2015 AFL U18 Championships

[LemmingMaster]

I heard that Tahana had simply fallen off the pace since last year.

Massive fall then, thought he had potential from last years viewing.

 

[HBF]

Massive fall then, thought he had potential from last years viewing.

So did I. Still looking forward to seeing him play as I want to see how he's going for myself.

 

[Thunderstruck]

Thanks for that Tarqs, yes Bonner is a very good player for Westies and has put up some very solid numbers this year. He has the size which is what the AFL scouts will be after. People might take notice of him soon.

Francis is definitely a defender for mine....really prefer he stayed there because he's damn good at reading the play coming in and taking strong marks.

Hope to see Presbury get some more mid time the next game as he's a fairly decent lad playing in a dreadful side.

Will be at the game at Footy Park this weekend.

 

[dlanod]

(This is very late as my wife just gave birth so I was writing the report and had to rush off with it unfinished)

Screw the rest, congrats on this.

 

[Diehardbomber]

Thanks for that Tarqs, yes Bonner is a very good player for Westies and has put up some very solid numbers this year. He has the size which is what the AFL scouts will be after. People might take notice of him soon.

Francis is definitely a defender for mine....really prefer he stayed there because he's damn good at reading the play coming in and taking strong marks.

Hope to see Presbury get some more mid time the next game as he's a fairly decent lad playing in a dreadful side.

Will be at the game at Footy Park this weekend.

Thunderstruck totally agree with you regarding Presbury, quality kid that can play. His performance on Saturday was below par for him but I'm sure he'll bounce back this week. Agree on Francis definitely a defender and like you said reads the play better than most. Hoping sticks brings in Jayden Brind this week as SA lacked a big strong marking bull @ HF. Bonner is all class, has an elite left foot and is racking up the numbers. Plays his best footy at HB but I'm told nearly went forward against WA as he can get you a couple quickly. Also hoping Coombe comes back in as we needed some size and extra class around the ball.

 

[Diehardbomber]

I asked Brett Anderson on Twitter earlier today and he said he played well in defence. Got a hit late, I believe.

Not this years draft anyway, I don't think?

Do you expect changes to the SA side this week Skippos? Sullivan & Dawson are under injury clouds, who do you think sticks might bring in and how do you think they will line up?

 

[Skippos]

Do you expect changes to the SA side this week Skippos? Sullivan & Dawson are under injury clouds, who do you think sticks might bring in and how do you think they will line up?

Sullivan is under more than an injury cloud lol

I suspect bringing in some skill will be important. Combe kicks well under pressure for an inside mid? About is probably a must. Olekalns executes well. That's who I'd be looking at.

 

[Skippos]

(This is very late as my wife just gave birth so I was writing the report and had to rush off with it unfinished)

I will add some elements to HawkintheTuarts.

Got down to Lathlain early and having not been there for a few years, it was nice to head back down there. The ground itself looked fine, even if it was a little patchy in parts, certainly down the grandstand wing it looked a little rough but players did not seem to have any footing issues the whole game. Perfect football weather and certainly a LOT warmer than last year down at Leedy oval.

I decided to sit up in the stands just infront of the SA coaches box. (Got to hear some nice conversations)

I have to agree with HT it was near on impossible to notice the SA or WA numbers. This is why I wanted the stats for the game because it was hard to notice which SA mids were getting a majority of the clearances, so you noticed the more flashy outside types. After a while you started to spot certain players more than others.

I disagree with HT in some regards, I think WA was slightly lucky to get the win, SA certainly butchered their forward 50 entries and their forward structure was terrible. They're really lacking a forward target and Francis did not look suited to the forward line. Their only real leading target for me was Milera (well I think it was Milera most of the time).

SA - Their midfield and clearance work was certainly on top. Their ruck division seemed stronger (pity their rucks were TERRIBLE at kicking for goal).
WA - Their defensive unit was very strong and they had some great lead up forwards and targets. They really need to improve their clearance work, it was a massive weakness in my eyes from stoppages.

WA players of note

SPS - This kid is going to be special, reminds me a little of Martin from a few years ago. I will start with the negatives, I think he really needs to work on his core strength.
Positives
- Agility is top end, makes players miss constantly
- Speed, I would not be shocked if he was in the top 20%
- Tackling - For a small guy, he loves to tackle.
- Leadership - He directs traffic and seems to show great leadership on the ground.
The kid is pure class

AhChee - I am sorry but this was not one of his better games. He started on fire, I watched him pick up a ball at full pace and hit a player on the chest. I was super excited and thought whoa this kid is good and then he did not really leave the forward line and was not impressive when he did leave.

