10 minutes ago, Stiff Arm said:

Is TAM the type who does well in the junior leagues because of his size but could struggle at AFL level against men?

I think so. Tairon is a bit of a gentle giant. Stingrays staff were wanting him to play with much more physicality. Stingrays boys were put through a pretty brutal pre season training campaign. During one of these conditioning sessions at Seaford Tairon as well as another player collapsed both were taken to hospital. I think Tairon would struggle with demands of AFL football. If he slides he may be a rookie or late pick selection.

Unbelievably Ah-mu is potentially unlikely to get drafted this year. He has been strong all through under 16s and under 18s competition as well as in school APS footy. Whilst he’s a tall forward with a great kick and mark, he’s endurance is questioned. Plays like ? Tom Hawkins is the most likely comparison.

One draft bio has this write up …

STRENGTHS:

+ Aggression
+ Leading patterns
+ Physicality
+ Scoreboard impact
+ Size
+ Strength

IMPROVEMENTS:

- Endurance
- Speed

Much of Ah-Mu's game revolves around his physical traits and craft. He has the edge over just about any junior in the country for pure strength and size, and leans on it to dominate with imposing bodywork. Whether up forward in one-on-ones or jostling for position in the ruck, Ah-Mu is incredibly difficult to move off the line of the ball and gets into position early. What's more, his frame and clean hands make him difficult to spoil on the lead.

Ah-Mu's leading patterns are another facet of his craft. He stays active when he can and reads the cues quickly to make his move, finding ways to beat opponents to the punch. That's part of what makes Ah-Mu such a consistent goalkicker. He only needs a few opportunities to score and generally finishes well, possessing a booming kick over the mark. When he can't take a grab, he's strong over the ground ball and can set up others.

With no goalless games in eight Coates Talent League appearances this year, Ah-Mu's consistency was quite strong. He kicked multiples in five of those outings, with his standout haul of four coming in a quarter final loss. He was also among Vic Country's most reliable scorers, finding the goals in three of his four National Championship matches. His record proves he's a difficult player to tie down for long, and that he knows his craft well.

Along with his marking presence up forward, Ah-Mu offers value as a second ruck. He can make any opponent nervous in physical battles and uses that to his advantage. His presence also likely lifts the confidence of those around him. Ah-Mu averaged 11 hitouts per his eight Coates Talent League games this year, showcasing his ability to own the airways and compete hard when the ball enters his area.

On the flip side, Ah-Mu's improvement areas are clearly identifiable. He outlined endurance as one coming into the season, while his overall athleticism can continue to develop. While he is terrific at holding his space close to goal, modern day key forwards are required to move up the ground and that's something Ah-Mu can look to enhance. Continuing to work on his running power will allow his natural attributes to shine even brighter.

APS Profile (10 September 2025)

Tairon Ah-Mu (Haileybury College)

"The Vic Country talent shapes as a promising ruck prospect heading into the draft after a strong APS campaign with the premiers. Ah-Mu’s tapwork in the ruck was strong and he gave Haileybury’s midfield plenty of first use, but he was also impactful around the ground and could take crucial marks either side of the ball."

Scouting Notes 30/10/2025

Tairon Ah-Mu

Forward, Ruck

A contested marking beast in attack, Ah-Mu has monstered more than a few opponents this year

Club Dandenong Stingray / Berwick

State VIC

Height 198cm

DOB 06/06/2007

Overhead Marking / Power / Versatility / Scoreboard Impact

A big and powerful forward who can also rotate through the ruck, Ah-Mu has some impressive traits and has had some eye-catching moments and matches this year. He kicked six goals from 10 disposals and eight marks (five contested) in a trial match for Vic Country’s under-18s in April and went on to have a solid under-18 national championships campaign for the side. Ah-Mu kicked seven goals across Vic Country’s first three games, including two majors from 12 disposals and 10 marks (four contested) in the match against South Australia. Likened to Adelaide’s Riley Thilthorpe, his overhead marking is a clear strength but he also presents strongly on the lead and is a booming kick. When in the ruck, Ah-Mu competes well and can follow up at ground level to win clearances, but there is a knock on his running capacity. He finished the season with a bang for the Stingrays, logging 22 disposals, 12 marks, 13 score involvements, four goals and 199 ranking points in a quarter-final loss to GWV Rebels in the Coates Talent League. Ah-Mu also had some monster matches for Haileybury College in school football this season. Of Samoan decent, Ah-Mu’s father represented the island nation in both athletics and rugby.

