THE ALLIES claimed their first ever AFL Under 18 National Championships title yesterday, after holding on to beat Vic Country by nine points at RSEA Park yesterday. With 16 National Academy members afield, there were plenty of prospects to highlight in the latest instalment of Scouting Notes.

>> Match Report: Allies claim historic maiden title

VIC COUNTRY:

By: Declan Reeve

#4 Darcy Wilson (Murray Bushrangers)
Midfielder/Forward | 185cm | 73kg | 18/08/2005

As has so often happened with Wilson this season, he was deployed across quite a few roles through the game, but arguably looked his best when given the opportunity to focus his efforts within the attacking half. Wilson applied himself defensively by winning a couple of free kicks for holding the ball, slotting a goal and behind from said efforts. His work around marking contests stood out, as he timed his runs perfectly when hitting front and centres and always found himself in the best spots to win the ball off hands, slotting his second goal as a result of one such instance.

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

Not quite the game we’ve come to expect from the lofty standards Reid has set himself, though despite registering a modest 14 disposals, Reid still led his side for clearances and inside 50s as he applied himself physically to the contest. It was particularly pleasing to see Reid work himself into the game after a quiet first half, having a few key moments through the second half of the game, mostly in the final term when the game was up for grabs.

#7 Joel Freijah (GWV Rebels)
Wing | 191cm | 86kg | 14/11/2005

Deployed mostly on a wing, Freijah continued to prove himself as one of the most natural outside midfielders in the draft class. In doing so, he held his width well and put in hard gut-running efforts with no guarantee of being rewarded. Freijah was mostly clean with his disposal, taking on a few smart kicks or tap-ons in the forward half that led to scoring opportunities, and always looking for teammates in space to place the ball in front of.

#19 Angus Hastie (Geelong Falcons)
Defender | 189cm | 77kg | 19/09/2005

Hastie wasn’t the aerial threat he typically is against the Allies, but still offered plenty of drive out of the defensive half and showed off smart stoppage craft when pushing up the ground. Like many of his teammates from the back line, Hastie was confident and aggressive with his positioning behind the ball as he looked to cut off Allies counter attacks higher up the ground, often evening the contests he was involved in, then winning it at ground level to deliver forward. The opportunities for overlap run were limited for Country, but when they arose Hastie had no hesitation in presenting as an option.

#20 Finn O’Sullivan (Oakleigh Chargers)
Midfielder | 181cm | 70kg | 30/05/2006

Arguably the most crucial member in Country’s late fightback, O’Sullivan was influential in the second half of the contest as he was moved to a more inside role from the wing. The bottom-aged midfielder showed composure and courage beyond his years as he regularly flew for marks despite incoming contact, doing the same when competing for the ball at ground level. O’Sullivan constantly looked to take the game on as he played on quickly from marks and free kicks, or ran past to get a handball from a teammate in the same position, kicking smoothly to leading targets or switching to the other side of the ground. O’Sullivan also proved deadly inside 50, with a composed dribble goal on the boundary in the fourth quarter being among his highlights for the day.

#22 Archer Reid (Gippsland Power)
Key Forward | 203cm | 93kg | 19/09/2005

Not a big game in a goal kicking sense, though it was promising to see Reid continue his return to form against the Allies, with his marking and ground ball work back to a high level for his size. Reid was superb on the lead from the get go, and later on started to look more assured in holding contested marks inside 50, with a contested mark leading to his sole goal for the game. 

#23 George Stevens (GWV Rebels)
Midfielder | 189cm | 94kg | 14/04/2005

Moved back into the midfield after being deployed exclusively in the defensive 50 against WA, Stevens brought everything to the role we’ve come to expect from him. Using his size, strength and smarts to his advantage, Stevens attempted to body opponents away from the footy on approach, seeing him finish as Country’s second-top clearance winner. Stevens’ work rate was on display as he managed to get from contest-to-contest quite well, and move into good spots to be a target further afield for teammates.

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

The Geelong Falcons product has enjoyed some really good form when donning the Country guernsey, continuing on with two goals and six marks against a strong Allies outfit. Rudd’s real strength comes from his ability to get up and down the ground through work rate, making it difficult for defenders to keep up as he’s always on the move looking for an opportunity to lead for the footy. Rudd also demonstrated his contested marking prowess, fighting hard for front position in contests and nudging opponents away from the drop zone to keep the ball out of arm’s reach.

#35 Wil Dawson (Gippsland Power)
Key Defender | 200cm | 86kg | 20/12/2005

Another Country player who has been thrown around the ground this season, Dawson may well have cemented himself as a key defender after an impressive display there. Dawson led the game for marks, demonstrating his ability to read the ball in flight and take it at the highest point. He also got up on an opponent’s shoulders late in the game, showing off his impressive athletic base for his size. Dawson still has some work to do on his ball use exiting defensive 50, but it was a very promising display for the Gippsland tall.

