NATIONAL Draft Combine invitees were out to impress in the Coates Talent League across Round 15. We noted some of the top draft prospects from all five fixtures, taking a narrow focus on representative squad members, bottom-agers, and club-tied talent.

>> CTL Round 15: Snapshot | POTW | TOTW

By: Declan Reeve

OAKLEIGH CHARGERS:

#1 Nathan Philactides

Usually seen distributing or running the ball out of the defensive 50, Philactides had a new-look role through the centre square on Saturday, demonstrating how damaging his burst speed and spread from stoppage can be. Philactides generally made good decisions with ball in hand and looked to provide run on the outside. The highlight of his game came in the opening minute, as he spread well from the starting ball up and got on the end of a handball chain to slot a running goal.

#7 Jagga Smith

One of the many exciting midfield prospects for the 2024 draft, Smith was prolific as the Chargers’ joint leading disposal winner, powering from contest-to-contest. Smith’s balance through the midfield was an asset that allowed him to link up well with any combination of teammates, though he was just as comfortable cracking in for a contested possession as he was holding his space and receiving a handball into space, utilising his speed well in both roles throughout.

#9 Tom Gross

Another promising 2024 draft prospect, Gross is one who has seemed to slowly build into his role with the Chargers, splitting his time evenly between the forward 50 and centre square, with his appetite for the contest holding him in good stead through both roles. Gross impressed most up forward against the Ranges, able to hurt the opposition when in transition with his ability to gain separation on the lead, or when running onto a loose ball. Gross ended the day with a return of two goals and three behinds, although his work in the forward 50 set up plenty of scoring opportunities.

#11 Will Lorenz

Lorenz has had a modest season to date, but looks to be building towards his best if Saturday is anything to go by. Lorenz enjoyed an extended run through the centre square rotation, with his smarts around stoppages and composure through congestion allowing him to hurt the opposition with most of his disposals. He was one of the few players who actively looked to use the width of the ground when distributing the ball. 

EASTERN RANGES:

#1 Caleb Windsor

One of the bolters from the National Championships, Windsor took up his usual spot on the wing and just went about his business. He was one of his side’s most dangerous offensive threats with his penetrative kick and run and carry style from congestion. Windsor consistently held his width well to provide an option on the outside, or a switch kick outlet from defensive 50. 

#9 Christian Moraes

One of the form players of the Talent League over the past month, Moraes took on a slightly altered role through midfield on Saturday. With fellow bottom-aged midfielder Josh Smillie off early with injury, Moraes acted as Eastern’s main inside ball winner through the final three quarters, balancing that responsibility with some impressive spurts of speed on the outside. It was impressive to see Moraes impact in a newer role so quickly, and although he could’ve done with some cleaner work by hand at times, that display of versatility will hold him in good stead for next season.

#13 Riley Weatherill

Nearly leading the game for marks with seven, Weatherill proved too difficult for the Chargers’ back line to shut down, as he seemingly plucked grabs for fun regardless of how many opponents tried to spoil the ball away from him. When Weatherill wasn’t holding marks himself, he managed to get a hand to the footy and tap it to the advantage of his smaller teammates at ground level.

By: Michael Alvaro

NORTHERN KNIGHTS:

#2 Nate Caddy

Though he was relatively well contained for most of the match, Caddy ended up with four goals and did most of his damage during a 10-minute purple patch in term three. The 192cm forward struggled to impact on the end of relatively poor delivery, but eventually got his marking game going and converted from of a trio of strong marks. Caddy’s game-winning ability was again on show as he momentarily put the Knights ahead, proving you can’t keep a good man down for long.

#10 Will Green

It was again a game of moments for Green, who made a better start to proceedings than he has in recent weeks. The 204cm ruckman dominated the centre bounce hitouts and ended up with a game-high 24 overall, helping give his side some early midfield ascendancy. He was neat and tidy with his eight touches and clunked a couple of clean grabs at full stretch, extending at the ball nicely from either side’s kick-ins.

#26 Zak Johnson

It was a busy day for Johnson, who racked up 28 touches in all areas of the ground. The bottom-ager started forward but also made good on his stints in midfield, standing up as a prolific clearance winner and proving elusive as ever. Among his best moments was a one-handed mark in the third term, but he seemed to pop up everywhere throughout the four quarters.

