Northern Territory
Scott Taylor – He had 20 disposals, eight marks and six tackles. A hard in-and-under midfielder, his kicking isn’t great but has improved. He is an unbelievable competitor. He was one of the shining lights.
Draft eligibility: 2009 NAB AFL Draft
Roland Ah Chee – Backed up his outstanding round one performance with 25 disposals and seven marks. Although he tired a little in the third quarter, his work-rate was quite phenomenal.
Draft eligibility: 2009 NAB AFL Draft
Troy Taylor – He played full-forward, pushing up to centre half-forward, breaking even with Blayne Wilson, a good young player. His agility at ground level was quite amazing. There is something about him; he is a real draftable player. He has pure x-factor.
Draft eligibility: 2009 NAB AFL Draft
Western Australia
Mitch Duncan – The lead-up forward kicked three goals, won 19 disposals and seven marks (four contested). He presented and used the ball well. Made senior WAFL debut in round one for East Perth, but hurt his knee, so has only been playing recently again.
Draft eligibility: 2009 NAB AFL Draft
Mark Hutchings – I thought he was tremendous. An inside midfielder with a high work-rate, he had 24 disposals and eight hard ball gets. He was very good around the stoppages and in close. I can see why he is Western Australia's captain.
Draft eligibility: 2009 NAB AFL Draft
David Swallow – The hard-running half-back/midfielder ran the lines and used the ball well by foot. He had 22 disposals, kicked a goal and was super. He has been outstanding in both matches.
Draft eligibility: 2010 NAB AFL Draft
Nat Fyfe – A medium-sized/third tall forward option, Nat presented well and was good in the air. He kicked three goals, had 20 disposals and took seven marks (three contested).
Draft eligibility: 2009 NAB AFL Draft
Vic Metro 24.16 (160) d New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory 8.1 (49) at Bruce Purser Oval, Rouse Hill (Western Sydney)
NSW/ACT
Jason Tutt – He had 26 disposals, six tackles, six inside-50s, five rebound 50s and a goal. Jason was really good across half-back/midfield. He kicks the ball well and runs the line. I was really impressed by him. He can hold his head high against strong opposition.
Draft eligibility: 2009 NAB AFL Draft
Jordan Williams – The left-footer uses the ball well through the midfield. He had 19 disposals (nine contested) and had six inside-50s.
Draft eligibility: 2009 NAB AFL Draft
Anthony Miles – Anthony kicked three goals, had 19 disposals and six inside-50s. He was really good around the clearances.
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, he is eligible for the 2010 NAB AFL Draft.
Vic Metro
Josh Toy – He's phenomenal. If there was a spot available at an AFL club next week, he could play immediately. His balance, composure and awareness and reading of play stood out. He is able to hit targets 55 metres lace out. Josh had 19 disposals and four inside-50s.
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, he is eligible for the 2010 NAB AFL Draft.
Ben Jacobs – He had an outstanding game, highlighted by his run-and-carry from half-back. A left-footer, he had 25 disposals, seven marks (three contested), four inside-50s and six rebound 50s. Ben also took a really good contested pack mark in the final term.
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, he is eligible for the 2010 NAB AFL Draft.
Andrew Gaff – A left-footer half-forward, he finishes well and kicked three goals. He also had two clearances and five inside-50s. Andrew was impressive again after his effort against Vic Country.
Draft eligibility: 2010 NAB AFL Draft
Daniel Talia – The centre half-back, showed courage and was really strong overhead. He was good in the contest and at ground level. He had 23 disposals (10 contested), six marks and two scoring assists. He really impressed me as an attacking defender.
Draft eligibility: 2009 NAB AFL Draft
Ben Griffiths – Coming off injuries last year, he was a late replacement. He smashed the game apart with five goals (three in the first term) and six marks (four contested). His marking and goalkicking technique was a feature and I loved his attack on the ball.
Draft eligibility: 2009 NAB AFL Draft
Jordan Gysberts – He had 19 disposals, seven inside-50s and kicked three goals from the midfield, pushing forward. Jordan was back to his best, winning contested and uncontested ball. It was a really pleasing performance, after being quieter in game one.
