THERE was plenty to write home about after the final NAB League Boys home and away round, with usual suspects standing up in key moments and under-agers in a hurry to show their talent. In this week’s edition of Caught my Eye, we revert back to focussing on one impressive performer from each side, and it was a tough week to narrow down in. For full scouting notes on each player and more, click here.

Western Jets vs. Northern Knights

Lucas Failli
Midfielder | Western Jets
14/09/2002 | 170cm | 70kg

Stats: 14 disposals, 5 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

Our scouts said: “The energetic small… zipped away from congestion well and was often present at the fall of the ball, where he used his agility and clean hands to stay in possession.” – Michael Alvaro

Verdict: Not the highest accumulator but has impact with his touches, using his pace and deceptive strength to break away from congestion. Failli’s penetration on his kicks was particularly useful going forward, and he is just as effective inside 50. Can work on his tackle numbers and work around the ground, but will build on a solid few weeks.

Josh Watson
Midfielder/Wing | Northern Knights
21/10/2002 | 180cm | 74kg

Stats: 21 disposals, 4 marks, 4 tackles, 9 inside 50s, 1 goal

Our scouts said: “Watson did some great work up the ground at the stoppages, snapping the ball up cleanly and breaking away with speed and pumping the ball inside 50 on his left side.” – Michael Alvaro

Verdict: Had a real breakout game and possesses some traits that make his style easy on the eye. Has a booming left foot which he often looks to use, but can work on lowering his eyes as he gets the ball in dangerous positions in the forward half. A bolter to monitor heading into next year.

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Calder Cannons vs. Eastern Ranges

Harrison Jones
Key Forward | Calder Cannons
25/02/2001 | 194cm | 75kg

Stats: 17 disposals, 4 marks, 2 inside 50s, 1 goal

Our scouts said: “Moves so well for his size and was prominent in the air in patches, showing good courage going back and hitting up strongly on the lead at full stretch.” – Michael Alvaro

Verdict: Still yet to truly break a game open with his scoreboard impact but was terrific in this outing with his impact up the ground. In a draft short of outstanding talls, Jones could find himself in high demand with his enormous ceiling and natural talent.

Lachie Stapleton
Midfielder | Eastern Ranges
14/04/2001 | 177cm | 72kg

Stats: 23 disposals, 3 marks, 6 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 2 goals

Our scouts said: “Was his usual productive self through midfield, repeatedly getting to the drop of the ball and sweeping up the loose ball… capping his game with a beautiful finish on the run to level the scores in the final term.” – Michael Alvaro

Verdict: Just keeps on getting the job done and is getting some of the recognition his year deserves. His two goals showed real class, with the second obviously coming at a crucial time. Is only small, but cracks in well and goes both ways, which is desirable.

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Sandringham Dragons vs. Oakleigh Chargers

Darcy Chirgwin
Inside Midfielder | Sandringham Dragons
25/07/2001 | 191cm | 80kg

Stats: 30 disposals, 5 marks, 7 tackles, 4 inside 50s

Our scouts said: “A lot of his work was done on the inside in a more unheralded role, digging in at the stoppages going both ways… he will be important in the crunch finals moments.” – Michael Alvaro

Verdict: Has been a very handy addition to Sandringham’s midfield which all of a sudden boasts a couple of bigger bodies, while also freeing up Finn Maginness to impact up forward. Is quite inside but is still efficient by foot, which is often rare.

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan
Key Forward | Oakleigh Chargers
4/04/2002 | 194cm | 79kg

Stats: 7 disposals, 4 marks, 2 tackles, 4 goals

Our scouts said: “Another eye-catching display from the highlight reel forward, making the most of his few possessions to prove a menace up forward with four high quality goals… has rare athleticism for a tall, making him such a difficult match up.” – Michael Alvaro

Verdict: Is just a special talent who seldom fails to deliver a few eye-catching moments. Hailed as the next ‘Buddy’, Ugle-Hagan’s high marking is arguably better than the Hawthorn/Sydney champion and he took a ripper in this game. Bulldogs will surely be made to pay a hefty price for their NGA product next year.

