TAC Cup 2016 season

[Scribe]

With less than a week to the real stuff, I reckon it's high time to get the season (and the conversation) rolling.

We had two exciting, slick and high quality games today at Linton Street Moorabbin with Sandringham shading Oakleigh Chargers in both hit-outs by a goal in the main game and three goals in the curtain raiser.

Le Dragons will be looking for an improved 2016 but will obviously suffer from the schoolboy seasons and AFL championships cutting deep into our lists. List management is the key!

Having played close tussles in our other PMs against Gippsland and Dandenong the season looms as a tight one on the Metro front with not much separating the four teams I've seen thus far.

 

[Bishop]

I'd suggest Sandy will make finals after a disappointing year last season. They've got some real quality, I liked what I saw from Andy McGrath & Corey Lyons last yr so I'll be intrigued to see how they go throughout this year.

Both Oakleigh & Sandy will lose a fair few for APS, I dare say Oakleigh should be up there again this year. Keep on eye on Dylan Clarke, for me he's someone who should poll very well for the Morrish Medal (assuming APS doesn't get in the way too much)!

 

[beowulf]

Alas, I can see the Pioneers struggle again this year. The Pios have a number of kids who look draftable, enough to get a few more wins on the board, but the depth is a question.
I'll be looking at them with interest, as a few former students of mine are in the squad.
For that matter, I should be looking carefully at the Western Jets' list. I am be teaching a few lads on it.

 

[Bishop]

Well today was a mixed bag, Oakleigh looked like they'd win before Western turned it on & kicked 6 goals to 0 in the last. Pat Kerr took some nice overhead clunks and kicked 4, Nathan Boucher was nice for Chargers too- However, tends to really look for his left foot all the time. Jack Higgins for me was best on, he's one to watch for 2017 (but won the medal for the best player in the U16 champs). Dan Venables & Mr Nicholls instrumental in the Jets getting the win in the last quarter.

Dragons dominated Knights from the first bounce, speedy forward Anthony Zimmermann kicked 3 for Sandy & H. McLean kicked 5- Both bottom age. Taranto was ok, McGrath quiet. Setterfield was very good and Goy Lok (19 yr old) probably had the most disposals (I haven't checked the stats yet mind you) Easy 90 pt win for Sandy, honestly think Northern will finish in the bottom 2...

Also stumbled across this goal from Collingwood Father/Son prospect Josh Daicos today:

 

[Scribe]

Poor 2nd quarter for the Dragons where the boys got way ahead of themselves and, but for poor conversion in front of goals by the Knights, it should have been much closer at the main break than 3 goals.

Second half was an absolute procession with Lachie Filipovic and Jesse Smith dominating the ruck and the Dragons defensive efforts making it much harder for Northern to enter their 50, let alone score.

15 goals to 3 pretty much sums it up. Probably a combination of an ordinary Knights outfit and our lads playing closer to their potential with better team oriented/defence first mindset.

Given half our first choice side will be gone after round 3, we needed to start the season well, and have a tough assignment next Sunday night out at RAMS Stadium against the Cannons.

 

[Rancid Trogs]

Well today was a mixed bag, Oakleigh looked like they'd win before Western turned it on & kicked 6 goals to 0 in the last. Pat Kerr took some nice overhead clunks and kicked 4, Nathan Boucher was nice for Chargers too- However, tends to really look for his left foot all the time. Jack Higgins for me was best on, he's one to watch for 2017 (but won the medal for the best player in the U16 champs). Dan Venables & Mr Nicholls instrumental in the Jets getting the win in the last quarter.

Dragons dominated Knights from the first bounce, speedy forward Anthony Zimmermann kicked 3 for Sandy & H. McLean kicked 5- Both bottom age. Taranto was ok, McGrath quiet. Setterfield was very good and Goy Lok (19 yr old) probably had the most disposals (I haven't checked the stats yet mind you) Easy 90 pt win for Sandy, honestly think Northern will finish in the bottom 2...

Also stumbled across this goal from Collingwood Father/Son prospect Josh Daicos today:

How did Giarrizzo (for western) go?

 

[Bishop]

How did Giarrizzo (for western) go?

Played ok in the midfield, must admit I didn't notice him as much as I would have expected for someone with 21 disposals... 5 tackles & a goal too.

 

[completelyclean]

How did Cam Polson and Corey Lyons play for the Dragons?
And Luke Bunker for the Knights?

 

[Scribe]

How did Cam Polson and Corey Lyons play for the Dragons?
And Luke Bunker for the Knights?

