Former Brisbane star Jason Akermanis has lauded Brisbane and Hawthorn-tied AFL Draft prospect Cooper Hodge, who he coached this year at the Lions Academy.
Hodge is viewed by those around him as being genuinely 50-50 to choose Brisbane, where he this year captained the Academy side and has come through the pathway with, or Hawthorn, where his Dad, Luke, played 305 of his 346 AFL games and won four premierships. He will have to nominate one before this year's AFL National Draft.
Akermanis, who was an assistant coach and runner at the Lions Academy this year, spent much of his career coming up against Luke and highlighted that both players shared a similar aggression.
“He's got that ruthless ferocity and attack on the ball. He's got that in spades," Akermanis told Zero Hanger.
"He will improve his kicking, but his handball and game-sense and everything else is excellent.
"His athleticism is really strong and he can run really well so he's got what's needed for repeat efforts and go through different gears.
"He's super brave. Those two (Luke and Cooper) are crazy, they call it white line fever, but they just don't seem to think about consequences – they go at every ball so hard.
"They're so tough, so they're the sort of players you want on your team."
Both are also a similar height but that is where the similarities end, with Cooper a much more athletic, leaner type.
He was a starting midfielder for the Lions Academy throughout their seven-game Talent League series which is viewed as his most natural position given his contested strength and clearance-winning.
“He'll develop into a midfielder - that's where he's going," Akermanis added.
"He can also play back flank because he's got the discipline to shut someone down and run off him. His forward pressure could be really good but he's got the body shape and will be able to handle the different types who go in there."
Hodge spent part of pre-season with Hawthorn and Brisbane and both clubs have been vocal in not putting any pressure on him to make a decision
He is at this stage viewed as a prospect in the second half of the AFL National Draft so the rule changes which makes it harder for clubs to match bids for tied talent should not significantly affect either club, but a strong showing at the Under-18s National Championships for the Allies could boost his projection.
He played through the midfield in an Allies trial match last weekend and finished with 20 disposals and a goal with his trademark tenacity on display.
Kicking is viewed as the knock on his profile, but he has shown improvement in that area in 2026, particularly in front of goal.
Akermanis also pointed to the intangible traits which make him ready for an AFL environment.
"He was a good leader because he led by example and by voice. He's still developing and learning so being a runner I would deliver messages but the best thing about him was that he was coachable and would listen," Akermanis said.
"He's not a finished work of art but he's developing and growing well.
"He's one of the easy ones to work with. He would talk well for his age and communicate well in meetings. He asks sensible questions and has good ideas which he is happy to share, always looking at ways to get better. He's very professional and ready to go."
Caylen Murray is another name for Lions fans to keep an eye on, with the speedster part of the AFL Academy and having plenty of standout attributes.
For Hawthorn, Next Generation Academy member Keenan Boi is viewed as a potential later pickup.
The Gippslander is a flashy and hard working half forward who is part of Vic Country's squad for the Under-18s National Championships.