Clark - Did some okay inside work, but it was very hard to really appreciate inside players and started to have some more influence with his possessions in the second half from what I noticed. I liked his last quarter.

Bennett - Seemed liked one of the few WA players that managed to win a clearance. I liked his efforts solid working class player.

Shaw - Now this kid really excites me and I can certainly see him getting drafted, if he could move into the midfield, that would really take him to the next level. I would not mind seeing WA give him a chance and he certainly could add that element of speed to a slowish midfield unit.

Harrold - This kid is hit and miss with his in game ability. At times he looked great rebounding from the backline and other times very rough. If you reduced the difference between the good and bad, I think he has potential.

Ridley - I thought he looked like a smart footballer and I would not mind getting a few more games of viewing into him. Thought I heard SA having to put some effort into defending this guy, so he potentially caused them some issues.

Jones - While he kicked 4 goals, it was not an outstanding effort in my eyes, just got the benefit of some good play.

Ehlers - I thought he played a great role as a lead up forward and created a great option out of defence as well. Needs to keep working hard and who knows.

Watson - Hard for me to see who was playing in defence at times, but I noticed his body work at times and if he was a little taller, I would not mind his chances. Would love to check his speed out to see if his closing speed was as good as it looked or he was just playing on some slower players.

Waterman - Sold game and give him another year and he could be a player. Managed a nice mark or two and was generally in the right place at the right time.

SA - I thought their forward entries were average and at times they got caught on the rebound and their defensive unit looked average without Francis in the back line. Now I noticed in one short period of time Surman take two great intercept marks in the defensive 50m and then went missing (inj?) I thought he was going to be a great defender on those two glimpses.

Partington - Clearance machine and generally looked dangerous around the ground, pumped the ball into the forward 50m and just needed to tighten up his kicking. Inside work is top notch and should get drafted.

Bonner - Now this is a kid I really liked on the day. Great height, lovely kick and just read the play. I've not read a heap about this kid but I would not be shocked to see him move up a few draft boards. Then again, basing projections on a small sample size can be scary.

Haysman - Should have kicked 3 goals in the space of 10 minutes or so. Kicked two goals and then his defender slipped and he was about to kick his third and felt non existent pressure and screwed up the play. Did plenty of running and sometimes unrewarded running, I like this kid. Just a little short once again (seems like SA has very good players each year that are below 180cm).

Milera - I think the only forward that deserves a pass mark. Looked dangerous at times forward, his kicking for goal seemed a little below par.

Snelling - I swear having two SA inside players with 12 and 2 was annoying. Hard to really know how much work he did, did not stand out but no doubt did more work than I could notice.

Tahana - I am assuming he was injured.

Scharenberg- Hardly noticed this kid, so I would need to focus more effort into watching him play.

Markov - Thought he was good, but really needs to play a lot better for an overager.

Francis - Did not look like a forward and his one goal was a simple 1m goal. He missed a sitter as well from memory. Now down back this is where he looks good. I think he is a players that needs someone to lead him to the ball at the moment, but when he does get there he looks very dangerous in the air.

Sorry for the slow update, no doubt some information is a little rough after the events on the weekend.

Appreciate the report. Interesting feedback. Parto normally a good kick. Bonner may be unknown interstate but aside from Chris, it seems the core SA watchers have had him up in the first round. He's been 10-15 for me all season, think DJ and diehardbomber share that. A lot to like.

I heard that Tahana had simply fallen off the pace since last year.

Hasn't developed at an elite rate but he's still very good. Plays his role.

 

[Skippos]

Thunderstruck totally agree with you regarding Presbury, quality kid that can play. His performance on Saturday was below par for him but I'm sure he'll bounce back this week. Agree on Francis definitely a defender and like you said reads the play better than most. Hoping sticks brings in Jayden Brind this week as SA lacked a big strong marking bull @ HF. Bonner is all class, has an elite left foot and is racking up the numbers. Plays his best footy at HB but I'm told nearly went forward against WA as he can get you a couple quickly. Also hoping Coombe comes back in as we needed some size and extra class around the ball.

Combe is an undersized inside mid? Unless you meant Andrew Coombe who didn't make the cut.

Agree on all other counts. Francis best behind the ball. Brind would add a lot but takes away from a kid who has a shot at the big time. Not sure brind does. If dawson is out its a logical swap though.

 

[Diehardbomber]

Combe is an undersized inside mid? Unless you meant Andrew Coombe who didn't make the cut.

Agree on all other counts. Francis best behind the ball. Brind would add a lot but takes away from a kid who has a shot at the big time. Not sure brind does. If dawson is out its a logical swap though.

Sorry meant Will Combe.....Dawson was concussed so you'd expect he'd be ruled out?