#32 Christian Mardini

GWV has a couple of talented bottom-age talls and they tested Mardini’s defensive acumen. Going the other way, he was typically productive with 23 disposals and 12 rebound 50s as Northern’s designated kicker out of the last line. The Knights co-captain provided solid effort in one-on-ones without being spectacular in the air, looking far more comfortable when distributing the ball rather than having to chop it off or kill it.

GWV REBELS:

#2 Lachlan Charleson

Spending more time in arguably his more natural position up forward, Charleson provided his usual energy inside 50 and was among a few lively GWV smalls. The top-ager read play well to swoop on the loose ball and once he gained possession, used his speed to generate scoring chances. He ended up with a haul of 2.3 from 18 disposals and eventually got a run through midfield.

#6 Luamon Lual

Lual’s turn of speed and ability to generate drive have proven to be masterful points of difference in GWV’s engine room, which is otherwise very strong in a contested sense. The usual defender played the receiver role beautifully, timing his runs to get the ball on the move and take ground in front of him. He had a good knack for finding space in attacking phases and also dropped back for a strong intercept mark in the opening quarter. The only thing missing was a finishing touch, as Lual notched three behinds from his 25 touches and five inside 50s.

#7 Joel Freijah

Finding a good deal of consistency back in his preferred post on the wing, Freijah was again solid with 22 disposals and seven marks. At 191cm, he’s capable of folding in on the contest and impacting there, but was more useful on Saturday with his running capacity on the outside. Freijah worked into the expanses of Preston City Oval and was sighted in both arcs, getting into the game through his usual work rate.

#10 Rhys Unwin

Unwin bagged a season-best haul of four goals in Round 15, booting three in the final quarter to help GWV run away with the result. The crafty small forward was lively in term one too, playing high and piercing passes inside 50 on his preferred left foot. His forward craft came to the fore later on with great improvisation at the fall of the ball and masterful finishing on the snap.

#21 Oliver Hannaford

Another prospect among GWV’s bottom-aged brigade, Hannaford impressed with his toughness and continued effort behind the ball. He notched up 21 touches – equal to his jumper number – and hit the ball at speed, embracing the physicality of the contest and helping his side win possession back in good areas. It was Hannaford’s equal-best disposal tally across 10 games this season.

#23 George Stevens

GWV’s top ball winner for another week, Stevens racked up 33 disposals and laid six tackles in a typically robust shift on the inside. The big bodied ball winner showcased his strength to win clearances and did most of his work in contested situations, but began to produce more expansive play as the Rebels opened things up in term four. Stevens had a running bounce and was hungry for a goal, but couldn’t quite get his radar right on the fly.

By: Michael Alvaro

GIPPSLAND POWER:

#3 Xavier Lindsay

Lindsay continues to post strong numbers in his bottom-aged Talent League campaign, and did so again in Round 15 with a game-high 28 disposals against Bendigo. The midfielder was effective as a runner both coming away from the contest and between the arcs, often wheeling away onto his left foot and chaining possessions on the attack. Despite primarily playing at the centre bounces, his traits look best suited to the outside.

#9 Zane Duursma

Duursma put on an absolute clinic inside Gippsland’s forward 50, slotting six goals from 12 disposals and six marks. The top 10 prospect made things look incredibly easy, proving untouchable on the lead and clunking marks as clean as you like. His finishing was just as polished, converting the game’s first two goals over the mark and going on to claim another three in the same manner. To add another element of class, his sixth major was a left-footed snap from the boundary. Too good.

#15 Tew Jiath

Somewhat of a surprise inclusion to the state combine list having only played his first Talent League game in Round 9, Jiath again showed promise for his 16 touches and four marks. He suits the style of modern-day football, especially as a defender, with the capacity to intercept at 187cm, but also help slingshot the ball in transition. Jiath held a high line and while his kicking was a bit iffy at times, he generally made good decisions when distributing off half-back.

#21 Wil Dawson

Continuing his run as a key defender, Dawson registered a single-digit disposal haul for the fifth game running but there is no denying his upside. The 200cm prospect has a terrific set of hands and beats most others on pure reach, as proven with many of his six marks. Dawson was clean overhead and took the ball at full stretch, while also proving competitive when the ball hit the deck and leaning on his mobility to pressure opposition ball carriers.

#22 Archer Reid

Reid is in the best form he has been in some time, and continued his fruitful streak with 12 disposals, seven marks and three goals on Saturday. The mobile 203cm talent also provided a handy chop-out in the ruck with 21 hitouts and his proficiency there highlighted how he has improved in the way of competitiveness recently. Reid’s marking was a particular highlight too, as he held his ground and clunked the ball overhead before finishing off his work with scores.

