Potential Draftee Watch - Version 2008

[rizzo]

Back again for another year. Will do player profiles / post links to anything interesting. If anyone else finds stuff post up as well.


2008 TAC Cup Stats & Results:
http://www.sportingpulse.com/round_info.cgi?a=MATCH&fixture=28090599&c=1-3020-0-67827-0&pool=-1

*Contains more stats this year. Going to be valuable for people who don't know much about the players who are getting drafted.*

Australian Institute of Sport Player Profiles
http://www.ausport.gov.au/ais/sports/australian_football/athletes

*Some players have already been drafted*

 

[rizzo]

Results from Wednesday's Division 2 games at Casey Fields

NSW/ACT 2-2 4-4 8-5 11-8 (74)
Northern Territory 3-0 4-1 5-1 7-4(46)

Goals: NSW/ACT: Breust 4, Foster 3, Duryea 2, Wilson, McNeil
NTH TERRI: May, Sibosado, Gugliotta, Hale, Shannon Rioli, Tungatalum, Farmer

BEST: Northern Territory: Ah Chee, Taylor, Wooding, Hale, Rioli, Heenan
New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory: Breust, McMahon, Klemke, Ediriwickrama, Reed, Foster, Wilson

NOTES: Ranga was ruthless in his attack on the ball and gathered it up with ease. Captaining the team this year and is looking the goods.

The Rioli for NT looks a very very promising player. Seems a bit like Cyril.

Tasmania 4-2 6-4 7-5 12-5(77)
Queensland 2-3 3-6 6-10 7-11(53)

Goals: TASMANIA: Mihocek 5, Cornelius 2, Harwood, Hislop, Milverton, Cox
QUEENSLAND: Reid 2, Myers, Dixon, Holman, Haberfield, James

BEST: Tasmania: Mihocek, Groenewegen, Trevena, Salter, Robinson, Hislop, Cornelius
Queensland: Thomson, Myers, Beams, Haberfield, Holman, Bevan

NOTES:
Mihocek looks like he is going to be an absolute gem. Was dominate in the last quarter.

Bevan and Myers were the most impressive. Look to be very solid players.

 

[rizzo]

More Notes:

Luke Breust kicked four of the Rams’ 11 goals,
Ram Jordan Foster stood out with five contested marks
Xavier McMahon had 24 touches.
Tom Salter had 24 touches.
Matt Thomson collected 29 disposals.
Daniel Trevena collected nine rebound 50s from defence.

 

[rizzo]

Rohan O'Brien - West Coast Recruiting Managers thoughts.


NSW/ACT

Xavier McMahon - Xavier won the most disposals for NSW/ACT and he was a pretty good player all day. He also gave his side plenty of run.

Kade Klemke - Kade, like Xavier, also led the way for his side all day, winning plenty of the ball, while giving his team run.

Jordan Foster - Early in the match, Jordan took some terrific contested marks and he kicked three goals. He had a big impact on the game.

Northern Territory

Patrick Heenan - Although the Northern Territory missed several key players, Patrick was one of side's best and won 20 touches - the most for his side. He tried really hard all day.

Charlie Sharples - Charlie was also among Northern Territory's best, winning 17 touches.

Tasmania

Tom Salter - Tommy was really good in the midfield. He was Tassie's highest ball-winner with 24 touches.
Jacob Hislop - He was really good in the middle and was one of Tassie's top ball-winners.

Daniel Trevena - He was terrific out of defence and gave Tassie plenty of drive and rebound.

Tyson Mihocek - Tyson booted four goals in the last quarter when the game was up for grabs and he finished with five for the day, so he certainly had a big impact on the game.

Queensland

Matt Thomson - Matt was Queensland's leading ball-winner and he worked hard all day.

Justin Myers - Justin was his side's next best possession winner, trying hard throughout the match.

Jessie Haberfield - I thought Jessie had a pretty reasonable game and was a good contributor.

 

[TheBigT]

The Rioli for NT looks a very very promising player. Seems a bit like Cyril.

mmm probably somethin to do with being related, growing up together and playing together, unfortunately not draftable this year, if he is he won't play, still in year 11.

