Bendigo utility Max Thompson looms as a player of intrigue at the Under-18s National Championships, kicking off this weekend.
Thompson is viewed as one of the leading bottom-aged prospects and is firmly in Tasmania's sights.
The Devils are able to pre-list up to four 17-year-olds at the end of this year.
Thompson was Vic Country's MVP at the Under-16s National Development Championships as a dynamic small forward and has been exposed to a half-back role for Bendigo Pioneers early in 2026.
“He can play a variety of positions, he's proven that now,” Bendigo coach Danny O'Bree told Zero Hanger.
“He'll enjoy the next standard of footy. It will be good to challenge him and prepare him for his future. We didn't want to pigeon hole him in one area – we want him to play footy with freedom and play in different parts of the ground.
“Learning how to play as a small defender because that pressure can prepare him to play as a small forward and playing as a smaller midfielder, he's had a good balance between his contested and uncontested stuff.
“I think he's definitely a small forward at the next level: his goal sense is ridiculous.
“He sees opportunities for others to score as well because he's got a very strong footy IQ and will be the first to give it to them so it's pretty exciting."
The flexibility will give him a great opportunity to play a prominent part at the carnival, with Vic Country starting on Sunday against the Allies against Blacktown.
He is one of four bottom-agers in the squad, alongside Nate Mensch, Cohen Dent and Carlton father-son prospect Cody Walker.
“He kicks it better than most. He's got so many great traits ready for the AFL system in my opinion,” said O'Bree, who counts former Number 1 pick Harley Reid and likely top three selection Cody Walker among players he's mentored into the AFL.
While much has been spoken Thompson potentially being in Tasmania's sights alongside fellow bottom-agers Axel Walsh from Western Australia and Vic Metro's Jake Miller, O'Bree indicated he is process-driven and it has not scarcely come up early in the year.
“It hasn't been of great focus for us. Week to week, he keeps ticking off the gym and training sessions and enjoying his footy and he takes a lot of pride in his performance,” O'Bree added.
“He wants to be better, he wants others around him to be better. He likes to be in a competitive team. He really cares about improvement.
“He challenges teammates to problem solve and he can be incredibly supportive with his teammates as well which shows how much he cares about development.”
Vic Country kicks off its Under-18s National Championships on Sunday against the Allies at Blacktown.
