WHILE the wildcards lacked from a team sense, there were plenty of exciting players to have raised their stocks this week in the NAB League Boys Wildcard Round. In this edition of Caught the Eye, we shed light on some of the key performers for some sides, as well as others who showed glimpses of form. For full scouting notes, click here, and for extended profiles for each player, click their name highlighted in red.

Sandringham Dragons vs. Geelong Falcons

Ryan Byrnes
Sandringham Dragons | Midfielder
3/05/2001 | 181cm | 80kg

Stats: 28 disposals, 4 marks, 5 tackles, 7 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s, 1 goal

Our scouts said: “Best afield for mine, Byrnes was sensational on the breakaway from congestion – utilising his zippy first five steps and agility to latch onto the first handball away from stoppages and burst free.” – Michael Alvaro

Verdict: Was back to his best in this game and looks to really be benefitting from being able to share the stoppage workload with a couple of bigger-bodied midfielders. With the likes of Finn Maginness and Darcy Chirgwin in the side, expect to see more of Byrnes breaking the lines and providing that burst away from congestion. He works tirelessly around the ground too, so will be important in finals with his consistency.

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Cameron Fleeton
Geelong Falcons | Key Defender
17/06/2002 | 189cm | 76kg

Stats: 7 disposals, 3 marks, 2 tackles, 2 rebound 50s

Our scouts said: “Fleeton was as sure as anyone by foot, switching confidently across defensive 50 to try and set the Falcons on the right foot… Also contributed some second efforts with the result beyond doubt, showing heart on a rough day.” – Michael Alvaro

Verdict: It was tough going for the bottom-aged defender and while he was beaten at times, Fleeton showed enough to suggest he will certainly be one to watch heading into next year. He only had the seven touches, but looked great with each of them; taking brave marks going back with the flight, reading the play well, and kicking with confidence. Will benefit over time from building a bigger frame and getting some help further afield.

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Northern Knights vs. Bendigo Pioneers

Sam Philp
Northern Knights | Inside Midfielder
4/08/2001 | 185cm | 80kg

Stats: 23 disposals, 3 marks, 6 tackles, 5 inside 50s, 1 goal

Our scouts said: “Was crucial to Northern’s turnaround… hunting the ball in midfield and providing some aggressive run away from congestion. He worked tirelessly to break the game open with his ability to burst clear of would-be tacklers.” – Michael Alvaro

Verdict: Is a draft bolter, but it comes on the back of a bed of consistency. Philp has sprung on the radar with his constant ball winning throughout the middle part of the year while a number of others were out on representative duty, but has continued his feats with them back, too. Earned a well-deserved National Combine invite and will be one to keep tabs on as Northern look to make a finals run.

Thomson Dow
Bendigo Pioneers | Midfielder
16/10/2001 | 183cm | 72kg

Stats: 23 disposals, 2 marks, 5 tackles, 7 inside 50s

Our scouts said: “Dow was the key ball winner for Bendigo in midfield against some pretty stiff inside competition, hunting the ball and exploding away from congestion to clear going inside 50.” – Michael Alvaro

Verdict: Has well and truly broken out of the shadow of his brother, Paddy with a good base of form throughout the year. The difference he made for the Pioneers was obvious across the few games he played for them at either end of the season, injecting some class and power into the engine room. Will be an interesting one to watch as he develops with his ability to break from congestion and forward running both great assets, and he led well with Brodie Kemp out of the team this week.

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Calder Cannons vs. Tasmania Devils

Sam Ramsay
Calder Cannons | Midfielder
21/03/2001 | 180cm | 68kg

Stats: 33 disposals, 11 marks, 2 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 1 goal

Our scouts said: “Showed some good dash along the wing and was not afraid to take the contest on and try and break lines. After a relatively quiet first half Ramsay really lifted a gear in the second half to drag his team back into the contest.” – Taylah Melki

Verdict: Ramsay caught our eye long ago but gets the nod here after yet another prolific performance for the Cannons in midfield. His work going both ways at the contest has been admirable of late, tackling hard while also breaking the lines with his speed and racking left foot kicks. Has the ability to break games open and just attracts the ball, with his form too hard to ignore for clubs who noticed enough for him to earn a state combine invite.