Polson and Lyons were both excellent defensively and efficient with the footy when they had it. Solid 7 to 8/10s for mine.

 

[Bishop]

How did Cam Polson and Corey Lyons play for the Dragons?
And Luke Bunker for the Knights?

Both Lyons & Polson had 20 disposals, Lyons kicked at under 50% though. Both spent a bit of time of the outside and came off the HF flank at stages, Polson had bright boots on so stood out to the ground I've seen Polson a fair bit last yr, not sure he'll be drafted but is a good solid player but at his size 177cm he probably doesn't have enough tricks to be drafted at that height. Lyons is someone I really rate, played good footy last yr in the TAC Cup- Balanced midfielder and can play both inside & outside. As scribe said probably 7-8/10 game, but the Dragons were hardly tested on Saturday & it looked like a training run to be honest.

Bunker was one of the only standouts for the Knights, 25 disposals (&12 marks) has got good size about him, spent a bit of time in the middle and behind the ball when the Knights struggled.

 

[completelyclean]

Bishop, did you get to any of the weekends games?

 

[Bishop]

Bishop, did you get to any of the weekends games?

Yep I was at Ikon for the double header, the last game ER v WJ put me off going out to RAMS to watch a third game for the day!

Northern were horrible the week before, but fought back on Sunday and nearly pinched it. With about 10 recalled bounces, 5 seconds each. 50 seconds more of time would have helped with Northern having the ball about 80m from goal.

188cm Pat Lipiniski was really good, took a few contested marks inside 50 & kicked three- I'm looking forward to following him, I think he's a chance, one knock on him is he doesn't really like contact and will kick the ball as soon as someone goes near him.
173cm half back flanker Lachlan Murphy was good, despite his height marks well overhead and really set them up from defence. Nice left foot and moves well around the ground has some pace.
Carlton F/S prospect Jake Bradley played his best TAC Cup game collecting 22 disposals, he was really impressive in the midfield and running forward kicking two goals. One of his goals he collected the ball from HB and kick it forward, then followed it up by running 100m and marking the next kick inside 50 and goaling.
Liam Bunker had 26 disposals, but I didn't notice him as much as the others.

Oakleigh looked good again, they've got some pace with guys like Ed Phillips, Vince Adduci,Jono Aujard, Dion Johnstone- all of whom had solid games and provide Oakleigh running the ball and kicking it inside 50.
Tall utility Sam McLarty was disappointing again for me, I don't see it like others do with him- But I'm happy to be convinced, takes nice marks overhead inside 50- But he has no idea where to lead and no clue about where to run. Also tends to go for chest marks at stages rather than taking the ball out in front of him.
Josh Daicos had a really good first quarter, played up on the wing compared with last week when he spent most the game forward, He went quiet until the last quarter, but was a good showing for Josh. He'll be drafted as a 17 year old, so he's young...
A person who jumped at me was 192cm Toby Wooler, someone I hadn't noticed in the past. Played forward, took strong marks as a leading target. Moves very well for someone at 192cm, he was apart of the Vic Metro U16s last year and is bottom age so one to watch for next year.
Another bottom ager Jack Higgins once again excellent- Two fantastic performances in a row from the U16 player of the carnival last year.
Pat Kerr was very quiet, got frustrated by missing a few chances- but nailed a winning goal in a sense.


ER v WJ

Horrible standard of game, a lot of turnovers/errors most recruiters left at HT go to the Dragons vs Cannons game.
Dylan Clarke used his left foot well, no doubt he'll be drafted in a similar range to Ryan. At 187cm, nice size and moves well on the inside.
Another Collingwood F/S Callum Brown was OK- Didn't stand out as much as Daicos did in the early game, but Derek Hine & his assistants were watching on closely. He's probably a rookie prospect at best.
Jackson Ross a bottom ager from Eastern played really well on the wing/HFF, suprised he wasn't in the best. Jake McCormack kicked four goals, all relatively easy in a sense as the pressure from WJ wasn't flash.

Venables/Giarrizzo were quiet, same with Mickey Nicholls who kicked four the week before. Brodie Romensky I think he's been solid in both games in defence, is he draftable? At this stage, I don't think so. I stood next to him near the huddle last week, nice size about him. One thing I noticed about him last year was he has a really good kick about him, which is always a good thing for a defender coming out of D50.

 

[grundog49]

Yep I was at Ikon for the double header, the last game ER v WJ put me off going out to RAMS to watch a third game for the day!

