9am: AFL recruiters arrive at Docklands for their "big day".
Or at least that's what Melbourne national recruiting manager Barry Prendergast terms the conclusion of the 2009 NAB AFL Under-18 championships.
Prendergast has already updated Melbourne's coaching staff on the talent on offer this year, as most of them will be in attendance today.
"Obviously where we sit on the ladder we're going to get an early pick or we may get early picks," Prendergast says.
"We've also got to keep an open mind, because other blokes do come in later in the year."
9.30am: Prendergast settles by himself in front of the coach’s box at the Lockett End of the ground, roughly in front of the 50m line.
There are 11 Melbourne recruiters and officials dotted around the venue as the first match starts - including injured defender Colin Garland, who has been helping the recruiting team as he recovers from his foot injury.
"Generally we set up in different parts of the ground to get a different perspective; then we'll come together with those perspectives at a later point," Prendergast says.
"Some of the recruiters want to hone in some blokes more than others. It's left up to the individual who they want to watch, but we also want to know where they rank certain players.
"I'm keen on individual opinion, plus I've got some really experienced people who give me some advice on what they've experienced over the journey."
Sitting close by are Scott Clayton and Dom Ambrogio from the new Gold Coast franchise. Some Brisbane Lions officials are a few rows to Prendergast's left and on his right, in the next aisle, are West Coast representatives.
9.35am: As the match between Tasmania and NSW/ACT starts Prendergast takes the first of many notes for the day, and reaches for his binoculars now and then. There are few words.
Melbourne is tracking a handful of players in game one, but has an extra interest, with NSW scholarship player Ted Strudwick on display.
Strudwick impressed against South Australia last Friday at Visy Park. After today's performance that remains his best match.
Tasmania fails to kick a goal in the first half.
"Luke Russell is not playing and Tasmania's forward line is not functioning; I thought they would've been better," Prendergast says.
10.20am: During the long break, he ducks off to meet the two video analysts the Dees have at the ground.
"We've got a couple of cameras going on players we want to see - their running patterns and what they do off the ball," Prendergast says.
"It's a good opportunity to do it at this ground, because they'll be playing here.
"Two of the guys we are watching briefly matched up on each other, which worked out well."
11.30am: The Apple Isle lifts somewhat in the second half, but not enough. It loses by 37 points.
"Tasmania has been disappointing," Prendergast says. "Ryan Harwood and Jesse Crichton are good players and Marcus Davies has impressed off half-back, but it wasn't a high quality game.
"NSW/ACT has always put up a good effort in the two years I've been involved. Dylan McNeil, his last two years have been good and Trent Stubbs has shown talent."
11.40am: Northern Territory and Queensland begin the second game.
It's an unusual game for Prendergast and his colleagues to assess, as the majority of players on show are essentially tied to the Gold Coast.
"It's difficult with so many of the players out of the mix, but we must keep up with the players in case any are on offer," he says, citing Troy Taylor, a potential Gold Coast prospect, as the Territory's most draftable player.
12.45pm: At three quarter-time, he leaves his seat to meet up with development coach and ex-Demon player Kelly O'Donnell, who is sitting on the opposite side of the ground.
He also meets up with his interstate recruiters, who are headed back to their respective states on a flight later that evening.
But the group grows as the day progresses.
The final quarter is a nail-biter, with Northern Territory hanging on for a one-point win, keeping Queensland winless.
Soon, Prendergast is joined by John Turnbull, a highly-respected talent scout and former Hawthorn recruiting manager (he played a major part in constructing the 2008 premiership team), for the first of the two division one matches.
1.45pm: Vic Country and Western Australia is underway. It's clear that Prendergast is impressed with the standard of the game.
"Great footy," Prendergast says, after Country's Nathan Vardy caps off a fine team goal.
"That was a really good 20 minutes - the difference in intensity is chalk and cheese between the previous division two matches," Prendergast says at the end of the term.
A courageous mark is taken by Western Australian Nicholas Winmar - a cousin of the former Saint and Bulldogs of the same name. His effort is noted by both Prendergast and Turnbull.
2.30pm: "This is as good a first half of football as it gets at this level," Prendergast says at half time of a game WA leads by one point.
"It was outstanding. The Country boys really came to play and WA has responded.
"Getting to see the momentum shifters - guys who come along for the ride versus guys who make a difference - is important. Seeing this style of game [you see] who can make good decisions and who responds to the niggling and who doesn't."
The Melbourne contingent builds in the second half.
Former player and board member Andrew Leoncelli, chief operating officer Matthew Green and football operations general manager Chris Connolly join Prendergast and Turnbull.
3.40pm: The Sandgropers eventually run away with a 48-point win over Vic Metro, confirming their championship win.
"It's a great effort - their intensity levels haven't fluctuated. Successful teams breed successful individuals - a lot of players have put their hands up for draft contention. Vic Country had a crack, but WA had speed and played an AFL brand," Prendergast says.
"Dustin Martin has struggled in some games, but has really stepped up today and Kane Lucas has done likewise and dominated after a slow start.
"It was also great to see the Brad Sheppard and Gary Rohan match-up. Sheppard played on Jack Watts last year.
"It's also good to see John Butcher nail two goals. You want to see big blokes take marks inside 50 and kicking goals."
3.50pm: Coach Dean Bailey arrives to see the start of game four, following club commitments. The final match is between Vic Metro and South Australia.
The game is noteworthy for two players - Vic Metro's Tom Scully and South Australia's Jack Trengove.
Prendergast's thoughts?
"Jack Trengove and Tom Scully are the top end blokes," he says about the two players tipped to be top-three selections come November, therefore bringing them into Melbourne's calculations.
4.15pm: Scully is dominant for Metro. His toughness is evident. For much of the match he sports tape around his face. The blood forces Scully to switch from No.32 to No.25.
5.40pm: Although his efforts aren't enough to stop South Australia winning by 12 points, they do highlight an interesting notion from Prendergast.
"For some players who play in a good team, it's easier for them. Conversely, players who have played for teams that haven't had a good carnival, you've got to make a decision as to whether that individual can play in the AFL and your team."
"That's also pretty important in the overall picture."
6pm: With the matches over and trophies awarded, the long day is over.
But not Prendergast's recruiting commitments.
"Because the day has been long and I met with the coaching staff yesterday (Tuesday), we'll meet at a later date with the other recruiting staff to debrief the day, as I'm off to Sydney for AIS selection commitments and then the Under-16 championships," he says.
"We generally meet after a game, but there is so much to digest from four games. We won't get together for another week or two."
Melbourne already knows it will be an early player in this year's draft and Prendergast is planning accordingly.
"Our picking region in the draft is becoming more obvious," he says. "The primary focus for us is to nail the early ones, but we've also got to look at the draft in its entirety and come up with a strategy of how many draft picks we might have and what the depth is – that's hard yards for all recruiters not involved in Gold Coast.
"Our picks have been more scrutinised than anyone in recent times, because we had pick one last year and we're in that spot again at the moment."
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
