A BUNCH of Essendon-tied prospects filled their boots in Calder Cannons’ 49-point win over Eastern Ranges on Saturday. The victors’ engine room was stacked with prolific father-son and Next Generation Academy (NGA) hopefuls eligible for the next two drafts, and they all showed out in Round 20.

The Cannons kicked clear during the mid-stages of the game, pouring on nine goals to Eastern’s two across the second and third terms. Despite the result, Ranges captain Jordan Knapp led all comers with a whopping 43 disposals, 14 marks and 11 inside 50s for an incredible triple-double against the tide.

We took note of the top prospects from either side.

CALDER CANNONS 4.2 | 8.5 | 13.9 | 15.11 (101)
EASTERN RANGES 2.1 | 3.5 | 4.8 | 7.10 (52)

GOALS:
Calder Cannons: T. Lincoln 3, J. Watkins 3, K. Bewick 2, N. Jenkins 2, T. Rodan 2. A. Abdallah, B. Crook, C. Mackenzie-George
Eastern Ranges: B. McMillan 2, R. Shalders 2, M. Bartlett, R. Hofmann, H. Ryan

BEST:
Calder Cannons: B. Justice, I. Merhi, N. Jenkins, K. Bewick, M. Darwish, J. Watkins
Eastern Ranges: J. Knapp, Z. Antonellos, S. Devers, A. Spencer, H. Chapman, T. Krawczyk

CALDER CANNONS:

#1 Blake Justice
Midfielder/Forward | 191cm | 29/09/2008

Stats: 28 disposals, 6 marks, 10 clearances, 6 inside 50s

Essendon NGA

Justice is beginning to string together a strong vein of form and that continued on Saturday. At all of 191cm, he dominated at the centre stoppages with 10 clearances and 16 contested possessions, although he was far from just an inside extractor. The athletic phenom showed great speed to break clear of congestion and drive the ball forward, bringing balance to his game. Justice can be hit-or-miss with his kicking at times but proved capable of hitting up short targets on the move, and often bought himself the time and space to do so. If he can increase his marking and goal threat up forward, he’ll continue to become a genuine game-breaker for Calder.

#3 Nathaniel Jenkins
Key Forward | 196cm | 18/08/2009

Stats: 18 disposals, 9 marks, 4 inside 50s, 2 goals

Jenkins is developing very nicely as a raw and athletic bottom-age tall with huge upside. Dynamic as ever, he showed great speed off the mark to not only present as a leading target, but also wheel around and manufacture shots on goal. His point of difference as a left-footer helped catch opponents off guard, with the tall’s agility in open play quite remarkable given his height. Jenkins can continue to work on his set shot conversion but impressed with his elevated ability to take strong marks out in front. Once he adds a bit of size over the off-season, look out.

#4 Tevita Rodan
Forward | 180cm | 18/02/2009

Stats: 21 disposals, 7 marks, 8 inside 50s, 2 goals

Essendon NGA & Port Adelaide F/S

Rodan had his moments throughout the match, the best of them coming towards the end of term three where he slotted two late goals over the mark. He was otherwise sighted running useful patterns as a high forward, searching up the ground to help his side connect the lines. The bottom-ager provided drive and power with his possessions, but can continue to work on refining his ball use heading inside 50.

#8 Koby Bewick
Midfielder | 178cm | 10/01/2009

Stats: 20 disposals, 4 marks, 6 inside 50s, 2 goals

Essendon F/S

Bewick limped off the ground early in term four but showed plenty of class in the three previous quarters. His kicking on the run was phenomenal, including with two long goals on the end of quick transitional passages. With innate footy IQ and timing, Bewick shifted into all the right spots to receive outside possessions and hurt Eastern with his ball use. He was exactly the player Calder wanted pinpointing passes between the arcs, where he hardly put a foot wrong.

#9 Moustafa Darwish
Midfielder | 180cm | 07/01/2009

Stats: 36 disposals, 11 marks, 6 tackles, 4 clearances

Essendon NGA

Darwish racked up another massive stats haul, leading his side for disposals (36) and uncontested possessions (26). His coverage of the ground was immense, firstly having an impact with his quick hands in the contest before spreading up and back to accumulate touches. While capable of slick improvisational ball use, this wasn’t quite Darwish’s best kicking day despite how much outside footy he found. Still, the bottom-ager was highly productive and seamlessly filled his boots.

#10 Isa Merhi
Defender | 177cm | 14/05/2009

Stats: 28 disposals, 6 marks, 7 rebound 50s

Merhi’s dash and dare were terrific to watch as he took the game on from half-back. Not afraid to venture into the forward half hunting a handball receive, the bottom-ager put speed on the ball and was able to carry it into dangerous areas. His foot skills were generally neat, which served him well when controlling the play deeper in his own half. He can play it safe, but just as readily pulls the trigger to double up and generate some attacking flow.

