Hodge returns to Hawks; why it’s not all doom and gloom for Blues - Draft Watch

Cooper Hodge’s 2026 draft decision remains a mystery, but he’s been spending the past week immersing himself at the Hawks.

Plus, finally some good news for Blues fans while the Northern Academies - which have been so heavily criticized this year - could be set for their biggest year yet.

Get the latest talent news and updates in AFL Draft Watch ahead of the 2025 AFL national draft, with the first round to be held on Wednesday November 19, followed by the remaining rounds on Thursday November 20.

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HODGE RETURNS TO HAWKS

It was a sight for sore eyes on the Hawthorn training track this week.

After booting three goals from 17 disposals and eight marks for Box Hill, Mitch Lewis continued to build fitness as he seeks an AFL opportunity after a knee injury last year. Star midfielder Will Day is also ramped up his training as he targets a round 20 return from a foot injury.

But it was a young 16-year-old who really caught the eye.

Cooper Hodge, the son of Hawthorn legend Luke, hit the training track with Hawthorn’s senior side as he weighs up his football future ahead of his draft year next year.

Hodge, eligible for the 2026 draft, has impressed draft watchers this year with his toughness and intensity around the coalface, traits the AFL world saw time and time again in his champion father.

While Hodge is eligible to nominate Hawthorn as a father-son prospect, he’s also tied to Brisbane as a member of their Next Generation Academy.

Featuring for the Academy in this year’s Coates Talent League campaign, Hodge averaged 16.3 disposals, 8.5 tackles and 3.8 inside 50s across four matches.

On Tuesday morning, Hodge was seen working hard on his goalkicking alongside the likes of Dylan Moore and Nick Watson, while he also partook in transition and ball movement drills with the main group.

Hawthorn NGA prospect Goy Jiath, the younger brother of Hawk Changkuoth and Collingwood’s Tew, also trained. Kobe Williams, the son of Mark Williams, was another invitee, but did not train due to an ankle issue.

So what will Hodge choose when he has to make a decision next year?

Speaking on Channel 7’s Agenda Setters this week, Luke Hodge said his son was still “50-50” between the two powerhouse clubs.

“It was a good day, one again going down there to really convince a young guy to come. They turned on the weather. It was about four degrees down there. I couldn’t feel my hands,” Hodge said.

“It was another good experience. He went out there and enjoyed the club.”

Hodge’s former teammate, Jarryd Roughead, housed Cooper during his time in Melbourne while on school holidays.

“I 100 per understand (the level of interest in this), but the only thing is he’s a 16-year-old kid who has the flexibility or he’s been lucky enough to spend two days at Hawthorn,” Hodge continued.

Fagan on 'bad' Answerth achilles injury | 08:25

“But then on the flip side, with the Brisbane Lions Academy, he’s been lucky enough over the last two years to be able to enjoy and spend time with some of the players and get coached by Grant Birchall and Mitch Hahn and these kinds of guys.

“So he’s been very fortunate and he’s really loving football at the moment.”

When Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell was asked about Hodge’s decision, Mitchell said he didn’t want to put any pressure on the youngster.

“Unfortunately he’s getting a game in the seniors… so he had to go back up to Brisbane to make sure he could hold his spot,” Mitchell told reporters on Thursday.

“The thing with a guy like Coop is he’s still a young man, and because of his dad’s fame and accolades, there’s a lot more pressure on him. The last thing I want to do is add anything to that.

“He’s great, he’s a really energetic sort of kid. He’s quiet, he’s a young lad, very respectful. He’s going to be a nice talent.”

Watch this space.

Lions pile pressure on hapless Carlton | 02:13

BLUES FATHER-SON SHINES

It’s been a tough year for Carlton fans, but here’s some good news for you.

Carlton father-son prospect Cody Walker put together his best game of the National Championships against Western Australia, racking up 24 disposals, seven marks and 377 metres gained.

