MIDFIELDER Luke Davies-Uniacke stamped himself as one of the leading ball-winners in this year's draft class in the NAB AFL Academy's 75-point loss to VFL side the Northern Blues.
Davies-Uniacke missed last week's game for the Academy through injury but returned in Saturday night's curtain raiser at Etihad Stadium to gather a team-high 22 disposals as well as six clearances.
At 188cm and 84kg, the Dandenong Stingray is a taller midfielder who uses his body well at the stoppages, which was evident against the more mature Blues in the 17.12 (114) to 6.3 (39) defeat.
Fellow midfielders Jack Higgins (20 disposals) and Lachie Fogarty (17, seven tackles) were also among the Academy's better players in the annual contest against VFL opposition.
Others to impress included Hunter Clark, who ran well out of the back half, and Cameron Rayner, who followed his best-afield effort last week with 11 disposals and an excellent running goal. Darcy Fogarty's marking shone at stages, while Paddy Dow was busy at the stoppages.
The Academy's squad of 34 players made for plenty of rotations throughout the contest, with most players not on the ground for more than three quarters.
Ahead of Carlton's clash with Gold Coast, Blues midfielder Sam Kerridge furthered his claims to win a place in the senior side with 37 disposals, nine clearances and a goal, while first-year midfielder Cam Polson had 30 touches.
They were two of 17 listed Carlton players to take the field, with forward Kristian Jaksch kicking three goals and the speedy David Cuningham picking up 24 disposals.
Rookie Andrew Gallucci kicked four majors and Harry McKay kicked two as he continues to string solid games together in search of an AFL debut.
NAB AFL ACADEMY 4.2 5.2 5.3 6.3 (39)
NORTHERN BLUES 4.1 9.6 16.11 17.12 (114)
GOALS
NAB AFL Academy: Rayner, Spargo, Brander, Jiath, Stephenson, McLean
Northern Blues: Gallucci 4, Jaksch 3, McKay 2, Glass-McCasker 2, Kerridge, Polson, Boekhorst, Smedts, Sheehan, Phillips
BEST
NAB AFL Academy: Davies-Uniacke, L.Fogarty, Higgins, Rayner, Clark
Northern Blues: Kerridge, Polson, Cuningham, Smedts, Jaksch, Boekhorst
