VIC COUNTRY tuned up ahead of its National Championships campaign by posting a 29-point win over the Young Guns who suitably looked to impress ahead of the AFL Mid-Season Draft. AFL club recruiters were out in force to mull over potential injury replacement players, as well as get an early look into Vic Country’s depth for the national carnival kicking off next month.

YOUNG GUNS:

#8 Sam Toner
Richmond VFL | 184cm | 23/10/2005

Stats: 14 disposals, 7 marks, 3 inside 50s, 4 goals, 1 behind

Toner was impressive yet again on with another four goals that no doubt will have him in the minds of AFL recruiters come Mid-Season Draft time. His work rate up the ground was impressive where he constantly provided a strong presence inside 50, and if he wasn’t marking them then he was ensuring they were delivered dangerously towards attack. Toner read and judged the timing of the ball well to take his marks and his follow up work from the contest was excellent, highlighted by his ability to get up from the contest quickly then to provide another marking option inside 50 in the same passage of play. His kicking was also good both in play and via set shot, especially in the third quarter where he converted on an angle. At times though, Toner’s ball handling under pressure could be a bit better.

#10 Jhett Haeata
Sandringham Dragons | 185cm | 25/10/2006

Stats: 18 disposals, 5 tackles, 6 clearances, 5 inside 50s

Haeata provided plenty of good coverage around the ground and was able to use his speed and evasiveness to get out of congested situations, however his kicking and decision making were inconsistent throughout the day turning over the ball quite a bit, especially when going forward. Despite that fact, there was no denying that his work at ground level was a key to the Young Guns been kept in the contest where he managed to get several crucial hard ball gets.

#12 Tom Evans
Bendigo Pioneers | 180cm | 22/02/2006

Stats: 20 disposals, 8 marks, 3 inside 50s

With his intercepting ability, Evans picked up from where he left off last week, cutting off numerous plays and forward thrusts with his strong marking and positioning to spoil and as a result his ball distribution by foot was effective.  Evans was a go-to player in the Young Guns backline and positioned himself on numerous occasions to receive the ball for the one-two handball. His closing speed put plenty of pressure on the opposition inside 50 throughout the day.

#22 Caleb Lewis
Casey Demons | 196cm | 29/09/2003

Stats: 6 disposals, 4 marks, 2 goals, 1 behind

After a quiet first half, the Casey Demons listed key forward came to life in the third quarter kicking two goals for the term from his strong contested marking where he showed great balance and concentration to juggle an overhead mark. Lewis could have easily had a third goal, however despite his strong set shot kicking action hit the post. Lewis continually showed throughout the day that he was a threat in the forward line alongside Toner working well together and showed that he did not need to get a lot of the ball to have an impact on the game.

#26 Cooper Herbert
Calder Cannons | 191cm | 19/01/2006

Stats: 15 disposals, 6 marks, 3 goals, 1 behind

Herbert was involved prominently throughout the day, starting off where he snapped a goal on his left foot in the first quarter and then provided excellent ground coverage especially up forward using his mobility and versatility to his advantage. Herbert provided a leading option consistently throughout the day too although his ball delivery by foot inside 50 could be a bit better, though he did smartly hit up Sam Toner on a lead in the third quarter. He provided great pressure in the forward line which included a crucial smother also in the third quarter which almost led to a goal. While his set shot kicking on an angle needs work, he managed to kick his second goal for the day in the last quarter. Herbert proved he could be dangerous with just the one touch and knows when to execute his running pattens whilst also showing great composure.

#35 Ayden McCarroll
Western Jets | 209cm | 13/09/2005

Stats: 8 disposals, 7 hitouts, 2 goals

The 209cm McCarroll was a lot more prominent compared to last week, using his height advantage in the ruck to win several crucial contests and providing an intimidating presence in the forwardline for his opponents. For his height he is very clean at ground level, which was proven by kicking a goal from a snap in the second quarter. Additionally in the last term he showed a fantastic second effort after dropping the mark to kick the first goal of the final quarter on the run. His movement was excellent for his height however if his body is to hold up in tackles, he will need to improve his core strength.

