Key forward draft prospect Archie Ludowyke doesn’t shy away from it. He wasn’t happy with his National Championships, which came to a halt after a knee injury.
But Ludowyke still thinks he had a “really successful year” and he’s ready to show the AFL what he can do after advice that’s stuck with him from one of the game’s rising stars.
The athletic Sandringham Dragons high-flyer had a strong start to the season including a five-goal haul against Eastern Ranges.
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Ludowyke wasn’t able to translate his good form onto the big stage for Vic Metro, before a PCL injury in July ended his under-18 carnival campaign prematurely.
“Come Champs, I definitely dropped off. I thought I performed pretty poorly and was never able to get into the games very much before injuring my knee and getting ruled out for the rest of the season,” Ludowyke told foxfooty.com.au.
“I wasn’t able to show what I can do and was left with that feeling of: ‘You played a poor Champs’.”
No matter, the youngster is proud of his season at large and believes he has plenty more tricks to show.
“I’m really proud of my year. I think I performed well and the champs don’t talk about me as a whole as a player,” he added.
“So I still look back and think it’s a really successful year, especially with the AFL Academy and lining up on fully built players and still being able to perform with a more raw frame.
“I think it showed my ability to perform against tougher opponents. The rest of the year playing well in school and the Coates League, I think it was a successful year.”
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 13: Archie Ludowyke of the AFL National Academy celebrates kicking a goal during the Marsh AFL National Academy Boys match between Australia U18 and Richmond VFL at RSEA Park on April 13, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Ludowyke has kept in touch with former Vic Metro and Sandringham Dragons teammates, Giant Harry Oliver and Tiger Luke Trainor, and gotten valuable advice to help set him up for the AFL ahead of the national draft later this month
Having a relentless competitive approach is the biggest thing Ludowyke has taken away from AFL players including Giants star forward and former No. 1 pick Aaron Cadman.
“I’ve been told by a lot of different people the number one thing — especially as a new key forward coming to a club — they just want to see you compete … I think I do that pretty well,” he said.
“I was lucky enough to speak to Aaron Cadman earlier in the year about what he faced coming into the Giants.
“Being not as big as the other key forwards and defenders and just being knocked down a bunch of times at training and getting back up and keep competing every single time.
“That’s the biggest advice he gave me that stuck with me. The mentality to never give up.”
Cadman is the player Ludowyke, also left-footed but slightly taller at 197cm, has modelled his game off most.
And the two have a bit in common as athletic key forwards who played for Sandringham Dragons and attended Brighton Grammar.
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JULY 17: Aaron Cadman of the Giants celebrates a goal during the 2025 AFL Round 19 match between the Essendon Bombers and the GWS Giants at Marvel Stadium on July 17, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Ludowyke credited school footy coach Simon McPhee as one of his most influential figures and mentors.
That’s included an emphasis on professionalism and off-field behaviours as well as helping prepare the youngster for interviews with clubs.
“I’ve spoken to most clubs, I’ve only not spoken to Gold Coast and Brisbane,” Ludowyke continued.
“It’s been great. From the first interview to now I’ve had heaps of improvement after not really knowing what to say in the first one. It’s basically all the same questions.
“(McPhee) really helped me. He helps out at West Coast from time to time, he has knowledge and a lot of contacts in the AFL.”
Ludowyke conceded he was “very nervous” in his first interview with St Kilda, who he grew up supporting, and “didn’t really know what to say”.
“I don’t know what my answers were but they probably weren’t great,” he added.
“I go for St Kilda, I’m forced to by my dad. If I didn’t go for them, I wouldn’t live in the house.”
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Of all the questions he was asked by clubs, the 18-year old was somewhat caught off-guard by a reasonably straightforward one.
“Probably the main one – although it was so simple, it was so hard to answer – was just like: ‘What would be one trait that you’d change in yourself to become a better person?’ It was so different that it’s so hard to answer,” he added.
“I think I said just my leadership and communication outside of footy, as well as inside of footy, just reaching out to mates and seeing how they are.”
Whichever AFL club he lands in a fortnight’s time, Ludowyke, who turns 18 next week, is pumped to get back on the park as much as anything.
“I’ve never been more excited. I haven’t been able to play footy in 12 weeks,” he said.
“The thought of getting back out there and the next time I play footy will probably be with an AFL club, I’ve never been more excited.
“I’m so determined to play and hopefully get into a team as soon as possible, even though I know it’ll take a bit of time.”