Sons of guns fire as U17s game gives glimpse of the future

ESSENDON father-son prospect Koby Bewick showed his skillset with a classy performance in Saturday's under-17s futures game, giving Bombers fans a boost heading into 2027.

Bewick, whose dad Darren is a two-time premiership player at the club, is eligible as a father-son selection next year and kicked 2.2 from 19 disposals in a polished display in the futures clash.

The game, which was moved off the MCG to Mission Whitten Oval because of the Melbourne rain, saw Team Mitchell, named after Brownlow medallist Tom, defeat Team Melksham, named after recently retired Demon Jake, win by seven points in a high scoring game.

Bewick kicked two goals, including one standout major on the run for Team Mitchell, to end an at times frustrating year for the Calder Cannons prospect, who battled a back injury earlier in the season.

Other key performers for the 12.12 (84) to 12.5 (77) winners were Jake Beams, who was named best afield for his 24-disposal, six-inside-50 and 1.2 showing. Beams is the son of former Melbourne player Ben and will be eligible to join Tasmania next year as a local product.

Percy Burgoyne (son of Hawthorn and Port Adelaide champion Shaun) kicked two goals while Tevita Rodan, son of David, had 17 disposals.

For Team Melksham, it was another familiar name who caught the eye, with Jett Flower, the grandson of Melbourne great Robbie, collecting 17 disposals. The Eastern Ranges talent also kicked a goal and will be a top-10 contender in next year's draft.

Laurence Andriani, who had a stellar bottom-age season in the SANFL under-18s competition, had 17 touches and two goals, tough forward Gary Lawford kicked four goals, while Riley Stratford kicked two goals from 14 disposals.

Stratford was one of six players to play in the game who this week will be announced officially as Tasmania's first batch of players, with Axel Walsh, Angus Brown, Baxter 'Thunder' Sruk, Griffin Barker and Jake Miller all playing, with the seventh player, Nate Jenkins, missing through illness.

TEAM MELKSHAM   4.3    5.5    8.5    12.5 (77)
TEAM MITCHELL   4.1    6.6    9.9    12.12 (84)

GOALS
Team Melksham: Lawford 4, Andriani 2, Miller 2, Stratford 2, Flower, Marrone 
Team Mitchell: Bewick 2, Burgoyne 2, Thompson 2, Beams, Bridge, Creyk, Darwish, Hardy, Timms 

TEAM MELKSHAM

Uniform: White jumpers with blue shorts

Head coach: Scott Moore
Assistant coaches: James Gellie, Rob Harding and Chad Wingard

TEAM MITCHELL

Uniform: Green and blue jumper with green shorts

Head coach: Kris Pendlebury
Assistant coaches: Trent Goodrem, Sam Mainwaring and Chelsea Randall