TARRYN Thomas showed why he looks set to be an early selection for North Melbourne at next year's NAB AFL Draft with a standout performance in an under-18 trial game for the Allies on the weekend.
Thomas, who is an indigenous prospect from Tasmania, is aligned to the Roos through their Next Generation Academy zone.
He is not eligible to be drafted until 2018 but has already shone at under-18 level and looks likely to be the first top-end pick under the NGA rules, which were established last year.
North will have priority access on Thomas, who last year was named Tasmania's MVP at under-16 and under-18 national level, but will have to acquire him through the same bidding process as father-son and northern academy prospects.
Thomas had 17 disposals and kicked a goal for the Allies against Vic Metro's trial team on Sunday, with the squad of NSW-ACT, Queensland, Northern Territory and Tasmanian players coming together for the first time ahead of June's NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.
His skills and pace caught the eye in the gloomy weather at Ikon Park in Melbourne, with the Allies splitting their squad into two groups for matches against Vic Country and Vic Metro sides.
Thomas played in the stronger outfit that beat the Metro side by 36 points, with Connor Ballenden (15 disposals, 19 hit-outs, six inside-50s) impressing with his work around the ground and fellow Brisbane Lions academy member Jack Clayton having 16 touches.
Gold Coast academy big man Brayden Crossley kicked two goals and had 27 hit-outs.
For Metro, Tom North (20 disposals), Riley Jones and Jack Petruccelle were among the players to do some nice things across the day and have an impact at stages.
Vic Country was too strong for the Allies in the other game, running out 40-point winners. Cassidy Parish, the younger brother of Essendon's Darcy, collected 30 disposals as he continues to show his abilities as a ball-winning midfielder, while Gryan Miers, Ethan Floyd and Ed McHenry were also among Country's better players.
Jake Brown had 19 disposals to lead the way for the Allies, while Zac Bailey was also excellent with 18 disposals, one goal, eight tackles and five clearances. GWS academy player Nathan Richards was used through the ruck and had 12 disposals, 15 hit-outs and kicked a goal.
Adam Sambono, who has been given special clearance to play in the national carnival as a 20-year-old after impressive form at NTFL level, kicked two goals from six touches.
TRIAL MATCHES RESULTS
Vic Country 11.15 (81)
Allies 6.5 (41)
BEST
Vic Country: Miers, Floyd, Handley, Meek, McHenry, Parish, Henness
Allies: Bailey, Richards, Hinds, Graham, Carr, Davidson
GOALS
Vic Country: Garoni 2, Meek 2, Johnston 2, McHenry, Miers, Floyd, Vandermeer, Butts
Allies: Sambono 2, Bailey, Scott, Richards, Burke
Vic Metro 6.1 (37)
Allies 11.7 (73)
BEST
Vic Metro: Jones, Petruccelle, Coffield, North, Landt, Stoddart
Allies: Thomas, Bell, Dixon, Myers, Ballenden, Clayton
GOALS
Vic Metro: Jones 2, Penrith, Petruccelle, Harman, Grace
Allies: Bell 2, Crossley 2, Hardman 2, Dixon, Thomas, Clayton, Powell, Fitzgerald