 

[rizzo]

Day 2:

Tasmania 3.5 6.7 10.9 11.11 (77)
NT 2.1 5.1 5.3 10.4 (64)

GOALS
Tasmania: Cornelius 3, Mihocek 2, Shade 2, Brakey, Cox, Hislop, Salter
Northern Territory: Rolfe 5, Hampton, May, Sharples, Taylor, Tungatalum

BEST
Tasmania: Robinson, Harwood, Salter, Cornelius, Shade, Hislop, Milne
Northern Territory: Rolfe, Sharples, Hale, Heenan, May, Ah Chee

My Notes:
Cornelius again proved that he is a quality player with 3 goals. I thought he was unlucky not to be drafted last year, and is putting up his hand this year.

Mihocek is looking like he is going to be a very good player. Backed up with goals in the 2nd match to prove that game 1 wasn't a fluke.

Robinson for Tassy was dominate. At times he seemed to have a ball of his own. Would of had at least 20 - 30 touches.

Hislop is also looking a tasty option for recruiters. He has put in two impressive performances so far this year.

Rolfe was probably the only real stand out for the NT. Pretty sure he is an over age player. He did well getting 5 goals and had around 15 or so touches.

 

[rizzo]

Day 2:

NSW/ACT 2.3 44 6.11 9.13 (67)
Queensland 2.1 3.3 4.5 5.6 (36)

GOALS
NSW/ACT: Foster 3, Duryea 2, Gordon 2, Clisby, Ediriwickrama
Queensland: Fowler 2, Myers 2, Keefe

BEST
NSW/ACT: Ediriwickrama, Gordon, Reed, Duncan, Foster, Clisby, Wilson
Queensland: Thomson, Daye, Myers, Beams, Haberfield, Fowler

My Notes

Ranga: The bloke is an absolute superstar! he was just so dominate today it wasn't funny. Has an amazing tank and a great footy brain. Over 30 touches EASY!.

Jordan Foster was also impressive, kicking another 3 goals. Looking a likely type.

James Wilson is man mountain. I singled him out last year for his size, and he still is as big as ever. Was impressive in the ruck thats for sure!

Joseph Daye another I outlined last year. He looks the goods and hopefully will get drafted. Tall and athletic, he picked up 20 odd touches.

Matt Thomson was also pretty good, would have had around 20 odd touches as well.

Myers was also impressive, and is building up a great reputation. Hard at the footy and good skills. Was impressed by him!

 

[rizzo]

Stuff From Recruiters Last Year:

6 – Aaron Cornelius – Tasmania – 191cm, 80kg
Too young to be drafted this year, but certainly one to watch out for in 2008, Cornelius starred against Queensland with five goals and showed plenty of spark in his game. He also grabbed seven marks – including a sensational pack mark in front of goal.

Aaron Cornelius
Recruiter 1: Aaron Cornelius kicked five goals for Tasmania, but he isn't eligible for this year's draft. There are good wraps on him moving forward.

Recruiter 2: Cornelius has got a bit of excitement about him. He plays from behind a bit too much and plays with some arrogance, but he's got natural talent.

Joseph Daye
Recruiter 1: Daye is an athlete. He's left-sided but has no right-side at all, so that does limit his ability going forward. Tasmania tried to force him onto his right foot and he always tried to get back onto his left. He was inconsistent across the game and his kicking can be erratic. He has talent, but he needs to play four quarters before people can be confident that he should be drafted.

Recruiter 2: I thought he was a bit disappointing today. He can certainly kick the ball with his left foot and is very athletic, but I don't think he works hard enough or reads the play well at all.

 

[rizzo]

Stuff I posted last year
(http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=344231)

Ranga Ediriwickrama - 71kg - 179cm - 10.9.90

Wells has done it again with this scholarship player. Ranga was close to the best on the ground, and put in a dominate display. He has a light frame, so he is an outside player imho.

However he makes up for this being lightning quick. The amount of ground he covered today was extreme. His engine is huge, he didnt come off until 3QTR time.

Disposal was ok, seems to rush it a little and kicks it higher than most.

