AN INSPIRED Archie Elliott performance has propelled Greater Western Victoria (GWV) to a 68-point win over Bendigo in their Round 20 clash at Mars Stadium on Sunday. The clinical forward booted 7.2, including five goals in a blistering second quarter to help set up the comfortable victory.

The Rebels made an inaccurate start kicking into a stiff breeze, but quickly straightened up to pile on nine goals in term two – spearheaded by Elliott. Hamish Birkett also filled his boots with four majors, while industrious Bendigo bottom-ager Max Thompson led all comers with 26 disposals in defeat.

We took note of the top prospects from either side.

GWV REBELS 1.6 | 10.7 | 13.8 | 18.11 (119)
BENDIGO PIONEERS 3.1 | 5.2 | 7.6 | 7.9 (51)

GOALS:
GWV Rebels: A. Elliott 7, H. Birkett 4, L. Byrne 2, H. Welsh 2, K. Nicholls, S. Te Moananui, S. Wareham
Bendigo Pioneers: J. Butterworth 2, C. McCarty 2, L. Iudica, C. O’Sullivan, C. Reid

BEST:
GWV Rebels: A. Elliott, K. Nicholls, H. Welsh, L. Ellerton, L. Byrne, J. O’Brien
Bendigo Pioneers: M. Thompson, T. Griffin, C. Poyser, R. Travaglia, C. Reid, L. Iudica

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GWV REBELS:

#6 Harrison Welsh
Midfielder | 179cm | 23/08/2009

Stats: 19 disposals, 5 tackles, 5 clearances, 2 goals

Welsh played with plenty of power through midfield, bursting his way forward of stoppages in explosive bursts. The bottom-ager looked dangerous when driving his legs and showed good core strength to either brush off or stand up in tackles. He was a little scrappy by foot at times, often made to deliver at full tilt or under pressure, but still managed to bag a pair of goals. His second was another show of serious power, blasting the ball home from long-range off only a few steps.

#11 Leo Ellerton
Midfielder/Forward | 182cm | 08/08/2008

Stats: 19 disposals, 4 tackles, 5 clearances

Ellerton led his side for centre clearances (five) and contested possessions (13), bringing the ball to the outside in typically stylish fashion. The lightly built utility roved several taps cleanly and used his slick turn of speed to wheel out of stoppages, where he could then deliver forward by foot. Ellerton also spent plenty of time in the front half and provided ample tackle pressure, closing down opponents and helping to lock the ball in GWV’s attacking half.

#14 Archie Elliott
Forward | 182cm | 10/08/2008

Stats: 13 disposals, 4 marks, 4 tackles, 7 goals

Elliott caught fire in the second term, booting five of his seven goals to entirely break the game open. He caused headaches with his dynamic movement and well-timed leads, often getting off the leash to mark uncontested. Kicking with the wind, Elliott converted his set shots nicely – even from long range – and proved he could get the job done on the snap. His ability to cut in or evade opponents with lightning-quick steps helped forge even more scoring opportunities, and he put further pressure on Bendigo with his tough tackling. He’s well-rounded and extremely clever.

#21 Lachie Petrie
Wing | 179cm | 24/06/2009

Stats: 17 disposals, 4 marks, 3 inside 50s

Operating along the wing, Petrie ran out the game strongly with a prolific final term. He showed glimpses of power and athleticism throughout the match, looking agile in general play and capable of evading tackles through either lateral movement or a fend-off. The bottom-ager began to connect the lines with that kind of dynamism and run in the latter stages, providing an outlet from defensive 50 and going on to deliver inside the attacking arc. He has some tools to work with.

#22 Klay Nicholls
Defender | 187cm | 15/05/2008

Stats: 24 disposals, 12 marks, 5 rebound 50s, 1 goal

Nicholls was absolutely everywhere across GWV’s back half, settling into terrific spots behind the ball to intercept and reload. He wasn’t afraid to occupy a high line, ensuring he could drive the ball into dangerous areas with quick counterattacks. Nicholls controlled and dictated play all day, although perhaps could have taken a little more care with his delivery by foot – albeit in trying conditions. The Vic Country representative even snuck forward to mark and slot a set shot goal, showing his kick penetration and opportunistic positioning all in one play.

