ALL six Metropolitan regions were in action across a three-game weekend of Coates Talent League football, as the Country sides took a break and the state Under 18 representatives continued their carnival. See which fresh faces popped up to impress in our Round 13 Scouting Notes.

>> 2024 CTL Round 13: Snapshot | Player of the Week | Team of the Week

Western Jets 7.12 (54) def. by Oakleigh Chargers 8.7 (55)

By: Adrian Dixon

WESTERN JETS:

#2 Daniel Snell
Midfielder | 184cm | 24/08/2006

Stats: 18 disposals, 3 clearances, 3 score assists

In the wet and windy conditions, Snell was strong in the contest and provided plenty of drive out of the midfield, with his use of the football proving clean and efficient considering the circumstances. The highlight of Snell’s game was his ball delivery on his left foot and his spread around the ground, topped off by where he delivered a beautiful ball by foot to Lachlan Fitzgerald to mark inside 50 and kick a goal, demonstrating his kicking power.

#10 Thomas Burton
Midfielder | 178cm | 09/01/2007

Stats: 21 disposals, 6 tackles, 4 inside 50s

One of many inclusions back in the Coates Talent League upon release from his Caulfield Grammar commitments, Burton was a constant driving force for the Jets. Burton made a strong start with his follow-up work on the ball and did his best to be creative in the conditions with his vision. Burton delivered the ball dangerously into the Jets forward line however could have easily gone for goal on a few occasions instead of dropping it short for his teammates inside 50. He switched the play with confidence and his repeated tackle efforts were a highlight.

#11 Thomas McGuane
Midfielder | 177cm | 27/08/2007

Stats: 28 disposals, 6 inside 50s, 2 clearances

Had a slow start to the game but started to work his way into it in the midfield, hitting up Oskar Ainsworth for the first Jets’ goal of the game. His kicking power was good, especially early, however his ball delivery inside 50 could have been a little more consistent. Although, he did again set up Lachlan Fitzgerald for the first goal of the final quarter on a lead. 

#25 Oskar Ainsworth
Forward | 185cm | 26/04/2007

Stats: 16 disposals, 5 marks, 2 goals

Showing his excellent athleticism and his football IQ, Ainsworth proved to be a handful in the Jets’ forwardline. He kicked the opening goal from a set shot where he judged the wind perfectly and nearly had a second after using his vertical leap to trap the footy and kick on goal, only for the wind to drag it through for a behind. Ainsworth’s running patterns were excellent and he crashed packs to prove he could hold his own aerially. Despite inconsistent field kicking, he converted a nice set shot kick from a contested mark to start off the second quarter and pushed up the ground well while showcasing his great play reading ability.

OAKLEIGH CHARGERS:

#4 Patrick Retschko
Wing | 186cm | 28/02/2006

Stats: 22 disposals, 4 marks, 7 inside 50s

Another to returnee after missing a few weeks with school football and Vic Metro commitments, Retschko made a bright start to the game – kicking his side’s second goal with a great finish on the run. Retschko did his best to be creative with his plays all day and showed his strong marking ability, especially overhead. He constantly delivered the ball inside 50 into dangerous spots and also displayed a strong tackle ability, however can still work on defending his opponent better.

#20 Zane Cochrane
Midfielder | 187cm | 11/07/2006

Stats: 34 disposals, 9 marks, 5 clearances

Cochrane set the tone early with a strong tackle that saw him win a set shot free kick at goal, albeit missing the chance. He was a driving force for the Chargers all day with his presence around the ground and being able to provide defensive cover where needed to complinent his clearance work. His ball delivery was consistently dangerous, and Cochrane was clean and efficient with his disposal. He finished off the first term by hitting up Sam Grlj with a pass inside 50 which saw a crucial goal scored on the quarter time siren.

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

Stats: 22 disposals, 4 marks, 4 tackles

Emery was once again prominent all day for Oakleigh and did his best to continually push his side forward with his endurance to generate run and carry. Emery showed great evasiveness and composure especially by foot while his trademark tackle pressure was prominent. Despite being undersized, he showed a great ability to mark especially overhead against bigger opponents.

#38 Sam Grlj
Midfielder | 182cm | 26/07/2007

Stats: 26 disposals, 4 clearances, 1 goal

In and out of the Chargers side this year, Grlj had his best performance of the season to date with 26 disposals and was a mainstay in the midfield. An early pressure act which forced Burton to turn the ball over resulted in him setting up a play that saw Retschko score a great long goal. Grlj then took a great mark on a lead and kicked an excellent set shot goal in the windy condition following a pass from Cochrane. Grlj showed excellent composure in traffic throughout the game and was consistent with his ball use.