Seems pretty versitle, played of half back as well as up forward for a while.

The kid will be a gem.

Max Wilson - 100kg - 199cm - 7.5.90
Not really sure what to read into this kid. Might be to young for the draft, however he is massive. 100Kg 17 year old just oozes potential.

Despite his weight/height he was agile and did well around the ground. The problem for him is that he has a shocking engine. Goes about 10-15mins before needing a rest. However a preseason will fix that.

Doubt he will go in the draft, but a rookie potential for sure.

Charlie Sharples - 67kg - 180cm - 16.2.89
This bloke is a definite smokey. Very light framed, but pretty tall. He reads the ball well out of the pack and has a bit of dash and flair. Seems like the perfect rookie option. Not sure where he would fit in at AFL level. Maybe as a presenting HFFer.


Joseph Daye - 194cm - 79kg - 2.2.90
Ill be the first to admit that he didn't show much today, but its just a gut feeling i have about him that makes me think that he could be special. Seems to be in and out of play, and really did struggle with his right foot. He is also very thin. (Ok i no your all like well rizz what makes you think he will be a player). He reminds me very very much of what Franklin looked like when i saw him at the carnival. Daye is very agile and is an athlete. He has solid hands. I think he will be a late choice, but a team who takes him has a lot of upside. Really want Geelong to look at him for this reason. The way he pushed up the ground today was very nice. Really looked to give them an option.


Aaron Cornelius - 191cm - 80kg - 29.5.89
Love this kid. Really looks like he will be a very good player. Has a nice lead and timing is very good. I feel with some better delivery he will be a very dangerous player. There are somethings you can teach, and some you can't. He still has a lot of learning to do, but has everything that you can't teach a player in his arsenal. Needs to bulk up. if he gets to the 90kg weight range he will be a very very sold player.

 

[Pivo]

I'll see what I can dig up on the boys from WWT.

These are the Eagles guys who were named in the initial SA under 18 squad.

Sam Davoren (H - 177cm, W - 75kg)
Matthew Broadbent (H - 190, W - 90)
Glen Dawson (H - 185, W - 72)
Christopher Hall (H - 179, W - 65)
Jarrad Redden (H - 202, W - 88)
Travis Lane (H - 175, W - 75)

Of these guys, the ones that people should look for are Redden, Davoren, Broadbent and Lane (who may not be eligible this year, need to check).

To date, IIRC, Lane, Davoren and Broadbent have played in the WWT League side however Lane and Davoren are on the smaller side.

Davoren and Lane have been playing forward while Broadbent has been coming off HB.

Early thoughts are that Broadbent is clearly the stand out.

Fellow Eagle supporters said he played his best league game of the year last weekend against reigning premier Central Districts.

As Central have dominated the SANFL for the last 7 years this is a very good sign for a kid.

One poster on Bigfooty described Broadbent as having "...clean hands and first-rate dispoal and looks a certainty to play AFL..." (to paraphase).

This is also some info on Lane who won the COKE STAR SEACH AWARD this year.

Eagles Travis Lane Wins Rd 4 Coke Star Search Award
WOODVILLE-WEST TORRENS’ TRAVIS LANE WINS ROUND 4 COCA-COLA STAR SEARCH AWARD NOMINATION

Travis Lane from the Woodville-West Torrens Football Club has been named the Round Four Coca-Cola Star Search Award nominee.

At just 16 years of age, and in his second League appearance, Lane displayed maturity well beyond his years in the Eagles’ 35-point win over Norwood at Coopers Stadium on Friday night.

Playing as a small crumbing forward, Travis accumulated 9 possessions, including six kicks, three handballs, three marks and two goals in the first quarter.

Currently the youngest player playing League football, Travis’ performances in the Eagles’ U17 trial matches over the summer saw him named in the Reserves side for rounds one and two, before making his League debut in round three against the Port Adelaide Magpies.

Travis, a talented cricketer, attends St Michaels College and represented South Australia in the 2007 NAB AFL Under 16 Championships in Queensland. He is the Eagles first Coca-Cola Star Search Nominee for the 2008 season.