Draft eligibility: 2009 NAB AFL Draft
South Australia 12.12 (84) d Queensland 8.5 (53) at Bruce Purser Oval, Rouse Hill (Western Sydney)
South Australia
Alex Carey – Alex was really courageous and creative by hand. He had 25 disposals, six inside-50s and worked really hard defensively with six tackles. He was good around the stoppages (four clearances), playing midfield/wing. He has been good in both matches.
Draft eligibility: 2009 NAB AFL Draft
Fraser Evans – He looked really solid over head and used the ball well. Fraser had 19 disposals and nullified his direct opponent. His ability to shut down, win the ball and be creative was really impressive.
Draft eligibility: 2009 NAB AFL Draft
Jack Trengove – The captain was impressive again. He won 31 disposals in game one, and although he had 18 against Queensland, his class shone through, particularly when he snapped a last quarter goal over his shoulder. He is a courageous midfielder/forward.
Draft eligibility: 2009 NAB AFL Draft
Queensland
Marc Lock – A taller midfielder at 190cm, he is the Queensland captain. He had 25 disposals, eight marks and seven tackles. Marc has a great work-rate, although his kicking let him down at times. But I love his character and the way he goes about it.
Draft eligibility: 2009 NAB AFL Draft
Josh Thomas – A tenacious inside midfielder, Thomas had 24 disposals, seven clearances and five inside-50s.
Draft eligibility: 2009 NAB AFL Draft
Vic Country 12.13 (85) d Tasmania 10.11 (71) at Bellerive Oval, Hobart
Tasmania
Marcus Davies – An attacking half-back, he was very good overhead, showing balance and composure. I thought he was best-on-ground up until half time. He slowed up a little bit in the second half, but he was still one of Tassie's top three players.
Draft eligibility: 2009 NAB AFL Draft
Ryan Harwood – He played in the midfield and had 22 disposals. His clearance work and offensive pressure stood out. I thought it was a really good effort, although he turned the ball over a little more than he'd like by foot. But his contested work is impressive.
Draft eligibility: 2009 NAB AFL Draft
Luke Russell – He spent 75 to 80 per cent as a half-forward, rather than in the midfield, and was a real focal point. He kicked three goals, had 13 disposals and four inside-50s. Luke's ability to lead-up and play in front was impressive. He has a great vertical leap.
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, he is eligible for the 2010 NAB AFL Draft.
Vic Country
Ryan Bastinac – He had 25 disposals and had a good balance of rebound 50s (four) and inside-50s (five). Played win/half-back and possesses good awareness and clean hands. He also uses the ball really well.
Draft eligibility: 2009 NAB AFL Draft
Andrew Hooper – The small defender again played well with 25 touches and three clearances. He played on Russell and caused him some concerns in the air, but at ground level Hooper was very good. He later moved in the midfield and helped change the game.
Draft eligibility: 2009 NAB AFL Draft
Dustin Martin – He was a bit slow to get going, but his last quarter and a half was just outstanding. He finished with 23 disposals, six marks, five inside-50s and three clearances. His doesn't go to ground and is good by foot on left and right.
Draft eligibility: 2009 NAB AFL Draft
Kallen Geary – I liked Kallen's game – the brother of St Kilda's Jarryn. He played midfield/half-back and finished with 22 disposals, six marks, four inside-50s and two rebound 50s. He was clean, made good decisions and showed tremendous courage.
Draft eligibility: 2009 NAB AFL Draft
David Astbury – He played centre half-back and was quite solid. What he showed was an ability to be flexible, as he pushed forward. He had 13 disposals and four rebound 50s, but he kicked a couple of crucial final quarter goals. At 193cm, he is a mobile tall.
Draft eligibility: 2009 NAB AFL Draft
Koby Stevens – He was unbelievable with his attack on the ball. He had 22 disposals, nine tackles (after laying 10 last match), four clearances, six inside-50s and three rebound 50s. He has a phenomenal work-rate and you're never going to die wondering with Koby.
Draft eligibility: 2009 NAB AFL Draft
John Butcher – The big focal point up forward had 19 disposals, seven marks (three contested), although his goalkicking let him down. He booted two goals and five behinds.
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.
