WHILE the Under 16 and 18 National Championships are currently taking centre stage, there remains some important Talent League action taking place. Club-tied prospects were among those to stand out across the three Round 16 fixtures, while there is now room for bottom-age stars to emerge.

TALENT LEAGUE ROUND 16

Bendigo Pioneers 11.5 (71) def. Geelong Falcons 8.14 (62)

Bendigo Pioneers overcame a sluggish start to hand Geelong Falcons a seventh-consecutive defeat, saluting to the tune of nine points at Queen Elizabeth Oval on Saturday. The Falcons were made to rue their goalkicking inaccuracy, failing to get over the line despite having 22 scoring shots to the Pios’ 16.

Midfielder Sonny Beasy was a standout for Bendigo, collecting 24 disposals, seven marks, six clearances and a goal in the win. Bottom-ager Billy Buhagiar (21 disposals) kicked the sealing goal, while crafty small Eamon Austin helped play himself into the Vic Country team with three majors from 11 touches.

Meanwhile, Geelong’s efforts were led by in-form small Archie Daffy (26 disposals, six clearances, one goal). The son of 165-gamer Nick is tied to Richmond. 189cm big-bodied ball winner Fletcher Pulleine (24 disposals, eight inside 50s) also made his presence felt around the ground.

Bottom-age dasher Kyan Walters (21 disposals) was among the Falcons’ several strong clearance winners with four, while ruck Nate Mensch (six marks, 14 hitouts, four clearances) continues to show signs. Another prospect of note is over-ager Zach Stevens (18 disposals, 1.3), who recently made his debut having been noticed at South Barwon. He’s part of the Cats’ VFL list.

BENDIGO PIONEERS 2.1 | 6.1 | 8.3 | 11.5 (71)
GEELONG FALCONS 5.4 | 6.7 | 7.11 | 8.14 (62)

GOALS:
Bendigo Pioneers: E. Austin 3, J. Bell 2, S. Barnett, S. Beasy, B. Buhagiar, M. Connick, A. Hand, C. McCarty
Geelong Falcons: K. Charman 3, W. Tsitas 2, A. Daffy, J. Penrice, Z. Stevens

BEST:
Bendigo Pioneers: M. Connick, B. Warfe, R. Travaglia, B. Buhagiar, J. Kelly, S. Beasy
Geelong Falcons: Z. Stevens, F. Pulleine, J. Penrice, B. Smith, A. Daffy, N. Mensch

Gippsland Power 11.6 (72) def. GWV Rebels 9.10 (64)

Gippsland Power pipped GWV Rebels by eight points in a closely run contest at La Trobe University on Sunday. The Power led at every break but fell behind in term four thanks to two quick goals from Lachie Petrie. At the other end, Ash Mounsey did the same to put Gippsland back ahead in the final five minutes.

The Burgiels – Judd (32 disposals, six clearances) and Will Burgiel (24 disposals, five inside 50s) were prolific alongside playmaker Connor Macmillan (26 disposals, six rebound 50s). Meanwhile, bottom-agers Leo Stephenson (16 disposals, four clearances) and Charlie Fischer (16 disposals, seven marks) brought the energy, with the latter enjoying a move behind the ball.

Rebel Michael Hughes also notched up a game-high 32 touches, while bottom-ager Harrison Welsh (27 disposals, eight clearances) continued his strong form in midfield. Another standout was Finn Russell, who amassed 20 disposals and 39 hitouts. Under 16 prospect Hudson Greene chimed in with three goals on debut.

GIPPSLAND POWER 3.1 | 7.2 | 8.5 | 11.6 (72)
GWV REBELS 2.2 | 5.5 | 7.8 | 9.10 (64)

GOALS:
Gippsland Power: C. Rand 3, K. Jones 2, A. Mounsey 2, A. Finsterer, N. Romeril, A. Stobie, K. Thornley
GWV Rebels: H. Greene 3, L. Petrie 2, H. Birkett, T. Faull, C. Jellie, S. Te Moananui

BEST:
Gippsland Power: C. Fischer, L. Stephenson, A. Stobie, C. Rand, J. Burgiel, G. Jiath
GWV Rebels: L. Petrie, M. Hughes, H. Welsh, J. Sobey, F. Russell, L. Pring

Tasmania Devils 22.11 (143) def. Bachar Houli Academy 8.8 (56)

Tasmania Devils put the foot down after quarter time to register a thumping 87-point win over the Bachar Houli Academy in North Hobart on Sunday. The home side piled on 13 goals to three in the second half as 10 Devils ended up with majors, headlined by a bag of six to bottom-ager Lucas Heazlewood.

Jack Morrison was named best afield for his stat-stuffing performance, amassing 28 disposals, eight marks, eight tackles and a goal. Tasmania’s 2009-born cohort shone, with the likes of Max Gulliver (26 disposals, seven marks), Mason Whitney (20 disposals, one goal), and Sam Husband (19 disposals, one goal) all featuring prominently. Meanwhile, Jess Bula booted two goals in a successful return.

It was the Academy’s second loss in as many games, as they now bow out of their maiden Talent League stint. Essendon-tied talent Moustafa Darwish was the shining light on a tough day with 32 disposals, 10 tackles and eight clearances, continuing the prolific form he has been putting together with Calder.

TASMANIA DEVILS 4.1 | 9.2 | 15.6 | 22.11 (143)
HOULI ACADEMY 3.3 | 5.4 | 7.6 | 8.8 (56)

GOALS:
Tasmania Devils: L. Heazlewood 6, M. Brown 3, V. Johnson 3, T. Bearman 2, J. Bula 2, J. Morrison 2, A. Dunham, M. Flanagan, S. Husband, M. Whitney
Houli Academy: Z. El-Hosni 2, A. Merhi 2, Z. Gentner, A. Kandil, W. Kadour, R. Mohammad

BEST:
Tasmania Devils: J. Morrison, L. Heazlewood, T. Bearman, M. Gulliver, M. Whitney, S. Husband
Houli Academy: M. Darwish, A. Kandil, A. Merhi, S. Esokni, A. Kassab, Z. Gentner