The APS made it six-in-a-row with a come from behind victory over the AGSV out at Marcellin College on Saturday.

Both sides were missing a raft of players, where you could almost put together a 22 between the two schools of the notable absentees.

The APS themselves even had a very late out, with Haileybury’s Jack Scrimshaw pulling out just 24 hours before the clash.

Whilst the skill level wasn’t superb between the two schools, a few players put their hand up in front of the scouts and recruiters from multiple clubs.

Matt Balmer’s scouting notes:

AGSV

#2 Lachlan Murphy– I really like Murphy. Uses the ball effectively off his left foot, where the ball spins perfectly off the boot. Kicked two goals in the first quarter, but did his best work around the contest. Looks most at home off half back, but has the ability to play wherever he is needed. Also took a few strong overhead marks, which isn’t associated with players standing at 173cm.

#11 Luke Bunker– A quiet game for the AGSV captain. Played mostly inside midfielder, but looked a touch off pace. Wonder whether he carried over a niggle from the Knights game the week before. His clearance work in the contest is good, but can be a bit one paced at stages. Has the ability to lay strong crunching tackles.

#12 Matthew Signorello– There is just something about Signorello. At his best, he can look outstanding with a flash of speed and agility to get past his opponent. At his worst, he’ll butcher the ball and miss the simplest of handballs. Needs to work on his consistency, but he has the ability to create a very good highlights reel. Did both against APS, but would’ve been one of the bigger disposal winners.

#23 Max Williams– Williams’ form at TAC Cup level has been ok for Sandringham. Playing as a key defender, he was solid one-on-one, but butchered the ball at stages coming from defence with a few clangers.

#43 Nick Larkey– Kicked two of the first three goals of the contest and looked like he could really break the game open up forward. APS moved Brander onto him and Larkey was kept quiet for majority of the contest. Larkey did bob up again in the last quarter, but was well held by Brander. Had a few opportunities to clunk on balls which he really should’ve marked.

Honourable mentions to Mitchell Lewis who showed some promise up forward, while Christian Farchione used his left foot well around the ground.

APS

#5 Callum Searle– One of the few Vic Metro representatives playing for either side. Searle played mostly deep in defence in the back pocket and was reasonably quiet. An honest kick off his right boot, but he has the ability to drive the ball out of the backline with some run and carry.

#14 Oliver Hanrahan– One to watch. Was impressive for St Kevin’s College the previous weekend against Brighton Grammar, before booting four goals against the AGSV. Plays across half forward and pushes into the midfield and can run & carry the ball well going forward. Also has a reasonable set of speed off the mark.

#18 Jarrod Brander– Coming into the game, I’d been expecting Brander to line up at full forward. The GWS Giants academy member booted a large number of goals as Year 10 for GGS, but was thrust back to play on Nick Larkey five minutes into the contest. Brander won the battle superbly, keeping him well out of the game finishing with 27 disposals and seven marks. Off his right foot, Brander hit targets out of the backline and was prepared to back himself in one-on-one. Was pleased to see him play a different role as a defender and was one of the only standouts from the contest for either side. Likely to be an early selection in 2017.

#22 Sean Darcy– Spent more time forward than he did in the ruck and AGSV had no suitable match up for him. Darcy kicked four goals but I still question whether he’ll make it at AFL level. He copped a National Combine invite, so clubs will be looking to see how he tests. At one stage, he was 35m from goal and took an eternaty to turn onto his left foot- a kick which was eventually smothered. On a few occasions, he struggled on his set shot making the distance from 40m. Keep an eye on him over the next few months.

#25 Toby Wooller– A handful of goals for Wooller up forward and was the most dangerous forward from either side. At the moment, he’s 192cm- But I’d expect him to grow a few centimetres and add some weight on him for next year. Kicked bags for Scotch College most weeks, so he knows where the goals are. Also takes the ball at its highest point.

Honourable mentions to Blake Hayes (four goals), Ned Reeves in the ruck and Lachlan Fogarty in the midfield. Western Bulldogs Father/Son prospect Michael Romero had 22 disposals and nine clearances.

Scores:

QT: AGSV 6.3 (39) to APS 2.2 (14)

HT: APS 7.3 (45) to AGSV 6.5 (41)

3QT: APS 13.4 (82) to AGSV 10.8 (68)

FT: APS 18.9 (117) defeated AGSV 12.12 (84) by 33-points.

Final Presentations & Speeches at the 2016 APS v AGSV Winter Sport Rep Day!#apssport #APS #apsfootball #schoolsport pic.twitter.com/YwXED9MCo6

— APS Sport (@APS_Sport) August 7, 2016