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Bendigo Pioneers vs. Gippsland Power

Brady Rowles
Half-Back/Wing | Bendigo Pioneers
10/07/2001 | 186cm | 72kg

Stats: 15 disposals, 5 marks, 5 rebound 50s

Our scouts said: “Rowles was one of Bendigo’s best in the win, having a number of crucial rebounds and being a rock in defence when Gippsland was furiously attacking.” – Peter Williams

Verdict: A high-impact player, Rowles was back to his better self in this outing and again displayed all the talent he did during the national carnival. Is still a touch patchy, but is hard to miss with his line-breaking speed and will garner some attention.

Riley Baldi
Midfielder | Gippsland Power
20/02/2001 | 178cm | 74kg

Stats: 27 disposals, 5 marks, 7 tackles, 5 inside 50s, 2 goals

Our scouts said: “Best on ground and was the difference between the teams, continuing his good form this season… converted a couple of goals and was a four quarter performer which was difficult in the conditions.” – Peter Williams

Verdict: Is so consistent and has a nice balance of inside and outside traits. Baldi attracts the ball and wins it at will, while staying relevant going the other way, too. Was good to see him have an impact going forward too with a couple of goals, as he may spend some time out of the engine room at the next level.

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Geelong Falcons vs. Dandenong Stingrays

Tanner Bruhn
Midfielder/Forward | Geelong Falcons
20/05/2002 | 182cm | 73kg

Stats: 16 disposals, 4 tackles, 6 inside 50s, 2 goals

Our scouts said: “Bruhn showed all of his class in the forward half… he (has) nice composure and poise with his disposals around the ground. A top-end talent for next year and hopefully can stay injury free.” – Peter Williams

Verdict: Just oozes class and is a player the Falcons have sorely missed this year. Fingers crossed he can stay on the park in his top-age year and prove the talent that saw him claim the U16 Vic Country MVP last year. Will be a real wildcard for Geelong next round.

William Lewis
Midfielder | Dandenong Stingrays
27/05/2002 | 176cm | 81kg

Stats: 24 disposals, 4 tackles, 9 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s, 1 goal

Our scouts said: “It was the first time seeing Lewis live and he certainly stood out from a Stingrays perspective. Returning from injury, he had the most touches of any player on the ground, but his work rate was a highlight, getting between the arcs and having an impact.” – Peter Williams

Verdict: A smaller player, Lewis showed signs of having talent but has been unlucky not getting on the park due to injury. If he can stay injury free, he could be a crucial player for the Stingrays through the midfield.

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GWV Rebels vs. Murray Bushrangers

Ben Hobbs
Midfielder | GWV Rebels
16/09/2003 | 181cm | 75kg

Stats: 12 disposals, 9 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 1 goal

Our scouts said: “Apart from the colourful boots, Hobbs showed clean hands in the wet and continually picked the right option when handballing to a teammate on the outside to set up scoring opportunities.” – Peter Williams

Verdict: The 16-year-old is warming to U18 competition, having good impact with his disposals and still applying his usual pressure around the ball. Spent some more time in the middle this game after playing mostly forward or on the outer previously and showed he belongs.

Sam Durham
Midfielder | Murray Bushrangers
9/07/2001 | 182cm | 70kg

Stats: 18 disposals, 2 marks, 4 tackles, 5 inside 50s

Our scouts said: “Found the ball in all thirds of the ground, firing out handballs from in close, sliding in for a great mark at half-back and pumping a long kick inside 50 as part of a big first term.” – Peter Williams

Verdict: Received a state combine invitation for his work this year and he has quietly been flying under the radar. He wins the ball both inside and outside, can roost it long and with a good finals series would further put his name towards draft calculations.