Proud Ngurai Illum Wurrung, Yara Yara, Dja Dja Wurrung and Yorta Yorta man Cooper Craig-Peters could be among the players to benefit from the AFL's new rookie list pathway designed to create more opportunities for Indigenous footballers.
The 24-year-old Footscray midfielder has strengthened his case for an AFL opportunity following another impressive VFL season in 2026.
Craig-Peters averaged over 27 disposals across 15 matches and was named in the VFL Team of the Year squad after producing several standout performances.
His season included a 36-disposal, eight-tackle effort against Sydney and a 32-disposal, two-goal performance against the Gold Coast.
His form has reportedly caught the attention of as many as seven AFL clubs, with Zero Hanger reporting clubs from Victoria and New South Wales had contacted his manager to arrange meetings.
Craig-Peters' AFL prospects will receive a boost through the introduction of an additional Category B rookie position for the 2027 season.
The extra position is aimed at increasing opportunities for Indigenous players and could provide AFL clubs with another avenue to recruit talented footballers from State League competitions.
Craig-Peters told Zero Hanger he believed the change could encourage clubs to take chances on players who may otherwise be overlooked.
"I think it's another avenue for clubs to take a chance on me," he said.
"Obviously, Category B is a lower-risk chuck at the stumps.
"I think it helps with expanding our game and showcasing a lot of Indigenous talent as well that's out there, because there are a lot of Indigenous players in those State Leagues who perform at a high level.
"(This will) allow clubs to take a chance on those State League players, or even those 18-year-olds that maybe get overlooked for the national and rookie draft."
Craig-Peters has been part of Footscray's VFL program since 2021, while his connection with the Western Bulldogs dates back to 2014 when he joined the club as a Next Generation Academy prospect. He took a major step forward in 2025 when he helped Footscray win the VFL premiership and claimed the Norm Goss Medal as best on ground in the 10-point grand final victory over Southport.
Craig-Peters said his desire to play AFL football remained as strong as ever.
"I think that's always going to be the dream for me," he told Zero Hanger.
"Personally, I think I've got what it takes to play good footy at that level as well, and I've always wanted to play in the AFL, and I always will want to play in the AFL, so that's definitely a big, big goal of mine.
"I just want to play AFL footy; whatever team allows me to live that dream, I'll give them everything. If there was a team on the moon, I'd go there and start."
