VIC Country has claimed a dramatic after-the-siren win over Queensland as the two sides locked horns in Sunday’s Under 17 Futures showcase. Having led all day on the back of a four-goal head start, the Victorians fell behind for the first time with just two minutes left on the clock. Up stepped Jack Whitlock, who marked and converted the game-winner. We noted the top prospects from either side.

>> Scouting Notes: Vic Metro vs. NSW-ACT

VIC COUNTRY 3.6 | 5.8 | 8.13 | 9.16 (70)
QUEENSLAND 0.2 | 4.4 | 7.7 | 9.12 (66)

Vic Country: J. Faull 4, J. Whitlock 2, R. Unwin, M. Donohue, H. Doughton
Queensland: J. Fazldeen 2, L. Gulbin 2, L. Lombard 2, T. Gillett, T. Gallop, F. McFadyen

RMC BEST:

Vic Country: J. Faull, J. Whitlock, X. Ivisic, O. Warburton, T. Travaglia, N. Mraz
Queensland: L. Lombard, T. Gillett, S. Marshall, R. Gilder, W. Greenaway, J. Fazldeen

VIC COUNTRY:

#3 Xavier Lindsay (Gippsland Power)
Midfielder | 182cm | 03/08/2006

Having put together a strong run of form in the Coates Talent League, Lindsay earned a starting spot in midfield before shifting to the wing after half time. The Gippsland Power prospect was clean by hand and quick on the release, while also able to find a way forward by navigating his surroundings with composure. He was quieter after being taken out of the centre bounces, but showed enough class in the first half.

#4 Oliver Warburton (Murray Bushrangers)
Midfielder | 184cm | 13/06/2006

A midfielder mainstay for Vic Country, Warburton accumulated possessions consistently and got his side going with bustling runs from congestion. He was often sighted pumping the ball inside 50, but also combined nicely with his teammates on the inside to allow them to do the same. While Warburton fared well by hand in those instances and his kick penetration was no issue, he was a little scrappy by foot at times.

#13 Xavier Ivisic (Geelong Falcons)
Midfielder | 180cm | 01/06/2006

The third member of Vic Country’s starting midfield group, Ivisic was arguably the most polished of the lot throughout four quarters. He was clean by both hand and foot, dishing off tidy disposals with little fuss and great efficiency. While not expansive as others on the outside, his class and lack of any glaring mistakes made him a solid operator who could be relied upon to get the ball to space with fluency.

#15 Tobie Travaglia (Bendigo Pioneers)
Defender | 187cm | 26/10/2006

Travaglia has nailed down a spot on the wing with the Bendigo Pioneers, but showcased his versatility by slotting in off Vic Country’s half-back line. The hard-running 187cm talent competed well overhead and worked up to the speed of the contest with repeat efforts. He eventually got some overlap run going to add to his impact on the intercept, faring well when he held a high line and turned defence into attack.

#18 Jonty Faull (GWV Rebels)
Key Forward | 194cm | 01/02/2006

Arguably best afield with a game-high four goals, Faull hit the scoreboard in every quarter bar the last. He moves incredibly well for a 194cm player and can beat taller opponents with that mobility, but his aerial game means shorter defenders are usually put out as well. While flukey at times, the GWV Rebels product showed great dexterity to convert on the snap and leap at the ball with confidence, also slotting a long-range set shot for his final major.

#20 Jack Whitlock (Murray Bushrangers)
Key Forward | 199cm | 16/05/2006

The hero for Vic Country, Whitlock was a marking presence all day but popped up at the vital moment and took his chance with the game-winning goal. Playing at the opposite end to twin brother Matt, Jack also hit the scoreboard in term one to finish with two majors. Whitlock’s reach and ability to cover ground made him a difficult matchup, and he took toll with a series of clean grabs both inside and outside 50.

#23 Noah Mraz (Dandenong Stingrays)
Ruck | 197cm | 20/02/2006

Another promising tall at Vic Country’s disposal, Mraz is potentially the best of the lot. Having cut his teeth in roles in each key position post, the Dandenong Stingrays prospect was his side’s starting ruck on Sunday. There, he showcased his springy leap and ability to stay with the play at ground level, offering clean skills and sustained impact as somewhat of a fourth midfielder. It was a day of good moments for Mraz and he certainly has a strong amount of upside at 197cm.

QUEENSLAND:

#8 Leonardo Lombard (Suns Academy)
Midfielder | 178cm | 05/10/2006

Certainly Queensland’s best and most influential player across four quarters, Lombard racked up plenty of possessions and slotted a pair of classy goals on the run. He notched a couple of firsts – the first centre clearance and Queensland’s first major – and showcased a great inside-outside balance in midfield. Whether it was fending off opponents or using his power running to break forward, Lombard was hard to lay a hand on and shapes as one of Queensland’s top 2024 talents.

#17 Ryan Gilder (Lions Academy)
Defender/Midfielder | 191cm | 15/05/2006

Along with the likes of Harrison Ronchi, Wyatt Greenaway and Nelson Beikoff-Smart, Gilder was a player who wanted the ball in his hands when distributing from defence. He generated good overlap run on the rebound and looked to set up play as he racked up the ball, eventually moving into midfield for a point of difference around the contest.

#20 Samuel Marshall (Lions Academy/Sandringham Dragons)
Midfielder | 185cm | 19/01/2006

A real accumulator through midfield, Marshall did so through work rate and will on Sunday. He was a mainstay at the centre bounces and helped Queensland wheel away to the outside, driving his legs once he had received or snatched possession on the inside. An Allies representative, Marshall has also earned VFL experience and is in a high level Talent League program at Sandringham. Like Lombard, he’ll be among the leading Queensland prospects next year.

#27 Tom Gillett (Lions Academy)
Ruck | 201cm | 09/01/2006

Arguably the Maroons’ most imposing tall, Gillett was an ideal secondary ruck to Nancarrow and also made an impact around the ground. He moves super well for a 201cm player and leant on that mobility to get involved in open play, while also competing typically well in the air. Gillett’s best patch came in term three where he converted a booming set shot from 50m, and nearly added another goal on the run.

#30 Caleb Nancarrow (Suns Academy/Oakleigh Chargers)
Ruck | 193cm | 31/05/2006

Queensland’s starting ruck, Nancarrow only measures up at 193cm but cuts the height difference with his athleticism. The spring-heeled leaper popped up with moments of promise throughout the day, showcasing great skill for a tall player and hardly putting a foot wrong with his possessions. He boasts enormous potential, but can look to impact games more consistently heading into his top-age campaign.