Hopefully this isn't too long and someone finds some use for it.

 

[rizzo]

Great post mate. Didn't fremantle draft a Reddon a few years back?

 

[Pivo]

Great post mate. Didn't fremantle draft a Reddon a few years back?

Possibly but I doubt it is this kid.

A guy in another post said he hoped Adelaide went for either Redden or Broadbent.

Personally, I wouldn't mind Geelong targeting Broadbent (or someone similar). He sounds a bit like a Mackie.

I'll try and find some footage of him - stupid ABC2, why don't you televise SANFL games anymore??

Another kid out of the WWT production line is Lee Staple (187, 80) but he didn't make the SA squad but a few guys seem to think he goes alright.

 

[rizzo]

Tom Redden was who they drafted... Any relo?

http://www.footydraft.com/players.php?player=thomas_redden

 

[Pivo]

There is always a posibilty but I have a feeling that if they were brothers both would have played at the same club.

Thomas Redden played for Glenelg.

However, the Redden name does the rounds in the SANFL. Along with Jarrad Redden there is a Denis Redden on the WWT list.

And Mick Redden, going back a few years, was a state rep. ruckman who played with North Adelaide.

However, in a long winded way, the answer is - no, I don't think Jarrad and Thomas are brothers.

As a side note, here is a quote from glengowan regarding a few of the boys.

...Broadbent looks to be the stand out - a good sized midfielder - just a smart footballer. Davoren impresses more with each game - his foot skills on both feet are excellent. Lane handled league well as a small forward, popping up with a couple of goals in the games he played. Hall is very skinny and haven't seen enough of him to comment. Redden is a skinny giant, takes a good grab...

 

[saintscrazy]

Day 2:

Tasmania 3.5 6.7 10.9 11.11 (77)
NT 2.1 5.1 5.3 10.4 (64)

GOALS
Tasmania: Cornelius 3, Mihocek 2, Shade 2, Brakey, Cox, Hislop, Salter
Northern Territory: Rolfe 5, Hampton, May, Sharples, Taylor, Tungatalum

BEST
Tasmania: Robinson, Harwood, Salter, Cornelius, Shade, Hislop, Milne
Northern Territory: Rolfe, Sharples, Hale, Heenan, May, Ah Chee

My Notes:
Cornelius again proved that he is a quality player with 3 goals. I thought he was unlucky not to be drafted last year, and is putting up his hand this year.

Mihocek is looking like he is going to be a very good player. Backed up with goals in the 2nd match to prove that game 1 wasn't a fluke.

Robinson for Tassy was dominate. At times he seemed to have a ball of his own. Would of had at least 20 - 30 touches.

Hislop is also looking a tasty option for recruiters. He has put in two impressive performances so far this year.

Rolfe was probably the only real stand out for the NT. Pretty sure he is an over age player. He did well getting 5 goals and had around 15 or so touches.

Cornelius wasnt draft age "Last" year, he turns 18 on 29 May 2008 - so yes he is eligible this year, goodluck AC!

 

[saintscrazy]

Stuff I posted last year
(http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=344231)

Ranga Ediriwickrama - 71kg - 179cm - 10.9.90

Wells has done it again with this scholarship player. Ranga was close to the best on the ground, and put in a dominate display. He has a light frame, so he is an outside player imho.

However he makes up for this being lightning quick. The amount of ground he covered today was extreme. His engine is huge, he didnt come off until 3QTR time.

Disposal was ok, seems to rush it a little and kicks it higher than most.

Seems pretty versitle, played of half back as well as up forward for a while.

The kid will be a gem.

Max Wilson - 100kg - 199cm - 7.5.90
Not really sure what to read into this kid. Might be to young for the draft, however he is massive. 100Kg 17 year old just oozes potential.

Despite his weight/height he was agile and did well around the ground. The problem for him is that he has a shocking engine. Goes about 10-15mins before needing a rest. However a preseason will fix that.

Doubt he will go in the draft, but a rookie potential for sure.

