VIC COUNTRY defeated NSW/ACT by 10 points in their Under 17 Futures trial on Saturday morning, in the first game of a double-header at Casey Fields. The Vics broke away to a 20-point lead at the final break and held on as the Rams charged home, saluting 9.12 (66) to 8.8 (56) in ideal conditions.

The NSW/ACT side was comprised of talent from the GWS Giants and Sydney Swans academies, as well as Coates Talent League regions Bendigo Pioneers and Murray Bushrangers. Meanwhile, Vic Country came in armed with members of last year’s title-winning Under 16 squad, and pulled through to win.

VIC COUNTRY 2.1 | 4.4 | 8.8 | 9.12 (66)
NSW/ACT 2.2 | 3.5 | 5.6 | 8.8 (56)

GOALS:
Vic Country: C. Templeton 2, M. Neocleous 2, C. Hanegraaf, W. Malady, A. Williams, B. Avenell, C. Snell
NSW/ACT: L. Chambers 2, C. Blackwell-Smith 2, E. Matthews, H. Meaney, A. Blacker, A. McCartney

BEST:
Vic Country: M. Neocleous, G. Kennedy, C. Templeton, W. Malady, C. Hanegraaf, X. Ladbrook
NSW/ACT: E. Matthews, W. Jenkin, L. Price, C. Harper, I. Daly, L. Chambers

VIC COUNTRY:

#3 Charlie Hanegraaf (Geelong Falcons)
Midfielder | 186cm | 11/10/2008

Stats: 19 disposals, 6 clearances, 1 goal

Hanegraaf was unleashed in the Vic Country midfield, where he got to showcase his clean ball handling and power out of the contest. The Geelong Falcons prospect was effective at ground level where he could prise possession and flick the ball up quickly to release teammates. Otherwise, he was seen bustling his way forward and even got on the end of a handball receive to boot a goal in term three. Hanegraaf also showed good spring for an overhead mark in the final quarter.

#5 Gus Kennedy (Dandenong Stingrays)
Midfielder/Defender | 185cm | 21/02/2008

Stats: 21 disposals, 5 tackles, 5 rebound 50s

Kennedy looked to bring the game to NSW/ACT all day, utilising his power around the stoppages and taking on tacklers with attacking intent. While he was held up a few times as a midfielder in the first half, his bursting runs became more effective out of defensive 50 after the main break. The left-footer was scrappy at times with his delivery, but dished out plenty of fend-offs as he won back possession for his side before getting them going on the rebound.

#9 Darcy Harrington (Geelong Falcons)
Defender/Wing | 177cm | 17/11/2008

Stats: 15 disposals, 4 marks, 4 rebound 50s

Having had much of his season wiped out by injury, Harrington has hit the ground running upon his return. The diminutive prospect started in defence where he showcased genuine power and hardness at the ball. He sharked the ball cleanly at speed and was evasive on the way out of traffic, while also wrapping up opponents with punishing tackles to ensure they couldn’t do the same. He ended up shifting up to a wing and has potential to operate in each third of the ground.

#10 Cody Templeton (Gippsland Power)
Midfielder/Forward | 179cm | 01/01/2008

Stats: 12 disposals, 4 marks, 4 tackles, 2 goals

Having booted 5.4 a couple of games ago for Gippsland Power, Templeton again looked dangerous up forward. He booted two goals having started in midfield, including a terrific baulk and finish on the run in the opening quarter. Templeton’s energy translated to great tackle pressure and useful presentation on the lead, holding his own in overhead marking contests to defy his 179cm standing. He can still look to refine his finishing, but proved as dangerous as any other player afield.

#11 Marlon Neocleous (Gippsland Power)
Midfielder | 168cm | 26/02/2008

Stats: 26 disposals, 5 tackles, 5 clearances, 2 goals

Part of a solid midfield group, Neocleous was at his busy best throughout the day. His clean and quick hands were useful when teammates players to the outside, but he also took metres in transition to be a dual threat going forward. Neocleous’ short bursts of speed and ability to chain up on the attack made him dangerous, and he ended up crafting a pair of gilt-edged snap goals out of nothing to help Vic Country open up a buffer in the third quarter.

