An AFL Draft prospect has emerged from the Associated Public Schools (APS) competition, with a best-on-field performance in the grand final, the latest chapter in a stellar season.
Jasper Williams has been Brighton Grammar's ruck in 2026 and has also shown excellent ability to play behind the footy as a spare at school level, with his performances earning him a place in Sandringham's squad in July.
He has played two Talent League games, and clubs are intrigued by his upside, with Williams earning a state combine invite.
“He's got enormous hands. He's a big boy, and there's the shape of a really good player for clubs to consider,” Sandringham coach Rob Harding told Zero Hanger.
“He's matured a lot as a young man in the last 18 months. When we met with him during the year, we wanted to hear from him why he hadn't come in previously and sensed there was a real desire to push it at a higher level.
“He trained for a few weeks before playing and showing his marking and composure with the ball.”
The question clubs will need to ask is how much credence to give to his school footy form, but he does have as many as five more Talent League games should the Dragons progress to a fifth consecutive grand final.
Williams was part of Sandringham's system as a 16-year-old but due to various factors, chiefly injury, had since fallen out of the program.
Recruiters are aware of his limited background in the talent pathway, which gives him great upside given the tools he possesses.
“He's a raw athlete, but he's demonstrated some high-level football capacity," Harding added.
“Mobility and agility are the things we need to see.
“APS footy is played on small grounds, and he plays behind the ball as a ruck and plays that role well at school level, but it's a slightly different with the role we're asking him to play.
“Can he handle bigger grounds, warmer weather later in the year? That's what clubs are looking to see. There's not much data on him.”