Calder Cannons 10.6 (66) def. Northern Knights 7.9 (51)

By: Adrian Dixon

CALDER CANNONS:

#19 Thomas Legudi
Forward/Midfielder | 177cm | 15/03/2006

Stats: 22 disposals, 7 marks, 1 goal

The PEGS product made a welcome return to the Cannons side, playing a key role around the ground. Starting up forward, Legudi pushed up the ground exceptionally well and used his strong marking ability to play as a linkman. He had his chances in front of goal, however failed to take them with a few rushed kicks. Legudi provided plenty of voice while also showing his strong tackling technique. He moved into the midfield in the second half where he used his football IQ to move the ball quickly at all costs, and delivered cleanly to Kayne Rutley in the last term leading to a goal. Another great moment saw him break away from a pack to kick a goal from close range in the square late in the game to effectively kill off the contest. 

#26 Hamish Bird
Defender | 187cm | 16/08/2007

Stats: 18 disposals, 7 marks, 5 rebound 50s

Bird was a prominent figure down back, repelling many attacks in the conditions when he got his clearing kick right, while also putting pressure on the opposition forwards with his physical style of play. For a bottom-ager, Bird provided plenty of talk and at times showed his tough tackling style although it did lead him into trouble with a few free kicks given away. Bird also saved an early goal where he just got a hand to a ball going through for a certain goal early in the game further highlighting his competitiveness.

#27 Patrick Said
Midfielder/Forward | 180cm | 24/04/2006

Stats: 21 disposals, 3 marks, 1 goal

The midfielder set the tone early with a strong tackle early on providing plenty of defensive pressure and grunt work in the engine room with his strong contested work. After the Cannons had a goalless first quarter, Said then took a nice mark on a lead then in the wet conditions kicked a torpedo punt that dropped short for Alistair McQuire to take a mark in the square for the Cannons’ first. Said always was dangerous with his extraction of the ball via foot and worked hard in the midfield all day.

#56 Cooper Duff-Tytler
Ruck | 199cm | 22/08/2007

Stats: 19 disposals, 13 hitouts, 3 clearances

Making his second appearance for the Cannons Under 18s side, Duff-Tytler was very strong in the ruck in the wet conditions and gave his midfielders first use of the ball. He took an early mark inside 50 but his set shot kicking on an angle is one area that needs work. Duff-Tytler moved exceptionally well around the ground for a player of his size and showed exceptional acceleration when needed. While he turned it over at times, his kicking has power and he was good below the knees.

NORTHERN KNIGHTS:

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

Stats: 25 disposals, 5 marks, 5 tackles, 1 goal

The small forward was a constant threat for the Knights up forward. Gresham accumulated the ball well and marked strongly, with his only goal for the day coming from a set shot which held up well in the conditions. With small stints in the midfield at times, Gresham was exceptional at the bottom of the packs and his work rate was solid delivering the ball dangerously inside 50.

#14 Kristian Lawson
Midfielder | 177cm | 05/04/2006

Stats: 30 disposals, 8 tackles, 10 clearances

Lawson was prominent in the midfield all day with his work around the contests offensively and defensively accumulating plenty of the ball in the midfield while also showing plenty of repeat efforts around the contests with his tackling and defensive pressure. Despite the heavy conditions, Lawson showed great explosiveness out of the contest with his running power and made smart decisions, something that was needed.

#19 Ty Kitchell
Midfielder | 188cm | 12/05/2006

Stats: 23 disposals, 5 marks, 4 clearances, 1 goal

Kitchell provided plenty of support for Lawson when in the midfield providing plenty of outside run with his great composure and delivery inside 50 into dangerous spots in the attacking 50. Kitchell was very clean with the ball considering the circumstances and he snapped a nice goal in the third quarter which kept the Knights in the contest.

#34 Jordyn Gillard
Midfielder | 179cm | 02/12/2006

Stats: 23 disposals, 5 tackles, 1 goal

Gillard was prominent in the midfield throughout the game with his tackling pressure and his composure especially when it came to kicking on a powerful left boot. Despite being undersized, he competes very well especially against bigger opponents and while being undersized, he juggled a great pack mark in the third quarter which resulted in him kicking a get shot goal. Gillard never stopped running all day and showed a strong ability to tackle.

Eastern Ranges 6.9 (45) def. by Sandringham Dragons 7.7 (49)

By: Michael Alvaro

EASTERN RANGES:

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

Stats: 16 disposals, 4 marks, 1 goal

Ryan got back into the swing of things in his usual high forward role, showcasing strong running patterns up the ground and speed on the way back to goal. While rushed with his disposal at times, he looked dangerous when taking metres and launching attacks. Ryan also snuck forward for a set shot goal in the second quarter and got stuck in with some handy defensive acts.

#6 Joshua Galstians
Midfielder | 173cm | 20/01/2006

Stats: 26 disposals, 4 marks, 5 tackles

Back in the Ranges side for his first Coates Talent League game since Round 3, Galstians competed fiercely from the get-go. He burrowed in low at the contest and proved evasive when operating at ground level, while displaying quick feet and refusing to be tackled. The top-age small also swept back and took a nice grab inside defensive 50, with the first half being his strongest.