#13 Wil Malady (Gippsland Power)
Tall Forward/Wing | 190cm | 12/10/2008

Stats: 18 disposals, 8 marks, 1 goal

Malady got to showcase some of his versatility, operating off the wing to go with his usual work up forward. The athletic tall snapped a free kick goal in the opening quarter and went on to impose himself aerially, including with an eye-catching speccy on the wing in term four. While he was an effective connective option up and down the line, Malady could have truly impacted the scoreboard with more accurate goalkicking. Still, he looked like one of the best prospects afield.

#23 Xavier Ladbrook (Gippsland Power)
Key Defender/Forward | 200cm | 16/10/2008

Stats: 13 disposals, 6 marks, 2 score assists

Much like his Gippsland Power teammate Malady, Ladbrook exhibited his versatility by playing a half in defence before swinging into attack. He moves incredibly well for a 200cm player, providing support up the ground and taking the game on by stepping past opponents. Ladbrook aided Vic Country’s transitional game both as a defender and forward, searching high up the ground and getting involved in running chains. He remains a raw prospect in the way of end product, particularly after a couple of awkward attempts on goal. The upside is clear as day, though.

NSW/ACT:

#4 Will Jenkin (Swans Academy)
Wing/Defender | 177cm | 25/11/2008

Stats: 24 disposals, 6 marks, 4 inside 50s

Taking the field without twin brother Guy, it was a typical kind of game from Jenkin. He started out on the wing where he showed his ability to fold in on the contest and take the ball cleanly, while also being a reliable option on the outside. Jenkin consistently found space as NSW/ACT advanced the ball forward, making quick and correct decisions to maintain a fluent flow. He spent time in defence after half time and took on some of the kick-in duties, distributing the ball efficiently.

#9 Lachlan Price (Swans Academy)
Midfielder | 180cm | 08/11/2008

Stats: 25 disposals, 5 marks, 5 tackles

Price was among NSW/ACT’s mainstays in midfield, offering good physicality and ball winning acumen at the contest. His strong core allowed him to stay upright under pressure and he often looked to get his legs pumping forward. Price split or won his one-on-one battles and stuck his tackles nicely to ensure the opposition wouldn’t get away with anything easily. He also handled the ball cleanly in the clinches across a solid overall outing.

#10 Ethan Matthews (Giants Academy)
Midfielder | 185cm | 04/09/2008

Stats: 30 disposals, 7 marks, 8 tackles, 1 goal

Matthews had claims on being best afield in a losing effort, looking a class above at times in the NSW/ACT midfield. His neat fundamental skills were on show, hardly fumbling and using the ball efficiently by hand and foot. His favoured left-sided kicking was particularly effective in short link-up play, where Matthews worked into space and accumulated possessions between the arcs. He produced a couple more expansive plays too, stepping past opponents in a chain which ended in him missing a shot on the run. He would later straighten up with a set shot goal in term four.

#20 Charlie Harper (Giants Academy)
Tall Defender | 190cm | 23/01/2008

Stats: 19 disposals, 3 marks, 5 rebound 50s

Operating alongside Lucas Roberts and Cody Beavis in the NSW/ACT backline, Harper played a well-rounded game. He was among his side’s most effective distributors, piercing Vic Country’s defence by foot and taking on a few of the kick-in duties. One of Harper’s best plays was his daring rebound run in the final quarter, showing a bit of speed to take ground on the outside. Otherwise, he helped set up a wall high up the ground and made himself useful on the intercept.

#22 Aidan McCartney (Swans Academy)
Tall Forward | 191cm | 11/04/2008

Stats: 9 disposals, 2 marks, 1 goal

McCartney showed signs of being a big factor early in the game, kicking 1.1 in the opening quarter and looking like a dangerous marking target inside 50. His set shot goalkicking can be erratic at times, but he moves well for a tall and proved he could become an option when presenting further up the ground. After some nice moments, a big fly and crash landing saw him helped off the field in term three. He’s tied to the Swans Academy, and North Melbourne via father-son eligibility.

#26 Izack Daley (Murray Bushrangers)
Ruck/Key Forward | 196cm | 23/08/2008

Stats: 7 disposals, 2 marks, 21 hitouts

The starting ruck for NSW/ACT, Daley utilised his reach and size to make an early impression at the contest. He also offered a handy target long down the line, clunking a mark from the kick-in during term two and later popping up with a big contested grab in the final quarter. He missed the set shot from the second mark, but showed an ability to stand under high balls and impose his physicality.