2025 Coates League 122 ranking points, 15.3 disposals, 6.3 marks, 2 contested marks, 10.9 hitouts, 1.5 clearances, 2.1 tackles, 7.8 score involvements, 1.9 goals, 1.8 score assists (8 games)

2025 National Champs 74 ranking points, 10 disposals, 4.3 marks, 1.3 contested marks, 7 hitouts, 4.5 score involvements, 1.8 goals, 1.3 tackles (4 games)

Where does his 74 ranking points in the Nats sit relative to other players(*)?

Noticably 'solid' unit for his age. I know this is now a touchy subject, but will body weight control be a challenge? Certainly a manageable one in an AFL system but it would add to the importance of the player being mentally suited to that system.

(*I see Kalani W. was 37...)

Edited 4 hours ago4 hr by Timothy Reddan-A'Blew

7 minutes ago, Timothy Reddan-A'Blew said:

Where does his 74 ranking points in the Nats sit relative to other players(*)?

Noticably 'solid' unit for his age. I know this is now a touchy subject, but will body weight control be a challenge? Certainly a manageable one in an AFL system but it would add to the importance of the player being mentally suited to that system.

(*I see Kalani W. was 37...)

In terms of those profiles, neither White nor Ah-Mu were ranked in the top 50 of draft prospects for this year. Now, they're both notably different types of players so I'm not sure I would draw a strong comparison, but worth noting at least as a baseline.

I've had a quick look through and whilst this isn't overly methodical in my approach, other prospects rated outside the top 50 who played in the Nationals had the following rankings:

• Riley Hamilton (FWD) 2025 National Champs 73 ranking points, 11.0 disposals, 6.5 score involvements, 1.8 goals, 1.3 score involvements (4 games)

• Brodie Atkins (MID) 2025 National Champs 102 ranking points, 22 disposals, 10.7 contested possessions, 1.3 marks, 5.3 clearances, 4 inside-50s, 7.3 tackles, 5.3 score involvements (3 games)

• Jett Dahlitz (DEF) 2025 National Champs 71 ranking points, 15 disposals, 3.3 marks, 1.0 intercept marks, 0.3 spoils, 1.5 tackles, 5.5 rebound 50s (4 games)

• Jack Cook (MID/DEF) 2025 National Champs 83 ranking points, 17.3 disposals, 2.8 marks, 3.8 clearances, 1.5 inside-50s, 3.8 tackles, 3 score involvements (4 games)

• Callum Smith (MID) 2025 National Champs 81 ranking points, 16.3 disposals, 3.5 marks, 3.3 clearances, 3.3 tackles, 4 score involvements, 0.5 goals, 0.8 score assists (4 games)

• Jesse Mellor (FWD) 2025 National Champs 82 ranking points, 11 disposals, 4.5 marks, 1.3 contested marks, 7.5 score involvements, 1.3 score assists, 2 goals, 2.5 tackles (4 games)

• Tylah Williams (FWD) 2025 National Champs 58 ranking points, 11.8 disposals, 4 marks, 2.8 score involvements, 0.8 goals, 0.8 score assists, 1.3 tackles (4 games)

• Kalani White (RUC/DEF) 2025 National Champs 37 ranking points, 7.5 disposals, 2.5 marks, 2.8 hitouts, 1.5 score involvements, 0.3 goals, 1.5 tackles (4 games)

• Wes Walley (FWD) 2025 National Champs 39 ranking points, 7 disposals, 2.8 marks, 3.5 score involvements, 0.5 goals, 0.8 score assists, 2 tackles (4 games)

• Isaac Weller (RUC) 2025 National Champs 46 ranking points, 6.5 disposals, 1.8 marks, 12.5 hitouts, 1.5 clearances, 2.8 score involvements, 2 tackles (4 games)

• Aaron Sharkie (DEF) 2025 National Champs 99 ranking points, 24.5 disposals, 81.6 per cent disposal efficiency, 5 marks, 2.5 clearances, 4.5 rebound 50s, 5 score involvements, 1.5 tackles (2 games)

• Jai Saxena (FWD) 2025 National Champs 62 ranking points, 11 disposals, 1.5 marks, 4 score involvements, 0.5 goals, 0.5 tackles (2 games)

• Bryce Sanders (DEF/FWD) 2025 National Champs 40 ranking points, 8.3 disposals, 2 marks, 0.5 intercept marks, 2.8 intercept possessions, 1.0 rebound 50s, 1.0 spoils, 0.5 tackles (4 games)

• Noah Roberts-Thompson (MID) 2025 National Champs 65 ranking points, 11.3 disposals, 3 marks, 1.3 clearances, 1.8 inside-50s, 6.3 score involvements, 1.5 score assists, 0.3 goals, 3.3 tackles (4 games)

