ROUND 5 of the 2024 Coates Talent League season is in the books, and featured all five Northern Academies for the first time. With plenty of fresh faces and emerging prospects taking centre stage, there were plenty of promising performances to highlight in the weekend’s Scouting Notes.

>> Coates Talent League Round 5: Snapshot | POTW | TOTW

Eastern Ranges 5.5 (35) def. by Swans Academy 14.9 (93)

By: Adrian Dixon

EASTERN RANGES:

#4 Jak Ryan
Small Forward | 176cm | 25/07/2006

Stats: 17 disposals, 4 marks, 1 goal

In the face of a limited number of opportunities up forward, Ryan tried hard all day. Despite his size he displayed a good leap to mark overhead, however he turned the ball over a few times with his delivery inside 50. Ryan can look to gain added distance on his kicking and can improve his disposal by hand. His set shot kicking was good, though, converting a goal in the second quarter.

#7 Cody Anderson
Midfielder | 181cm | 30/01/2006

Stats: 26 disposals, 11 tackles, 7 inside 50s

Anderson’s second efforts were typically strong along with his tackle technique. His running patterns were sound all day and he worked hard to get involved from contest to contest. While still an area for improvement, Anderson’s kicking and ball delivery inside 50 was effective when he made the right decisions, though he can be more consistent in that area. His defensive pressure was there, saving a certain goal in the third quarter. The midfielder’s centre clearance work was very good as usual while his closing speed remains a clear strength.

#8 Lachy Dovaston
Defender/Midfielder | 176cm | 29/05/2007

Stats: 22 disposals, 8 tackles, 4 rebound 50s

Rotating between the midfield and defence, Dovaston accumulated plenty of the football. He may have been prone to turning it over by foot, despite sound execution, but showcased terrific play reading ability and competitiveness to lay eight tackles. The bottom-ager’s quick hands were another key feature throughout the day.

#18 Riley White
Tall Defender | 192cm | 18/07/2006

Stats: 11 disposals, 4 marks, 5 rebound 50s

White’s ability to read the play resulted in him taking a few intercept marks, including a few strong grabs overhead. He helped his side rebound the ball and managed to push up the ground on a few occasions, resulting in delivering the ball into the forward line in dangerous spots.

#44 Seth MacDonald
Wing/Defender | 189cm | 14/09/2006

Starting on a wing in his first Coates Talent League outing for the season, MacDonald then dropped back into defence where he demonstrated his ability to read the play. Despite making a few errors, he distributed the ball well off half-back and was prominent around the ball throughout the game.

SWANS ACADEMY:

#1 Nicholas Andreacchio
Small Defender | 178cm | 03/10/2006

Stats: 37 disposals, 10 marks, 5 rebound 50s

Andreacchio provided excellent distribution and execution with his kicking, especially in his delivery inside 50. He covered plenty of ground working up and back and weighted his kicking length perfectly. The speedy backman positioned well, took risks and backed himself. He always provided an option with his elite running patterns and showed great work rate, evasiveness, and composure.

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

Stats: 17 disposals, 5 inside 50s, 1 goal

Cabor showed excellent movement throughout the day, weighting his kicks perfectly. He was composed and evasive, backing himself to get out of trouble or through traffic before delivering the ball well by foot into his team’s attacking zone. His defensive pressure was solid, while he showed good one-on-one strength – especially against bigger opponents.

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

Stats: 27 disposals, 8 marks, 2 tackles

Carmichael consistently distributed the ball well out of defence and also showed elite running patterns. He took risks with his long kicking and tended to make excellent decisions as they came off. The bottom-ager showed excellent movement and his high-end play reading ability, which allowed him to be first to the ball.

#12 Max Rider
Forward | 187cm | 28/08/2005

Stats: 14 disposals, 6 inside 50s, 1 goal

Playing as a high forward, Rider showed his excellent lead marking while also using his speed and strength to get away from his opponent and present at the kicker. He kicked a great long goal in the last quarter to kick off the term, and showed great vision to find a teammate unmarked right in front of goal late in the game, too. Has good football IQ and is very agile for his height.