#29 Ricky Mentha

A small forward who provides great energy and skill, Mentha’s craft inside 50 was a sight to behold. He bagged three goals from seven touches, crumbing the ball expertly off hands and finishing with aplomb on the snap. He was also hard to lay a hand on when hitting up high, often wheeling around back towards goal and looking to move the ball on quickly.

#38 Willem Duursma

Vic Country’s Under 16 MVP this year, Duursma has taken to the Talent League like a duck to water. Turning out alongside elder brother Zane, Willem found more success in his second match with 16 disposals, five marks and six rebound 50s. He reads the play beautifully and peels off to provide productive overlap run, helping set up fluent transitional forays with his efficient kicking. He’s a player who hardly fumbles or wastes a possession.

BENDIGO PIONEERS:

#1 Oliver Poole

With Bendigo missing some key personnel, Poole again stepped up to roll through midfield and fared relatively well. The usual outside runner still worked into space and generated momentum on the attack with his left-foot kicking, even hitting the scoreboard for two goals. While his first major was converted on the end of a 50m penalty, Poole’s second was a terrific finish on the run which showcased his sharp turn of speed.

#3 Tobie Travaglia

Perhaps similarly to Poole, Travaglia is an outside player who blends that kind of flair with a tough streak. The 187cm bottom-ager only had it 13 times and most often disposed of the ball by hand, but put in repeat efforts when the ball was in dispute and wasn’t overawed at the contest. Travaglia’s running capacity is among his greatest strengths.

#11 Oskar Smartt

Again akin to Poole, Smartt took on greater responsibility through the engine room and while it only yielded 14 disposals, he still very much got his hands dirty. The top-ager has plenty of power and showed it in moments like his strong overhead mark and penetrative switch kick in the first quarter. He also laid a big tackle on Archer Reid during term two and brought plenty of intent to term three in an attempt to help halt the Power’s momentum.

#17 Jobe Shanahan

Having recently ventured forward and into midfield, Shanahan was primarily used in arguably his most natural defensive post on Saturday. The bottom-ager has a lovely leap and marks the ball cleanly, making him an apt interceptor at 192cm. He was also trusted to distribute the ball from kick-ins and even snuck forward for a chance on goal in term two.

By: Michael Alvaro

WESTERN JETS:

#3 Lucca Grego

After a relatively subdued start by his standards, Grego lifted in the second half to finish with a solid stat line of 16 disposals and five rebound 50s. The bottom-ager struggled to make an impact in midfield but got his hands on the ball with a switch to defence, displaying his toughness and a bit more flair when sparking transitions. Grego showed good intent to chain possessions up the field, waxing with teammates and taking the game on in short running passages.

#24 Logan Morris

Opposite to Grego, Morris produced his best form in the first half and booted all three of his goals before the main break – accounting for a third of Western’s overall majors. While he didn’t clunk the ball as usual early on, Morris flew at it with authority and brought it to ground on several occasions, before getting a better look one-on-one for his first goal. He next kicked an unbelievable, albeit flukey snap goal hemmed in on the boundary and pulled out another nice finish on the run to cap off his scoring. Opportunities dried up thereafter, but Morris continued to work up the field.

GEELONG FALCONS:

#19 Angus Hastie

Geelong’s only National Combine invitee this year, Hastie showed why he’s top of the Falcons’ tree with another promising display in defence. His attacking attributes came to the fore through the willingness to set off with each possession and carry the ball forward. There were plays where Hastie overlapped and continued his run all the way to attacking 50 – exemplified no better than when he chained up a pair of one-twos and finished off with a snap on goal. The top-ager also distributed the ball beautifully by foot, albeit if he dumped it out by hand when pressured at times.

#25 Michael Rudd

Rudd has hit a rich vein of form as Geelong’s spearhead and produced another fruitful performance with 23 disposals, 10 marks and two goals. The Falcons co-captain judged the ball well to mark both one-on-one and on the lead, proving his side’s link man once again in all areas of the attacking half. When not scoring himself, Rudd also set up multiple goals for others and was Geelong’s most influential player throughout four quarters.

By: Michael Alvaro

MURRAY BUSHRANGERS:

#3 Charlie McCormack

Playing just his second game for Murray, McCormack again showed glimpses for his eight touches, three marks, six hitouts and lone goal. The Giants Academy member has freakish ability for a 198cm prospect and looked lively when carrying the ball towards goal, getting involved in a couple of important scoring chains. Throughout the year, it has been a case of quality over quantity for the efficient McCormack, and that was largely the case again on Sunday.

