Gold Coast will have come away from Saturday morning's U17s Futures Boys Clash rubbing their hands at the prospect of another year that could see several of their Academy players headline the draft pool.
Next year's top-rated draft guns took to the MCG ahead of the AFL Grand Final in the annual showcase game, with 'Team Heppell' and 'Team Sloane' battling it out for bragging rights.
Team Heppell overcame an inaccurate start to the day - having booted 2.9 to the main break - to finish on a high, kicking the last five goals of the match to win by seven points.
Geelong Falcons defender Josh Lindsay (20 disposals, seven marks, three rebound 50s) was named best afield for the winning side, featuring as a key contributor across the back half for Team Heppell.
Suns Academy talent Beau Addinsall (34 disposals, five marks, five inside 50s) was named MVP for Team Sloane and wasn't the only Gold Coast-tied teenager to flex their value.
Potential 2025 Pick 1 selection Zeke Uwland stood strong as a running option, booting two goals from his 22 disposals, seven marks and seven inside 50s, with one major coming from the wing with a long shot that relied on a couple of bounces before crossing the line.
Palm Beach Currumbin prospect Dylan Patterson was equally as promising in the backline for Team Heppell, amassing 20 disposals and four marks, with multiple defensive efforts deep in the opposition's attack, negating clear opportunities on goal.
Eastern Ranges talent Oliver Greeves was the leading ball winner for Team Heppell, recording 31 disposals, seven marks and five inside 50s in what was a positive performance for the 17-year-old.
Brisbane Academy talent and captain for Team Heppell, Daniel Annable (27 disposals, five marks, five inside 50s) and Western Jets prospect Tom Burton (26 disposals, four marks, four rebound 50s) also had no issue accumulating the ball.
Gippsland Power swingman Willem Duursma stamped his authority on the game for Team Heppell, taking eight marks for a return of 20 disposals, while North Adelaide midfielder Sam Cumming was exceptional through the middle to record 24 disposals, 11 marks, six inside 50s and a goal.
West Coast father-son prospect Charlie Banfield, son of two-time premiership Eagle Drew, booted three goals from 14 disposals and six marks for the victors to lead all goalkickers for the morning alongside opponent Liam Hetherton, with the 188cm talent kicking the game-tying goal late before Archie Ludowyke secured the win with a major shortly after.
Fellow Western Australians Cody Curtin - the brother of Adelaide's Daniel - and Fred Rodriguez were also promising throughout.
Top-rated South Australian midfielder Dyson Sharp was a difference-maker at the coalface for Team Sloane, recording four clearances, three inside 50s and four rebound 50 to tally 17 disposals.
Sandringham's Jack Dalton (21 disposals, four inside 50s, one goal), Dandenong's Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves (21 disposals, seven marks, five inside 50s) and Murray Bushranger Riley Onley (20 disposals, seven marks, three inside 50s, one goal) were also prolific.
Key position talent Cooper Duff-Tytler was also impressive in the ruck and across the field for Team Sloane, amusing a game-high 10 hit-outs as well as 13 disposals and four inside 50s as an attractive athletic prospect.
