Up the Grades: Kolt’ hero makes finals return
SUBIACO prospect Koltyn Tholstrup stepped back up to WAFL League level over the weekend, taking part in the Lions’ week one finals loss to Peel Thunder. The hard-working utility returned from a groin injury via the Reserves last week, and managed three behinds from seven touches on Saturday.
Tholstrup’s Lions led by 28 points at half time but were unable to hold off the Thunder’s third quarter surge. State representative Luker Kentfield was also fielded, notching six disposals and three tackles as Subiaco now turns its attention to a week two matchup against Claremont.
Elsewhere in the top flight finals out West, Daniel Curtin gathered 15 disposals and four marks as Claremont eliminated East Perth with a 12-point victory. Down in the Reserves, midfielder Luke Kelly had 10 touches and laid four tackles in Swan Districts’ defeat of Subiaco.
There wasn’t any junior representation in the top SANFL grade this week, but a good group of Woodville-West Torrens prospects turned out in the twos. The Eagles won a thriller over South Adelaide by the slimmest of margins, progressing to week two having scraped into the top five on percentage.
Fresh off five League games, bottom-ager Kade Herbert booted a goal from 14 disposals and eight marks, while forward Patrick Weckert also clunked eight grabs for two majors. Meanwhile, state teammate Callum Fairall had 18 touches and laid four tackles.
A slew of Brisbane Lions Academy members turned out in Wilston Grange’s QAFL semi final win over Broadbeach. Bottom-aged goalsneak Jake Fazldeen snared five goals, while Fergus McFadyen and Billy Richardson (three each) hit the scoreboard, and Patrick Snell also featured.
Meanwhile, Suns Academy products and recent Queensland Under 17 representatives Joshua Zanker-Close and Leo Lombard were blooded by Broadbeach. Under 16 gun Daniel Annable also appeared in the senior grade, as Redland Victoria Point lost to Aspley, who advanced to this year’s decider.
A few more Northern Academy talents were unleashed in the AFL Sydney Premier competition. Swan Max Rider kicked a goal in UNSW-ES Bulldogs’ win over Pennant Hills, helping his side into the Grand Final alongside the likes of Ned Hawkins and Hamish Morrison.
While the Tasmania Devils enjoyed a pre-finals bye as Coates Talent League minor premier, no players were risked in the final TSL home-and-away round. Similarly, there was an absence of 2005-born talent in the opening week of VFL finals.
Up the Grades: Kolt’ hero makes finals return
SUBIACO prospect Koltyn Tholstrup stepped back up to WAFL League level over the weekend, taking part in the Lions’ week one finals loss to Peel Thunder. The hard-working utility returned from a groin injury via the Reserves last week, and managed three behinds from seven touches on Saturday. Tholstrup’s Lions led by 28 points at […]
Up the Grades: Torrent Thunders into League debut
PEEL Thunder prospect Reece Torrent became the latest draft combine invitee to make their senior debut over the weekend. The midfielder had shown strong form across four Reserves games and booted his first League goal on Saturday as the Thunder locked up third place. Torrent was part of Western Australia’s state side this year and […]
Up the Grades: Bottom-agers blooded in VFL
A PAIR of bottom-agers tied to Northern Academies were unleashed unto the VFL over the weekend, as Gold Coast’s Leonardo Lombard and GWS’ Josaia Delana made their state league debuts. Both acclimated well, notching 11 and 12 disposals respectively. Lombard’s Suns thrashed Carlton out of a Wildcard Round spot on percentage, winning to the tune […]
Up the Grades: Stevens bares claws in Cats return
TALENT pathway prospects were littered across the state leagues over the weekend, headlined by George Stevens‘ return to Geelong’s VFL side. The GWV Rebels product won a team-high 29 touches in the Cats’ heavy loss to Collingwood, thriving in wet conditions with his contested nous. Stevens has been a standout in the Talent League of […]
Up the Grades: Reid runs rampant in new colours
LEADING AFL Draft prospect Harley Reid turned out for his sixth team this year over the weekend, donning the sash in Essendon’s VFL loss to Southport on Saturday. Reid gathered 24 disposals and seven marks through the Bombers’ midfield, taking the field alongside current and former AFL talent. The 18-year-old previously linked with Carlton for […]
Up the Grades: Swans blood Academy guns
AFL DRAFT prospects continue to climb the grades in 2023, headlined over the weekend by a trio of Swans Academy products in the VFL. Midfielder Caiden Cleary was the pick of the bunch, compiling 18 disposals, seven tackles and a goal as Sydney comfortably beat Essendon. Fellow Allies squad members Max Rider (13 disposals, one […]
Up the Grades: Top prospect makes VFL return
TOP five AFL Draft prospect Zane Duursma was among the top-age talent to hit state league level over the weekend, as he turned out for his second game with the Casey Demons. The All Australian midfielder-forward notched 10 touches and three marks in a 42-point win over Coburg. A natural inside attacking 50, Duursma was […]
Up the grades: Draper stars in second senior dig
SOUTH Australian Under 18 MVP Sid Draper continues to go from strength to strength in his bottom-age season, after another promising performance in his second senior SANFL game. The South Adelaide midfielder had 21 disposals and six clearances as his Panthers went down to Sturt on Sunday. It comes after Draper, the younger brother of […]
Up the Grades: Reid ramps up VFL form
LEADING AFL Draft prospect Harley Reid backed up his VFL debut with an even better outing in game two, despite his side suffering another tight loss. The powerful utility collected 21 disposals and eight marks while laying nine tackles as Carlton went down by four points to Brisbane in the opening Round 7 fixture. In […]
