Up the Grades: Top prospects unleashed
A PAIR of top AFL Draft prospects were unleashed into the VFL this past weekend, with pick one fancy Harley Reid (Carlton) and first round talent Zane Duursma (Casey) both making their state league debuts.
Reid was the subject of this week’s Player Focus, entrusted by the Blues’ coaching staff to make an impact in midfield and starting at the opening centre bounce. He won the very first clearance to kick off his VFL stint in style, before also being used behind the ball.
The Bendigo Pioneers utility finished with 13 disposals as his side went down by five points to Footscray, while Duursma managed 12 touches as his Demons notched an even five-goal win over Box Hill on Sunday.
>> VFL Player Focus: Harley Reid
A couple more Talent League stars made the VFL grade this week. Oakleigh Chargers defender Nathan Philactides joined Luke Teal in Richmond’s defence, compiling 13 disposals (10 handballs) in the Tigers’ 73-point loss to Gold Coast. Teal had it 11 times and laid five tackles in his third VFL outing.
Over in Coburg, George Stevens turned out for Geelong as the Cats chalked up a scrappy road win. The strongly built defender collected 16 disposals and three marks on debut and if any junior is physically ready for senior footy, it’s him.
Meanwhile, the SANFL rolled on into Round 4 and the usual two suspects were employed at League level. Norwood half-back Logan Evans had 12 touches and eight tackles in a loss to Glenelg, while Patrick Weckert‘s Eagles also suffered a loss to North Adelaide.
In the Reserves grade, Sturt’s Alex Holt put up another strong batch of numbers with 19 disposals and seven marks in the Double Blues’ two-point win over Central District. Top 10 prospect Ashton Moir snared a goal from six touches as Glenelg snuck home by the same margin.
>> 2023 South Australia U20 squad
Out West, Subiaco again fielded a trio of young guns in the top flight and also defeated reigning premier. First round fancy Koltyn Tholstrup had 11 disposals, while big key forward Luker Kentfield had seven and booted his maiden League goal. Midseason draft prospect Robert Hansen Jr also impressed with six inside 50s from his 11 possessions.
Peel Thunder midfielder Clay Hall was a touch quieter this week, but still helped his side hand East Perth its first loss of the season. Over-ager Roan O’Hehir also turned out for South Fremantle, claiming 14 disposals in a loss to Swan Districts.
Up the Grades: Welsh boots a bag in SANFL Showdown
ADELAIDE father-son hopeful Tyler Welsh was the standout junior to turn out at state league level over the weekend, after booting five goals in the Crows’ thumping SANFL Showdown win. Find out how he, and a raft of other AFL Draft prospects fared up the grades. SANFL Welsh posted a season-best return of five majors […]
Up the Grades: Pick one contenders impress in VFL
WHILE state leagues are quickly coming to their crescendos around the nation, leading AFL Draft prospects are only just getting a taste of senior football. Oakleigh Chargers gun Finn O’Sullivan and Brisbane father-son prospect Levi Ashcroft were the latest top-agers to make their VFL debuts. VFL O’Sullivan joined club teammate Jagga Smith in Richmond’s VFL […]
Up the Grades: Talent League prospects make VFL debuts
COATES Talent League prospects continue to filter through the Victorian Football League (VFL), with a handful making their state league debuts over the weekend. Bendigo Pioneers swingman Jobe Shanahan was the main event as he made his maiden appearance for Essendon in Round 19. The versatile tall, who has settled up forward this year, booted […]
Up the Grades: Kolt’ hero makes finals return
SUBIACO prospect Koltyn Tholstrup stepped back up to WAFL League level over the weekend, taking part in the Lions’ week one finals loss to Peel Thunder. The hard-working utility returned from a groin injury via the Reserves last week, and managed three behinds from seven touches on Saturday. Tholstrup’s Lions led by 28 points at […]
Up the Grades: Torrent Thunders into League debut
PEEL Thunder prospect Reece Torrent became the latest draft combine invitee to make their senior debut over the weekend. The midfielder had shown strong form across four Reserves games and booted his first League goal on Saturday as the Thunder locked up third place. Torrent was part of Western Australia’s state side this year and […]
Up the Grades: Bottom-agers blooded in VFL
A PAIR of bottom-agers tied to Northern Academies were unleashed unto the VFL over the weekend, as Gold Coast’s Leonardo Lombard and GWS’ Josaia Delana made their state league debuts. Both acclimated well, notching 11 and 12 disposals respectively. Lombard’s Suns thrashed Carlton out of a Wildcard Round spot on percentage, winning to the tune […]
Up the Grades: Stevens bares claws in Cats return
TALENT pathway prospects were littered across the state leagues over the weekend, headlined by George Stevens‘ return to Geelong’s VFL side. The GWV Rebels product won a team-high 29 touches in the Cats’ heavy loss to Collingwood, thriving in wet conditions with his contested nous. Stevens has been a standout in the Talent League of […]
Up the Grades: Reid runs rampant in new colours
LEADING AFL Draft prospect Harley Reid turned out for his sixth team this year over the weekend, donning the sash in Essendon’s VFL loss to Southport on Saturday. Reid gathered 24 disposals and seven marks through the Bombers’ midfield, taking the field alongside current and former AFL talent. The 18-year-old previously linked with Carlton for […]
Up the Grades: Swans blood Academy guns
AFL DRAFT prospects continue to climb the grades in 2023, headlined over the weekend by a trio of Swans Academy products in the VFL. Midfielder Caiden Cleary was the pick of the bunch, compiling 18 disposals, seven tackles and a goal as Sydney comfortably beat Essendon. Fellow Allies squad members Max Rider (13 disposals, one […]