#23 Jackson O’Brien
Ruck | 205cm | 05/06/2008

Stats: 14 disposals, 2 marks, 36 hitouts

O’Brien was utterly dominant in the ruck, winning 36 hitouts including 25 at the centre ball-ups. Boasting a considerable size advantage, the basketball convert took toll with his fluent leap and superior reach to guide down several hits to advantage. Somehow, the Rebels still lost the clearance count. O’Brien also provided a reliable target for the rebound-50 kick and played the basics to dish out clean handballs in general play. He continues to grow in confidence and authority.

#40 Lucas Byrne
Tall Forward | 191cm | 20/11/2009

Stats: 13 disposals, 5 marks, 8 tackles, 2 goals

An Australian junior basketballer on debut in the Talent League, Byrne took little time to make an impression. He provided a strong marking target both deep inside 50 and up the ground, showing a clean set of hands to be the only player afield to clunk more than one contested mark. Byrne also used his physicality to lay plenty of robust tackles and found reward in the way of two third quarter goals. Both majors came on the back of solid grabs deep in attack. One to watch over the next year.

#48 Harry Metcher
Forward | 186cm | 15/07/2010

Stats: 18 disposals, 4 tackles, 3 clearances

Fresh off an Under 16 campaign with Vic Country, Metcher brought renewed confidence to his fourth Talent League appearance. He showed no signs of being overawed, competing well over the loose ball and looking classy in time and space. On a couple of occasions, Metcher won possession and spun out of traffic, or accelerated away to then deliver on his punchy left foot. Despite playing mostly as a forward, he has the potential to play in a variety of roles.

BENDIGO PIONEERS:

#2 Carter Reid
Utility | 185cm | 27/12/2008

Stats: 9 disposals, 6 marks, 1 goal

With GWV owning much of the play, prospects like Reid had to make their moments count for Bendigo. He produced his best moments up forward but was also given brief stints on-ball and down back as his side shuffled the magnets around. Reid got the Pioneers going early on, sneaking out the back for the first scoring chance and again peeling forward at the right time to slot the opening goal. Opportunities were hard to come by thereafter, but Reid stood out with a slips catch in the second quarter and a gutsy mark under the high ball in term four. He turned the former into a goal assist, and the latter into a major of his own.

#5 Tyce Griffin
Forward/Defender | 180cm | 14/04/2009

Stats: 19 disposals, 2 marks, 3 tackles

A solid contributor throughout the match, Griffin signalled his intent in the opening stages with a terrific holding-the-ball tackle. His effort and toughness hardly wavered as he played roles both as a high forward and defender. The bottom-ager was willing to scrap for possession and showed quick feet to exit the contest, but just as willingly forced his way through contact. Griffin was a little scrappy at times with his ball use, although was a valuable player who flew the flag in a heavy loss.

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

Stats: 26 disposals, 7 marks, 7 inside 50s

Thompson was his usual productive self and defied the stiff breeze to showcase some of his elite foot skills. The type of player you want kicking inside 50, he crafted some clever short kicks and more punchy long-range passes which cut low with laser-like precision. Thompson’s willingness to move the ball on quickly saw him rush into errors on occasion, but he showed good improvisational skills under pressure. The bottom-ager spent time in midfield and had an immediate impact during the middle stages of the game, otherwise operating as a high forward.

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

Stats: 10 disposals, 2 marks, 12 tackles

While as a player you’d arguably prefer to rack up more disposals than tackles, coaches and supporters often appreciate those willing to do the dirty work for their side. That’s what Travaglia did on Sunday, rolling up his sleeves to absorb plenty of pressure in defence. His tackle technique was sound and he was strong enough to hold up opponents before bringing them to ground. The bottom-ager showed his clean handling and foot skills on a few occasions, blending his grit with class. He shook off a slight knock in term two to run out the game.