SOUTH Australia got on the board in this year’s AFL Under 18 National Championships at the third time of asking, downing Vic Country by 19 points at Ikon Park 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: SA stars shine in Country cull

VIC COUNTRY:

#5 Harley Reid (Bendigo Pioneers)
Midfielder/Forward | 185cm | 85kg | 17/04/2005

Returning for his first game in a month, Reid produced an ominous start with the game’s first three goals in an electric nine-minute patch. The likely number one pick was typically strong in one-on-one contests and incredibly shrewd at sneaking out the back in the split second his direct opponent looked away. Multiple SA defenders got the job on Reid before he shifted into midfield after half time, absorbing tackles as easily as he broke them to finish with 14 disposals (11 contested) and five clearances.

#9 Zane Duursma (Gippsland Power)
Midfielder/Forward | 189cm | 79kg | 28/08/2005

It was somewhat of an indifferent day for Duursma, though not for a lack of trying. The smooth moving midfielder started on-ball and looked like Vic Country’s most likely clearance winner in the early stages, winning six overall while also applying himself defensively with eight tackles. Duursma could have been cleaner at ground level but was difficult to catch once onto the outside, and eventually rotated forward in the second half to finish with 20 disposals.

#11 Billy Wilson (Dandenong Stingrays)
Defender | 182cm | 71kg | 16/06/2005

One of six similar-type defenders in Country’s squad on the weekend, Wilson was arguably the most effective throughout four quarters as others fell short of their usual standard. They were all tested defensively but Wilson did his best work on the attack, proving aggressive in his intent to move the ball on quickly. His positioning was equally positive and with ball in hand, Wilson looked best when attempting expansive long kicks in transition.

#14 Kobe Shipp (Dandenong Stingrays)
Wing/Defender | 187cm | 80kg | 12/05/2005

Coming into the weekend in strong form, Shipp was one of Vic Country’s more productive ball users both off a wing and then in defence. He accumulated possessions on the outside and looked to attack with ball in hand, but also worked back behind the ball and intercepted well when afforded a clean jump at the contest.

#16 Harry De Mattia (Dandenong Stingrays)
Midfielder | 184cm | 77kg | 11/09/2005

A real bull at the gate in midfield, De Mattia was prominent both on the inside and when breaking to the outer at speed. The Vic Country co-captain notched up seven clearances and as many inside 50s to showcase that balance in numbers, also laying eight tackles to go with 21 overall disposals. De Mattia’s kicking execution, particularly on the run, was not always effective but his speed and intent in most actions ensured he caught the eye.

#23 George Stevens (GWV Rebels)
Midfielder/Defender | 189cm | 84kg | 14/04/2005

Arguably his side’s best in a losing effort, Stevens racked up monster numbers with 25 disposals, six marks, six clearances and nine tackles. The big-bodied ball winner is as solid and reliable as it gets at the contest, proving clean in possession and often finding teammates with composed distribution. Though he can certainly expand his outside game and overall hurt factor, Stevens snared a goal in the second quarter as he continues to string together strong performances.

#25 Michael Rudd (Geelong Falcons)
Tall Forward | 192cm | 91kg | 14/05/2005

In potentially his best outing for the year, Rudd was a vital link player into Vic Country’s attacking arc. His clean overhead marking and productivity with ball in hand ensured the home side was constantly in with a chance of scoring. He booted two goals himself at a crucial time, keeping Country in the hunt during term three with calmly converted set shots. He was, at times, the only Victorian forward who looked like scoring and finished with four marks from 16 disposals.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA:

#2 Sid Draper (South Adelaide)
Midfielder | 180cm | 72kg | 05/07/2006

Only extending his lead as South Australia’s top ball winner for the carnival, Draper again proved his quality with 29 disposals and four clearances. The busy bottom-ager was clean off the ruck taps and sharked the ball in motion, moving to the outside in a flash. He sometimes held onto the ball for too long and ran into unnecessary trouble, but can hardly be denied as one of next year’s most exciting prospects. A nicely weighted pass to Tyler Welsh in the third quarter was among his finest touches.

#8 Ashton Moir (Glenelg)
Forward | 188cm | 84kg | 15/04/2005

The stats may not reflect his impact, but Moir contributed to a score with all bar one of his six disposals. He snared two goals in the second quarter as South Australia hit the front, looking more like the marking and goal threat which had him pegged as a top five prospect coming into 2023. Moir’s spin and handball assist to Welsh in the third quarter was a particular highlight, as he continues to build into what has been an injury interrupted top-age campaign.

#12 Jack Delean (South Adelaide)
Forward | 181cm | 75kg | 15/04/2005

Claiming his second four-goal haul of the carnival, Delean was at his electric best inside 50. He was on the end of some of his side’s best passages, but also produced his own moments of magic with a pair of slick snaps and sound set shot conversions each. His two final quarter goals put the nail in Vic Country, making for an ultra impactful nine-disposal effort.

#17 Will Patton (West Adelaide)
Tall Defender | 192cm | 79kg | 04/01/2005

Leading from the back for South Australia, Patton showed marked improvement in his defensive game with a shutdown role on Archer Reid – who has 10cm on him. The SA skipper split one-on-one tussles and peeled off for six marks, while also bumping up his numbers nicely to 20 disposals with a share of the kick-ins.

#22 Will McCabe (Central District)
Key Defender | 197cm | 81kg | 29/09/2005

McCabe was another tall and steady member of South Australia’s defence, enjoying a battle with Rudd for most of the day. The Hawthorn father-son prospect was not as aerially prominent as usual, but displayed his dexterity with plenty of work to mop up across the defensive half. He finished with 19 disposals, six marks and five rebound 50s.

#26 Kane McAuliffe (North Adelaide)
Midfielder | 187cm | 90kg | 01/03/2005

A physically imposing midfielder, McAuliffe again made his presence felt with some strong acts at the contest. Whether it was sitting down opposition rucks or powering out of full-body tackles, the North Adelaide prospect threw his weight around and attempted to set the tone for his side. McAuliffe’s disposal was hardly as expansive or effective, but SA looked good when he was involved at the source.

#42 Tyler Welsh (Woodville-West Torrens)
Tall Forward | 191cm | 89kg | 15/08/2006

Bottom-agers have been some of the best performed players at this year’s carnival, and Welsh added his name to the list with five goals in his maiden outing. The 191cm forward plays tall but also has enough mobility to trouble bigger-bodied opponents, and finished with aplomb on Sunday both over the mark and in open play. Adelaide fans will already be licking their lips at the prospect of adding a seemingly high quality father-son talent next year.