Matt McGuinness
Tasmania Devils | Utility
13/07/2000 | 194cm | 77kg

Stats: 25 disposals, 5 marks, 3 inside 50s, 9 rebound 50s, 1 goal

Our scouts said: “Was in absolutely everything for the Devils for the full four quarters. He read the flight of the ball well and impacted the contest on every opportunity possible.” – Taylah Melki

Verdict: Another who has been thereabouts for a while on top of the promise he showed last year as a top-ager, McGuinness just keeps on getting the job done. He has shown good tendencies when working up the ground of late and his booming kick means he is able to hit the scoreboard on top of his defensive duties. McGuinness has become more than a player who steps up in little purple patches, but still has those spurts of dominance with his impact on the aerial contests.

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Western Jets vs. GWV Rebels

Lucas Rocci
Western Jets | Half-Back
27/02/2001 | 175cm | 72kg

Stats: 19 disposals, 2 marks, 9 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 6 rebound 50s

Our scouts said: “The Morrish Medalist had a well rounded performance showing a good mix of attacking flair and defensive nous. Rocci often used his nice left boot to his advantage finding targets both long and short with ease.” – Ed Pascoe

Verdict: Capped off a pretty handy Sunday by taking out the Morrish Medal, which was rightful recognition for an outstanding season for Rocci, who became a rare player to get the nod despite missing out on both representative duties and combine invites. His mix of attacking and defensive traits from half-back were again on show and he looks to have found a home there after some early-season struggles in different positions. Is coming from a long way back but has potential.

Jay Rantall
GWV Rebels | Midfielder
10/06/2001 | 184cm | 82kg

Stats: 19 disposals, 7 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 1 goal

Our scouts said: “Looked to carry most of the midfield load for the Rebels with the Jets having the advantage in the middle through most of the day. Rantall would still show his great work rate and ability to work up and down the ground.” – Ed Pascoe

Verdict: Made somewhat slow starts over the last fortnight given his lofty standards, handing over some of the midfield responsibility to a few under-age movers but remaining a leader. It wasn’t Rantall’s biggest day out, but he still showed his class and will get the chance to really showcase his athletic abilities at the National Combine given his NAB League season is now over. Midfielders with that mix of speed and endurance are highly sought-after and Rantall definitely has it, but is still working on his fundamental skills.

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Dandenong Stingrays vs. Murray Bushrangers

Clayton Gay
Dandenong Stingrays | Forward
23/03/2002 | 183cm | 71kg

Stats: 15 disposals, 5 marks, 3 tackles, 6 inside 50s, 2 goals

Our scouts said: “Dandenong had a threatening forward line and Gay was certainly one of their more influential forwards, especially in the second half with his marking ability and class really standing out.” – Ed Pascoe

Verdict: A player who can play just about anywhere, Gay is so damaging at his best. The bottom-ager finds the goals well and uses his strong marking abilities to become an option inside 50, while also providing good use into the arc. Is seldom a big ball winner, but it will be interesting to see whether he moves more into the midfield in his top age season next year. The Stingrays will look to him when they need a spark come finals up either end of the ground.

Dominic Bedendo
Murray Bushrangers | Forward
9/07/2002 | 185cm | 67kg

Stats: 7 disposals, 3 marks, 2 goals

Our scouts said: “The small samples he shows make him an exciting forward prospect for next year’s draft… didn’t get a a lot of the ball but he showed his potential with some great leaps and slick hands when taking possession.” – Ed Pascoe

Verdict: It wasn’t a huge game from the bottom-ager on the weekend but he still has a happy knack of finding the goals, with two majors from seven touches this time out. He has a ways to go in terms of filling out and will be an even more likely type with the size to go with his 185cm height. His athletic traits also make him one to watch, with Murray boasting some decent talent forward of the ball for the next two years.