#20 Jackson Watkins
Midfielder/Forward | 185cm | 04/10/2008

Stats: 21 disposals, 6 marks, 6 inside 50s, 3 goals

Much like Rodan, Watkins had his moments throughout the game. He set up both of his aforementioned teammate’s two goals late in term three, effortlessly punching a pair kicks over the back to find him in space. Watkins also produced scores of his own, converting with a snap, set shot, and running into the open goal. He was typically clean and compact around the contest, too, showcasing a bit of power and sharp lateral movement.

#21 Nicholas Staropoli
Tall Defender | 190cm | 21/12/2007

Stats: 14 disposals, 5 marks, 3 rebound 50s

The going was tough at times for Staropoli, although he was largely up to the task. Having to play a little undersized as a key defender, the over-ager showed his ability to split aerial contests and compete hard when the ball hit the deck. While clean marks were sometimes difficult to come by, he prised four stoppage clearances and urgently cleared his lines when required.

EASTERN RANGES:

#3 Jett Flower
Defender | 183cm | 25/05/2009

Stats: 15 disposals, 4 marks, 5 rebound 50s

Flower is becoming more seasoned and measured as the year wears on, which was evident on Saturday. The bottom-ager took the Rodan match-up at times and was typically tenacious in his defensive acts, including when chasing down loose balls over the back. He also held his own one-on-one and looked to turn his possessions into quick counterattacks. Flower’s speed saw him drive the ball forward on several occasions, darting through traffic and linking up well on the run.

#7 Jordan Knapp
Midfielder | 179cm | 05/01/2008

Stats: 43 disposals, 14 marks, 6 clearances, 11 inside 50s

Knapp acted as somewhat of a conductor for his side, seemingly getting his hands on every good bit of play the Ranges’ produced. He helped himself to 33 uncontested possessions, covering enormous ground to find space between the arcs and generate combination play. While prolific on the outside, Knapp was also clean at stoppages and took the ball in motion, using his speed to exit the contest untouched. Otherwise, he was near-flawless when distributing by hand. As has been the case throughout the year, improvement will come once he can consistently hit his final kick heading inside 50 – whether shooting or finding a leading target.

#8 Archie Spencer
Midfielder | 181cm | 24/09/2008

Stats: 24 disposals, 7 marks, 6 clearances

Having had his magnet moved while on Vic Metro duties, Spencer settled back into familiar surroundings on-ball. The crash-and-bash midfielder used his powerful frame to absorb pressure and feed teammates by hand, even looking dangerous when able to run in waves. Spencer’s surge style made for some productive passages through the middle, adding dynamism to his clearance-winning prowess. He’s another who can continue to refine his consistency by foot.

#14 Zac Antonellos
Forward/Midfielder | 181cm | 04/04/2008

Stats: 32 disposals, 9 marks, 7 inside 50s

Having made an impression at representative level, Antonellos turned in a prolific performance back in the Talent League. He was highly energetic as a half-forward, connecting the lines and using his speed heading back to goal. The top-ager suited Eastern’s style of play, taking ground and combining with teammates in attacking waves. He eventually earned a move into midfield, and while lightly framed, showed a clean set of hands while continuing to provide his drive on the outside.

#15 Charlie Nash
Key Defender | 193cm | 20/05/2008

Stats: 15 disposals, 5 marks, 3 inside 50s

Nash is a unique tall prospect in that he plays more like a medium type and has terrific athletic traits. Looking most settled in defence, he provided clean ball use off the last line but also advanced high up the ground and joined in on the attack seamlessly. The top-ager was tested on the defensive end at times and perhaps didn’t have the aerial authority his heigh would suggest, although Nash’s upside was clear to see going the other way. While he even spent time in attack, he was much more impactful working his way forward from down back.

#16 Harrison Chapman
Midfielder | 189cm | 06/01/2008

Stats: 24 disposals, 5 marks, 4 tackles, 4 clearances

Chapman is terrific to watch when hitting full stride, just not for the opposition. Plying his trade through the middle, he seamlessly brought the ball to the outside with his turn of foot and ability to slalom through traffic. Racking up 20 uncontested possessions and 15 handball receives, Chapman was a weapon Eastern looked to use either coming out of the centre or when transitioning into attack. He can be a little patchy at times, but makes football look easy when able to glide and take ground. It’s hard to lay a hand on him when on song.

#19 Sam Devers
Defender | 189cm | 27/03/2008

Stats: 17 disposals, 6 marks, 3 rebound 50s

Devers is a prospect on the rise and looked ominous with his bursts of speed out of the back half. His power and drive were difficult to contain as he provided an outnumber and pounced once the ball had turned over, taking off on the counterattack. Much like Chapman, Devers’ athleticism and ability to carry the ball became a weapon in transition. He proved capable of intercepting on occasion, and at 189cm, if he can become more prominent in the air he will only continue to elevate his booming stocks.

#21 Thomas Krawczyk
Defender | 180cm | 05/07/2009

Stats: 17 disposals, 4 marks, 4 tackles, 5 rebound 50s

Another of the impressive bottom-agers afield, Krawczyk defied his age with outstanding composure in defence. He blended agility with poise to buy time in possession before hitting targets by foot as if he were shelling peas. No pressure was too great for him not to find a teammate. Krawczyk also fared well defensively, intercepting and holding his own in one-on-one battles.