The exciting youngster is the son of ex-Blue Andrew and is firming as a top five prospect in next year’s draft crop, but is also tied to Richmond as a member of their NGA program.

Walker plied his trade through the midfield and forward line against the Sandgropers, but impressed with his work ethic and x-factor.

Key defender Harry Dean, who’s eligible for this year’s draft, was also solid for Vic Country with 15 touches, seven intercepts and four tackles. Dean’s versatility is what has him in the conversation for the best tall defender in this year’s pool. He’s shown his superb intercept aerial ability throughout the early stages of his draft year, but his lockdown job on Allies forward Max King showed he can nullify a dangerous opposition forward as well when required. He nullified King, who is a first round prospect, to just a handful of disposals.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 09: Cody Walker of the Blues Academy and Charlie Curnow of the Blues chat during a Carlton Blues AFL training session at Ikon Park on July 09, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

Other players to excite for Vic Country in their narrow win was on-baller Riley Onley and the forward duo of Tairon Ah-Mu and Jesse Mellor.

Onley had 28 disposals and seven clearances but also had 13 score involvements as he caused havoc around the coalface. The big-bodied midfielder is widely regarded as a first round prospect at this stage.

Stingrays tall Ah-Mu booted three majors and flexed his overhead prowess, regularly competing in the air to either take the mark or bring it to ground for Country’s small forwards to get to work. Ah-Mu has also shown he can pinch hit in the ruck if need be as well, having done that regularly for his school side Haileybury under Matthew Lloyd.

Mellor, who is tied to Geelong as an NGA prospect, snagged 3.3 himself and had 11 score involvements. Mellor’s consistency and reliability this year has been a key feature of his game this year and he will be looking to attack the back end of the season with the Falcons in the same manner.

Elsewhere, Willem Duursma, the brother of Xavier, Zane and Yasmin, showcased his rebounding ability and athletic traits out of defence. Duursma is a genuine pick 1 contender and one of the most versatile players in this year’s pool, but questions remain over his best position at AFL level, although his efforts in the backline throughout the National Championships have been promising.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 07: Willem Duursma of Victoria Country in action during the Marsh AFL National Championships U18 Boys match between Western Australia and Victoria Country at Mineral Resources Park, on June 07, 2025, in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/AFL Photos/via Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

ACADEMY PROSPECTS STAR… AGAIN

This year’s draft is set to be one of the most compromised in history given the talent already tied to clubs, whether that be father-son or Academy players.

All signs point towards one of the most successful seasons yet for the Northern Academy’s.

The Gold Coast pairing of Dylan Patterson and Koby Coulson starred for the Allies, accumulating 19 and 23 disposals respectively, but it was Sydney Academy prospect Lachlan Carmichael who stole the show.

Carmichael had 33 touches, nine rebound 50s, seven marks and a goal and was instrumental in generating ball movement off half-back. It looks as though Dean Cox will have another weapon to use out of defence next year alongside Nick Blakey and Matt Roberts.

Brisbane Academy on-baller Dan Annable had 24 disposals, six tackles and five clearances, further pressing his top 5 claims. Annable has shown he is ready for senior footy next year having had a taste of things at VFL level already. In a stacked Brisbane side, he might need to bide his time, however. Bodhi Uwland and Beau Addinsall are also tied to the Suns this year.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 12: Lachlan Carmichael of the AFL National Academy is presented his jumper by Tarkyn Lockyer, AFL National Academy Manager and Head Coach (L) and Jodi Wadling, Marsh McLennan Brand and Partnerships Leader, Pacific (R) during the Marsh AFL National Academy Boys Jumper Presentation at Mercure Albert Park on April 12, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos/via Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

WESTERN AUSTRALIAN MID TAKES OUT TOP HONOURS

Midfield jet Fred Rodriguez took out the MVP honours for Western Australia after a strong campaign.