Charlie Sharples - 67kg - 180cm - 16.2.89
This bloke is a definite smokey. Very light framed, but pretty tall. He reads the ball well out of the pack and has a bit of dash and flair. Seems like the perfect rookie option. Not sure where he would fit in at AFL level. Maybe as a presenting HFFer.


Joseph Daye - 194cm - 79kg - 2.2.90
Ill be the first to admit that he didn't show much today, but its just a gut feeling i have about him that makes me think that he could be special. Seems to be in and out of play, and really did struggle with his right foot. He is also very thin. (Ok i no your all like well rizz what makes you think he will be a player). He reminds me very very much of what Franklin looked like when i saw him at the carnival. Daye is very agile and is an athlete. He has solid hands. I think he will be a late choice, but a team who takes him has a lot of upside. Really want Geelong to look at him for this reason. The way he pushed up the ground today was very nice. Really looked to give them an option.


Aaron Cornelius - 191cm - 80kg - 29.5.89
Love this kid. Really looks like he will be a very good player. Has a nice lead and timing is very good. I feel with some better delivery he will be a very dangerous player. There are somethings you can teach, and some you can't. He still has a lot of learning to do, but has everything that you can't teach a player in his arsenal. Needs to bulk up. if he gets to the 90kg weight range he will be a very very sold player.

Correct info on Aaron Charles Cornelius 192cm - 82kg & DOB 29/05/"1990"

 

[paddymellon]

jordan foster is from my local club mango. great kid, best on ground on debut in 1st grade at just 16. great to see him playin good for new south.

 

[rizzo]

VICTORIA Metropolitan has pulled off a stunning three-point victory over arch-rival Victoria Country in the opening match of the first round of the NAB AFL under 18 championships.

Metro 12.4 (76) defeated Country 11.7 (73) in the curtain-raiser to the Melbourne and Hawthorn clash at the MCG, after Jack Watts, who booted four goals, kicked the match-winner just before the final siren sounded.

Yet at the 17-minute mark of the last quarter (all terms are 20 minutes with no time-on), Vic Country looked set to overcome the city slickers, having trailed at every other change, when Tom Rockliff jagged his fourth for the match.

It was fitting Watts and Rockliff stood up for their respective sides in the latter stages, as they were super for their respective side's best. Watts also finished with eight marks, including four contested, as Rockliff finished with a game-high 11 contested possessions.

Vic Country's Nick Suban, an under-18 All-Australian last year, had 25 disposals - the most for the match - and was also superb. Teammate Nic Heyne, who took a cracking one-handed 'speccy' up forward in the final term, finished with 19 touches and two goals.

Shaun McKernan, the younger brother of dual North Melbourne premiership player Corey, impressed for Vic Metro with 11 disposals and 13 hit outs. And Michael Hurley, an under-18 All-Australian defender last year, continued to impress down back.

Vic Country 2.2 4.3 8.5 11.7 (73)
Vic Metro 4.0 7.1 9.3 12.4 (76)

GOALS
Vic Country: Rockliff 4, Young 3, Heyne 2, Christensen, Suban
Vic Metro: Watts 4, McKernan 2, Banner, Lisle, Martin, McGarry, Purves, Shuey,

BEST
Vic Country: Rockliff, Suban, Heyne, Hooper, Young, Sidebottom
Vic Metro: Watts, Zaharakis, Hurley, McKernan, Lisle, Gotch

 

[rizzo]

Throughout the 2008 NAB AFL under 18 championships, afl.com.au will speak to a key recruiter/official about the players they thought shone on a particular day's play.

On Saturday, we spoke to AFL youth and high performance coordinator Jason McCartney.

His comments came after the second day's division two matches at the MCG in the lead-up to the Australian Football Hall of Fame Tribute Match between Victoria and the Dream Team, where Tasmania held off the Northern Territory by 13 points and NSW/ACT defeated Queensland by 31 points.

NSW/ACT
Ranga Ediriwickrama - He was really good. He had a high work-rate and won a lot of the footy - he won 32 possessions. Ranga was good in game one, but he was cleaner with his ball-use and gathering. He really led from the front and was outstanding.