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

Stats: 36 disposals, 8 marks, 8 inside 50s

Hawkins provided excellent leadership throughout the game and was continually vocal out on the field in terms of direction, and reinforcing his teammates to stick to their game plan – even when the result was beyond doubt. He showed a great work ethic to constantly get involved and become prominent in all contests across the ground, contributing one-percenters to prevent certain goals. His ball delivery inside 50 was excellent and he did his best to bring others into the game, also displaying great strength to break tackles.

Suns Academy 15.13 (103) def. Oakleigh Chargers 6.10 (46)

SUNS ACADEMY:

#4 Zeke Uwland
Midfielder/Forward | 178cm | 24/04/2007

Stats: 25 disposals, 5 marks, 6 goals

A versatile talent capable of playing at both ends and on either side of midfield, Uwland turned it on in attack on Saturday. The star bottom-ager produced a goalkicking clinic, converting with deadly precision over the mark, on the run, and via snaps around the corner. His work rate got him into pockets of space inside 50, not just hitting the scoreboard during his forward rotations, but also doing so as a midfielder. The left-footer’s kicking is clearly a weapon and he can use either foot.

#13 Dylan Patterson
Midfielder | 183cm | 01/09/2007

Stats: 19 disposals, 4 inside 50s, 1 goal

Patterson’s best traits came to the fore once the dew was kicked off the turf after half time, allowing for dynamic running passages and changes of direction. He shifted angles nicely on the move, cutting through traffic and carrying the ball from end to end. The bottom-ager looked to chain possessions with the help of teammates, and got on the end of one passage himself with a booming goal on the run from 50 metres during term three.

#19 Beau Addinsall
Midfielder/Forward | 180cm | 09/03/2007

Stats: 24 disposals, 4 marks, 1 goal

Addinsall is a prospect with genuine star potential and though conditions were tough on Saturday, he built into the game nicely. Starting forward before being unleashed in midfield, the bottom-ager brought great energy and speed to the play, looking to involve others and running hard to ensure the favour could be returned. He coughed up a goal in the third quarter with an uncharacteristically poor turnover, but made up for it in the fourth with a six-pointer of his own.

#21 Jai Murray
Wing | 183cm | 09/03/2007

Stats: 23 disposals, 3 marks, 3 inside 50s

Utilised out on the wing, Murray’s smooth movement was a feature of Gold Coast’s connection between the arcs, carrying the ball with power and purpose. Murray’s evasion and skills held up in the dour early conditions, and only got better as things cleared up. His array of traits could be summed up in one third quarter passage, where he backed his pace to burst away, spotted a leading teammate, and had the skill to find him by foot.

#26 Zai Millane
Defender | 188cm | 13/01/2007

Stats: 23 disposals, 8 marks, 3 rebound 50s

Yet another of Gold Coast’s promising bottom-agers, Millane also carries a famous name as the nephew of late Collingwood champion, Darren. He played his role in defence on Saturday, not required for chunks of the Suns’ dominant victory but proving resolute when the ball came his way. A good size, he judged the ball well to intercept and held his ground, also biding his time in possession and disposing with composure.

OAKLEIGH CHARGERS:

#3 Kobe Askew
Midfielder/Forward | 175cm | 16/01/2006

Stats: 18 disposals, 6 tackles, 1 goal

With a slew of big names out, Askew was afforded an extended run in midfield. The diminutive top-ager was slick in the short-range, proving clean at ground level and evasive enough to slip out into space. His decision making when moving from inside to outside of the contest was sound, and he got reward for a solid outing in the final quarter with a goal out the back.

#8 Charlie Richardson
Tall Forward | 181cm | 20/02/2006

Stats: 9 disposals, 5 inside 50s, 1 goal

It didn’t look like being a day for marking forwards amid the early downpour, but Richardson still managed to have his moments. He got busy at the top of attacking 50 and came to prominence during term three, booting his lone goal of the game from a tight angle. He had a couple more guilt-edge chances but couldn’t convert. All nine of his disposals were kicks.

