NEWLY appointed AIS/AFL academy high performance coach Jason McCartney looks at the players who caught his eye in the fourth round of the 2009 NAB AFL Under-18 championships.
South Australia 18.11 (119) d NSW/ACT 5.9 (39) at Visy Park
South Australia
Luke Tapscott – A powerfully-built midfielder who spends time forward. He was very good overhead. He's a penetrating kick and booted 3.3. He is quite dangerous around goal, has good defensive skills and had 21 disposals, five tackles and six inside 50s.
Draft eligibility: 2009 NAB AFL Draft
Jack Trengove – Jack was outstanding again – particularly early, with 10 disposals in the first quarter. He finished with 23 disposals, six inside 50s and three scoring assists. An inside midfielder who is good overhead.
Draft eligibility: 2009 NAB AFL Draft
James Craig – Probably the leading ruckman in the competition, he had 24 hit-outs, 13 disposals and six marks, including two contested. He also kicked a goal, which was pleasing. He's strongly-built and has a good vertical leap.
Draft eligibility: 2009 NAB AFL Draft
Matthew Panos – The full-forward presents well and has been consistent throughout. He has strong hands and is very good on the lead. His No.1 attribute is that he is deadly accurate in front of goal. He had 13 disposals, six marks and five goals.
Draft eligibility: 2009 NAB AFL Draft
NSW/ACT
Jason Tutt – Predominantly plays half-back, he is a running backman who uses the ball well. He is a long kick and was consistent over four quarters with 20 disposals, seven tackles, four inside 50s and eight rebound 50s.
Draft eligibility: 2009 NAB AFL Draft
Trent Stubbs – A lightly-framed half-forward, he is fantastic overhead. This was highlighted by a 'speccy' in the goalsquare. He took seven marks, including four contested, 13 disposals and two goals. It was a good performance.
Draft eligibility: NSW scholarship holder with Hawthorn
Ted Strudwick – A medium-sized wingman, he was lively early and was good one-on-one. He had 12 disposals, including seven contested. He also had three inside 50s.
Draft eligibility: NSW scholarship holder with Melbourne
Vic Country 13.10 (88) d Northern Territory 5.6 (36) at Casey Fields
Vic Country
Gary Rohan – Had 12 disposals, eight marks, seven inside 50s, three tackles, kicked a goal and had three scoring assists. He was one of the best-on-ground. He is an explosive half-forward, exceptional by foot and makes every possession count. Draft eligibility: 2009 NAB AFL Draft
Ben Cunnington – Ben had 20 disposals and caught my eye again. He is just ferocious at the ball. Plays midfield/forward and is a genuine competitor.
Draft eligibility: 2009 NAB AFL Draft
Ryan Bastinac – Had 19 disposals, five tackles and six clearances and plays midfield. He makes good decisions and is a one-touch player. He is very good around the stoppages and uses the ball well by foot on both sides of the body.
Draft eligibility: 2009 NAB AFL Draft
Jasper McMillan-Pittard – The left-footer had 19 disposals after starting forward. I've seen him play midfield and back. He presented well and is a clean one-touch player.
Draft eligibility: 2009 NAB AFL Draft
Northern Territory
Scott Taylor – He has been consistent throughout the carnival. He had 24 disposals, five marks, three tackles and won 16 contested possessions. Scott was also very good around the clearances. He was the leading possession winner on the ground.
Draft eligibility: 2009 NAB AFL Draft
Charlie McAdam – The son of Gilbert claimed 19 disposals and eight marks. A left-foot running defender, he has a fantastic sidestep. He really works hard and attacks hard from the backline.
Draft eligibility: 2009 NAB AFL Draft
Deon Gordon – Claimed 18 disposals, six marks and was creative from half-back. He runs the lines and uses the ball well.
Draft eligibility: 2009 NAB AFL Draft
Vic Metro 8.7 (55) d Queensland 7.7 (49) at Casey Fields
Vic Metro
Josh Toy – Josh claimed 21 disposals, four inside 50s and one explosive, running goal. He played half-back and read the play extremely well. He repelled anything that Queensland put forward early. He was the game's leading ball-winner.
Draft eligibility: Gold Coast has the capacity to sign him as one of its 12 x 17-year-olds born January-April 1992. If not selected, he is eligible for the 2010 NAB AFL Draft.
Jake Melksham – He had 17 disposals and a game-high five inside 50s. He's an attacking winger and is quite creative by hand in close. It was a good consistent, four quarter performance.
Draft eligibility: 2009 NAB AFL Draft
Daniel Talia – Had 16 disposals, seven marks, five tackles and four inside 50s. He started really well at centre half-forward, having played at centre half-back for most of the championships. He presented and marked very well, is a really good competitor and has good speed for his size.
Draft eligibility: 2009 NAB AFL Draft
Jake Carlisle – Jake caught my eye because of his marking. He took seven marks, including three contested. He's a versatile tall, playing at either end. He wins his own footy and is a rangy type, with a good vertical leap and a super set of hands.
Draft eligibility: 2009 NAB AFL Draft
Queensland
Rory Thompson – He caught my eye in the first game as a ruckman, but spent more time up forward in this game and I was impressed with the way he won the footy. He kicked two goals from nine disposals.
Draft eligibility: Contracted to Gold Coast
Matt Fowler – Matt had 12 disposals, six marks, including two contested, three tackles and kicked 2.3. He's a medium-sized forward and is strong overhead and dangerous around goal. He's been Queensland's best forward in the championships.
Draft eligibility: Potential Gold Coast prospect
Todd Grayson – Todd had 15 disposals, including nine contested. He also had four tackles playing on the wing. He worked hard both ways and was creative by hand.
Draft eligibility: Potential Gold Coast prospect
Western Australia 23.10 (148) d Tasmania 3.2 (20) at Casey Fields
Western Australia
Jack Darling – The centre half-forward had 17 possessions – half of them were contested – and I believe he was best-on-ground. He had nine marks, including two contested, seven inside 50s, kicked five goals and had six scoring assists. He is a really strong mark, works well defensively and brings others into the game.
Draft eligibility: 2010 NAB AFL Draft
Kane Lucas – Kane had 23 disposals, seven marks, three clearances, six inside 50s and two goals. His kicking let him down as he also registered four behinds. Though he is capable in the midfield, he has been used more as a lead-up forward.
Draft eligibility: 2009 NAB AFL Draft
Blayne Wilson – Had 15 disposals, five marks, four rebounds and plays half-back. He is outstanding overhead and really good one-on-one. He uses the ball well by hand or foot.
Draft eligibility: Gold Coast has the capacity to sign him as one of its 12 x 17-year-olds born January-April 1992. If not selected, he is eligible for the 2010 NAB AFL Draft.
Brandon Matera – Had 13 disposals, four tackles, four inside 50s and five goals. He has been an outstanding small forward throughout the championships. He is a deadly accurate left-foot around goal and makes things happen. He is an entertaining livewire.
Draft eligibility: Gold Coast has the capacity to sign him as one of its 12 x 17-year-olds born January-April 1992. If not selected, he is eligible for the 2010 NAB AFL Draft.
Tasmania
Jesse Crichton – Jesse was outstanding in a side that got beaten convincingly. He had 25 disposals, three tackles, six clearances and his clearance work was outstanding. He just didn't stop trying.
Draft eligibility: 2009 NAB AFL Draft
Josh Green – He had 22 disposals, including 13 contested possessions, plus three clearances. He was tenacious in the midfield and clever around the stoppages. He has the ability to push forward and kick a goal. He has been a consistent performer.
Draft eligibility: 2010 NAB AFL Draft
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
