Draft Watch: Grandson of Demons icon stars; Blues prospect in top form

There were some massive performances in Round 2 of the Talent League on the weekend.

One player that stood out was Jett Flower of the Eastern Ranges.

The grandson of Melbourne legend Robbie was excellent with 25 disposals and four rebounds 50s in his side's defeat to the Northern Knights.

Flower is draft eligible in 2027, but with no grandfather/son rule, the Demons have no dibs on the talented Wantirna South product.

Carlton father/son prospect Cody Walker has started 2026 in top form with another significant showing. He had 30 touches as the Bendigo Pioneers drew with the Murray Bushrangers.

The most prolific player of the round was Lachlan Hicks of the Western Jets who racked up 152 fantasy points courtesy of 39 touches, 10 marks and six tackles. Hicks had 24 touches and kicked two goals in Round 1 to make it a hot start to the season.

The northern academies kicked off on the weekend with the Lions crushing the Suns on the Gold Coast. The Swans v Giants fixture was postponed due to inclement weather and will be played at a later date.

Top 10 fantasy points

1 - Lachlan Hicks (WJ) - 152
2 - Noah Williams (GF) - 140
3 - Jake Beams (TD) - 138
4 - Cody Walker (BP) - 131
5 - Albert Macgowan (SD) - 130
6 - Tanner Armstrong (MB) - 129
7 - Hugh McCallum (TD) - 122
8 - Seb Marsic (OC) - 118
9 - Jett Flower (ER) - 115
10 - Jackson Hewitt (MB) - 111

Tasmania Devils (75) v (63) Western Jets

The Devils opened their account for 2026 with a 12-point win over the Jets in Penguin. Some enormous performances including a 35-disposal showing from Tassie’s Jake Beams which included a staggering 34 kicks and 10 rebound 50s. Lachlan Hicks was massive for the Jets with 39 touches, 10 marks and six tackles.

1 - Lachlan Hicks (WJ) - 152
2 - Jake Beams (TD) - 138
3 - Hugh McCallum (TD) - 122
4 - Archie Devine (TD) - 107
5 - Kobe Williams (WJ) - 104

Eastern Ranges (21) v (79) Northern Knights

A dominant 58-point victory by the Knights over the Ranges at Craigieburn. Max Downes starred for the victors with 27 touches, while Harvie Cooke featured with two goals from 21 disposals. Jett Flower was Eastern’s best with 25 touches and nine tackles while Brodie Wilson laid 14 tackles. Ryan McConnell was industrious as an inside mid with 20 touches and 11 tackles.

1 - Jett Flower (ER) - 115
2 - Max Downes (NK) - 108
3 - Ryan McConnell (ER) - 108
4 - Brodie Wilson (ER) - 91
5 - Harvie Cooke (NK) - 88

Sydney Swans Academy v GWS Giants Academy

Match postponed due to inclement weather.

Murray Bushrangers (96) v (96) Bendigo Pioneers

A dramatic draw between the Bushies and Pioneers at Norm Minns in Wangaratta. Bendigo had nine more inside 50s and five more scoring shots. Co-captain Cody Walker again starred for the Pioneers with an equal game-high 30 disposals and a goal plus 10 inside 50s and nine tackles. Murray’s Tanner Armstrong was huge again with 30 touches, eight tackles, seven inside 50s and one goal. That’s two 30-plus games in a row. Oscar Cail (4.2) and Sonny Beasy (3.1) combined for seven Bendigo majors as River Freeman booted three for the Bushrangers. Cail has eight goals in two outings in 2026.

1 - Cody Walker (BP) - 131
2 - Tanner Armstrong (MB) - 129
3 - Jackson Hewitt (MB) - 111
4 - Izack Daley (MB) - 95
5 - Oliver Boddenberg (MB) - 82

GWV Rebels (73) v (77) Geelong Falcons

The Falcons edged the Rebels in Ballarat in a tight tussle. Geelong’s Noah Williams was then star of the show with 32 disposals, 11 tackles and six inside 50s. Ethan Drever was the pick of the Rebels with 2.2 from 25 touches. Nate Mensch, nephew of former Geelong forward David, was busy in the ruck with 24 hit outs to go with 12 touches, five marks and five inside 50s. He is eligible for the draft as a father/son in 2027. Richmond father/son Archie Daffy had 20 touches, six inside 50s and kicked 1.2.

1 - Noah Williams (GF) - 140
2 - Charlie Kenna (GWV) - 95
3 - Ethan Drever (GWV) - 95
4 - Mitch Ward (GWV) - 90
5 - Nate Mensch (GF) - 86

Sandringham Dragons (75) v (99) Oakleigh Chargers

After copping a 73-point spanking last week, the Chargers bounced back with a 24-point triumph over the Dragons at RSEA Park. 194cm forward Seb Marsic was dominant up forward with seven goals from 15 touches and six marks. Harper McCullough had 22 touches, six tackles, six inside 50s and won plenty of footy at the source, as Flynn Woolhouse booted three. Sandy’s Albert Macgowan, after 31 last week, had a game-high 33 disposals, seven marks, six tackles and a goal. Medium forward Oliver Griffin booted four goals from 17 disposals and nine marks, raking in everything across the ground. Set to turn 19 in early April, Griffin should be on the mid-season draft radars of AFL clubs.

1 - Albert Macgowan (SD) - 130
2 - Seb Marsic (OC) - 118
3 - Oliver Griffin (SD) - 110
4 - Harper McCullough (OC) - 92
5 - Lochie Burrows (SD) - 89

Gippsland Power (44) v (94) Dandenong Stingrays

Dandy easily took care of Gippy to the tune of 50 points in Wonthaggi despite going in as underdogs. 167cm small forward Marcus Prasad picked up 24 disposals and kicked 2.3 with seven inside 50s as the best for the Stingrays. Teammate Jackson Phillips, using his agility and athleticism, had a game-high 27 disposals and used the ball well, and Corey Ah-Mu kicked three goals with several clearances and 17 touches. The Power’s best was Connor Macmillan with 24 disposals and eight marks while his twin brother Thomas picked up 23 touches, breaking the lines well and using his nice left foot.

1 - Marcus Prasad (DS) - 104
2 - Jackson Phillips (DS) - 100
3 - Connor Macmillan (GP) - 93
4 - Clancy Stuart (DS) - 92
5 - Wil Antrobus (DS) - 91

Gold Coast Academy (41) v (116) Brisbane Lions Academy

The Lions destroyed the Suns in the battle of the Queensland Academies. Brisbane kicked 16.20 on their way to a 75-point smashing at Carrara on the Gold Coast. Lions Matthew Owen was the most prolific player on the day with 29 disposals and seven marks, while Riley Mackay (4.2) and Noah Cameron (3.2) comfortably outscored the Suns between them. Cooper Collins and Archie Hill were Gold Coast's best with 27 and 24 touches respectively. Harrison Bridge had 21 touches and brother Jackson picked up 18.

1 - Matthew Owen (BL) - 103
2 - Benjamin Lillico (BL) - 98
3 - Cooper Collins (GC) - 96
4 - Archie Hill (GC) - 91
5 - Riley Mackay (BL) - 85

In the SANFL U18s, Laurence Andriani racked up 45 disposals for West Adelaide in their loss to Glenelg.

His outing included 24 kicks, 21 handballs, nine marks, six clearances, six inside 50s and four rebound 50s.