ALLIES:

By: Michael Alvaro

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

Skipper for the day, Sanders capped off a prolific carnival with 35 disposals, six marks and five clearances from midfield. The uber-consistent Tasmanian accumulated possessions with ease, proving no frills in his approach but looking to be productive in his efficient releases. He was a mainstay among the heavily rotated Allies centre bounce mix, linking beautifully with each teammate who ran through there and hardly wasting a touch. With the game on the line, Sanders also took kick-in duties upon himself in an attempt to steer his side to victory.

#3 Caiden Cleary (Swans Academy/NSW)
Midfielder | 182cm | 81kg | 05/03/2005

You can never fault Cleary for effort and the Swans Academy standout brought all of it throughout yesterday’s game, as a key player in turning things around after half time. He produced a massive third term en route to 36 disposals, seven tackles and nine inside 50s, putting his body on the line to win contested ball and tackle hard, but also busting a gut to get into good launch zones on the outside. Cleary has improved his kicking, though reverted back to more long bombs given the intensity of the game, gaining useful meterage nonetheless.

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

Others may have racked up more of the ball over four quarters, but Rogers was one who proved steadfast during Vic Country’s best periods in the first half. The diminutive midfielder can just about do it all; carving through traffic and to the outside with elite speed, showing a strong core and clean hands to get off useful disposals while being tackled, and buzzing around to lay tackles of his own. Rogers got after it all day, finishing with 22 disposals, six tackles, five clearances, and eight inside 50s to firm as a top 15 talent.

#11 Phoenix Gothard (Murray Bushrangers/NSW)
Small Forward | 178cm | 70kg | 07/09/2005

Ever the opportunist, Gothard snared two goals in his usual small forward role and was busy in short spurts. He clearly started better than he finished, notching seven of his total 11 disposals in the opening quarter with constant movement both inside and beyond the attacking arc. His goals came thereafter though, with a pair of quick finishes in the second and third terms to help the Allies make their move. He’ll be hard to look past as a specialist small with moments of magic in him.

#13 Jack Callinan (Clarence/Tasmania Devils)
Small Forward | 179cm | 77kg | 07/10/2005

Another of the Allies’ busy small forwards, Callinan produced a steady return of 14 disposals, four tackles, and a goal. He showcased a variety of traits along the way, including clean hands, punishing defensive pressure, and the ability to work over his opponents on the edge of the arc. The Tasmanian took the game on and made smart decisions in dangerous areas, while taking advantage of any mistakes from Vic Country – including a holding the ball tackle on Joe Pike which led to his lone goal.

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

McKercher’s consistency is utterly ridiculous, and he produced yet another prolific performance with 32 disposals, eight clearances, and six inside 50s. Arguably most importantly, he also snared two classy goals in the third quarter to help give his side the ascendancy and take home the National Championships title. He shifted through traffic and drew players into space with his disposal, even delivering a right-footed kick having done so much damage this year on his favoured left. Opponents couldn’t lay a hand on the Tasmanian, who evaded tacklers with ease and combined his speed with hard running to rack up the ball.

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

One of the major storylines coming into Sunday’s game was the battle between two potential number one prospects in Walter and Harley Reid. Vic Country even brought in a specialist defender to blanket the Allies forward, and he dealt with the attention relatively well to register 11 disposals, six marks, and 2.3. Walter got his marking game going early and advanced up the field, but lacked a finishing touch in the second half and began to tighten up – perhaps showing he could be a touch more economical in his intense efforts. Late in the game, he displayed good game awareness to milk the clock and enact professional fouls, proving there is brain to match his obvious brawn.

#26 Will Graham (Suns Academy/Queensland)
Midfielder | 186cm | 79kg | 17/03/2005

Perhaps a player, no less a Suns Academy member, who has flown under the radar this year is Graham. Having been squeezed to defence with the Allies, he finally got an extended run through midfield with stints at the centre bounces and on the wing. He was competitive as ever with his hunt on the ball and proved strong through the hips when breaking tackles to get a disposal away. His running capacity was also solid and though there were some skewed kicks on the fly, Graham was more polished when going uncontested or off a stationary line. Clubs will have a look at him with the Suns likely being unable to retain a fourth academy product.

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

Read has stamped himself as a genuine top five contender throughout this year’s championships and stepped up in a big way when the game was up for grabs on Sunday. The 202cm big man took six marks and won 13 hitouts, but was arguably more impressive with his seven clearances and four tackles, acting like a fourth midfielder around the ball. He was clean and efficient under fire, adding value to his primary craft with fluent movement and shrewd touches in open play. He’ll be right up there with Walter as the best key position player in the draft crop.

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

Playing against some of his Murray Bushrangers teammates, O’Sullivan again impressed down back with a dynamic 17 disposals, six marks, and three rebound 50s. He further showcased his ability to impact at repeat contests, balancing his aerial game with composed bouts of possession and efficiency in slow uncontested play. The 198cm utility also spent time marking Harley Reid and continues to hold his own no matter the task. O’Sullivan looks set to push hard for top 10 honours having taken out the Allies MVP from a stacked field.