IN a new weekly article, Rookie Me Central analyst Ed Pascoe casts an eye around the nation, collating all the attention-grabbing performances from AFL Draft prospects in the elite talent pathways. Week one is headlined by the commencement of the NAB League, and a few big starts to the SANFL Under 18 season.

The SANFL Under 18s clash between Sturt and West Adelaide went down to the wire, with a late fightback from West Adelaide led by lanky key forward Tom Scully, who kicked six second-half goals. Westies look like a team to watch in terms of draftable prospects this year, with top five talent Harry Lemmey potentially playing more League football and along with Kobe Ryan, who was again outstanding through the midfield with his work rate both at the contest and on the spread.

Others to impress were ruckman Harry Barnett, who moves incredibly well for a player over 200cm, and Essendon Next Generation Academy (NGA) candidate Anthony Munkara. Despite a quieter game this week, he threatened late with a nice goal and set up Scully for another.

Although Sturt missed likely draft prospect Nick Sadler due to his League debut, the Double Blues had another likely type catch the eye in Jackson Bishop. He plays a lot taller than his 189cm frame with his impressive leap, and could attract AFL clubs with his athleticism and potential scope to play a range of positions.

North Adelaide continued its winning ways with a solid win against Woodville-West Torrens, and was led by in-form midfielder Billy Dowling, who won 45 disposals both on the inside on the spread. Crows NGA prospect Isaac Keeler did not hit the scoreboard but still got to show some of his exciting traits.

For Woodville-West Torrens it was once again Adam D’Aloia and Mattaes Phillipou who stood out with both offering a good balance in combination. D’Aloia won the hard ball to end up with 35 disposals, while Phillipou brought speed and class for his three goals – playing an awfully familiar role to another recent draftee from the club, Caleb Poulter.

Meanwhile in Victoria, the NAB League started up again with plenty of Victorian and Northern Academy prospects finally getting to show their wares. The Swans Academy took on the Northern Knights in less than ideal conditions at Highgate Recreation Reserve, making for one of four academy appearances in Craigieburn.

For Sydney, the player to really take the eye was Indhi Kirk – the son of Swans champion, Brett. He looked classy in the wet conditions, showing great composure and skill while also hitting the scoreboard. Despite his lighter 179cm frame, he was able to impress in conditions that suited the bigger bodied midfielders.

Speaking of bigger bodied midfielders, over-ager Patrick Dozzi was the standout in the midfield for the Knights, looking tough and classy in the wet conditions. His best play was a mean stiff-arm that got the crowd’s attention. On the other side of the scale, 2023 prospect Nate Caddy – the nephew of Tiger, Josh – was a prominent figure in attack, looking strong overhead and showing plenty of power and skill.

The match-up every man and their dog wanted to see was the Oakleigh Chargers and Sandringham Dragons grudge match at RSEA Park, which has typically always showcased plenty of future draft prospects in years gone by. Despite the wet conditions, a strong crowd came out to see the game.

The midfield battle was always going to be interesting, with George Wardlaw and Lions father-son prospect Will Ashcroft going head to head in a battle of potential first picks. Wardlaw, however would prove the difference in a best on ground performance, winning 24 disposals and laying eight bone-crunching tackles. What also impressed was his ball use, which was much improved from the previous week’s practice match against Calder.

Ashcroft had a much quieter game by his standards with 18 disposals, but still certainly showed traits to suggest he will be taken very early in the draft this year. Other standouts included Elijah Tsatas, who showed plenty of run and skill on the wing en route to a game-high 27 disposals, but it was his power from stoppages in the last quarter that really caught the eye. That stoppage role looks to show Tsatas at his most dangerous.

In the first half, Sandringham ruck Max Ramsden showed he could be a player in demand at the mid-season draft with his clean hands and movement, especially in the wet. Essendon father-son Alwyn Davey Jr only had nine disposals, but made them all count and a few nice bumps showed he could have an impact on the game without needing a lot of the ball. Oakleigh smalls Jack O’Sullivan and Blake Drury where others to impress, and look to be players to watch for Vic Country and Metro respectively when the National Championships take place later in the year.