VIC COUNTRY:

#2 Thomas Matthews
Gippsland Power | 171cm | 28/02/2007

Stats: 10 disposals, 4 goals, 2 behinds

Matthews showed plenty of X-factor on Sunday and proved to be very dangerous at the fall of the ball from the packs, while also being strong around the contest, especially against bigger opponents. His follow-up work was excellent while he also showed great vision and composure to set up his teammates for a few goals. A highlight of his game off the ball was where he continually showed his endeavour to chase with his closing speed to ensure his opponent earned his kick. His goals came at crucial moments in the game, which included an excellent set shot kick on the half time siren and a goal early in the third quarter to get things going for Vic Country in the second half. Matthews showed great kicking power and was hard and fast on a lead inside forward 50. He came off halfway through the last quarter with what looked to be an ankle injury.

#5 Hugo Mikunda
Geelong Falcons | 180cm | 13/03/2007

Stats: 21 disposals, 8 marks, 7 inside 50s, 1 goal

Mikunda’s kicking throughout the day was excellent and positioned himself well in the first quarter at the right place and right time to snap a goal. He showed excellent composure and vision by hand throughout the day earlier where he set up JayDe Varlet for a nice running goal. His work rate up the ground from high half-forward was a highlight, and his powerful left foot kick resulted in the Young Guns defence being put under pressure, if they weren’t hitting targets they were being put into dangerous spots. Mikunda also managed to hit up fellow Falcon Jett Elek on a lead in the last quarter that resulted in a goal.

#14 Jesse Mellor
Geelong Falcons | 185cm | 04/01/2007

Stats: 17 disposals, 6 marks, 6 goals, 3 behinds

Finishing with a six-goal haul which four of them coming in the all-important last quarter, Geelong NGA product Mellor was dangerous all day inside 50 for the Vic Country team as he continues his excellent start to the season. That haul could easily have been more with improvements needed for his snap shot kicking and at times judgement of the wind when it came to set shots. He kicked his first goal from a set shot kick and throughout the day he provided a great medium sized forward option. Mellor looked for better options when necessary highlighting his selflessness and was quick to pounce on loose balls showing his quick reactions and crumbing ability. Amongst his better goals for the day included the one on the run in the third quarter and then showing great positioning to instantly reply after the Young Guns kicked the first of the final quarter. He then backed it up again to kick another later on to put Country back in the lead and they were never headed from there.

#20 Sam Lewis
Dandenong Stingrays | 186cm | 25/02/2007

Stats: 30 disposals, 10 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 1 goal, 1 behind

The leading disposal getter on the ground, Lewis was dominant around the contest and was very clean especially with his disposal by hand where he released his teammates on many occasions, combining well with the likes of Duursma. Lewis provided excellent spread along the ground to receive the ball and used his long kicking to deliver dangerously inside 50, while also having a hand in a few goals and managing one himself in the process.

#23 Willem Duursma
Gippsland Power | 191cm | 21/06/2007

Stats: 19 disposals, 6 clearances, 4 inside 50s

The highly touted Duursma was steady rather than spectacular on Sunday where he worked well in the midfield with Lewis. While his kicking wasn’t outstanding he still managed to provide plenty of pressure on the contest and his follow up work was excellent winning several one percenters in the process and took a few solid contested marks.

#30 Zac Harding
Murray Bushrangers | 199cm | 01/01/2006

Stats: 16 disposals, 18 hitouts, 1 goal

Harding competed very well against the Young Guns opposition ruck trio ensuring that his midfielders more often than not were given first use of the ball and was just as damaging when not in the contest especially with his skill, vision and mobility for a player of his size. He was highly efficient with his disposal and this was highlighted when he kicked to a teammate inside 50 on a lead. His work rate was also highlighted with his willingness to provide pressure on his opponents and making them earn his disposal with a tackle resulting in a free kick to him for holding the ball. In the last quarter he showed his strong hands taking a mark and duly converted on an angle which helped his side get over the line in the end.