Will post this here given it has some U18s
Young Guns Game
Got a huge glare immediately upon sitting down, not sure whether that was because I‘d happened to sit down in recruiter central or the GWS scout just didn‘t like I was wearing an Essendon cap. Not sure how many clubs were represented but SOS and his boys were in front of me, Scott Clayton and Gold Coast at the end of my row with Graeme Wright and the Hawks behind me. SOS was needling Wright throughout the game about “27 being Hawthorn‘s Buddy replacementâ€. There was a fairly buoyant feel pre-game but heading into the last Wright was commenting how it was like “looking for a diamond in a hell of a lot of rough†which was a fair description.
Onto the reviewers, with the same disclaimer from the TAC matches – eyesight is ■■■■ so I can‘t give any opinion on Pongracic, Gent, Curnow, Uysal and Rippon other than they were out there and Rippon‘s a tackling terrier and Uysal kicked a nice goal from 50.
Nick Jamieson – 21, 180, 80, Old Scotch – Outside Mid, found a fair bit of the ball and was good in patches but nothing that screamed draft me – you could say that about a lot of guys on the day
Ned Fallon – 20, 185, 86, VFL (Sandy) – Outside Mid. 2 games for Sandringham this year. I thought he was going to be something in the 1st quarter as he was everywhere, taking the game on, running the lines, probably had 7-10p…and then the 2nd quarter started and he‘d already stopped running, didn‘t notice him again until the 4th at which point he started running again. Huge tank question and his foot skills were just OK
Matt Farrelly – 20, 185, 75, VFL (Bendigo) – Half Back – 18 games for Bendigo this season. Had good foot skills but didn‘t find enough of it to really leave a lasting impression
Ben Bese – 21, 180, 85, Strathmore – Inside Mid – Can‘t comment on the centre bounce stuff but around ground he had good handball skills in close, but his kicking was borderline passable
James Linton – 22, 184, 84, Colac – Mid/Half Back – Played wing in the first half, then back flank in the 2nd. Has pace and did a few nice things, but again just flashed in and out of the play
Josh Cashman – 19, 180, 76, TAC (Gippsland) – Outside Mid – Quick, ran the lines hard, was good in traffic…and then he kicked the ball and it all fell apart. Reminded me of Jaxson Barham
Sandy Robinson – 25, 196, 92, Port Fairy/Geelong VFL – Forward/Ruck – 1 game for Geelong. Is Port Fairy‘s ruck and was drafted in from outside Geelong‘s VFL list to play ruck for them early in the year when all their other rucks were playing AFL or injured. BOG and I'd be shocked if he wasn't drafted on that performance. He was immense, leads strongly, has good hands and took marks in a variety of situations on the lead, diving forward, in packs, etc. Very mobile and didn‘t stop presenting all day, reminded me of the way David Hille played forward at his best, but a much more reliable kick. Can‘t assess his ruckwork as played purely forward as they had 2 rucks in the side already, but he could walk into the AFL as a forward alone. Hawthorn was certainly keen as Wright was talking about seeing whether Port Fairy had another game.
Angus Milham – 19, 210, 90, TAC (Oakleigh) – Ruck – First the positive, he‘s a beanpole, his tapwork was OK, acceptable handball and had a good long 50m kick on him. Now the bad – he is poor below the knees even for a ruck, and is a real liability around the ground. He was regularly outbodied and somehow outreached/jumped by a guy listed 10kgs lighter and 14cms shorter. Goes to ground way too easily for someone his size, as Wright put it “the wind blew him overâ€. He‘s the type of player you take a gamble on as a rookie and hope he improves rapidly.
Michael Boland – 22, 196, 80, VFL (Casey) – Ruck/Forward – 4 games for Casey. The guy I was referencing in Milham‘s entry. Good leap and is very mobile, but needs another year at VFL level before I think he might be draftable.
Sam Anderson – 18, 187, 72, TAC (Oakleigh) – Forward – Someone I‘d like to see more of. Had a good period in the 3rd taking two strong marks on the lead on the 50 and was an excellent kick for goal. Couldn‘t say whether he‘s draftable solely on that performance
Jake Best – 24, 186, 83, VFL (Casey) – Forward – 20 games for Casey. Played every game for Casey in his first year at VFL and is a real goalsneak. In this game he flashed in and out as he is prone to do, however he is quick and has real X-factor. Kicked a nice goal in the forward pocket that Steve Johnson would‘ve been proud of, he kicked 3 but should‘ve had 5, missing a couple of easy shots running in from 30m.
Lachlan Waddell – 18, 200, 87, TAC (Oakleigh) – Utility – Similar to Anderson, someone I‘d like to see more of as I think there is something there to work with. He played everywhere – key back in the 1st half, key forward in the 2nd half and lined up on the wing for the last 15 mins. Very athletic, took a couple of good marks up forward and was solid down back, in something of a rarity he was also taking the kick-outs which very few key backs do and he was good in role – kicking it 50-60m with regularity.
Jason Robinson – 18, 187, 80, TAC (Jets) – Forward – An excellent day for guys named Robinson, I have no idea where he was for the first 3 quarters but he blitzed the last quarter. Almost every single ball that went inside the black team's forward line he marked, it was crazy. On the lead, in a pack, he marked it and all clean one grab marks too. Was almost a dead-eye on goal as well whether 30 or 50 out, the first 3 shots the goal umpire didn't move, unfortunately he ruined things by missing his last shot just slightly. An eye-catching display that certainly perked up the recruiters.