Western Australia
Travis Colyer
A small midfielder with an excellent speed/endurance combination and on Wednesday he just continually took the ball at speed from stoppages. Had 23 disposals, five clearances, six inside 50s, and he’s a goalkicker – he kicked two goals. Had an outstanding, consistent carnival.
Draft eligibility: 2009 NAB AFL draft
Kane Lucas
A very good midfielder who continued his consistent form over the last couple of games. He spent a lot of time forward and was a leading possession-winner on the day playing as a high half-forward pushing up into the midfield. Had 24 disposals, six marks, three clearances and three inside 50s.
Draft eligibility: 2009 NAB AFL draft
Anthony Morabito
A tall, athletic wingman who had 17 disposals, five clearances and five inside 50s. He runs and carries the ball and is a proven goalkicker. A very good clearance player who has that real X-factor. Doesn’t need the ball 25 times to have an impact on the game – he can have it 15 or 16 times and be the most influential player on the ground.
Draft eligibility: 2009 NAB AFL draft
Vic Country
Dustin Martin
Inside midfielder, was best-on-ground in the first half and single-handedly kept Vic Country in the contest against WA. Had 20 disposals in the first half. Has a strong body, made good decisions, is an elite kick either foot, and very good around the stoppages. Had 28 disposals, seven marks and five clearances.
Draft eligibility: 2009 NAB AFL draft
Ben Cunnington
An inside midfielder, he also spent a little bit of time forward. He just continually won his own footy and was very good around the clearances. He’s got a fantastic appetite for the contest and just applies great defensive pressure on the opposition. Had 23 disposals, seven hard ball gets and three clearances.
Draft eligibility: 2009 NAB AFL draft
Gary Rohan
He is a lad who would be exciting all AFL recruiters at the moment. An electrifying half-forward flanker. Has terrific speed, uses the ball well and is a good decision maker. He’s got a great work rate, and a tremendous vertical leap. Really strong overhead – he took this sensational pack mark in the last quarter. He doesn’t need to get a lot of the football to influence the game. He had 16 disposals and five marks – two of which were contested.
Draft eligibility: 2009 NAB AFL draft
South Australia 10.13 (73) d Vic Metro 9.7 (61) at Docklands
South Australia
Luke Tapscott
A medium half-forward, strong, body-type player, just a lovely penetrating kick. He played predominantly forward but spent time through the midfield as well. He’s just been a proven goalkicker, kicking three in each of rounds four and five, and had a consistent carnival. Had 13 disposals, seven marks, five inside 50s and three goals in his final game.
Draft eligibility: 2009 NAB AFL draft
Alex Carey
Playing through the midfield and on the wing, he won a good mix of contested an uncontested ball. Ran with Tom Scully (Vic Metro) at times during the game and wasn’t disgraced at all. He continued to win the ball and had an impressive performance across the five games. Had 21 disposals and three clearances.
Draft eligibility: 2009 NAB AFL draft
Hayden Jolly
Just a really clever ball-winner. Continually wins the football and did it again on Wednesday. He was used very effectively by South Australia and looked to spend a bit more time forward. Had 21 disposals, six marks, five inside 50s, and kicked 2.3.
Draft eligibility: Gold Coast can 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.
Vic Metro
Tom Scully
Clearly the best player on the ground, even though they lost. The leading possession winner, he hardly missed a target all day. His centre square work was exceptional, with five centre clearances and six clearances. He had 27 disposals and four inside 50s. In a side that did struggle, he was outstanding. He’s handled all the expectations he’s had placed upon him exceptionally well.
Draft eligibility: 2009 NAB AFL draft
Daniel Talia
A versatile key position player who played predominantly at centre half-back throughout the championships. He went into the midfield in the last quarter on Wednesday and nearly turned the game Vic Metro’s way. A strong body, his clearance work was exceptional. He wins the contested ball well and has good speed and agility for his size. Had 24 disposals, five marks – two of which were contested – and four clearances.
Draft eligibility: 2009 NAB AFL draft
Jake Carlisle
He only had 12 disposals but four goals. And goals that came late. He’s a very versatile, athletic big man. Very good contested mark – he’s a rangy type. Along with Talia and Scully, really did give Vic Metro a chance of clawing back a game that looked to be all but lost at three-quarter time.
Draft eligibility: 2009 NAB AFL draft
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