Scott Reed - I thought Scotty Reed was super. He played wing and centre half-back in game one and played as a key defender in game two. He was not beaten in the one-on-one contests. He ran hard, provided contests and his ball movement and penetration inside forward 50 was good. Scotty had a really positive game and has been solid in both matches.

Nathan Gordon - Nathan has not been named as a scholarship player yet, but I'm led to believe Sydney will claim him. He was really good overhead for a smaller player. He's 184cm, plays up forward and is really smart around goals. He's an opportunist and can push up into the midfield as well. Nathan also kicked a couple of goals in the second quarter and was really impressive.

Max Wilson - A strong, big aggressive ruckman, he adds so much to this team. He really leads the way with his physicality.

Jordan Foster - His contested marking - he took three in the first five minutes of game one - is fantastic. He's also a good finisher in front of goal and although he didn't get a lot of the ball in game two, he marked everything that came his way. He's one player who has really jumped up, so that's a real positive.

Northern Territory
Peter Rolfe - Has been around for a while, but he kicked five goals against Tasmania and you know what you're going to get from him each week. He also had 17 possessions, so he was a real shining light.

Patrick Heenan - I've liked what I've seen of him in the last two games - I haven't seen him much since he was in under 16s - and he's now at Melbourne Grammar. He played a loose role in the back-pocket and he's got a license to free up and attack, but he makes good decisions. What I like about him is that he's got great balance and takes the game on. He's been good.

Robert Hale - He's had a couple of solid games, playing off the wing. He's also at Melbourne Grammar now. He didn't play under 16s last year, because he had groin surgery. Robbie was good overhead, he won his own ball and it looks like his disposal has improved a bit from a couple of years ago.

Curtly Hampton - The one I really liked was Curtly Hampton, who is a 14-year-old boy. He's not 15 years old until October and he's been in our Kickstart program. He went to South Africa this year and he'll be in the program later this year. He's been really well managed. There is no great expectation on him. He's just lively and every time he's on the ground, he makes things happen. He's got some real bounce about him. His thought process is always to get the ball and play on - I think we've got a good one on our hands there. Most guys are 17 or 18 years old, but the Northern Territory is the exception, due to the smaller population.

Queensland
Matt Thomson - A ball-winner, he's not the biggest kid going around, but he finds the footy and he uses it well - he's now had a couple of solid games. He got 28 touches against NSW/ACT.

Joey Daye - He was really good. We know he can provide run-and-carry and that's when he's at his best, so it was really pleasing to see him get it inside the corridor. He got his hands on the footy and used it well.

Jessie Haberfield - He's a really tough, disciplined player in the contested situations. He wasn't outstanding, but his hardness always keeps him in the game.

Justin Myers - He came under my attention - I haven't seen a lot of him - and he looks a really neat player. He won the ball 22 times and his finishing was really good too. He followed up, kicked a couple of goals and was good in the corridor.

Lachlan Keefe - Although he didn't have a lot of the ball, he is now tied to Collingwood under the non-registered for three years rule. He was at our AIS camp in December, through our rookie search program and he showed fantastic athleticism. What impressed me against NSW/ACT is the work that Collingwood has already put into him. You can just see he has developed, as he has improved since we last saw him. He looked really clean and there has already been a transformation in him. So there is some real upside to him.

Tasmania
Mitch Robinson - He was one I hadn't seen or heard much of until today, but he played off the wing and half-back and won 21 possessions. His athleticism, the way he found space all day, his run-and-carry and the way he used the ball impressed me. I didn't see much of him the other day, but he bobbed up against the Northern Territory.

Tom Salter - He got 24 possessions in game one and got 19 in his second match. He was good, in and around the contests, and started the game really well. I had a question mark against him in game one - he turned it over a couple of times - but he didn't miss a target in game two, so that was really good.

Aaron Cornelius - A lot is expected from Aaron, but I thought he was okay. Every time he went to the contest, he had three guys around him - he's going to get that a lot because he is a super overhead mark - but he still managed to take some good contested marks. I thought he worked really well and as a key forward, it can become frustrating playing against three players. He took six marks, three contested and finished with three goals.
Bart McCulloch - Bart didn't get a lot against the Territory but I was impressed with him in game one. He has good agility for a big bloke and makes good decisions. He could be okay.

