ROUND 4 of the Coates Talent League is two of three games down, with both Sydney-based academies turning out in the competition for the first time this season. We noted some of the top prospects from both games so far, with one to come on Thursday.

>> Snapshot: Coates Talent League Round 4

Gippsland Power 10.16 (76) def. Swans Academy 9.12 (66)

GIPPSLAND POWER:

#3 Xavier Lindsay
Midfielder | 183cm | 03/08/2006

Stats: 23 disposals, 6 inside 50s, 1 goal

Reprising his role in Gippsland’s midfield after missing National Academy duties, Lindsay took little time to get back up to speed. He won the opening centre clearance in each of the first two quarters and was quite neat at the contest, but proved more hit or miss with his kicking in the early stages. The classy left-footer made better use of his skills as the game opened up and his goal on the stroke of half time gave Gippsland an unlikely lead.

#7 Willem Duursma
Wing/Forward | 191cm | 21/06/2007

Stats: 9 disposals, 4 marks, 2 goals

While he wasn’t quite as prolific as other weeks, Duursma showed his class in a slightly altered rotation. Having typically shifted to defence from the wing, he went instead went forward on Saturday and booted two goals. The bottom-ager slotted a slick checkside in the opening quarter and converted a lovely overhead mark in term three, showcasing terrific skills and a clean set of hands with each involvement. Opportunities were limited, though.

#10 Max Donohue
Wing | 180cm | 19/03/2006

Stats: 18 disposals, 4 inside 50s, 1 goal

A productive operator on the outside, Donohue continued his promising form in Round 4. The top-ager was often sighted sweeping back into pockets of space to help Gippsland find fluency in transition, adding some drive and good ball use. He also snuck forward as any good winger should, popping up with a front-and-centre crumb for his third quarter goal. While largely effective with time and space, Donohue can look to work on absorbing contact and his contested game.

#29 Ricky Mentha
Small Forward | 179cm | 04/09/2006

Stats: 14 disposals, 1 goal, 3 behinds

Mentha is a player who tends to make things happen and he generated some gilt-edge chances on Saturday, albeit with a low rate of conversion. The small forward was typically crafty at the fall of the ball and looked to direct snaps on goal from tough angles, finishing with one second-quarter major for his troubles. His instincts were sound, but just lacked the end product.

#31 Alix Tauru
Tall Defender | 191cm | 16/11/2006

Stats: 15 disposals, 10 marks, 2 rebound 50s

Tauru returned a monster performance down back, clunking 10 marks and seemingly growing in confidence with each one. The competitive tall shut down Sydney’s dangerous forwards and peeled off to intercept, planting himself in good positions before flying confidently at the ball. He bordered on overzealous with his attack having dished out a bit of friendly fire in the final quarter, but could hardly be faulted for effort and effectiveness as a defensive wall. A breakout game.

SWANS ACADEMY:

#7 Lachlan Cabor
Small Forward | 178cm | 28/09/2005

Stats: 16 disposals, 4 tackles, 3 inside 50s

Returning as an over-ager for the Swans, Cabor was utilised in the small forward role. His explosive streak and physicality made him dangerous, though he sometimes ran himself into trouble when carrying the ball. He could hardly be faulted on the defensive end with strong tackling pressure, making for useful grunt work going both ways.

#10 Lachlan Carmichael
Midfielder | 183cm | 27/08/2007

Stats: 16 disposals, 5 marks, 4 tackles

The Swans’ Under 16 MVP last year, Carmichael looks to have been converted from defender to full-time midfielder. He displayed terrific composure in traffic, drawing opponents with feints before disposing of the ball, or stepping to the outside himself. He also showed a great knack for keeping his arms free at the contest and was quite polished in the way of handling. Carmichael began to get busier on the outside as the game wore on, though was most effective at stoppages.

#28 Joel Cochran
Tall Defender | 195cm | 28/03/2006

Stats: 18 disposals, 4 marks, 6 rebound 50s

Fresh off representing the National Academy, Cochran was posted in the Swans’ defence and showed his versatility as a tall prospect. He moves quite well for a 195cm player and was not afraid to carry the ball out of defence or provide overlap run. His kicking at full flight was hit or miss, but he was generally tidy otherwise and looked potent when playing a high line behind the ball.

#29 Ned Hawkins
Midfielder | 187cm | 09/07/2005

Stats: 19 disposals, 6 marks, 6 inside 50s

Hawkins had little trouble getting his hands on the ball, finishing level as the Swans’ top disposal winner. The over-ager was thrown into the midfield mix having mostly cut his teeth as a wingman last year, and his size was a factor on the inside. There, he bustled through the front of stoppages and used his booming boot to gain quick metres, although a touch of polish could have made him more effective. Hawkins’ final quarter goal was more measured and gave the Swans a sniff.

#30 Noah Chamberlain
Tall Forward | 192cm | 21/03/2007

Stats: 14 disposals, 3 tackles, 1 goal

There’s plenty to like about Chamberlain as a tall forward. He’s strong enough to provide a marking target on the lead with clean hands and a fluent leap, but also athletic enough to impact once the ball hits the deck. He booted the first goal of the game with a quick snap around the body and looked quite nimble for his size. The bottom-ager’s intensity and movement gave him real presence despite being shut down aerially after half time.