• Tyan Prindable (MID) 2025 National Champs 114 ranking points, 19 disposals, 8.7 contested possessions, 2 marks, 2.7 clearances, 7 score involvements, 1.3 goals, 5.7 tackles (3 games)

• Zane Peucker (MID/FWD) 2025 National Champs 70 ranking points, 11.3 disposals, 1.8 marks, 2.3 inside-50s, 0.8 clearances, 5.5 score involvements, 1.3 score assists, 1.3 goals, 1.0 tackles (4 games)

• Hunter Holmes (MID) 2025 National Champs 68 ranking points, 14.3 disposals, 1.3 marks, 2 clearances, 4 inside-50s, 5.3 score involvements, 1.3 score assists, 0.3 goals, 1.3 tackles (3 games)

• Jack Miller (FWD) 92 ranking points, 14 disposals, 3.7 marks, 2.8 tackles, 5.7 score involvements, 1.7 goals (12 games) 2025 National Champs 65 ranking points, 12.8 disposals, 3.3 marks, 6 score involvements, 2 goals, 1.3 tackles (4 games)

• Thomas McGuane (MID) 2025 National Champs 58 ranking points, 16 disposals, 3.5 marks, 1.0 clearances, 2 inside-50s, 3.5 score involvements, 0.3 goals, 1.5 tackles (4 games)

• Louis Kellaway (MID) 2025 National Champs 101 ranking points, 19.3 disposals, 80.5 per cent disposal efficiency, 4.3 marks, 1.8 clearances, 3 inside-50s, 5.3 score involvements, 1.0 score assists, 3 tackles (4 games)

• Jasper Hay (DEF/RUC) 2025 National Champs 35 ranking points, 5 disposals, 1.0 marks, 0.5 intercept marks, 2.5 intercept possessions, 1.5 rebound 50s, 5 spoils, 0.5 tackles (2 games)

• Tyson Gresham (FWD) 2025 National Champs 57 ranking points, 12 disposals, 3.3 marks, 4 inside-50s, 0.7 clearances, 3.7 score involvements, 1.0 score assists, 0.7 goals, 2 tackles (3 games)

• Taj Murray (RUC/FWD) 2025 National Champs 82 ranking points, 8.3 disposals, 2.3 marks, 8.3 hitouts, 1.0 clearances, 4 score involvements, 1.3 goals, 1.7 tackles (3 games)

• Noah Chamberlain (DEF/FWD/MID) 2025 National Champs 55 ranking points, 9.5 disposals, 2.5 marks, 1.0 contested marks, 2.8 intercept possessions, 1.0 spoils, 2.8 score involvements, 0.3 goals, 1.8 tackles (4 games)

• Talor Byrne (FWD) 2025 National Champs 75 ranking points, 10.3 disposals, 4.3 marks, 6 score involvements, 2 goals, 0.7 score assists, 2.7 tackles (3 games)

• Oskar Ainsworth (FWD/MID) 2025 National Champs 34 ranking points, 4.5 disposals, 1.0 marks, 1.0 inside-50s, 3 score involvements, 1.5 score assists, 1.0 goals, 1.0 tackles (2 games)

Players who have played forward are in red; also the list isn't exhaustive.

Very interesting, @BLWNBA. Thanks for that effort!

So, best of the FWD or RUC/FWD lot, it seems? Are there any of that category in that top 50 with higher Nats points, that other, earlier, pick-holders would take?

(p.s. 'Wes Walley'? What were his parents thinking?!)

2 minutes ago, Timothy Reddan-A'Blew said:

Very interesting, @BLWNBA. Thanks for that effort!

So, best of the FWD or RUC/FWD lot, it seems? Are there any of that category in that top 50 with higher Nats points, that other, earlier, pick-holders would take?

(p.s. 'Wes Walley'? What were his parents thinking?!)

I'll see what I can get together for you mate.

Yeah, Wes Walley is an absolute classic. I wouldn't mind bringing him in on name alone!

@Timothy Reddan-A'Blew

Top 50 Ranked Forwards with National Championships Exposure:

3 - Cooper Duff-Tytler - 2025 National Champs 93 ranking points, 14.5 disposals, 4 marks, 14 hitouts, 1.8 clearances, 2.5 tackles, 4.5 score involvements, 0.8 goals, 2.8 tackles (4 games)

11 - Aidan Schubert - 2025 National Champs 133 ranking points, 17 disposals, 7 marks, 2.8 contested marks, 7 hitouts, 8.8 score involvements, 2.5 goals (4 games)

12 - Sam Cumming - 2025 National Champs 89 ranking points, 17 disposals, 1.3 clearances, 3.3 inside-50s, 4.5 score involvements, 1.0 goals, 0.8 score assists, 3.3 tackles (4 games)

