AFL Pre-Season Insights: Carlton Trials Derksen, Windsor Shines for Melbourne, and Hawthorn Embraces AI
Carlton Football Club is evaluating former Greater Western Sydney Giants player Wade Derksen for a potential spot on their AFL list, while Melbourne is seeing promising signs from young midfielder Caleb Windsor as pre-season preparations intensify. Meanwhile, Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell is defending his team’s embrace of artificial intelligence as a key component of their strategic approach.
Carlton’s List Assessment Continues
The Blues are currently assessing Derksen, a 24-year-old tall forward who signed with the VFL Blues this pre-season, following a period of trade speculation and his eventual delisting from GWS at the end of last season. Carlton confirmed the trial on Friday, but the opportunity is contingent on list availability. Should injured forward Jesse Motlop be moved to the long-term inactive list, the club will have two vacant list spots. Delisted forward Elijah Hollands is also vying for one of those positions.
Derksen was initially drafted by the Giants in the 2022 mid-season draft but struggled to break into the first team under coach Adam Kingsley. He has been working to revive his career, recently demonstrating strong form with 26 goals from eight games for Northern Territory Football League club Nightcliff this summer. Prior to his time with GWS, Derksen was named in the VFL Team of the Year as a defender last year, showcasing his versatility as a 194-centimetre utility. He had previously expressed interest in a trade to Melbourne in 2024, but the move was blocked due to contractual obligations. The Demons themselves considered Derksen before ultimately pursuing Brody Mihocek. Fellow train-on player Will White has been informed he will not continue with the Blues’ pre-season.
Windsor Emerges as Key Midfield Prospect for Melbourne
At Melbourne, the pre-season spotlight is shining on Caleb Windsor. The young Demon impressed during a match simulation on Friday, demonstrating his potential for increased midfield time. With Jack Viney sidelined due to an Achilles injury and Kysaiah Pickett participating in the State of Origin match, Windsor was given an opportunity to play alongside Jack Steele and Tom Sparrow in the midfield.
Windsor excelled in a forward-of-centre role, becoming a key release option for the blue team when they sought to move the ball quickly. His acceleration and the Demons’ strategic playmaking created cleaner entries inside 50, benefiting forwards Jacob van Rooyen, Matt Jefferson, and Brody Mihocek. Melbourne appears to be evolving under new coach Stephen King, and Windsor’s emergence is a positive sign.
A detailed player analysis from the match simulation revealed:
- Jake Lever: Demonstrated leadership and control in the Demons’ backline.
- Jack Steele: Provided crucial inside work and resilience for his teammates.
- Max Heath: Impressed as the ruckman in the absence of Max Gawn, consistently winning taps and offering a presence around the ground.
- Blake Howes: Contributed effectively alongside Tom McDonald and Jake Lever in the backline.
- Xavier Lindsay: Showcased a playing style reminiscent of Christian Salem across half-back.
- Luker Kentfield: Stood out despite a shortage of big men, wearing a face mask due to a prior injury.
- Jake Bowey: Is progressing well in his recovery from a foot injury and is on track to return in the second half of the season.
Other players observed during the simulation included Aidan Johnson, Shane McAdam, Harvey Langford, and Bayley Fritsch, each contributing to the team’s pre-season preparations.
Hawthorn Coach Defends AI Integration
In a separate development, Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell has addressed recent criticism regarding his team’s use of artificial intelligence. Mitchell explained that the club is utilizing AI for opposition analysis and identifying game trends, aligning with a broader industry push to leverage new technologies.
“There’s a collective push towards it – we know that it’s the future of technology,” Mitchell told Channel 7. “I’ve been trying to use it as best I can – sometimes it’s with success, and sometimes it leads me down a garden path … but continuing to learn and grow with it.”
Mitchell expressed surprise at the negative reaction to the news, emphasizing the potential for AI to improve efficiency and data analysis within the club. He highlighted examples from visits to sports clubs and businesses in New York, where AI integration was seamless and significantly enhanced data processing. Hawthorn’s pre-season play begins against Geelong at Dingley on Monday.
