THE ANNUAL Country triple-header in Bendigo kicked off Round 4 of the Talent League on Friday, with the hosts beaten by Gippsland in game one. Power key defender Clancy Snell was a standout, continuing to elevate his stocks among the pool of talls. We took note of the top prospects and performers.

>> Scouting Notes: Northern Academies | Vic Metro

Bendigo Pioneers 10.11 (71) def. by Gippsland Power 13.10 (88)

BENDIGO PIONEERS:

#3 Eamon Austin
Midfielder/Small Forward | 171cm | 14/09/2008

Stats: 22 disposals, 2 clearances, 5 inside 50s

Austin got to show his wares with an extended run in midfield, where his blend of poise and agility served him well. The diminutive top-ager twisted and turned his way out of trouble, often buying time to find an option by foot. Some of Austin’s delivery inside 50 was outstanding, even when going quickly around the body. He was equally assured by hand to release teammates out of congestion, making for a very tidy performance. Austin also rotated forward and did his usual work as a connector, finding space between the arcs and using his skills to keep the chain flowing.

#7 Max Thompson
Small Forward/Midfielder | 174cm | 06/03/2009

Stats: 17 disposals, 5 marks, 1 goal

Having proven himself as a playmaking half-back, Thompson reverted to a familiar role up forward before spending time on-ball in the second half. He showcased his foot skills early on with a perfectly weighted kick over the back to assist Oscar Cail, and went on to make several searing passes all over the ground. Thompson sometimes ran himself into trouble but was evasive and clever enough to find an escape route, trusting his decision making in every situation. While quite small and slight, he gritted his teeth when required and hit the scoreboard with a freakish snap goal from long-range in the third quarter.

#14 Riley Travaglia
Defender | 181cm | 21/03/2009

Stats: 18 disposals, 4 marks, 3 rebound 50s

Travaglia may have fumbled at some point on Friday, but onlookers would unlikely remember it given how clean he was throughout the game. Operating across half-back, the bottom-ager showcased unbelievably sound handling as he mopped up the spills at ground level, while also holding his own in the air. His ability to time runs and provide support on turnover made him prominent on the overlap, often receiving the ball at speed and driving it forward. Travaglia was efficient by hand and foot, proving one of the Pioneers’ most reliable players in possession. His work rate and positioning make him the ideal transitional player.

#35 Jack Bell
Defender | 188cm | 15/04/2008

Stats: 18 disposals, 5 marks, 4 rebound 50s

Bell is one of the many Bendigo players to have earned a trial with Vic Country, and it was no surprise given how he played on Friday. The 188cm prospect tends to play a little taller, impacting aerially with confident one-on-one intercept marks. He had good support from the likes of Bailey Warfe in that regard, but then set himself apart by showing a bit of zip on the rebound. Bell’s attack on the ball and ability to move it on quickly when rebounding helped him stand out further.

GIPPSLAND POWER:

#4 Levi Macumber
Small Forward | 177cm | 01/06/2008

Stats: 18 disposals, 4 inside 50s, 5 goals

Macumber shot out of the ground with a breakout five-goal performance, helping earn a Vic Country trial this weekend. The small forward showed plenty of guts to put his body on the line with several overhead marks, and also earned scoring opportunities with lock-up tackles inside 50. Macumber’s finishing wavered throughout the day, but he made good on repeat opportunities and continued to be lively in the forward half. Whether connecting at half-forward or pouncing near the big sticks, he was a constant thorn in Bendigo’s side and kicked goals in every quarter.

#6 Judd Burgiel
Midfielder | 179cm | 04/06/2008

Stats: 24 disposals, 7 tackles, 6 inside 50s, 1 goal

It was fitting to see Burgiel top Gippsland’s disposals tally alongside Templeton given the similar attributes they possess. He was a relative mainstay in midfield, hunting ground balls and showcasing a strong core to drive through tackles. Burgiel’s toughness and repeat efforts helped put his side on the front foot, and the load of producing that kind of play was eased once Templeton was moved on-ball. After half time, Burgiel found more space to carry the ball forward and launch it inside 50, proving a difficult player to contain with his constant movement.