#24 Kane Emery
Midfielder | 173cm | 11/01/2006

Stats: 31 disposals, 4 marks, 7 inside 50s

Another beneficiary of Oakleigh’s extensive list of changes, Emery led all comers with 31 disposals in a losing effort. His ability to kick on both feet was a valuable point of difference, allowing him to wheel away on the open side of stoppages and hit targets to complete effective exits. On those occasions, Emery’s darting steps and decision making were terrific.

#33 Luke Quaynor
Defender | 179cm | 17/03/2006

Stats: 16 disposals, 7 tackles, 6 rebound 50s

A real competitor, Quaynor’s crash and bash style suited the poor first half conditions. His physicality broke up packs and put enough pressure on the Suns to briefly keep his side in the game early on. The Collingwood Next Generation Academy (NGA) prospect also boosted his numbers with the kick-in duties and gained some exposure in midfield during the final quarter.

Tasmania Devils 17.15 (117) def. Northern Territory Academy 4.8 (32)

TASMANIA DEVILS:

#1 Liam Ling
Utility | 171cm | 01/11/2006

Stats: 28 disposals, 12 marks, 1 goal

Ling had a go in each third of the ground on Sunday; starting on the wing before shifting to defence, and ending the game up forward. He excelled wherever he went, racking up impressive numbers and doing so with plenty of gutsy efforts. The diminutive utility read the play superbly to take several intercepts and was not deterred by oncoming contact, which inadvertently saw him come away unscathed each time. He capped off a busy game with a goal in the final term.

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

Stats: 12 disposals, 4 inside 50s, 3 goals

Having bubbled away over the first few rounds, Cooney enjoyed a breakout game of sorts in front of goal with three majors. The crafty small converted two classy checkside kicks to open his account in the first quarter, before adding a third and directly assisting others along the way. His agility and creativity made him a menace at ground level both inside 50 and when roaming up the ground.

#7 Jasper Hay
Ruck | 198cm | 10/05/2007

Stats: 7 disposals, 4 tackles, 33 hitouts

Tasmania’s Under 16 MVP last year, Hay was afforded the ideal opportunity to slot into the Devils’ side with primary talls Oliver Dean and Max Mapley away on representative duties. He enjoyed a great battle in the ruck with Taj Murray, winning the hitout count and showcasing his springy leap. Hay’s ruck craft was strong too, making for a promising start to his Coates Talent League career.

#13 Oliver Depaoli-Kubank
Forward/Midfielder | 178cm | 24/07/2006

Stats: 32 disposals, 7 inside 50s, 2 goals

Depaoli-Kubank was certainly not short of opportunities on Sunday, posting a team-high 32 disposals and five scoring shots. His three minor scores came in the final quarter, but the top-ager was productive and set up several opportunities for others. He bagged goals in the second and third quarters to compliment his work high up the ground, displaying spurts of the agility that helped him burst onto the scene. Depaoli-Kubank also got a run in the midfield where he continued to create.

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

Stats: 23 disposals, 6 marks, 4 goals

After going goalless last week, Douglas was back on the scoreboard in a big way with four majors in Round 5. The explosive midfielder-forward wrecked havoc with his speed, backing himself to burn opponents off as he wheeled into attack and generated scoring opportunities. All of Douglas’ scores came during the second half, including two set shots in the final quarter, but his hurt factor was felt even before he sparked the Devils’ breakaway.

NORTHERN TERRITORY ACADEMY:

#12 Taj Murray
Ruck | 199cm | 05/02/2007

Stats: 18 disposals, 6 tackles, 28 hitouts, 1 goal

Murray has done an excellent job as the Northern Territory’s primary ruck and capped off his side’s two-game stint strongly. The bottom-ager was tested in the early stages but broke through by persistently leaping at the ball and displaying great work rate around the ground. He applied himself with strong tackles and went close to clunking a few pack marks, so will inevitably benefit from adding a bit of size over the next year. A second quarter goal proved his reward for effort.

