Western Australia

Matt DeBoer – The most noticeable thing with Matt is his considerably high work rate, and he does accumulate possessions, having 23 against Vic Country. But his disposal isn't always polished and he probably doesn't influence the game as much as he should because of that. But it's pleasing to see Matt continually working so hard and you've got to admire how he goes about it.

Neville Jetta – I've watched Neville the last couple of weeks and he is very exciting. He has great evasive skills and used the ball well against Country with 15 possessions. Playing further up the ground in a high half forward role he had seven inside 50s and three tackles. He really did show a bit and he's been quite consistent over the entire carnival.

Steven Hill – I've watched this young player very closely and he's had a very consistent three games. Steven's a left footer and played midfield and centre half back against Country displaying great balance with his 15 possessions. Also impressive was how he uses the ball, he is quite creative with his hands. He looks like being a real good player actually and he's got a high work rate, we tracked him covering 15kms in his first match this carnival.

Nick Naitanui – Nick was hard to ignore again, just for the fact he's had 10 clearances and six tackles. I suppose the thing with Nick, and what we've become accustomed to, is he's got great athleticism and he's great in and around the contests. I suppose because he shows so much we tend to mark his card a bit harshly.

It would be great to see him win more of the footy away from the contest though because his possessions are all coming from the follow-up work from his ruck contests – there's nothing really across half-forward or half-back. He's making the play around the contest but he is new to the game and it's part of his football education. I'd love it if WA could get a situation where he could play as more of a forward, but anything he does in contested situations is quite extraordinary.

Jordan Roughead – Playing against Naitanui, he didn’t get the same stats but managed to sneak forward for a goal. He competed really well early but what grabbed my attention, and it did against NSW/ACT as well, was his strength in the air. He's got a great overhead grab and good agility so he appears to have a promising future.

Andrew Browne – Also rucked opposed to Naitanui and competed really well. Was crucial to his side, giving Country a bailout long target and eventually finishing with two goals. 

Jack Ziebell – This kid was the star in my opinion. He was outstanding and uses the ball so well. I've been lucky enough to have a bit to do with him through the AIS academy this year, and it's a big call, but I think he has AFL leadership written all over him. Against WA he was tough in the contest, his clearance work was fantastic and he set the standard for his teammates early diving head first into a contest.

When he was needed most in the final term he was winning contested football and also taking contested marks across half-forward. He just reads the play so well and as a result ended up with 22 touches. Jack also had seven clearances and three tackles and he is a great player to have back in the side, firing for Victoria Country.

Will Martiniello – Played in the midfield and was extremely disciplined. He had the task of running with Daniel Rich and really did the job. When you go to a great player like Rich, it's not about just sitting on him, you need to put some pressure back on your opponent and get the ball yourself. He did that and when he had it in his hands he used it well. He found the ball 19 times and had three clearances. But it wasn't so much about the negating role - he went and got the footy.

Nick Suban – Got my attention for different reasons against WA. He's an on-baller, but full credit to the Country coaching staff, they changed things up against the home side. He played as a permanent small defender on Chris Yarran, an exciting talent who looked extremely dangerous, and wore him like a glove.

He provided good rebound when needed and uses the ball exquisitely. Nick's another AIS academy boy and to see him play a different role on a dangerous forward was a real positive. It was a great game for his development.

Riley Milne – A tall and lean key defender who had escaped my attention in the first couple of games. He really impressed early with his attack on the footy and courage to play in front. He was good overhead and also ended up winning a bit of footy, with 18 disposals and six rebound 50s.

Jamie Sheahan – Very clever with his hands, good in close and uses the ball effectively. For a small player he is good overhead as well. He ended up with 17 disposals and has had a pretty consistent carnival. The standard was set pretty early by the Country boys and Jamie had a lot to do with that. He showed they were going to be a tough team to beat and it proved correct.

The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.