The Sandgropers had a win-loss record of 1-3 throughout the Championships, but Rodriguez was one to further stake his draft credentials with some quality performances.

The midfielder’s cleanliness with ball in hand, burst out of stoppage and transition ability are all key qualities that excite clubs right now. He’s also shown he can hit the scoreboard as well, which has become a must for midfielders in the modern game.

Sam Swadling - who will make his senior debut this week - had 21 disposals and a goal as one of the Black Swans’ better performers against Vic Metro in their final match.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JULY 06: Fred Rodriguez of Western Australia in action during the Marsh AFL National Championships U18 Boys match between Western Australia and Victoria Metro at The Good Grocer Park, on July 06, 2025, in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Stefan Gosatti/AFL Photos/via Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

Jacob Farrow is another name who accelerate his draft credentials throughout the carnival, averaging 19 disposals off half-back. His strong ball use and desire to take the game on mean he’s one of the most draftable out of the West this season.

WA’s draft pool this year is thinner than recent times, but there’s a pair of NGA players the Eagles will have been keeping close tabs on as well. Wes Walley struggled throughout the Championships but has plenty of AFL-worthy traits, while Drew Banfield’s kid, Charlie, showed he was a valuable link up player throughout the campaign.

Elsewhere, Cody Curtin, the brother of Adelaide’s young gun Dan, booted three majors but questions remain over whether his dominance at under 18s level can translate to the big stage.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 08: Hussien El Achkar of Vic Metro during the Marsh AFL National Championships U18 Boys match between South Australia and Victoria Metro at Alberton Oval, on June 08, 2025, in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/AFL Photos/via Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

ESSENDON NGA DUO EXCITE WHILE PIES TRIO SHOW SIGNS

Essendon are set to blood a whopping 12th debutant on Saturday night against Richmond, but there’s another two youngsters that Bombers fans should be excited about.

Midfielder Adam Sweid has starred for the Calder Cannons this year, showcasing his ability after his bottom-aged year was plagued by an ACL injury. The tough nut is classy and can hit the scoreboard, but he’s also shown he loves the defensive stuff as well. He was critical in Vic Metro’s first win of the Championships, racking up 20 touches, eight tackles and three clearances.

By extension, his Cannons teammate, Hussein El Achkar, had eleven score involvements, 15 disposals and two goals. He would slot into Essendon’s best 23 seamlessly right now and alongside Isaac Kako, that could be Brad Scott’s dynamic forward duo for the next decade.

But Essendon’s not the only Victorian side set to cash in this year, Collingwood also have a bunch of talented youngsters tied to their club.

The son of 1990 premiership player Mick, Tom McGuane finds the footy for fun, especially at Western Jets level. A good ball user, McGuane has largely done his damage as an outside player for metro this Championships. It’s a tall prospect in Zac McCarthy though, who could be the best of the Pies’ lot. Standing at 199cm tall, the Oakleigh Chargers gun booted three majors as a constant threat throughout the day. He’s pushing hard to be a first round prospect. Jai Saxena, also tied to Collingwood as an NGA, didn’t have his best outing but is one to track in the second half of the year.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 28: Thomas McGuane of Team Heppell looks to pass the ball during the Marsh AFL National Futures Boys match between Team Heppell and Team Sloane at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on September 28, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/AFL Photos/via Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

Another Charger, Aaron Sharkie, was also amongst Metro’s best with a team-high 29 touches. The damaging defender also had 480 metres gained and constantly worked hard to be an outlet for his team. Metro’s coaching staff would have been pleased with their defensive group against WA, but especially Max Kondogiannis, who had 21 disposals, seven marks and five rebound 50s. Another sound user who is more than capable in the air and has plenty of clubs interested.

There’s also plenty to like about top 10 prospect Oliver Greeves, who amassed another 27 disposals. Greeves rarely plays a bad game and has shown he is as consistent as they come. He’s tough, loves to do the dirty work and also drifts forward and hits the scoreboard.

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