#28 Taj Stanley
Midfielder/Defender | 178cm | 31/10/2006

Stats: 33 disposals, 8 inside 50s, 8 rebound 50s

Stanley is a genuine bull in midfield and again posted monster numbers across a hard-working performance. The top-ager’s bustling running game was somewhat thwarted but it didn’t stop him from being a competitive beast around the ball, attempting to drive his legs or clear long from every contest. Like in game one, he also dropped back to defence and continued to take the game on.

Sandringham Dragons 22.8 (140) def. Giants Academy 3.8 (26)

SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS:

#5 Ricky Theodoropoulas
Small Forward | 169cm | 05/04/2007

Stats: 16 disposals, 6 marks, 5 goals

Theodoropoulas finished with an impressive five goals and it was a case of the small forward filling his boots late in the match. In his first outing for the season, he snared four majors in the final quarter, largely from close range, but did so by running out the game strongly and working into dangerous pockets of space. The bottom-ager converted nicely over the mark and made short, darting leads inside 50.

#6 Harrison Oliver
Defender | 181cm | 15/06/2006

Stats: 12 disposals, 6 tackles, 3 rebound 50s

One of the many Brighton Grammarians made available by an APS bye, Oliver was solid down back without dominating. He took on some of the kick-in duties and displayed his wonderful distribution skills, which looked most effective on assertive, long and direct passes. While weaponous on the attack, Oliver proved he can defend too with six tackles and deceptive strength in such situations, locking up opponents to force stoppages.

#15 Lennox Hofmann
Defender | 190cm | 08/08/2006

Stats: 13 disposals, 3 marks, 5 tackles

A St Kilda NGA prospect – albeit one who supports Essendon – Hofmann continues to show his wares as a versatile defender. He’s a good size at 190cm and that allowed him to compete aerially on Sunday, taking a few intercept marks. Hofmann’s reading of the play was sound and he reacted well to thwart GWS’ attacks before spreading to help rebound the ball with some dash and expansive kicking.

#18 Josh Dolan
Midfielder/Forward | 177cm | 11/11/2006

Stats: 28 disposals, 6 inside 50s, 1 goal

Dolan was on track for a massive game in the early stages, providing plenty of energy and hard running from midfield. He ended up topping the disposal count having barrelled himself into contested situations, while also setting off on the outside with his terrific turn of speed. Dolan’s best moment was a running goal in the opening term which perfectly encapsulated his style of play – full of vigour and productive on the attack.

#31 Bailey McKenzie
Forward | 191cm | 10/03/2006

Stats: 23 disposals, 13 marks, 7 goals

GWS would have been ruing the APS fixture as McKenzie tore the game apart with 13 marks and 10 scoring shots in a breakout performance. He could well have finished with double-figure goals and made things look all too easy inside 50. The mercurial forward proved a tough matchup at 191cm with his extension for overhead marks and shrewd reading of the ball in flight. He looked incredibly casual when finishing his work and benefitted from quite direct forward 50 entries.

GIANTS ACADEMY:

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

Stats: 20 disposals, 7 tackles, 5 inside 50s

His side’s leading disposal winner with 20, Delena led from the front in a tough defeat. The midfielder looked best when able to exit stoppages with driving legs, though with limited opportunities to do so, he found other ways to impact. Delana applied good pressure to compliment his flair, but couldn’t consistently find the usual outside drive and connection with his teammates.

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

Stats: 15 disposals, 3 marks, 29 hitouts

Smith has enjoyed a strong start to the Academy Series and again won the ruck battle on Sunday. He had the reach advantage over his opponents and used it to notch up a game-high 29 hitouts, but also got involved with clearance work and in open play around the ground. Relatively nimble at 204cm, Smith’s handling was clean and he didn’t try to do too much with the ball.

Lions Academy 9.9 (63) def. by Northern Knights 9.12 (66)

LIONS ACADEMY:

#14 Harrison Bridge
Defender | 181cm | 04/09/2007

Stats: 18 disposals, 14 kicks, 10 rebound 50s

Arguably the Lions’ best ball user, Bridge was tasked with the kick-in duties and played to his major strength. Of his 18 disposals, 14 were kicks and he distributed the ball nicely from the restarts, doing so with more dare as the stakes grew. His best passages were the ones where he’d use a bit of dash and weaponise his kicking further afield, going long or switching the play to compliment his ability to relieve pressure on the last line. A real playmaker.

