Dougie Cochrane got through his return match and first outing in Port Adelaide colours unscathed on Sunday, finishing with six disposals.
In a heavy defeat and on managed minutes, Cochrane did not see the footy until being shifted into the backline in the last quarter where he had a couple of moments of class and competed well amid a flurry of entries.
Having not played any competitive footy for just under 10 months, his return straight into a SANFL League side underlined the high hopes surrounding him and despite the modest numbers, it was viewed as a successful game.
On several occasions, he led to the right spots and found separation on his direct opponent but the possession chain broke down before it was able to reach him or he was not used.
He covered the ground well and appeared significantly stronger than his last appearance.
While there has been significant hype around his name, expecting him to impact immediately in a struggling lineup was always unfeasible and players of his size and scope take time to develop.
Regardless how he performs this year, he has already established a highlight reel and holistic CV befitting of his status as a firm Pick 1 contender.
Meanwhile, South Australian teammates Mitch Harris, Jake Eime and Anthony Long all made their league debuts.
Harris had 12 disposals and three tackles and handled the step up to more seasoned bodies well in a typically strong performance in the backline.
Eime's sizzling speed was on display as he broke the lines off half-back in a 14-disposal display. While Adelaide will not get priority access to him at this year's draft due to an administrative error, he has been immersed in the Crows Academy this year.
Long had six disposals and two clearances.
Meanwhile, Zacky Young had 10 disposals as he got another opportunity for Port Adelaide's SANFL side. The South Australian squad member is in the frame for a Category B rookie spot at the club.
Top performers from star-studded Talent League clash
As many as 15 future AFL players took to the field in front of a grandstand filled with recruiters and player agents at Shepley Oval on Sunday as Dandenong Stingrays took on Northern Knights.
It was a high-intensity, talent-laden contest, with Northern Knights having its noses in front for the entire game but stars from both teams standing tall.
Vic Metro defender Kai Parker, matched up on draft smokey Mitch Toner was one of the standouts, keeping his direct opponent in hot form to just one goal.
He also showed great poise when he won the footy at ground level, driving forward to clear defensive 50 with purpose as he finished with 20 disposals.
He was one of the big winners of the day until he dislocated his shoulder spoiling a ball in the last five minutes of the game, flaring up an issue which has plagued him for some time.
Harvie Cooke was another standout performer, continuously breaking tackles and putting his head over the footy, with his kicking inside 50 also a highlight, while his forward craft was on show as he finished with 23 disposals, seven tackles and one goal, coming off a national championships where he finished fifth in the Larke Medal.
Sonny Caruso – no relation to GWS list boss, Adrian – put himself on the map as a player to watch late in the Talent League season as one of the standard setters for the Knights.
The 177cm front half threat had 26 disposals and kicked 3.2 in a creative performance where he used his nous to navigate his way through traffic and find space and teammates inside 50.
Lewis Houndsome was the starting ruck and although he had just the six disposals, his ruck craft was a highlight, helping give his team midfield ascendancy as he finished with 26 hitouts and mixed Hollywood and tradition with his taps.
Top-five prospect Harry Van Hattum also had 26 hitouts despite spending minimal time in the ruck as his ruck craft was typically strong and he made big contested marks around the ground look academic. At one stage, Van Hattum took a mark at the top of defensive 50, shoved his direct opponent, found a short target on the 45, ran down the line and took another contested mark in a real show of his command.
First round prospect Sam Gayfer was arguably the best player as the Knights built a handy quarter time lead, kicking a pair of goals, setting another up and taking some strong grabs inside 50.
Athletic hit-up forward Harrison Leeder kicked four goals and was particularly damaging in the third quarter as he timed his leads and escaped his direct opponent, having showed similar traits in Vic Metro's last game.
Meanwhile, first round prospect Toby Krasna and AFL Academy defender Tate Hodgson missed with hamstring and knee injuries respectively with both expected to return in a fortnight.
For Dandenong, Marcus Prasad was best afield in his first match back from a four-month injury layoff, finishing with 24 disposals, three direct goal assists and a Nick-Watson-esque finish in traffic and celebration to boot.
His ability to accelerate through traffic and find targets inside 50 was a highlight, with his first touch of the game setting up a Louis Salopek goal with a pinpoint pass.
Not linked to Melbourne's Academy despite some reporting, there was some intrigue about him prior to his injury with Sunday's outing reinforcing his credentials.