15 - Oliver Greeves - 2025 National Champs 113 ranking points, 25 disposals, 5.3 marks, 11.8 contested possessions, 8 ground ball gets, 4.5 clearances, 2.8 tackles, 4.8 score involvements, 0.8 goals (4 games)

16 - Mitchell Marsh - 2025 National Champs 100 ranking points, 8.5 disposals, 6 marks, 1.3 contested marks, 7.3 score involvements, 3 goals, 1.5 score assists, 1.3 tackles (4 games)

17 - Lachy Dovaston - 2025 National Champs 94 ranking points, 12.8 disposals, 2 marks, 3.5 tackles, 5.5 score involvements, 2.3 goals (4 games)

19 - Archie Ludowyke - 2025 National Champs 32 ranking points, 4 disposals, 1.0 marks, 0.7 contested marks, 1.7 score involvements (3 games)

21 - Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves - 2025 National Champs 74 ranking points, 12 disposals, 3.3 marks, 3.8 score involvements, 1.5 goals, 1.0 tackles (4 games)

22 - Adam Sweid - 2025 National Champs 101 ranking points, 17 disposals, 2.8 marks, 4.3 clearances, 4.8 tackles, 6.3 score involvements, 1.0 goals (4 games)

24 - Max King - 2025 National Champs 41 ranking points, 7.3 disposals, 2.7 marks, 1.0 contested marks, 4 score involvements, 0.7 goals, 0.7 tackles (3 games)

26 - Hussien El Achkar - 2025 National Champs 82 ranking points, 10.5 disposals, 2.5 marks, 6.8 score involvements, 2 score assists, 1.5 goals, 1.0 tackles (4 games)

30 - Jack Ison - 2025 National Champs 81 ranking points, 13.3 disposals 3.3 marks, 1.0 clearances, 2.7 inside 50s, 4.7 score involvements, 2.3 score assists, 0.3 goals, 3.7 tackles (3 games)

31 - Louis Emmett - 2025 National Champs 74 ranking points, 12.7 disposals, 4.3 marks, 8 hitouts, 2 clearances, 4.3 score involvements, 0.7 goals, 1.0 tackles (3 games

33 - Cameron Nairn - 2025 National Champs 82 ranking points, 10 disposals, 5.3 marks, 0.8 contested marks, 4.8 score involvements, 1.3 score assists, 2.3 goals, 1.0 tackles (4 games)

39 - Hugo Mikunda - 2025 National Champs 73 ranking points, 13.3 disposals, 4 marks, 0.5 clearances, 4.3 inside-50s, 5.5 score involvements, 2.3 score assists, 0.8 goals, 2 tackles (4 games)

40 - Zac McCarthy - 2025 National Champs 63 ranking points, 9.8 disposals, 4 marks, 4.8 hitouts, 1.0 clearances, 3.5 score involvements, 1.8 goals, 0.8 tackles (4 games)

41 - Sam Swadling - 2025 National Champs 98 ranking points, 19 disposals, 3.8 marks, 2.8 clearances, 6.8 groundball gets, 6 score involvements, 0.8 goals, 1.0 score assists, 2.5 tackles (4 games)

44 Cody Curtin - 2025 National Champs 69 ranking points, 8.5 disposals, 4.3 marks, 1.8 contested marks, 8 hitouts, 1.5 clearances, 3.8 score involvements, 1.5 goals, 2 tackles (4 games)

48 Blake Oudshoorn-Bennier - 2025 National Champs 76 ranking points, 14.8 disposals, 2.8 marks, 2.8 inside-50s, 2.8 clearances, 4.3 score involvements, 0.8 score assists, 0.3 goals, 2.5 tackles (4 games)

NB: 38 - Liam Hetherton; 28 - Latrelle Pickett; 20 - Jevan Phillipou; 7 - Sullivan Robey: Although all ranked in the top 50, none of these listed players played in the Nationals.

Edited 3 hours ago3 hr by BLWNBA

Thanks, again, @BLWNBA. TAM doesn't look too shabby, then, and he's got a few of those names covered, it seems?

Goes to show what a complex task recruiters face.

As a club we need quality users of the ball. Why aren't we looking at this bloke?

Aaron Sharkie (DEF)

2025 National Champs 99 ranking points, 24.5 disposals, 81.6 per cent disposal efficiency, 5 marks, 2.5 clearances, 4.5 rebound 50s, 5 score involvements, 1.5 tackles (2 games)

2025 Coates 93 Ranking points, 24.6 disposals, 3.9 marks, 3.4 tackles

So after all the NGA drama (well drama for those who followed this thread), he looks likely to go undrafted anyway?

What happens if he goes undrafted? Can he be added to a rookie list?