'Beast from the East': Cody Anderson selected by Hawthorn in AFL Draft

Jackson Clark Published November 22, 2024 at 2.05pm (AWST)

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Cody Anderson in action for the Eastern Ranges. (Image: AFL)

Cody Anderson has been drafted to Hawthorn, with the club swooping on him with their last pick – selection 64 overall – in this week's AFL National Draft.

The talented 18-year-old is a graduate of Hawthorn's Next Generation Academy and was the only Indigenous player selected in the draft.

Anderson has produced strong football for Coates Talent League club Eastern Ranges over the past two seasons.

He averaged 23 disposals (12 contested), six clearances and six tackles across his 11 games in 2024 to earn a runner-up finish in his club's best and fairest.

Anderson earned selection for Victoria Metro, but an ankle injury would rule him out for the majority of the championships.

He will be a familiar face around the club having already received the opportunity to train with the club's senior team and featuring for the club's VFL-aligned team Box Hill.

AFLNT Talent Ambassador Kevin Sheehan described him as a "real competitive beast" earlier this month, in reference to his contested ball-winning ability around the stoppages.

The powerful on-baller models his game on Melbourne's Jack Viney and Hawthorn's Jai Newcombe, while also showing similarities as a footballer to Richmond's Dion Prestia.

Cody Anderson at the AFL National Draft Combine. (Image: AFL)

The 183cm midfielder made his debut for local club Healesville in the AFL Outer East competition as a 15-year-old, and has been dubbed by some as the 'Beast from the East'.

Bravo Talent Management's James Pitcher told SEN earlier in the year Anderson is a tough midfielder with a cult following.

"I reckon he gets a few mates that come down to every game," Pitcher said on SEN's Future Stars.

"He's an inside mid, he's 181cm, he's got a really strong build on him, loves the competitive stuff.

"The biggest thing for him will be how he covers the ground, clearly one on one he's hard to beat, but it's seeing what he can do at the next level as well."

Anderson impressed at the National Draft Combine, recording a solid time of 3.02 seconds for the 20m sprint.

While his disposal by foot remains an area of improvement, there is no doubt Anderson could add another layer of toughness in the Hawks' impressive young midfield.