Hawthorn has selected Next Generation Academy product Cody Anderson with Pick 64 in the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft. 

A strong inside midfielder and pressure forward, Anderson has seen his draft stocks rise following his solid form for the Eastern Ranges in the Coates Talent League this year. 

Dubbed the ‘Beast from the East’, the 18-year-old is one to watch in the 2025 AFL season, due to his competitiveness, strength around the contest and high defensive work rate. 

In 2024, the Healesville product racked up averages of 22.5 disposals, 5.7 tackles, 5.5 inside 50s and 2.6 marks across his 11 games for the Ranges, earning him a Vic Metro call-up. 

As a member of the Hawks’ Next Generation Academy, Anderson is already a familiar face among the brown and gold, having trained with Hawthorn’s senior side and featuring in one game for Box Hill in 2024.

Anderson’s potential was evident even as a young teenager, having made his senior debut for local club Healesville as a 15-year-old and playing five games for the Eastern Ranges as a 16-year-old the following year.