#16 Oliver Greeves
Midfielder | 191cm | 07/02/2007

Stats: 23 disposals, 4 tackles, 3 inside 50s

Returning to Eastern’s lineup amid the APS football break, Greeves was thrown straight into the midfield mix. His class was evident from the outset as he navigated tight spots with poise, turning opponents inside-out and wrong-footing them with deft feints. The bottom-ager was also clean and strong in the contest going both ways, though could have executed his kicks a little better when moving the ball on quickly. He’s an efficient, cruisy type of operator.

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

Stats: 17 disposals, 5 marks, 5 rebound 50s

The general in Eastern’s backline, White was in all the right spots to thwart Sandringham’s attacks. He read the play well and took several intercept marks before moving the play on with minimal fuss. The tall defender was effective when peeling off or playing loose with the freedom to attack the ball and much of his aerial work was clean. It was White’s most prolific performance for the season.

#42 Lincoln Wright
Ruck | 195cm | 01/10/2006

Stats: 13 disposals, 18 hitouts, 1 goal

Taking up Eastern’s primary ruck spot, White continued his four-game streak of kicking at least one goal per match. He competed well aerially with good spring at the centre bounces and took a strong mark tracking back deep inside defensive 50. At the other end, his major came from a well struck set shot in term two. Wright wasn’t afraid to get his hands on the ball at the contest either, and while his clearing kicks lacked penetration and direction at times, he made his presence felt.

#44 Seth MacDonald
Forward | 189cm | 14/09/2006

Stats: 8 disposals, 2 marks, 6 tackles

While only credited with two marks, MacDonald provided excellent aerial presence and his grabs were both strong contested efforts. He played somewhat like a key position forward, although couldn’t quite finish his work and had a couple of his field kicks turned over. After a promising first half, MacDonald had a tough matchup and was forced to search for looks higher up the ground.

#55 Remy MacLean
Key Forward | 196cm | 14/10/2005

Stats: 11 disposals, 5 marks, 2 inside 50s

Another promising tall who had his moments, MacLean found separation on the lead and reeled in five marks throughout the day. The over-ager presented well at the kicker and moved quite fluently in straight lines, though perhaps would have liked to find more ball closer to goal having had just his second scoreless game in nine outings this season.

SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS:

#2 Jack Dalton
Midfielder | 177cm | 05/04/2007

Stats: 13 disposals, 7 tackles, 1 goal

With a break in the APS season, Dalton has come in for his first two Coates Talent League games of the year and had a relatively steady outing on Sunday for his high standards. Last year’s Vic Metro Under 16 MVP rotated on-ball from the wing and produced a few moments of class. His best was a terrific goal from the boundary off only a couple of steps, no less on the wrong side for a left-footer. That was Dalton’s most damaging play, though he otherwise lacked a bit of spark in his movement.

#14 Ned Maginness
Midfielder | 194cm | 22/04/2005

Stats: 25 disposals, 6 marks, 5 tackles

Maginness has put together a consistent run of form over the last three rounds and it culminated in his season-best disposal haul of 25. The midfielder hardly fumbled and moved the ball neatly by hand and foot, showcasing clean all-round fundamentals. He most often fed others and his size helped him stay upright at the contest, while also translating to hard hits on the opposition.

#19 Luka Pecer
Key Forward/Ruck | 199cm | 28/03/2006

Stats: 9 disposals, 4 marks, 4 hitouts

Pecer is a tall with great potential and while his stats don’t jump off the page each week, he has some nice traits. The top-ager primarily played forward and got off the leash with his presentation up the ground, showcasing great mobility and agility for his size. He also rotated into the ruck and kept on popping up between the arcs, though his ball use by foot was unconvincing at times.

#32 Miles Tyrer
Ruck | 199cm | 18/08/2007

Stats: 12 disposals, 3 tackles, 27 hitouts

Playing only his second Coates Talent League game, Tyrer imposed himself in as Sandringham’s primary ruck in the absence of Brodie Findlay. The bottom-ager was physical and competitive, displaying a great hunger to follow up his ruck work and doing so nicely considering his size. While raw in the way of disposal and decision making, Tyrer showed his power and potential as he grew in stature throughout the match. With some refinement, he looks a decent type for next year.

#33 Mitchell Kirkwood-Scott
Defender | 178cm | 18/01/2006

Stats: 23 disposals, 5 marks, 3 rebound 50s

Kirkwood-Scott was another Dragon to post season-high numbers on Sunday, including 17 kicks among his 23 disposals. He was most productive when turning defence into attack, receiving the ball on the overlap or as an outlet before running his measure and launching forward by foot. The rebounder had little trouble finding the ball and took on some of the kick-in duties, offering a sense of predicability to Sandringham’s transitional play and ball movement.

#59 Samuel Linder
Defender | 178cm | 16/09/2006

Stats: 19 disposals, 7 marks, 5 rebound 50s

If there’s any player who consistently punches above his weight, it’s Linder. The defender took seven marks across the day with several of them being intercepts. Linder threw himself at the aerial ball and was gutsy enough to sit in the defensive 50 hole. He also got stuck in at ground level and drove his legs on the rebound, proving a great all-round competitor and shrewd reader of the play.