ground in the school's narrow win over Scotch College to keep alive its grand final aspirations. Usually a mobile marking forward, the 190cm Malady played through the midfield and racked up plenty of possession, standing up in several key moments when it mattered.
Usually given significant attention by opposition backlines, his athleticism in the midfield stood out and he was even used as a spare defender behind the ball where his strong aerial game allowed him to intercept with ease.
Has a big role to play for Vic Country at the Under-18s National Championships later this month.
GWS Academy member on a tear
We've highlighted top-aged GWS Academy talent Ethan Matthews at length in recent weeks, but bottom-ager Cooper French is another one who is being closely tracked.
The bottom-ager has electric speed which allows him to break the game open and surge the ball forward from centre stoppage.
Was his team's standout player in the NSW/ACT vs South Australia trial game last weekend, a capstone performance after a strong start to 2026. Will likely play off half-forward for the Allies at the Under-18s National Championships where his ability to get up and back and hit the scoreboard will be on full display.
South Australian squad addition
West Adelaide forward Josh Bell has been added to South Australia's squad for the Under-18s National Championships.
A speedy forward, he is a high impact per possession player who applies great pressure and won the yo-yo test at South Australia's pre-season testing.
Hawthorn NGA shines
It could have been a day out for Hawthorn Next Generation Academy prospect Keenan Boi against Tasmania at Shepley Oval on Sunday.
The hard running, creative forward kicked 1.5 and played with his trademark x-factor to continue a strong vein of form in the last month.
He has been named as part of the Vic Country squad, one of several fleet-footed small forwards where he will look to continue to advance his stocks.
Brother of AFL twins breaks out
Alex Whitlock, the brother of North Melbourne's Matt and Port Adelaide's Jack, played his best game of Talent League in his career to date.
At 180cm, the Shepparton native does not boast the size of his older brothers, both key-position players, but like them plays his best footy in attack.
The 2027 draft-eligible prospect represented Vic Country at last year's Under-16s National Development Championships, and is clean at ground level and able to take a strong grab on the lead.
