It also featured a crop of the country’s best under-17 football talents, who competed in the AFL National Futures Boys match at the MCG.
The game offers an opportunity for 2026 AFL Draft hopefuls to show off their skills on footy’s biggest day of the year, and starring in the Team Boak vs Team Docherty curtain-raiser were two Goulburn Valley products: Rumbalara’s Tanner Armstrong and Echuca’s Cody Walker.
Armstrong’s star continues to rise and his performance in Team Boak’s 13-point victory was also exemplary, collecting 25 disposals, seven clearances, and five tackles, spending most of his time in the midfield.
The Richmond Next Generation Academy member still has another game left to round out his 2025, looking towards this Thursday’s Indigenous vs Multicultural Academy game in Bundoora.
Walker, competing for Team Docherty and already garnering a reputation as one of next year’s top draft prospects, was judged best-on-ground.
The skill set of the Carlton-linked son of former Blues high-flyer Andrew was on full display, tallying an equal game high 25 disposals, 14 contested possessions and seven clearances, spending the first half in the midfield and second up forward.
It proved an opportune time under the watchful eye of club recruiters and general footy-goers for Armstrong and Walker to make their mark, and when season 2026 rolls around, their names will be up as two to watch.
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