 

[rizzo]

New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory v Tasmania

TASMANIA has won it first division-two title since 2005 and now enters the division-one section as the most likely challenger to South Australia, Victoria Country, Victoria Metropolitan and Western Australia in this year's NAB AFL under-18 championships.

The Apple Isle made it three from three after breaking away from NSW/ACT during the final quarter at Casey Fields on Tuesday.

Tasmania 13.6 (84) defeated NSW/ACT 8.7 (55) by 29 points, after the islanders booted six goals to two in the last term.

It was the Rams' first loss, but they too will take on the division-one teams, having finished second with two wins from three matches.

Mitch Robinson’s fine form for Tassie over the three matches earned him the Hunter Harrison Medal for the best division-two player and his state's Most Valuable Player award. He claimed 16 disposals and booted two goals in his side's win on Tuesday.

Joseph Groenewegen with 27 hit outs and Jake Cox, who had 15 touches and four scoring assists, were also fine players for Tassie.

NSW/ACT's Ranga Ediriwickrama, who is tied to Geelong via the scholarship scheme, was again the leading ball-winner with 24 touches, as Luke Bruest claimed his side's MVP award.

New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory 1.1 5.3 6.6 8.7 (55)
Tasmania 2.1 5.1 7.5 13.6 (84)

GOALS
NSW/ACT: Duryea 3, Breust 2, Foster, Gilchrist, Gordon
Tasmania: Cornelius 2, Hislop 2, Robinson 2, Cox, Crichton, McCulloch, Groenewegen, Michocek, O'Brien, Symmons

BEST
NSW/ACT: Ediriwickrama, Breust, Stubbs, Duryea, Duncan, Kirkwood, McNeil
Tasmania: Robinson, Groenewegen, Cox, Williams, O'Brien, Allwright

Division-two qualifying series (match five) played at Casey Fields





Northern Territory v Queensland

NORTHERN Territory may have played a dead-rubber against Queensland in the second match at Casey Fields, but the Thunder ensured the Scorpions would finish the NAB AFL under-18 championships without a victory, winning by 54 points.

The Territory 14.7 (91) thrashed Queensland 5.7 (37), after the Thunder booted nine goals to three during the second and third quarters.

The Northern Territory’s Peter Rolfe, who booted five goals in game two, backed up with another impressive display, chipping in with three goals and 17 touches. Another one to catch the eye was high-leaping and contested marker Casey Sibosado.

Northern Territory's Most Valuable Player award went to the diminutive, but exciting, Patrick Heenan who claimed 24 touches against the Scorpions.

Charlie Sharples (28 disposals) was the Territory's leading ball-winner, although Queensland's Dayne Beams won a game-high 34 disposals in a fine display.

Ball-magnet Matt Thomson capped off a fine carnival with 25 touches against the Thunder, as well as Queensland's Most Valuable Player award.

Northern Territory 4.3 9.4 13.6 14.7 (91)
Queensland 1.3 3.3 4.4 5.7 (37)

GOALS
Northern Territory: Farmer 3, Rolfe 3, Sibosado 2, Tungatalun 2, Gugliotta, Heenan, Phoenix, Schaper
Queensland: Green 2, Myers 2, Fowler

BEST
Northern Territory: Sharples, Rolfe, Sibosado, Heenan, Farmer, Hale, Ah Chee
Queensland: Beams, Holman, Myers, Thomson, James, Stanley

Division two qualifying series (match six) played at Casey Fields

* The Division Two Hunter-Harrison Medal was won by Mitch Robinson from Tasmania

* The NAB MVP Awards were awarded to Luke Breust (NSW/ACT), Mitch Robinson (TAS), Patrick Heenan (NT) and Matt Thomson (QLD).

 

[rizzo]

On Tuesday, we spoke to Geelong recruiting assistant Luke Williams.

His comments came after the third day's division-two matches at Casey Fields, where Tasmania defeated NSW/ACT by 29 points to win the second division title.

