Up the Grades: Reid ramps up VFL form
LEADING AFL Draft prospect Harley Reid backed up his VFL debut with an even better outing in game two, despite his side suffering another tight loss. The powerful utility collected 21 disposals and eight marks while laying nine tackles as Carlton went down by four points to Brisbane in the opening Round 7 fixture.
In the same game, Lions over-ager Joshua Cooper turned out for six touches and three marks as one of a few Northern Academy talents to hit in the state league. Fellow Queenslanders Jared Eckersley and Marlin Corbett put up similar numbers for the Suns, while Sydney father-son candidate Indhi Kirk had it nine times in the Swans’ loss to Frankston.
Over in South Australia, no state Under 18 squad member rose to League level, but Norwood defender Logan Evans put his hand up for a recall. The classy half-back notched 26 disposals and a goal, while North Adelaide midfielder had 16 touches and seven tackles on debut, as his Roosters were trounced by the Redlegs.
Meanwhile, Sturt was again served well by Alex Holt in the Reserves grade, with the defender picking up 16 disposals and five inside 50s in the Double Blues’ win over Woodville-West Torrens. State summer squad member Chad Reschke spearheaded the result with a bag of five goals.
Subiaco was again the main event for state squad members in the top flight out West, though all three were relatively quiet as the Lions beat South Fremantle. Namely, mid-season draft hopeful Robert Hansen Jr, Koltyn Tholstrup, and Luker Kentfield all continued their runs at League level for hauls of eight disposals or lower.
Things were a touch easier for juniors down south in Tasmania, as a bunch of Devils stars hit the TSL. Among them, bottom-age twins Liam and Connor Ling were named Clarence’s best two players in a win over Glenorchy.
Launceston was served well by the top-agers James Leake and Arie Schoenmaker despite losing to the undefeated Tigers, while Devils skipper Tom Beaumont booted two goals. For North Launceston, forward Heath Ollington was adjudged among the best players afield against Lauderdale.
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 […]
Up the Grades: Top prospect makes VFL return
TOP five AFL Draft prospect Zane Duursma was among the top-age talent to hit state league level over the weekend, as he turned out for his second game with the Casey Demons. The All Australian midfielder-forward notched 10 touches and three marks in a 42-point win over Coburg. A natural inside attacking 50, Duursma was […]
Up the grades: Draper stars in second senior dig
SOUTH Australian Under 18 MVP Sid Draper continues to go from strength to strength in his bottom-age season, after another promising performance in his second senior SANFL game. The South Adelaide midfielder had 21 disposals and six clearances as his Panthers went down to Sturt on Sunday. It comes after Draper, the younger brother of […]
Up the Grades: Reid ramps up VFL form
LEADING AFL Draft prospect Harley Reid backed up his VFL debut with an even better outing in game two, despite his side suffering another tight loss. The powerful utility collected 21 disposals and eight marks while laying nine tackles as Carlton went down by four points to Brisbane in the opening Round 7 fixture. In […]
