New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory – David Trotter, Calder Cannons, 185cm, 77kg
Trotter is a medium inside defender from the Calder Cannons and Assumption College. He is certainly a modern-day player, as he can play almost anywhere on the ground. He has gone forward in the lead-up games and kicked five against South Australia, as an impressive forward. We also saw him play a sweeping role across half-back, while he can even play midfield. He is a very versatile player, who is a nice size as well. Trotter has got clean hands and is a good decision maker, while he uses the ball very smartly. He mixes his footy between Assumption College, which has produced the likes of Shane Crawford and Billy Brownless, and the Calder Cannons. He is captain of Assumption College, while he was also a member of the AIS/AFL academy side this year. He has had a lot on his plate this year, but he is another who is expected to catch the eye.
Northern Territory – Raphael Clarke, St Marys, 189cm, 78kg
Well, you can’t go past Raphael Clarke, who is yet to turn 18, but will in September – the brother of Xavier. He played for the Aboriginal All-Stars earlier this year against Carlton and was impressive in that game, adding to an already impressive football CV, when you consider that he also played in these championships in the past two years. He is a tall outside midfielder, who rarely gets beaten in one-on-one situations, while he has got terrific athletic ability and has a very good aerobic capacity. He just seems to glide over the ground, while he is able to score long goals on the run. He has got that uncanny ability to find the big sticks. Clarke has had a good grounding in the Northern Territory and he is a taller version of his brother that everyone will be keeping their eye on.
Queensland – Andrew Raines, Palm Beach, 182cm, 71kg
Another name to keep an eye on will certainly be Andrew Raines, who is a medium outside midfielder who has plenty of pace and can read the play well. He missed the under-16 nationals last year due to injury, but we have seen him play some terrific football in the lead-up games. He is the son of Geoff, who was a champion player for Richmond. Geoff also played for Collingwood, Essendon and Brisbane. Andrew’s older brother Nick is already at the Brisbane Lions, as a rookie-list player. Andrew’s first crack at the championships will not only be watched closely by the Richmond recruiting people, but all football followers, who will look for the similar attributes that Geoff delighted crowds with for many years.
Tasmania – Brett Robinson, Burnie Dockers, 180cm, 68kg
Robinson is a small outside midfielder, who is capable of running over 16 plus on the beep-test. He has an enormous endurance capacity and is a great ball-winner, while he is also dangerous around the goals and reads the play very well. He has had the advantage of playing some senior games with the Tassie Devils in the VFL this year and has been a consistent midfield player for the Tassie Mariners in their under-16 and under-18 programs. Tasmania will expect a real spark from Robinson, if they are to be successful this year.