Northern were horrible the week before, but fought back on Sunday and nearly pinched it. With about 10 recalled bounces, 5 seconds each. 50 seconds more of time would have helped with Northern having the ball about 80m from goal.

188cm Pat Lipiniski was really good, took a few contested marks inside 50 & kicked three- I'm looking forward to following him, I think he's a chance, one knock on him is he doesn't really like contact and will kick the ball as soon as someone goes near him.
173cm half back flanker Lachlan Murphy was good, despite his height marks well overhead and really set them up from defence. Nice left foot and moves well around the ground has some pace.
Carlton F/S prospect Jake Bradley played his best TAC Cup game collecting 22 disposals, he was really impressive in the midfield and running forward kicking two goals. One of his goals he collected the ball from HB and kick it forward, then followed it up by running 100m and marking the next kick inside 50 and goaling.
Liam Bunker had 26 disposals, but I didn't notice him as much as the others.

Oakleigh looked good again, they've got some pace with guys like Ed Phillips, Vince Adduci,Jono Aujard, Dion Johnstone- all of whom had solid games and provide Oakleigh running the ball and kicking it inside 50.
Tall utility Sam McLarty was disappointing again for me, I don't see it like others do with him- But I'm happy to be convinced, takes nice marks overhead inside 50- But he has no idea where to lead and no clue about where to run. Also tends to go for chest marks at stages rather than taking the ball out in front of him.
Josh Daicos had a really good first quarter, played up on the wing compared with last week when he spent most the game forward, He went quiet until the last quarter, but was a good showing for Josh. He'll be drafted as a 17 year old, so he's young...
A person who jumped at me was 192cm Toby Wooler, someone I hadn't noticed in the past. Played forward, took strong marks as a leading target. Moves very well for someone at 192cm, he was apart of the Vic Metro U16s last year and is bottom age so one to watch for next year.
Another bottom ager Jack Higgins once again excellent- Two fantastic performances in a row from the U16 player of the carnival last year.
Pat Kerr was very quiet, got frustrated by missing a few chances- but nailed a winning goal in a sense.


ER v WJ

Horrible standard of game, a lot of turnovers/errors most recruiters left at HT go to the Dragons vs Cannons game.
Dylan Clarke used his left foot well, no doubt he'll be drafted in a similar range to Ryan. At 187cm, nice size and moves well on the inside.
Another Collingwood F/S Callum Brown was OK- Didn't stand out as much as Daicos did in the early game, but Derek Hine & his assistants were watching on closely. He's probably a rookie prospect at best.
Jackson Ross a bottom ager from Eastern played really well on the wing/HFF, suprised he wasn't in the best. Jake McCormack kicked four goals, all relatively easy in a sense as the pressure from WJ wasn't flash.

Venables/Giarrizzo were quiet, same with Mickey Nicholls who kicked four the week before. Brodie Romensky I think he's been solid in both games in defence, is he draftable? At this stage, I don't think so. I stood next to him near the huddle last week, nice size about him. One thing I noticed about him last year was he has a really good kick about him, which is always a good thing for a defender coming out of D50.

McLarty does his best work behind the play and that's where I think he should be. I don't like him playing forward personally.

 

[beowulf]

I had a very pleasant time at the Triple Header at QEO. A lot of the bigger names didn't play, which is a disappointment each year, but that is how it works.

Bendigo Pioneers vs Gippsland Power
The Pioneers played their best football for a long time. They managed to get ahead after half time and really ran over the top of the Power.
The Pioneers haven't many talls in recent years, but this time were not just a bunch of hobbits. Still, the list is still noticeably shorter than some of the others.
There were some really nice marks taken, considering the strong cross breeze. It was a day for guys who had the judgement and solid hands, rather just a big leap.
Daniels of Bendigo was probably BOG. He took a couple of excellent grabs and was in the action all day. Looking back at his statistics, they don't look so good. However, he was mostly on the inside getting the ball, for all of his handball receives. Others had much higher disposal efficiency percentages, but were just not as effective.
Atley was also named in the best and deserved a mention, but he was not as damaging as Daniels.

Armour kicked 3 first half goals for Gippsland and looked dangerous every time he went near the ball. However, after half time he got pretty cold.
Renooy, in the centre, was probably Gippsland's most consistent player, but he was also more damaging in the 1st half.

