OLIVER Florent and Shai Bolton boosted their draft standings with standout performances in the NAB All Stars Under-18 clash at Punt Road Oval on Friday as a raft of highly rated prospects impressed.
In the first time the country's leading prospects have played in the Grand Final eve game, a packed crowd saw the Chris Judd side beat the Michael O'Loughlin team by 38 points, winning 15.7 (97) to 8.11 (59).
The former champions lent their names to the contest in ambassadorial roles.
Florent was judged the best player from the O'Loughlin side, which was coached by Tadhg Kennelly, after gathering 29 disposals and seven clearances.
The classy midfielder, who played in the Sandringham Dragons' TAC Cup premiership last weekend, also registered seven inside 50 entries, highlighting his run and carry and poise. Many clubs view him as a likely first-round choice at November's draft.
Bolton is also in that category, picking up 16 disposals and a goal in an exciting display. The West Australian can break open a game with his lightning speed, and can dazzle around goal with great smarts and creativity.
Bolton was one of many exceptional performers for the Judd side, including Gold Coast academy midfielder Jack Bowes (23 disposals), Collingwood father-son prospect Josh Daicos (18) and hardened WA midfielder Sam Powell-Pepper (18).
Sam Powell-Pepper in action on Friday. Picture: AFL Photos
Possible No.1 pick Hugh McCluggage again emphasized his brilliant skill with four goals from 17 disposals, proving his ability to push forward and hit the scoreboard from the midfield.
Clever midfielder Tim Taranto, also fresh from playing a key role in the Dragons' flag last week, continued his super end to the season with 19 disposals and four goals to be judged the best player from the Judd side.
Taranto's propensity to step up at the big moments in a game has seen him rise in the eyes of many recruiters, which some seeing him as a top-10 selection.
Tim Taranto impressed to underline top-10 credentials. Picture: AFL Photos
Weakened by the loss of injured pair Will Brodie (ankle) and Will Setterfield (AC joint), the O'Loughlin side was jumped early and trailed by 11 points at quarter-time.
The Judd team kicked five goals to one in the second term to take a 34-point lead into half-time. It stayed around the same margin for the rest of the contest, which was played in an open and free-flowing fashion,
Sam Petrevski-Seton (23 disposals, eight tackles) pieced together a classy game through the midfield for the O'Loughlin side, while possible Pies father-son pick Callum Brown (21) and South Australian midfielder Jonty Scharenberg (20) were also solid.
Ben Davis, the younger brother of Sydney Swans utility Abe, kicked two goals from 10 disposals but showed flashes of his talent in attack in the final under-18 game of the season.
Clubs will have a closer look at next year's draft pool on Saturday when the 2017 prospects face off in the NAB All Stars under-17 clash at Punt Road Oval.
AFL.com.au will be live streaming the game from 10.30am AEDT.
TEAM JUDD 4.1 9.2 12.4 15.7 (97)
TEAM O'LOUGHLIN 2.2 3.4 5.8 8.11 (59)
GOALS
Team Judd: McCluggage 4, Taranto 4, Hayward 2, Battle 2, Ainsworth, Bolton, Zurhaar
Team O'Loughlin: Davis 2, Waterman 2, Poholke, Clarke, Kerr, Sproule
BEST
Team Judd: Taranto, McCluggage, McGrath, Bolton, Powell-Pepper, Daicos
Team O'Loughlin: Florent, Petrevski-Seton, Brown, Scharenberg, Scrimshaw, Davis
Want more draft news?
• The draft pool: Cal Twomey analyses this year's best prospects
• NAB AFL Under-18s: 2016 results, news and video highlights
• NAB AFL Draft Hub: Get to know your club's future stars
