WHILE injury halted his momentum somewhat, Khaled El Souki has been a prospect rising the ranks this season. The lively small forward has kicked 31 goals in nine Talent League games for the Western Jets this year, including two bags of six.

He added two majors to that tally on Sunday in his side’s 13-point win over Sandringham. The stifling conditions in Dingley didn’t stop him from playing a classic small forward’s game and earning a berth in the Vic Metro squad this coming Sunday.

We put El Souki’s performance under the Player Focus microscope.

Western JetsSmall Forward

Khaled El Souki

Height: 175cm

Weight: -

DOB: 04-07-2008

PLAYER FOCUS

2026 Talent League: Round 17
Western Jets 7.8 (50) def. Sandringham Dragons 4.13 (37)

#2 Khaled El Souki (Western Jets)
Stats: 18 disposals, 2 marks, 4 tackles, 2 goals

FIRST QUARTER:

It was a scoreless first term for the Western Jets, who were kicking against a very strong breeze. However, that didn’t mean that El Souki was quiet. He started as a deeper forward, where he put on an early chase, won the ball and lowered his eyes to find a teammate which was unfortunately cut off.

He then transitioned to a high half-forward role, where El Souki used his speed and agility to evade would-be tacklers, win the ball and consistently bring teammates into the game. His anticipation was also on show during the first quarter, as El Souki’s ability to read the play led to a lot of his possessions and pressure acts.

Late in the first quarter, El Souki was able to read an opponent’s handball receive and lay a critical tackle that halted any opposition run and carry. Not even 10 seconds later in the next contest, El Souki – who started a metre behind his direct opponent – read where the ball was going faster, used his speed off a couple steps to win the hard ball and then hit a high handball to a teammate to avoid getting smothered.

SECOND QUARTER:

As fortunes changed for the Jets who were now kicking with the breeze, El Souki’s attacking threats became more and more prevalent. Playing as a deep forward, his ability to stay in forward 50 contests through intercepting handballs, winning a holding the ball free on the Dragons ruckman and putting in big defensive efforts was paramount.

El Souki’s heavy involvement in non-scoring plays led to his opponents becoming more and more wary of his threat. This was evident when El Souki won a free kick as he was held in the forward 50. He converted the set shot from 30 metres out.

The second quarter was a perfect example of El Souki’s dedication to do a lot of the grunt work involved with being a premier small forward and then earning his reward by nailing the set shot.

THIRD QUARTER:

The third quarter was an offensive stalemate for both teams, as neither managed a major. The Jets, kicking against the breeze once again, positioned El Souki back as a high half forward where he was around the ball quite often, even appearing in defensive 50 contests.

Any time El Souki was in possession, his first instinct was to always break the incoming tackle. He proved successful on a number of occasions, often resorting to a blind turn or a fend off to give himself time for his next possession. There were two notable one-twos, where El Souki wins the hard ball, fends off the tackler and bursts away with quick hands.

However, late in the quarter, a few of El Souki’s handballs were disadvantageous to teammates and his disposals could have had slightly more precision and accuracy.

FOURTH QUARTER:

El Souki’s last quarter was his quietest from a disposal point of view, but his highlight came when he sealed the game for the Jets.

He was able to find space inside 50, take an uncontested mark and slot the set shot from right on 50 metres to extend the lead to 20 points.

CLOSING THOUGHTS…

El Souki’s performance against the Dragons was an elite showcase of how a small forward can stay damaging in tough, windy conditions.

As a deep forward, it was clear that his opponents were worried about his involvement. His desire to chase, tackle and find dangerous space put the Dragons defenders on high alert, which ultimately led to his first of two goals via a holding free kick.

Up the ground, it was his first-rate anticipation that was impressive. Knowing where the ball would fall and reacting faster than his opponent is a serious skill that El Souki possesses. Combine that with his genuine speed and tackle-breaking ability, El Souki has eye-catching skills that make him a handful to play against.