Giants Academy 11.8 (74) def. Tasmania Devils 9.8 (62)

GIANTS ACADEMY:

#11 Josaia Delana
Midfielder | 176cm | 01/07/2006

Stats: 25 disposals, 6 inside 50s, 1 goal

Leading the Giants’ disposal count with 25, Delana’s power and speed became more potent as the game opened up. He was neat in the inner circle but began to drive his legs and chain possessions better in the second half. Delana hit the scoreboard in term three with a snap goal after missing one on the run, utilising his agility to prise both chances and help the Giants gain ascendancy.

#17 Jensen Hargreaves
Midfielder | 180cm | 01/05/2006

Stats: 17 disposals, 5 inside 50s

Starting in midfield, Hargreaves won the opening centre clearance and sharked the ball cleanly off taps a few more times after that. Much like Delana, he began to use his turn of speed more potently in the second half and charged forward with vigour, showcasing a deadly step when bursting away from congestion. He very nearly kicked one of the goals of the day via that method, weaving his way within 20 metres only to miss.

#28 Coby Hilton
Forward | 185cm | 28/06/2006

Stats: 15 disposals, 5 tackles, 7 inside 50s

Hard to miss in his bright green boots, Hilton was another athletic Giant who brought plenty of flair. He often looked to carry the ball forward, pushing high up the ground and burning off opponents on the way back. One of his best moments was a one-handed pick-up running at full tilt, and while still a raw talent, he looked threatening in attacking phases.

#29 Riley Hamilton
Forward | 188cm | 15/08/2006

Stats: 13 disposals, 3 marks, 4 goals

Hamilton fell into the category of unorthodox yet effective at times on Sunday, coming away with a game-high four goals. To his credit, the 188cm forward took his chances well with three free kick conversions, while also showing a good eye for goal in open play. He was a little fumbly at ground level and clumsy over the ball, but got the job done inside 50.

#47 Cooper Bell
Key Forward | 198cm | 30/11/2006

Stats: 12 disposals, 8 hitouts, 1 goal

Bell moves ridiculously well for a player his size and Tasmania simply didn’t have a matchup for him. He spent most of the game up forward with stints in the ruck, roaming up the ground and getting amongst the Giants’ avenues to forward 50. He bagged a goal in the third term and could have had a couple more, but caught the eye most with his raw pace at 198cm.

#50 Logan Smith
Ruck | 204cm | 24/09/2006

Stats: 16 disposals, 5 marks, 29 hitouts

Much like Bell, Smith is a tall with terrific dexterity and fundamental skills. He was the Giants’ primary ruck on Sunday and won a game-high 29 hitouts against a counterpart from the National Academy. Smith’s sheer reach and clean hands were terrific, as was his fluky knack for flicking taps or handballs over his shoulder to teammates at stoppages. He had a presence around the ground with five marks and was quite tidy all-round.

TASMANIA DEVILS:

#2 Daniel Cooney
Forward | 177cm | 09/05/2006

Stats: 13 disposals, 3 inside 50s, 2 behinds

A small forward with dancing feet, Cooney may not have been able to prise a goal on Sunday but had some crafty moments. He showed a good bit of toe to skip around opponents and was hardly hemmed in with ball in hand, shifting one way or the other to manufacture pockets of space. He was lively inside 50 and also ventured up the ground to use his speed on the way back.

#6 Connor Ling
Midfielder | 177cm | 01/11/2006

Stats: 20 disposals, 6 tackles, 1 goal

In another tough loss for the Devils, their skipper stood up through the midfield and tried to make things happen in crunch moments. Ling was hard at it and quite clean in the clinches, but also showed flashes of flair in one-two passages and with baulks or spins which put him in the clear. He ended up with a goal just before three-quarter time, assisted by his twin brother.

#8 Tommy Bennett
Defender | 186cm | 29/06/2006

Stats: 19 disposals, 6 marks, 8 rebound 50s

Along with the likes of Harry Elmer among Tasmania’s band of solid defenders, Bennett had plenty of mopping up to do down back. The top-ager brought a bit of dare to the Devils’ rebounding, taking the game on with run-and-carry and quick ball movement. He tended to play a high line and wasn’t afraid to venture up the corridor on the overlap, even bursting through for an early shot on goal.

#10 Oliver Dean
Ruck/Forward | 201cm | 16/08/2006

Stats: 15 disposals, 6 marks, 10 hitouts

Coming off National Academy duties, Dean looked more assured back at Talent League level and returned one of his best stat lines to date. The 201cm ruck-forward had a greater impact around the ground with six marks and played the basics well, proving clean by hand to allow others to do their job in carrying the ball. Dean had a chance to hit the scoreboard in term two but missed the set shot, otherwise showing promise with areas to still improve on.

#21 Lenny Douglas
Midfielder/Forward | 179cm | 03/07/2006

Stats: 17 disposals, 2 tackles, 5 inside 50s

Douglas showcased his usual explosive streak with plenty of midfield minutes on Sunday. The dynamic talent looked dangerous when bursting away to the outside, utilising his powerful first few steps to get clear and evade would-be tacklers. He couldn’t quite produce a goal this time out, but was lively with ball in hand.

#35 Jaxon Thorpe
Forward | 176cm | 25/08/2006

Stats: 7 disposals, 3 marks, 3 goals

Booting 3.2 from just six kicks, Thorpe was certainly efficient inside Tasmania’s forward 50. The top-ager displayed a strong set of hands on the lead and converted well over the mark, with all three of his majors coming from set shots. He could have finished with a couple more majors but had already helped the Devils get on top in the first half.