 

[HBF]

Hasn't developed at an elite rate but he's still very good. Plays his role.

Ok thanks for that.
I was getting my info from elsewhere.

 

[LemmingMaster]

Hasn't developed at an elite rate but he's still very good. Plays his role.

Well on the weekend, his role was invisible.

 

[Skippos]

Well on the weekend, his role was invisible.

Who was his opponent?

 

[HBF]

Well on the weekend, his role was invisible.

Did he play HB or further up the ground?

 

[LemmingMaster]

Who was his opponent?

If I am being honest, I can not even remember seeing him on the field. He may have shut down his opponent but he certainly did not impact the game in any other way.

 

[Skippos]

If I am being honest, I can not even remember seeing him on the field. He may have shut down his opponent but he certainly did not impact the game in any other way.

Cause I'd be surprised if he didn't take Ah Chee.

 

[LemmingMaster]

Cause I'd be surprised if he didn't take Ah Chee.

Well he did a crap job then.

Managed 4 kicks and 1 mark the whole game.

AhChee managed 12 kicks 4 handballs and managed to pump the ball into the forward 50m the most for his team.

I would say that you got soundly beaten on the day. Looking at the information it seems that he played 100% of the game time as well. He certainly was missing for most the game from my viewing.

It was very hard to see at each end of the ground for me, so I may have missed something in his game but getting 1 kick in each quarter is certainly not impressive.

 

[Diehardbomber]

Cause I'd be surprised if he didn't take Ah Chee.

I'm told Tahana had a tagging role on Ah Chee guys so ease up on him, did a great job and as most WA reports can confirm Ah Chee didn't have a great day. Job done!

 

[HBF]

If I am being honest, I can not even remember seeing him on the field. He may have shut down his opponent but he certainly did not impact the game in any other way.

I'm like that with Rice on Sunday. Barely even noticed him.

 

[Chris25]

Do you expect changes to the SA side this week Skippos? Sullivan & Dawson are under injury clouds, who do you think sticks might bring in and how do you think they will line up?

Guessing you mean Surman who went off injured in the last game. If he doesn't come up, one would expect Broadwood to get the nod for this weekend. I don't imagine sore ribs will keep Surman out for long though. I expect him to line up down back, with Francis to spend more time forward. I agree with others that he is best suited as a defender, but he is also arguably SA's most dangerous forward. Just having him there makes up more threatening in the air and actually makes the opposition worry about someone. So that's probably the main change I'm expecting - starting the game with Surman down back and Francis up forward.

Dawson should miss though, wouldn't have thought they'd play a kid after a concussion. They usually do make a few changes though in the early rounds of the Championships, get game time into more players. So a few could be in with a shot.

Bonner may be unknown interstate but aside from Chris, it seems the core SA watchers have had him up in the first round. He's been 10-15 for me all season, think DJ and diehardbomber share that. A lot to like.

I don't think Bonner goes first round yet, as good as he is playing this year. I'm glad he has made the move to half back, as opposed to playing more across the forward fifty as he had been. But he has still has some way to go, especially as a skinny flanker with limited midfield showings.

 

[Bishop]

SA vs VM AAMI Stadium 10.45am Saturday 30th May

SA
B Agostino, Surman, Tahana
HB Bonner, Westhoff, Francis
C Dew, Snelling, Olekains
HF Milera, Allen, Markov
F Agius, Ladhams, Redman

Foll Parealla, Scharenberg, Hewett
Int Bampton, Haysman, Combe, Partington, Nunn

VM
B Collins, Firns, Leonard
HB Crocker, Whitehead, Morgan
C Moore, Batty, Parsons
HF Balic, H.Thompson, Cameron
F Houston, Silvagni, Hardwick

Foll Smith, T.Thompson, O'Kearney
Int Clarke, Gresham, Lok, Matera, Ainswerth, Pearce

 

[Chris25]

For those playing along at home, for SA that's...

In: Olekalns, Agius, Redman, Bampton, Combe
Out: Dawson, McKenzie, Quinn, Cross, Presbury

All a bit unlucky to miss, but hard to argue with the inclusions either. It'd be worth having Agius play out of the goal square to give us a target, but I'm sure he'll be given a chance to run further up the ground.

 

[LemmingMaster]

Heading to the WA game if anyone wants a certain player watched.

 

[LemmingMaster]

I don't think Bonner goes first round yet, as good as he is playing this year. I'm glad he has made the move to half back, as opposed to playing more across the forward fifty as he had been. But he has still has some way to go, especially as a skinny flanker with limited midfield showings.

Bonner looked bloody good on the HBF to me, really good.

 

[Skippos]

Will also be at the SA/metro game if anyone wants a report