OAKLEIGH Chargers nabbed their second win of the Talent League season on Saturday, opening Round 5 with a 19-point victory over Tasmania. The Devils trailed at every break but fought back to within 15 points during the third quarter. Oakleigh responded, blowing the lead out to 42 points in the final term before Tasmania booted the last four goals of the match. We took note of the top prospects and performers from either side.

OAKLEIGH CHARGERS 3.2 | 6.6 | 9.11 | 12.12 (84)
TASMANIA DEVILS 1.3 | 3.7 | 5.7 | 9.11 (65)

GOALS:
Oakleigh Chargers: A. Sellers 3, R. Hilton 2, J. Leach 2, N. Bibile, J. Destefanis, N. Phillips, L. Prismall, W. Verwoert
Tasmania Devils: H. McCallum 4, J. Beams 2, T. Geappen, M. Whitney, L. Wootton

RMC BEST:
Oakleigh Chargers: J. Condello, A. Dollman, J. Destefanis, C. Anastasopoulos, A. Sellers, Z. Adams
Tasmania Devils: H. McCallum, A. Devine, J. Beams, L. Wootton, N. Hedger, B. Russell

OAKLEIGH CHARGERS:

#11 Jai Leach
Key Forward/Ruck | 198cm | 24/11/2007

Stats: 8 disposals, 7 hitouts, 2 goals

Oakleigh’s three-pronged ruck division had it tough against Ewan Dillon, but that didn’t stop Leach from showing his best traits. He spent most of the day up forward and attacked each aerial contest hard, utilising his leap and mobility to impact. One grab at the top of his reach led to a set shot goal in the final term. When Leach was unable to mark, his speed and competitiveness came to the fore with nimble work across the ground and heavy tackles to lock up the opposition. While still raw, there are plenty of traits for the over-ager to work with.

#33 Jack Condello
Midfielder | 181cm | 20/03/2009

Stats: 30 disposals, 7 clearances, 6 inside 50s

Condello was Oakleigh’s most prominent midfielder both inside and outside of the contest, racking up a team-high 30 disposals – including 22 kicks. The bottom-ager played in perpetual motion, driving his legs forward and darting around opponents. His short and sharp kicking was effective on the way forward, helping the Chargers chain together scoring forays out of stoppage. Condello’s link-up play was also a feature, credit to his work rate and running power.

#44 Archie Dollman
Midfielder | 184cm | 21/02/2007

Stats: 24 disposals, 4 tackles, 4 clearances

Dollman teamed up with Condello as a mainstay in midfield, faring best as a distributor by hand. The over-ager’s crisp handling and swift offloads released the likes of Condello on the outside, allowing Oakleigh to move the ball in waves. While not overtly physical, he was strong over the ball and laid his share of tackles when required. Naturally a wingman, Dollman also provided value as the Chargers transitioned from end-to-end, linking up effectively.

#48 Zane Adams
Key Defender | 197cm | 17/03/2009

Stats: 10 disposals, 5 marks, 3 tackles

While a couple of his fellow defenders earned the opportunity to trial with Vic Metro, Adams held down the fort for Oakleigh. He showed plenty of heart to battle with Tasmanian co-captain Mason Brown, while also settling under high balls and courageously running back with the flight. Despite his relatively light frame, the bottom-ager made his opponents earn their marks and possessions as he attacked each contest with vigour. His tackling was a testament to that. Adams was prone errors at times, but offered a bit of dash and was willing to contribute to Oakleigh’s defensive transitions.

TASMANIA DEVILS:

#5 Jake Beams
Defender/Forward | 181cm | 22/12/2009

Stats: 29 disposals, 8 marks, 2 goals

It was business as usual for Beams, who racked up the ball as Tasmania’s designated kicker out of defence. He utilised his foot skills to perfection, weighting passes when necessary but also kicking through the teeth of the wind with laser-like precision. The bottom-ager’s elite playmaking ability saw him consistently find space and be the player his teammates wanted to find. Beams was swung forward in the final quarter and kicked two classy goals, the first of which was a 50m set shot bomb.

#6 Archie Devine
Midfielder | 181cm | 13/02/2008

Stats: 37 disposals, 6 marks, 6 inside 50s

Devine was enormous for Tasmania, leading all comers with a whopping 37 disposals. His combination play was outstanding, hunting the ball at stoppage before manufacturing exits with his clean hands and turn of speed. Devine was equal parts clever and tough at the coalface, while also seeming to enjoy a bit of niggle. He did as he pleased away from stoppage, roaming the ground and using his attacking instincts to create as Tasmania transitioned the ball. He ended up being shifted back to run out the game and faded out a little with just two touches in term four.

#12 Hugh McCallum
Wing | 181cm | 10/08/2008

Stats: 23 disposals, 12 marks, 8 inside 50s, 4 goals

McCallum’s immense running power was once again ideal for the wing role he fulfilled. He found space everywhere on Saturday, providing repeat efforts up and down the line to impact single passages with multiple possessions. The top-ager tracked into both 50m arcs and filled his boots with uncontested marks, but was also prepared to compete in the air. On top of that, he was agile under pressure. The cherry on top McCallum’s performance was his ability to impact the scoreboard, finishing with four goals credit to his ability to drift into unmanned territory.

#29 Lucas Wootton
Midfielder | 180cm | 11/05/2007

Stats: 23 disposals, 7 tackles, 7 clearances, 1 goal

It was a typically busy outing from Wootton, whose neat fundamental skills were a feature throughout. The over-ager won the ball cleanly at stoppage and used his turn of foot to drive to the outside. When held up, he showed good core strength to stand up in tackles and dish off. Wootton’s repeat defensive efforts kept him busy going the other way, while he also popped up for a classy snap goal. He had plenty of chances to do damage when carrying the ball in space, but couldn’t always make the opposition pay for affording him such time in the forward half.