Defender Wil Antrobus provided an important reminder of what he was capable of, with his darting kicking finding teammates chests and opening up the Northern Knights defence while he also threw himself into some big contests and showed courage.
Co-captain Gus Kennedy – well-regarded for his strong character – continued his quiet rise up draft boards with 22 disposals and four tackles, driving forward from defensive 50 and hitting his targets.
Jackson Phillips kicked a classy goal and had 19 disposals, linking up well and showing his clean skills and tank as he ran end to end.
Port Adelaide father-son prospect Louis Salopek spent time in the midfield, forward line and on the wing, finishing with 17 disposals, six tackles and two goals – the second of those a classy finish on the run from range.
When in the midfield, he did well on multiple occasions to shark the taps of Northern's ruck duo cleanly, while he worked hard and had an air of class throughout the day.
Darcy Szerszyn intercepted well and hit some effective passes by foot in a 16-disposal outing in defence.
Other talent pathway tidbits
- Australian U17s basketballer Lucas Byrne made his Talent League debut on Sunday for GWV Rebels, with his basketball commitments finally easing to enable him to play a game. And he showed he had plenty of potential, playing with great aggression as he finished with 13 disposals, eight tackles and a goal as an anchor of the forward line. We all love a footballer with a basketball background, don't we? The bottom-ager will be one to watch if he decides not to pursue basketball.
- Byrne's teammate Archie Elliott had a statement performance, kicking seven goals in his team's big win. The high-flying forward whose repeat efforts always shine capitalised on his opportunities in front of the big sticks, finding space and showing his dynamic skillset.
- Essendon Next Generation Academy prospect Blake Justice had his best match of the season, amassing 28 disposals and showing plenty of damage factor, matching up on Eastern Ranges guns Archie Spencer and Jett Flower at different times.
- Fellow Essendon-tied prospects Koby Bewick and Moustafa Darwish - both bottom-agers - also starred. Bewick had 20 disposals and two goals, playing with class and finding space with ease, while Darwish continued his strong midfield form with 36 disposals to help his side win the battle in the engine-room with his competitiveness and burst features of his game.
- Eastern Ranges midfielder Jordan Knapp had 43 disposals in a fine display through the midfield where his clean hands and effective distribution stood out. Despite limited fanfare, he is firmly on recruiters' radars as a player without a clear weakness and with positional flexibility. He came fourth in Larke Medal voting at the National Championships.
- After being a somewhat surprise inclusion for Vic Metro's last game of the championships and impressing, energetic forward-midfielder Zac Antonellos had 32 disposals and again showed his ability to think his way through situations and make good decisions with his creative skillset. It was an impressive performance to further advance his draft credentials after an injury-interrupted start to the year stymied him, having finished 2025 strongly.
- Western Bulldogs Next Generation Academy prospect Khaled El Souki kicked five goals in a big win over Geelong, while teammate Lachie Hicks provided a timely reminder of his talent with 33 disposals and three goals after a quiet carnival
- Hawthorn-linked Keenan Boi had 13 disposals, one goal and six tackles in a perfect small forward game for Gippsland, teammate Cohen Dent, one of the top tall prospects in next year's draft – was strong in the ruck and Vic Country teammate Levi Macumber was spritely with 20 disposals. Star bottom-ager Oscar Henwood was managed.
- Cam Maynard was a spark plug on League debut against Banfield for South Fremantle, finishing with 14 disposals, which included a goal and plenty of dazzling moments where he showed his sharp step.
- West Coast father-son prospect Harper Banfield backed up a strong start to life in West Coast colours, finishing with 17 disposals playing alongside 16 AFL-listed players after 20 disposals last week in a tough and hard-working showing.
- Playing mostly in the forward line, Gus Teixeira had a day out for St Kevin's on Saturday, bagging seven goals as he further showcased his ability to play forward of the footy. He was given plenty of opportunity to show he had the capacity to go forward and impact at the National Championships and was impressive, and looked a class above in a high-quality school match for St Kevin's. He did most of his damage in the first quarter, kicking four goals - remarkably, despite his exploits, St Kevin's still lost by a point!
- Caulfield Grammar pair Marlon Neocleous and Wil Malady were excellent in a massive win over Geelong Grammar. Neocleous was at his shifty best, finishing with five majors, while Malady was everywhere working hard to rack up possessions and marks.
