VIC COUNTRY
Andrew Hooper – Andrew is very interesting. I saw him at under-16 level and last year when he won Vic Country's most valuable player. He predominantly played back pocket/half-back and just keeps getting the footy. He finished with 26 disposals, 13 marks, including four contested, which is a fair effort considering he is 172cm. He is Brent Harvey's size with a stocky body shape. With the evolution of small forwards, you've got to have someone to play on them and he fits the bill. He's very quick over 20 metres and is really strong in the contest.
Draft eligibility: 2009 NAB AFL Draft
Dustin Martin – was very impressive. It was the first time I'd seen him play. He played midfield and deep forward. He is strong, showed very clean hands and is good on both sides of the body. He had a big influence, particularly in the first half.
Draft eligibility: 2009 NAB AFL Draft
Ben Cunnington – Ben played midfield/deep forward. He has really strong hands and attacks the footy. He looked really dangerous when he was on the lead and finished well.
Draft eligibility: 2009 NAB AFL Draft
Koby Stevens – His first half was workmanlike and he didn't standout early, but his second half was very good. He finished with 23 possessions, 10 tackles and four inside 50s. His work in close and hardness at the contest was impressive. He showed these attributes during his time in the AIS/AFL academy.
Draft eligibility: 2009 NAB AFL Draft
VIC METRO
Tom Scully – Was best-on-ground. He has a fantastic work-rate and when others were starting to tire, he was still working and running. Early on, he wasn't as clean as what he normally is, but he settled in pretty quickly. His hands in close were unbelievable – they were lightning and able to find teammates in space. Tom finished with four clearances and 33 disposals, including 23 handballs. He hardly missed a target with his hands.
Draft eligibility: 2009 NAB AFL Draft
Josh Toy – Josh played off half-back. He had 25 disposals, four inside 50s and four rebounds. He has a wonderful attack on the ball, backs himself and provides run-and-carry. Josh is also a penetrating kick.
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 by Gold Coast, he is eligible for 2010 NAB AFL Draft.
Sam Shaw – It was the first time I've seen Sam play. He displayed athletic attributes, was very agile and really good overhead. He finished with 21 disposals and 11 contested possessions. It was a good performance.
Draft eligibility: 2009 NAB AFL Draft
Andrew Moore – He played as a lead-up centre half-forward and was extremely impressive. He kicked two goals, showed strong hands and possesses a good vertical leap. You could see him playing a Ryan O'Keefe-type role. He is the brother of Richmond's Kelvin.
Draft eligibility: 2009 NAB AFL Draft
Western Australia 19.12 (126) def. South Australia 12.6 (78)
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Anthony Morabito – An AIS/AFL academy graduate, Anthony was outstanding. He doesn't get the possessions some others do – he had 19 touches – but he influenced the game. He played on the wing, had four clearances, six inside 50s and kicked two goals. His run-and-carry and assists were highlights. His mix of uncontested and contested footy is very good.
Draft eligibility: 2009 NAB AFL Draft
David Swallow – The brother of North Melbourne's Andrew played at half-back. He came through the AIS/AFL academy and has a wonderful work-ethic. He is really good in contested situations and finished with 27 disposals and seven marks. David is really good around the stoppages and rebounded six times.
Draft eligibility: 2010 NAB AFL Draft
Brandon Matera – The son of Wally and nephew of Peter and Phil. He was phenomenal. He's a left-footer and reminded me of Phil. Predominantly a forward pocket, he moved up to half-forward and was a livewire. He was really good on the lead, can win it in contested situations and is good overhead. He had 19 disposals, four inside 50s and kicked 4.4. He loves kicking a goal, but also gave some away.
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 by Gold Coast, he is eligible for 2010 NAB AFL Draft.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Jack Trengove – Jack is the South Australian captain. He was outstanding with 31 disposals, 13 contested possessions, six tackles, eight clearances and six inside 50s. He's got a mature body, kicks the ball well, is well balanced and makes good decisions. Jack played in the midfield and as a lead-up half-forward. He loves a contest and was ferocious with his attack on the footy.
Draft eligibility: 2009 NAB AFL Draft
Matthew Panos – Kicked three goals playing at centre half-forward. He took eight marks, including three contested, and had two scoring assists. Matthew has strong hands and presented well all day. His finishing in front of goal was exceptional and he also has good acceleration. He was hard to stop on the lead.
Draft eligibility: 2009 NAB AFL Draft
Alex Carey – Alex had 21 disposals, 11 contested possessions and four clearances. He was playing half-forward and changing through the midfield. He was really clean, good around the stoppages and courageous, putting his body on the line. Alex is an AIS/AFL academy graduate.
Draft eligibility: 2009 NAB AFL Draft
Sam Day – Sam played as a key defender and forward. He was exciting, although he only got 11 disposals. He took three fantastic contested marks and kicked two goals when he went forward in the second half. Sam is athletic, has strong hands and really competes. He has played high-level basketball and is also an outstanding baseballer. Sam is already 196cm, despite being a bottom-ager.
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.
