Not to mention that if you finish last, you shouldn’t have to worry about someone bidding on your player at #1.
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I hope Koby is invited to be heavily involved with the club preseason, particularly over the school holidays. Building a more afl ready body, as well as building an understanding of the game plan/player roles etc will help him hit the ground running in 2028. Darwish too, although he seems more physically mature and isn’t as guaranteed to end up at the club. Hopefully both then get a run at VFL level throughout the year.
It sounds as if Cochrane and Walker have both been pretty much part of the program at their clubs for 12 months.
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I would expect Bewick and Darwish to train with the squad in December. Just a handful of sessions.
That’s been the practice in the past for kids about to enter their draft year, going all the way back to the Davey twins.
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What was the difference for Cochrane and Walker? Just different clubs? Or that they finished school in 2025?
@Sartorius
Sorry not sure what you mean
I think he’s asking why Walker and Cochrane have basically been entrenched with Carlton and Port, respectively, this year and playing state league. Instead of staying with their talent pathway team (Central Districts, Bendigo) and then playing the odd state league game.
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Kody is a young year 12, so will be finished with school in November, should have plenty of time to spend at the club and almost live a processional footballer lifestyle for the 12 months before we draft him.
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Thanks mate
I am only guessing but both boys are older, in fact almost qualified for last year’s draft.
Walker born in January, Dougie In February.
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Because Port basically bribed the SANFL and Centrals into transferring him over to them.
He has been a Port player for a year and they pay his wages and paid for his surgery and rehab. They will do the same with Pilot this year and transfer him from South Adelaide to Port so he can play SANFL for Port next year
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Are Port going to be in the SANFL next season, whats the go with all that @Aceman ?
Contracted until end of 2028.
I think they will play VFL in 2029
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Thanks NotLenny, that’s what I was getting at.
That makes sense- with no school obligations, and almost a guarantee of ending up at the club it seems like a logical step.
Hopefully if Jards is right and Koby is finishing year 12 this year, then he can take the option to do something similar in 2027.
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No worries
And yep he finishes Year 12 this year. Goes to school with my family.
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Setting aside the Dougie Cochrane situation, Cody Walker is essentially in the same boat as Koby will be next year.
I haven’t seen any Vic based Talent League player essentially become a part of their tied club’s VFL program before now, perhaps others are aware of previous cases. I as understood the rules, typically for non club tied players there’s a maximum number of VFL games that they’re eligible for, which Walker has significantly exceeded.
Essentially though… if Cody Walker can do it, I see no reason why Koby Bewick couldn’t do the same next year.
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And if he doesn’t, we can all start panicking!
I find its best to exist in a constant state of mild panic
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I would assume that the rules end with something like “unless otherwise approved by the AFL” as they so often do.
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next week will be dominated by the U17 futures game with Koby (& Darwish) but a little reminder, the AFL Barwon Grand Finals are on.
Tom Caracella should be representing Newtown & Chilwell as a bottom ager. The loping tall played a few Falcons games and school games for St Joey’s (Geelong) so clearly rated. Keep an eye on him next weekend and into 2027
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Expect to see Koby involved in our VFL program as much as Cody Walker was this year. Calder Cannons contact all but confirmed he’ll be a don
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23rd man style, or full time?