AFTER 554 days without competitive action, the NAB League returned on Saturday as the Calder Cannons and Western Jets locked horns at Highgate Recreation Reserve. It was the Jets who got up by three points in a thriller, as contested ball reigned supreme with either side shaking off the cobwebs. We take you through the standout players on the day in our first edition of Scouting Notes for 2021.

CALDER CANNONS vs. WESTERN JETS

Calder:

#4 Sam Clohesy

The rebounding defender, back as a 19-year-old (December), started like a house on fire; winning plenty of the ball down back and providing plenty of drive from defence for Calder. Although his numbers started to dwindle as the game went on, he still worked hard to provide meaningful rebound and was always giving an option out of defence and he really gave a lot of meterage with his long kicking. Clohesy finished the game with 20 disposals, seven marks and four rebound 50s to be one of Calder’s best players for the day.

#5 Zac Taylor

Taylor offered some spark early on as a small forward but also showed his wares as a speedy midfielder later in the game. Although he didn’t convert any goals, Taylor offered plenty up forward showing good speed and a willingness to leap at the ball, almost taking some ripper marks. He was moved into the midfield and gave some much needed spark in the middle as well, with his best play coming in the last quarter as he sold not one, but two pieces of candy which really caught the eye and cemented Taylor as one of the most exciting players on the day. Taylor finished with 18 disposals but was stuck on the bench late in the game and could have easily added to that tally.

#25 Josh Goater

Goater cemented himself as a prospect to watch this year and could very well be the highest taken in this year’s draft from this game, with his midfield ability not unlike recent top 10 draftee Archie Perkins. Goater was smooth in the midfield, showing great movement out of traffic and his breakaway speed was hard to stop along with his 190cm frame at stoppages. Although not a massive game in terms of production, which was also impacted by some time on the bench with a calf complaint, he went forward in the last quarter and showcased his impressive leap with a huge attempted mark inside 50. He didn’t stick it but proved he could be a real handful drifting forward this year. Goater finished the game with 22 disposals and four tackles in an eye-catching display.

#29 Josh Misiti

The Essendon father-son prospect got to show what he could do as a midfielder just like his father Joe did for the Bombers all those years ago. In his first full game as a midfielder in the NAB League, Misiti showed some promising signs with his strong 193cm frame important in the second half, winning some timely touches in the middle and showing good vision by hand which was another trait shared by Joe. But unlike his father, Josh was also strong in the air and could be a difficult player to play on when he drifts forward. Misiti finished with a solid 14 disposals and will look to improve his production as he gets more time to learn the midfield caper.

#41 Liam Podhajski

The brother of former NAB League gun Mitch, Liam Podhajski is a fair bit taller than his brother at 202cm and playing in the ruck, but really impressed was his ability to play as an extra midfielder and he showed great skill and agility for a player his size. Podhajski managed to show some signs drifting forward as well, kicking a sensational goal hard on the boundary showing great dexterity for his size. Podhajski finished with 16 disposals and 19 hit outs in a good duel against Geelong-listed ruckman, Paul Tsapatolis.

Western:

#26 Cody Raak

Considered unlucky not to win a spot with the Western Bulldogs as a Next Generation Academy (NGA) member, Raak was sensational in a best on ground performance down back, playing a similar role to Essendon’s Jordan Ridley in taking some great intercept marks and hurting the opposition with his vision and kicking out of defence. Raak led a well drilled backline for Western who proved hard to get through for the day, conceding under 40 points. Raak had a big say on the result as Calder struggled to get the ball past him. A cool head and efficient with the ball, Raak finished the game with 31 disposals, nine marks and 11 rebound 50s as he stakes his claim for an AFL spot in the mid-season draft.

#32 Paul Curtis

The dynamic and exciting small forward didn’t hit the scoreboard but provided plenty of spark up forward for Western Jets. His best work came in the second quarter, throwing himself into everything whether at ground level or leaping for marks, he did what a good small forward should do and got involved wherever he could. The exciting left-footer didn’t have the most prolific game with 10 disposals but he took some nice marks with five in total and expect the goals to come if he keeps getting himself in dangerous situations.

#33 Billy Cootee

The Western Jets captain lead by example with some important touches during the game and although he wasn’t hugely productive, he got a lot out of his disposals and his constant drive from the midfield set the tone for the team. Some courageous bits of play during the game really stood out and he could earn himself some games for Essendon VFL as a 19-year-old this year and his game against Calder would have certainly impressed. Cootee finished the game with 17 disposals, five marks and five, inside 50s.

#35 Liam Conway

Arguably the most dominant midfielder for the game, the 19-year-old Conway was a hard player to stop in the engine room with his strong body and clean hands at stoppages. What also impressed with Conway is that he wasn’t just a one-dimensional hard nosed midfielder, but he also worked hard on the outside to drive the ball forward and he also hit the scoreboard with a nice goal. Conway finished the game with 31 disposals, seven marks and eight inside 50s in an eye-catching performance and proved he could be one of the standout 19-year-old prospects in this year’s draft.

#50 Paul Tsapatolis

The Geelong Cats rookie gets to play NAB League despite being on an AFL list like Ivan Soldo before him, and the 202cm player had a great game in the ruck. Already a strong size, he used his stronger body to advantage winning some good hitouts and partnering well in the ruck with Nathan Dowdy. Tsapatolis finished the game with eight disposals and a game-high 24 hitouts and looks like being a big player in the Western Jets’ midfield brigade this year.

DC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Cody Raak (Western Jets)
4 – Liam Conway (Western Jets)
3 – Josh Goater (Calder Cannons)
2 – Liam Podhajski (Calder Cannons)
1 – Harrison White (Western Jets)

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Image Credit: Cameron Grimes/AFL Photos