IF there was a sleeping giant in the pack of the potential finalists, it is the Calder Cannons. A side which has benefited from a number of top-agers missing during the AFL National Under 18 Championships, it is now ready to make a serious play at the pointy end of the season. They will likely be tested against the best of the best, but have shown throughout the season that they can match it with the best. Understrength the Cannons rallied against Gippsland Power to secure a huge uplifting win, showing the depth they have, and putting opposition sides on notice. 

Wins: 6
Losses: 7
Draws: 1
Position: 7th
Points For: 958 (5th)
Points Against: 944 (5th)
Percentage: 102
Points: 26

Fixtures:

R15: vs. Eastern Ranges – Avalon Airport Oval
R16: vs. Geelong Falcons – MARS Stadium

National Combine Invitations: [4] Jack Bytel, Lachlan Sholl, Curtis Taylor, Rhylee West

State Combine Invitations: [4] Mason Fletcher, Sam Graham, Josh Kemp, Mitchell Podhajski

Rookie Me Combine Invitations: [2] Tye Browning, Daniel Hanna

Calder Cannons face two bottom four sides in the last two rounds, and while they cannot make top four, can position themselves as best as possible ahead of the Wildcard Round. They take on Eastern Ranges in Werribee this weekend, before meeting Geelong Falcons in Ballarat for what should be a fantastic clash between two sides that are so much fire power when at full-strength. Realistically they will face one of GWV Rebels, Geelong Falcons or Eastern Ranges in the Wildcard Round. Led by Mitchell Podhajski and Jack Bytel, with the top-end talent of Curtis Taylor and Rhylee West, Calder has a number of talented players who have shown they can stand up when required such as Lachlan Sholl, Tye Browning and latecomer Josh Kemp. The likes of Brodie Newman and Daniel Mott have also impressed as bottom-agers in the 2018 season.

Top Fives:

Disposals:

1 – Lachlan Sholl – 294 (7th overall)
2 – Tye Browning – 261
3 – Mitchell Podhajski – 251
4 – Daniel Mott – 233
5 – Lucas Cavallaro – 218

Marks:

1 – Lachlan Sholl – 81 (1st overall)
2 – Tye Browning – 78 (2nd overall)
3 – Mitchell Podhajski – 63
3 – Brodie Newman – 63
3 – Jake Riccardi – 63

Contested Possessions:

1 – Mitchell Podhajski – 109 (eq. 21st overall)
2 – Daniel Mott – 97
3 – Nathan Croft – 85
4 – Lucas Cavallaro – 83
5 – Tye Browning – 81

Tackles:

1 – Mitchell Podhajski – 74 (7th overall)
2 – Nathan Croft – 72
3 – Ismail Moussa – 46
4 – Daniel Mott – 42
5 – Jack Bytel – 37

Hitouts:

1 – Jeremy O’Sullivan – 108 (18th overall)
2 – Harrison Jones – 55
3 – Cooper Lamb – 44
4 – Daniel Hanna – 37
5 – Jack Middleton – 35

Clearances:

1 – Daniel Mott – 44 (15th overall)
2 – Mitchell Podhajski – 33
3 – Will Jury – 32
3 – Curtis Taylor – 32
5 – Jack Bytel – 27

Inside 50s:

1 – Daniel Mott – 43 (eq. 22nd overall)
2 – Tye Browning – 42
3 – Nathan Croft – 37
4 – Mitchell Podhajski – 35
4 – Will Jury – 35

Rebounds:

1 – Lucas Cavallaro – 73 (1st overall)
2 – Brodie Newman – 36
3 – Lachlan Sholl – 33
4 – Tye Browning – 30
5 – Ismail Moussa – 26

Goals:

1 – Mitchell Podhajski – 19 (eq. 5th overall)
2 – Jake Riccardi – 11
3 – Curtis Taylor – 10
4 – Tye Browning – 6
4 – Sam Ramsay – 6
4 – Josh Kemp – 6