GREATER Western Victoria (GWV) was spearheaded into the Coates Talent League Grand Final by Jonty Faull, who booted five goals in the Rebels’ narrow preliminary final victory over Oakleigh on Sunday. The 195cm forward had his kicking boots and marking mitts on for what was a true bigtime performance.

Having had the start of his campaign delayed by injury, Faull quickly recaptured the barnstorming form of his bottom-age year. He bagged five goals in his first game back and has only been kept scoreless once since. All up, the 18-year-old boasts 27 goals from 10 appearances this season, with one to come.

We put Faull’s latest performance under the Player Focus microscope.

>> Scouting Notes: GWV Rebels vs. Oakleigh Chargers

GWV Rebels, Vic CountryKey Forward

Jonty Faull

Height: 195cm

Weight: -

DOB: 01-02-2006

PLAYER FOCUS

2024 Coates Talent League: Preliminary Final
GWV Rebels 10.10 (70) def. Oakleigh Chargers 8.18 (66)

#8 Jonty Faull (GWV Rebels)
Stats: 18 disposals (14 kicks, 4 handballs), 7 marks, 6 inside 50s, 5 goals

FIRST QUARTER:

Advantaged by the wind, Oakleigh had the better of the opening quarter with four goals to GWV’s one, and Faull accounted for the lone Rebels goal. He was once again matched up by Liam Callaghan, who kept him to three marks and a goal in their Round 18 battle.

It seemed from the outset that Faull had made the right adjustments, getting on his bike to offer an outlet up the ground and competing hard one-on-one. That didn’t mean marking came easily though, with the big man mostly splitting contests and bringing the ball to ground.

He still managed to take two grabs for the term, both after putting in early bodywork to earn front position. Faull’s second mark led to his side’s one and only goal, as he wheeled around at the top of forward 50 to punt a flat and low kick which went the journey.

SECOND QUARTER:

Faull’s effort and endeavour continued to be pillars of his play up forward, where he added two more goals in the second quarter. There was an element of luck to both, with one being a 60m kick to the hot spot which cleared the pack and bounced through, while the other came on the end of a 50m penalty.

Both scores proved just desserts for the Rebels’ spearhead, who was willing to not only leap at everything aerially, but also follow up at ground level and chase. In every sense, Faull’s work rate was fitting of the occasion and he was structurally a key connection piece for GWV.

While he had little trouble with distance and accuracy on goal, some of Faull’s field kicking was a hit or miss. Nonetheless, he did everything required of him and accounted for three of his side’s four goals heading into the main break, only five points adrift thanks to his conversion after the siren.

THIRD QUARTER:

Faull continued to get first hands to the ball in term three, and while sticking contested marks proved tricky, he showcased terrific mobility. A foray of two running bounces along the wing was capped off by a short inside-45 kick which hit the target, proving to be Faull’s best non-goal contribution for the game.

He looked confident in one-on-one duels and attacked the ball hard, attempting to reel the ball in with two or three bites at it to prove he was still hungry. A two-grab mark in the pocket was what came of such intent, though Faull put the checkside set shot wide for his only score of the term.

FOURTH QUARTER:

With his side firmly in the contest and backed by the wind, it didn’t take long for Faull to impact in term four. GWV nabbed a free kick at the opening centre bounce and Faull read the booming forward 50 entry best, marking at the back of a pack as all comers were drawn under the flight of the ball.

He slotted the set shot through and went on to do everything he could to win the ball inside 50, diving at it and getting stuck in at ground level. There was a small window of opportunity for him to score as Callaghan was helped off the field, though Noah Yze did a handy job of keeping him quiet momentarily.

Then came Faull’s big moment. Not for the first time, he owned front position and protected the drop of the ball to mark on his chest, before converting from long-range to give his side the lead. The Rebels consolidated from there, earning their first Grand Final appearances in 27 years.

CLOSING THOUGHTS:

Work ethic is an intangible which is just about non-negotiable at the elite level, and Faull has it in spades if his exploits on Sunday are anything to go by. He played with vigour an intent, battling away against a robust opponent and never being beaten in a marking contest.

Not being beaten is one thing, but being able to dominate aerially is another. That is arguably something Faull can work on – taking clean contested marks, particularly overhead. He did so on a couple of occasions in this outing and had little trouble getting first hands to the ball.

His game should translate well to the next level as he has worked on his running capacity and has the mobility to work up the ground effectively. He looks most dangerous when able to get separation on his opponent and mark unimpeded. From there, he wheels around to move the play on quickly.

Recruiters would have been pleased by Faull’s ability to take on the big moments. What’s more, he worked through some early adversity and got up over an opponent who had beaten him previously. He’s one of the many talls jostling for ascendancy in the 20-30 range of the draft.