Top 10 players to watch at Victorian trial matches

Vic Metro and Vic Country are set to face off in a pair of trial matches at Avalon Airport Oval, Werribee, on Sunday. The matches will assist in the final selection of the Victorian Under-18s National Championships squads, with the best talent in the state from outside the AFL Academy taking place. Based on industry intel, we've named some of the most prominent players worth tracking at the game. [caption id="attachment_175217" align="alignnone" width="2560"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 07: Lachlan Hicks of the Jets completes the AFL agility test during the Talent League Boys 2026 Testing Day at La Trobe University Sports Stadium on March 7th, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Craig Dooley/AFL Photos via Getty Images)[/caption] Ethan Drever (GWV Rebels) One of the big risers of the early rounds of the Talent League season, there is now an expectation that Drever will be selected in the first round of the AFL Draft. Clubs are taken by his size at 188cm and power at stoppage. Can go forward and hit the scoreboard, as he showed by kicking the match-winning goal a fortnight ago, and is a sure ball-handler and hard runner. Harvie Cooke (Northern Knights) Puts his head over the footy, finds it with clean hands, has an unwavering hunger and uses his brute strength to power through opponents and send the ball forward with purpose. Stands at only 176cm but packs a real punch. Likely projects as a small forward and is a tricky matchup, with his ability to use his body to win aerial contests and fend opponents and accelerate away. Few have had as consistent a start as Cooke. Charlie Hanegraaf (Geelong Falcons) Kicked a match-winner for Geelong in their Round 2 clash which was symbolic of his knack of seizing moments and making the most of his opportunities to impact. A skilled 187cm midfielder who can go forward and be a marking option, Hanegraaf plays with offensive flair and makes things happen when given space. Gus Teixeira (Sandringham Dragons) After missing the early rounds of the Talent League season with a foot injury, Teixeira returned with 20 disposals and two goals on Saturday. Powerful and poised, he's strong through the hips which allows him to barge his way through tacklers and advance the footy forward. The St Kevin's college student who played in the Talent League grand final last year can also impact forward of the footy. Cody Templeton (Gippsland Power) Has transformed himself from a ball-winning midfielder into a dynamic forward and powerful clearance-winning midfielder in the last 12 months. The Gippsland Power co-captain is a natural leader, which shines through with his competitiveness in the defensive phase of the game. His first quarter in Round 1 was one of the better individual periods of footy you'll see. Clancy Snell (Gippsland Power) Has risen sharply in 2026 and is now viewed by many as the leading tall defender in the crop. Jumps at the footy with confidence, whether floating in from the side as an extra number or positioning himself assertively in one-on-one contests. Would not have looked out of place in the AFL Academy game. Has some flair with the way he looks to use the footy too. Jackson Phillips (Dandenong Stingrays) His improvement from 2025 to 2026 has been a sight to behold. A step forward in strength and fitness and has handled the extra responsibility in the midfield with aplomb. Is wonderfully balanced and has all the skills you'd want to impact on the ball: can chain uncontested possession, work hard to provide an outlet kick, is sure with the footy and at a time where so much is made of players with outside skills, his contest work is strong. Jordan Knapp (Eastern Ranges) Is coming off a 31-disposal game in treacherous conditions against Oakleigh in Round 4. He's a well-rounded package that will deliver the same week after week and gets the most out of his skillset. Few are cleaner below their knees, and not many have the ball security he does when he gets the footy in his hands. Moves well and never looks flustered. Lachie Hicks (Western Jets) There's so much Josh Dunkley about the way Hicks plays his footy. He runs and runs and runs, and can flick a switch between offence and defence in the blink of an eye. His stoppage work is first class, and his fundamentals squeaky clean. Like Dunkley, his marking for a midfielder is a standout trait, and he might even be more reliable than foot than Dunkley. The Under-16s Vic Metro MVP has finished his schooling Wesley College, so he will play a full season of Talent League this year. Seb Marsic (Oakleigh Chargers) A seven-goal haul against Sandringham was the statement game of his first month, but he has shown promise every time he has stepped out on the field. A key forward who has proven to be a tricky matchup, he leads smartly, gets separation and looks dangerous when given a run and jump at the footy. Rarely outmarked and hard running, it's his first year in the talent pathway system.

		P	W	L	PTS	%
1	SYD	6	5	1	20	173.3
2	FRE	6	5	1	20	142.7
3	HAW	6	5	1	20	118.2
4	GC	6	4	2	16	126.9
5	NMFC	6	4	2	16	120.8
6	GEEL	6	4	2	16	116.1
7	WB	6	4	2	16	102
8	MELB	6	4	2	16	94.2
9	BL	6	3	3	12	111.7
10	ADEL	6	3	3	12	105.3

Top 10 players to watch at Victorian trial matches

The most promising prospects to keep an eye on at Werribee.

Gus Teixeira (Sandringham Dragons)

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