Those two teams have advanced through to the next stage to take on South Australia, Victoria Country, Victoria Metropolitan and Western Australia. In the final division two matches, the Northern Territory claimed its first win and kept Queensland winless by 54 points.

NEW SOUTH WALES/AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

Luke Breust - I thought he had a really influential game. He used the ball well and was quite creative with his hands. He's really clean with his hands. Luke booted two goals.

Josh Duncan - Josh ran pretty hard and took the ball inside 50 five times.

Ranga Ediriwickrama - Ranga had a good game. He's one of our scholarship boys and we've been really happy with his carnival and he's won a lot of footy. He worked really hard around the stoppages and has won contested footy, so he should be proud of his efforts.

Anthony Stubbs - Stubbs is a West Coast scholarship holder and I thought he was really good, particularly in the second half across centre half-back. I thought he competed really hard, won the contested ball OK.

NORTHERN TERRITORY

Charlie Sharples - I thought Charlie's first quarter, in particular his work-rate and work-ethic, was terrific. He showed a bit of speed and was competitive, so he helped set the scene for the Territory.

Roy Farmer - I thought Roy Farmer in the second quarter was exciting. He kicked three goals in the second quarter and showed his Indigenous magic.

Casey Sibosado - He took some really strong contested marks. He's got a good build and has a real presence during the game.

QUEENSLAND

Justin Myers - Myers has had a really consistent carnival off half-back. He is well-balanced and uses the ball well on both sides of the body. He had another consistent game.

John James - John played in the forward pocket and was pretty lively and worked really hard in the forward line.

Dayne Beams - He was an outstanding player for Queensland. In my opinion, that was the better of his games in these championships. He came off the wing and marked the ball well and used it well on both sides of the body. He also gave his side good run, particularly in the second half.

TASMANIA

Mitch Robinson - Mitch played off the half-back flank and his first quarter was terrific. Like Charlie Sharples for Northern Territory, Mitch helped set the standard for Tassie in the first quarter.

Adrian Williams - He had a really honest, competitive game at centre half-back, so he should be pretty proud of his efforts. He was pivotal for Tassie.

Tom Salter - He battled hard through the midfield.

Brentyn Milverton - As did Milverton, who also worked hard in the middle

 

[rizzo]

The Northern Territory again displayed their wizardry and skills, and took on the opposition with speed and agility. This was particularly evident on the wide spaces of Casey Fields.

The Indigenous boys in particular only have to look at the likes of Austin Wonaeamirri and Cyril Rioli for inspiration. Who's to say there can't be another Aussie or Cyril among the NT players?

Patrick Heenan and Charlie Sharples were prolific ball-winners and very exciting players.

Although Queensland failed to win a match throughout the championships, it possessed some enormous height in its side. Long-term, this is very promising for the likes of Charlie Dixon (199cm), Zac Smith (203cm) and Lachlan Keefe (204cm). Another Queenslander to impress was midfielder Dayne Beams.

For NSW/ACT, Ranga Ediriwickrama, who is of Sri Lankan heritage and is a scholarship holder with Geelong, is a ball-magnet. He was very impressive across the three matches.

Two more scholarship holders with AFL clubs -- Josh Duncan (St Kilda) and Scott Reed (Collingwood) -- were others who caught the eye. Midfielder Luke Breust also had an excellent three games.

The promising Bart McCulloch (198cm) stood out for Tasmania, as a ruckman/key forward. His teammate, Aaron Cornelius, was outstanding in attack and his strong marking was a feature.

The Hunter Harrison medal for division two's best player went to 188cm ball-winning midfielder Mitch Robinson from Tasmania. Robinson has also played some matches for Tassie Devils in the VFL.

Harrison was an administrator in the Northern Territory for a long time and he now lives in Queensland. He was a wonderful contributor to the national vision of the game.

 

[Cohzee]

When is Ranga available to be drafted? Can't wait to see him play.

 

[rizzo]

When is Ranga available to be drafted? Can't wait to see him play.

This year mate. We can either Rookie list him or Senior list him. It's our choice.

 

[Barabbas]

He's starting to sound like a shoe-in. Thanks for posting all that Rizzo.