#4 Darcy Wilson

There is little more that can be said about Wilson’s exploits at Talent League level, and he was simply dominant in Round 15. The smooth moving midfielder notched up a personal-best 35 disposals and had his opponents on strings at times, especially when allowed the time and space to hit effective passes. While he tended to wheel around rather than drive straight forward, Wilson broke out of stoppages and leant on his running capacity to accumulate possessions in each third of the ground. Most importantly, he popped up when the game was there to be won with a crucial centre clearance, before snaring a goal to get the Bushies back within a kick of the lead.

#6 Coby James

It was another busy outing for James, who compiled 23 disposals, seven marks and seven inside 50s from midfield. The 176cm top-ager was able to get on the end of more outside ball and drove his legs on the attack, marching Murray forward in short spurts. He bagged a goal early in the piece having put teammates in the same position, and stepped up late on with the kind of intent required for his side to sneak over the line.

#8 Connor O’Sullivan

O’Sullivan’s composure and defensive acumen were put to the test as he lined up on Calder’s Jordan Croft, and was arguably beaten despite racking up a cool 26 touches, eight marks, and five rebound 50s. The Allies MVP made few mistakes with ball in hand and backed himself to either peel off or impact Murray’s transitional play, but was found out when the ball turned over and Croft was left all alone. One-on-one, O’Sullivan used his body well from back position in an enthralling aerial battle, and will be better for having taken on such a difficult matchup.

#13 Phoenix Gothard

Enjoying a slight change-up in role, Gothard was thrown into the midfield mix on Sunday. Though, the zippy small arguably looked more dangerous when shifted back into attack where he was better able to use his movement and decision making to get creative with ball in hand. At the contest, it was his tackling which proved most impactful as he got his hands on the ball 14 times. The experiment was worth it, and is what the pathways are all about, but Gothard’s final quarter proved just how valuable he is around forward 50.

#20 Jack Whitlock

There is plenty of excitement about the Whitlock boys in Murray’s ranks, and Jack produced one of his most complete performances to date on Sunday. The mobile ruck-forward looked comfortable with ball in hand and had to be given he gathered 18 touches and seven marks. Whitlock also made the most of his time inside 50 to boot two goals, looking quite polished for such a developable 200cm talent.

#24 Matt Whitlock

The second of the Whitlock twins, Matt notched up a season-high 20 disposals and five marks in arguably his best appearance yet. Utilised down back, he took a leaf out of O’Sullivan’s book to use his mobility and get involved in transition, carrying the ball nicely for a 197cm player. While perhaps a little more raw that brother Jack, the bottom-ager has just as much upside as a new-age key position prospect.

CALDER CANNONS:

#2 Isaac Kako

Kako has found his groove in recent weeks and continued his venture into the midfield rotation, while also working high up the ground as a forward. He gathered 20 disposals and 10 marks, but made the biggest impact with four goals and some beautiful finishes among them. The bottom-ager summed up his options nicely, but also worked well off instinct and scored from a variety of positions – most often in the pocket. He’s a clever player with enormous skill.

#10 Damon Hollow

Another of Calder’s in-form bottom-agers, Hollow again proved that when given an inch he can take a mile. There was no catching him once he broke away forward of stoppage, tearing into attack at serious speed and certainly catching the eye. Hollow ended up with 21 disposals and seven inside 50s, but can work on his end product – especially at full tilt – having scrapped a few kicks and registered only two minor scores.

#16 Mahmoud Taha

It was a rather typical day of accumulation for Taha, who amassed a whopping 37 disposals in Calder’s midfield. The Essendon NGA product came in fresh off VFL experience with the Bombers and certainly had no issues finding the ball, but had a harder time hurting the opposition with it. Most of his best work was done by hand and on the inside, as Taha extracted possession and let the Cannons’ more explosive players break to the outside.

#41 Jordan Croft

In one of the matchups of the round, Croft was marked by Connor O’Sullivan and still managed to have a good time of it, snaring 3.4 from 17 disposals and seven marks. The athletic 200cm marking phenom got his aerial game going and was difficult to beat when allowed a jump at the ball. He clunked a series of strong marks, combining his athleticism with pure reach and a dash of confidence. Croft also bagged the game’s first goal and had many set shot chances to end the day with an even bigger scoring bag.