#10 Cody Templeton
Forward/Midfielder | 180cm | 01/01/2008

Stats: 24 disposals, 9 tackles, 8 clearances, 1 goal

Templeton overcame a slow and likely frustrating start to inspire his side with a move into midfield. He attacked the ball hard when situated deep forward but nothing stuck, resulting in the switch on-ball. Templeton made an immediate impact and helped turn the momentum with his ball winning ability, extracting and dishing it off cleanly by hand. He opened up the packs with his power and physicality, but also provided a threat when carrying the ball forward on the outside. Defensively, the top-ager set the tone with his tackling and was constantly there to support teammates, highlighting his leadership qualities. A much-needed big performance.

#22 Augustus Finsterer
Tall Forward | 191cm | 27/05/2008

Stats: 12 disposals, 4 marks, 2 goals

Another handy find among Gippsland’s stacked side, Finsterer showed a range of promising traits up forward. At 191cm, he fared well aerially with a strong set of hands overhead and the reach to ensure defenders found it hard to spoil. Finsterer’s handling was also clean below his knees and he was mobile enough to make good on whatever delivery came his way. He finished the day with 2.2 but had a range of chances, catching the eye with his dynamism as a tall target.

#41 Clancy Snell
Key Defender | 196cm | 21/08/2008

Stats: 16 disposals, 8 marks, 5 rebound 50s

Snell was the standout of the day, producing a marking masterclass down back in the absence of partner-in-crime, Xavier Ladbrook. The rangy key defender plucked intercepts at will, either winning one-on-one contests or peeling off to be the third man up. His reading of the play was complimented by terrific mobility to arrive at each contest, positioning expertly behind the ball and taking it at the top of his reach. If not, he chimed in with a firm spoil. Snell backed his foot skills and looked to move the ball on relatively quickly, while joining in on transitional play once Gippsland had won possession. He played a major role in shutting down Cail after half time.

AROUND THE GROUNDS

Game two of the triple-header saw Dandenong notch a thumping 76-point win over Greater Western Victoria (GWV). After conceding a quarter time deficit, the Stingrays started a scoring assault with 18 goals across the next three terms, proving deadly accurate in the 22.9 (141) to 10.5 (65) result.

Dandenong got goals from their midfielders, with the likes of Clancy Stuart (24 disposals, nine tackles, three goals) and Jackson Phillips (28 disposals, eight inside 50s, one goal) doing damage. Meanwhile, bottom-age big man Corey Ah-Mu led all comers with 33 touches and two goals in the romp.

All of the above will take part in Saturday’s vic Country trials in Werribee. The likes of Mitch Toner, Cooper White, and Wil Antrobus are also in that equation having been named among Dandenong’s best. For the Rebels, captain Ethan Drever continues to be a shining light.

The midfielder racked up 27 disposals, eight tackles and five clearances in the loss to once again be named GWV’s best. 205cm ruck Jackson O’Brien won 30 hitouts to continue his promising start to the season, while forward Archie Elliott again impacted the scoreboard with four goals.

GWV will have eight prospects take part in the Vic Country trials, all in game one. Among those set to take the field, Leo Ellerton snagged two goals from 19 disposals and eight tackles, while defender Klay Nicholls again stood tall with 16 disposals and five marks.

In the day’s final game, Geelong Falcons overcame some inaccuracy in front of goal to post a 42-point win over the Murray Bushrangers. The Falcons established an early lead and continued to pour on the scoreboard pressure to salute 12.17 (89) to 6.11 (47).

Among a raft of soon-to-be Vic Country trialists, Charlie Gray (four goals) and Fletcher Pulleine (24 disposals, eight marks) impressed for Geelong. The likes of Tom Teague (21 disposals, 10 rebound 50s) and Charlie Hanegraaf (23 disposals, one goal) also continued their strong starts to the campaign.

For Murray, Jackson Hewitt once again led all comers with 26 disposals. Bottom-ager Oliver Boddenberg got stuck in with 20 touches and nine tackles, while Mitch Tyson (18 disposals, one goal) was also important. Meanwhile, Kade Hadley kicked half of the Bushies’ six goals.