THE ALLIES moved to 2-0 in the 2023 AFL Under 18 National Championships with an 88-point dismantling of Western Australia in Adelaide on Sunday. We highlight some of the top performers and AFL Draft prospects from either side in the latest instalment of Scouting Notes.

>> Match Report: Allies annihilate WA in champs statement

ALLIES:

#1 Ryley Sanders (Tasmania/Sandringham Dragons)
Midfielder | 21/01/2005 | 186cm | 85kg

If there’s one thing Sanders knows how to do, it’s find the ball. The Tasmanian midfielder helped himself to 39 disposals on Sunday, with his tallies of 25 uncontested possessions and 27 handballs indicative of a brilliant willingness to share the ball with teammates. He made typically excellent decisions and showcased a strong work rate, with arguably his best chains played out alongside Colby McKercher. Sanders’ best moment was produced in the Allies’ final quarter onslaught, where he broke cleanly out the front of a centre stoppage and slammed through a goal from 50. He has solidified himself as a top 10 candidate, and one of the two best genuine midfielders in the crop.

#5 Colby McKercher (Tasmania Devils)
Midfielder | 12/04/2005 | 181cm | 73kg

The top ball winner on Sunday, McKercher racked up a remarkable 40 disposals including 32 uncontested possessions and seven inside 50s. He did serious damage on the outside, often getting there with his turn of speed and carving up WA with his ball use – going at 83 per cent efficiency. Like Sanders, he waxed well with teammates and that showed in his 12 marks and 19 handball receives, chaining possessions as the Allies moved the ball forward in waves. He’s a genuine star with claims on being the best pure midfielder in this year’s draft. He has even started out both champs games on the wing due to the Allies’ midfield depth.

#9 Jake Rogers (Suns Academy/Queensland)
Midfielder | 02/03/2005 | 171cm | 68kg

Though it was largely the McKercher and Sanders show in the middle of Thebarton Oval, Rogers still got to show glimpses of his high-end talent with 22 touches and seven clearances. He, too was incredibly efficient (86 per cent) and displayed more of his sharp kicking skills as the Allies opened WA up after half time. He moves like a knife through butter in traffic and is so difficult to lay a hand on, but also has the capacity to fend and keep his balance while being tackled. At 171cm, they’re some nice traits to have in the cut and thrust of midfield.

#25 Jed Walter (Suns Academy/Queensland)
Key Forward | 08/06/2005 | 195cm | 91kg

Hunting down dual All Australian honours, Walter was opposed by likely his toughest foe at the championships in Daniel Curtin. He broke down the dam wall to boot 3.2, proving relentless with his efforts on the lead and in one-on-one tussles. Though matched almost perfectly for size, Walter imposed himself by crashing packs and drawing free kicks, taking full advantage of the Allies’ wealth of quick forward 50 entries. The only thing which lacked was Walter’s consistency in conversion as he missed consecutive snaps in the third term, and later saw a set shot fall short. Still, he has a deliberate routine, serious presence, and is rather unselfish for a key forward.

#30 Charlie McCormack (Giants Academy/NSW)
Key Forward | 02/04/2005 | 198cm | 77kg

It took until the third quarter for McCormack to register his first kick of the day, but it was an absolute beauty. After flying high to bring the ball to for Phoenix Gothard’s goal, the 198cm forward put home a snap of his own from the same pocket, showing great dexterity for his size. It seemed to boost his confidence, as the Giants Academy product went on to clunk some unbelievable grabs at the highest point, finishing with five marks and four goals. A miss from the top of the goalsquare in term four showed his rawness, but McCormack is certainly efficient. So far in two championship games, he has registered nine kicks for seven goals and one behind.

#39 Ethan Read (Suns Academy/Queensland)
Ruck | 07/08/2005 | 202cm | 87kg

Another player tasked with likely his toughest matchup of the carnival, Read stood tall to produce typically dynamic numbers of 21 disposals, 11 marks and 14 hitouts. The Suns Academy gun arguably lost the ruck battle to Mitchell Edwards, but showed improvement in his craft and beat the West Australian around the ground. Whether dropping back or resting forward, Read leant on his reach to clunk a series of strong grabs and even nabbed a goal in the fourth quarter – which he can thank Walter for. On pure potential, he’s a lock in the top 10, but the bidding system may alter that.

#41 Connor O’Sullivan (Murray Bushrangers/NSW)
Key Defender | 19/05/2005 | 198cm | 92kg

O’Sullivan was just about the best player afield to half time, and certainly after the first quarter. He snapped up everything that came his way in that time, going on to register an impressive 21 disposals and 10 marks. Having found a home in defence, the mobile 198cm talent played to his strengths in intercepting and getting to several contests down back, before enjoying a late stint up forward. He was forced into kicking long down the line early on but showed his usually sound decision making thereafter, proving composed in the face of pressure and balanced when contact came. He’s only firming within the top 15.

>> Top 20: AFL Draft Power Rankings

WESTERN AUSTRALIA:

#5 Koen Sanchez (East Fremantle)
Midfielder/Forward | 19/01/2005 | 174cm | 70kg

Despite an injury interrupted bottom-age campaign, Sanchez managed to turn out for the state Under 18 side last year and returned to do so again on Sunday. He started in attack and worked high up the ground before blazing a path back towards goal, driving his legs on the outside. Doing plenty at high speed, Sanchez lacked a bit of end product but brought enough energy to earn a move into midfield after half time. He ended up with 23 disposals and six clearances while also notching consecutive behinds in the opening quarter.

#30 Daniel Curtin (Claremont)
Key Defender | 08/03/2005 | 195cm | 91kg

Recruiters got their wish when Curtin went to Walter, providing one of the best duels we are likely to see at this year’s carnival. As a good size matchup for the Allies forward, Curtin equalised many one-on-one duels and got several late spoils in, albeit if Walter began to get off the leash amid a late onslaught. The West Australian standout backed himself to take up attacking positions and looked to intercept, which showed as he clunked eight marks. He was assured as ever in possession too, using the ball beautifully on his favoured left foot. With Walter out of the way, perhaps WA can now utilise Curtin in a freer capacity to showcase such offensive strengths.

#31 Mitchell Edwards (Peel Thunder)
Ruck | 02/06/2005 | 206cm | 88kg

Perhaps the second most intriguing matchup of the day saw Edwards lock horns with Read in the ruck, with WA’s man winning the hitout battle for a game-high 30. Much like Read, Edwards also impacted around the ground with some strong marks for a total of four, mostly intercepting or clunking his own side’s kick-ins. His prominence in the ruck was a leveller against Read, and as he continues to add muscle, Edwards will be able to absorb more contact and pressure in general play.

#35 Clay Hall (Peel Thunder)
Midfielder | 12/05/2005 | 188cm | 83kg

Western Australia’s top ball winner with 24 disposals and seven clearances, Hall was a mainstay in midfield and added valuable presence at stoppages. With his side faring well in the first term, Hall’s running capacity came to the fore as he broke forward in attacking phases, using the ball nicely going inside 50. He went on to win more contested ball and instead of accepting being tackled on the inside, began to get his hands free to release or step to the outer.