#20 Daniel Annable
Midfielder | 183cm | 05/04/2007

Stats: 29 disposals, 10 tackles, 3 inside 50s

It was no surprise to see Annable top the disposal count on Sunday, racking up 29 across a relentless four-quarter performance. He was constantly active at the contest, hunting the ball and winning it more often than not. He sharked a crucial centre clearance to give the Lions a chance to win the game, and was simply undeniable around the ball. He’ll win the war of attrition, but can work on enhancing his ball use and impact per possession.

#39 Billy Richardson
Ruck/Forward | 195cm | 10/12/2005

Stats: 11 disposals, 5 marks, 20 hitouts, 1 goal

Returning as an over-ager, Richardson started in the ruck and showed some good signs. He produced a couple of deft taps to advantage at the centre bounces and made himself a viable target when rotating forward, taking five marks for the day. His strength came to the fore for a goal in term two, holding his ground in front position to mark strongly before converting the set shot.

#41 Tom Gillett
Ruck/Forward | 201cm | 09/01/2006

Stats: 17 disposals, 3 inside 50s, 17 hitouts

Another of the Lions’ many tall talents, Gillett had little trouble getting his hands on the ball both in the ruck and on the follow-up. He moves well for a 201cm player and gets involved in open play, utilising his clean hands and fundamental skills. The top-ager was more effective with his bodywork and craft in the ruck than up forward, but is working on the latter to enhance his overall stocks.

NORTHERN KNIGHTS:

#3 Tyson Gresham
Small Forward | 168cm | 21/06/2007

Stats: 13 disposals, 8 tackles, 1 goal

A Carlton NGA candidate for next year, Gresham showed potential in one of the toughest roles on the ground. The small forward pushed up beyond the forward 50 to help his side connect into attack with quick ball movement, but also provided great pressure and stuck his tackles. His best moment was a terrific crumb and snap goal in the opening quarter, where he used his smarts and speed.

#7 Zak Johnson
Utility | 185cm | 24/12/2006

Stats: 27 disposals, 8 marks, 2 goals

Johnson was brilliant in each third of the ground and looked a class above at times as he helped his side hold on for victory. He started out in defence, adopting a high line and looking to attack with his sound decision making and ball use. His footy IQ and efficiency translated well before slotting back into a more typical mid-forward rotation. Johnson’s polish and ability to accumulate came to the fore after half time and despite coughing up a goal in term four, he got one back with a classy left-foot snap and showed great game awareness to milk the clock.

#11 Lucas McInerney
Wing | 180cm | 28/02/2006

Stats: 18 disposals, 6 marks, 1 goal

A typical kind of wingman who operates best in wide expanses, McInerney was tested at times when he couldn’t find the right space, or connect with his teammates on the move. Nonetheless, he looked to utilise his punchy kicking to penetrate in transition and popped up for a clutch set shot goal in the fourth quarter to give Northern the lead.

#18 Thomas Sims
Ruck/Forward | 199cm | 12/05/2006

Stats: 13 disposals, 12 hitouts, 1 goal

Sims was up against it on Sunday given Brisbane’s array of key position options, but he competed well during his stints in the ruck. He arguably looked more dangerous as a forward where he could use his blend of strength and agility to get creative close to goal. The top-ager bagged a major in the third quarter, putting Northern ahead in the final minute with a typically assured set shot.

#23 Gabriel Stumpf
Key Forward | 196cm | 23/11/2006

Stats: 11 disposals, 3 marks, 2 behinds

Along with Sims, Stumpf is likely to be heavily considered for the Vic Metro squad and showed why with some glimpses of potential on Sunday. The tall forward displayed his athleticism as he presented up the ground and overworked opponents along the way. He also looked nimble with ball in hand but couldn’t quite find the goals, instead registering behinds in the first and second terms.