North Ballarat vs. Dandenong Stingrays
This was a pretty dour contest, where both sides struggled with the breeze. Neither played particularly attacking styles of football either. I was disappointed North Ballarat.
Thomas Jok of Dandenong was interesting. Until I looked at the stats I hadn't realized just how many time he received a handball from his team mates. He is a very athletic African lad who could well generate some interest come draft time. He had 30 possessions and 9 tackles. However, he is still very much learning the game.

Murray Bushrangers vs. Geelong Falcons
I was expecting a pretty close game, but the Bushies were a class above the Falcons on the day. The Falcons only kicked 1 goal to half time. Probably the highlight was the ruck duel between Max Lynch and Sean Darcy. Both lads will be looked at come draft time. Darcy reminded me of Mumford: big and solid and strong. However, he didn't get off the ground much, nor was he much of a target as he wasn't that mobile. He took a couple of very strong marks, but kicked less than impressively on his left boot.
Lynch looked less tidy, but he had more athleticism and his leap in the middle was impressive. He was also in general play more than Darcy.
Isaac Wallace of the Bushies was probably the most effective player on the ground. He was in everything and added 3 goals to the tally himself. He was strong and had a low centre of mass. It will be interesting to see how he tests out athletically later in the year.
Murray had a range of tall goal kicking options - strong marking from Bollinghaus and Harry Boyd, quick leads from Todd Marshall and goals from their smalls. They looked the strongest team of the 6 at the triple header by far.

 

[maca01]

Venables/Giarrizzo were quiet

Thats because he didn't play.

 

[Bishop]

Thats because he didn't play.

Correct

 

[Jack Richards]

Hows Battle playing?

 

[scanlon]

Hows Battle playing?

Kicked 4 goals and was in the best. Took some good contested marks

 

[Bishop]

Saw a couple of games on the weekend- Geez NT were very weak vs Sandy. Parfitt underwhelming, Hagan had some nice moments. Setterfield was about best on for Sandy but got concussed in the third quarter & they iced him up at 3QT and left him off. Tim Taranto was really good as again, as was Oli Florent & Cam Polson. Andrew McGrath was really good off HBF, would have been one of the leading disposal winners.

Young Josh Begley on debut for Eastern Ranges kicked six, sounds like an incredible effort.

Also had the chance to see some of the GWS academy lads, Max Lynch, Zach Sproule, Fletcher Carroll, Todd Marshall- All had really good games for Murray Bushrangers. Jordan Butts (2017 draft) was very impressive one to keep an eye on. Left footer Isaac Wallace is a really good player and someone who hasn't got enough plaudits.

 

[Big Bryza]

How's Lachie Harris going at Sandy?

 

[Scribe]

How's Lachie Harris going at Sandy?

He's coming along very nicely. Understands the game plan and structures well, and has performed well in preseason and PM hit outs. Given our top age midfield is strong and we roll most of them through small forward, he was always going to have to be patient whilst we have our full squad available.

As a bottom aged private schooler his APS commitments take priority now, but it would not surprise if he earns some opportunities in the second half of this season.

We expect him to be a key player for us in 2017 for sure.

 

[Gollo]

Question:

With regards to the TAC Cup match stats on Fox Sports Pulse (ex. http://www.foxsportspulse.com/round_info.cgi?a=MATCH&fixture=124571110&c=1-3020-0-392810-0&pool=1), I find it weird how the HE (effective handballs) column comes before KIE (ineffective kicks), and KE follows. Last year, the columns went: KE - KIE - HE - HIE, and I have a hunch, despite what the title says, the (now) HE column is actually for kicks. Can anyone clarify, as I would very much like to know?

 

[Bishop]

Question:

With regards to the TAC Cup match stats on Fox Sports Pulse (ex. http://www.foxsportspulse.com/round_info.cgi?a=MATCH&fixture=124571110&c=1-3020-0-392810-0&pool=1), I find it weird how the HE (effective handballs) column comes before KIE (ineffective kicks), and KE follows. Last year, the columns went: KE - KIE - HE - HIE, and I have a hunch, despite what the title says, the (now) HE column is actually for kicks. Can anyone clarify, as I would very much like to know?

I can 100% confirm that what the headings say on the TAC Cup website are correct, despite being around the wrong way (compared with last year). Just a formatting issue, but the headings relate to the right thing

 

[Gollo]

I can 100% confirm that what the headings say on the TAC Cup website are correct, despite being around the wrong way (compared with last year). Just a formatting issue, but the headings relate to the right thing

Ok, thanks very much.

 

[pinot]

Fox sports needs TAC televised like Europe has with its youth competitions.

Need a dedicated channel to show games from TAC + state leagues.