GREATER Western Victoria (GWV) has punched its Talent League finals ticket after a runaway 52-point win over Geelong Falcons in Wildcard Round. A run of five unanswered goals swung the scoreboard heavily in the Rebels’ favour at La Trobe University, as they set up a quarter-final meeting with Dandenong.

The Falcons made a wayward start with 1.7 in the opening term, but straightened up to put the fight to their higher-ranked opponents. GWV responded to turn their four-point half time lead into an 18-point buffer heading into the final change, and never looked back in a landslide final quarter.

We took note of the top prospects from either side.

GWV REBELS 4.1 | 8.2 | 11.6 | 16.11 (107)
GEELONG FALCONS 1.7 | 6.10 | 7.11 | 7.13 (55)

GOALS:
GWV Rebels: L. Byrne 4, E. Drever 2, A. Elliott 2, J. Connolly, R. Downer, O. Henderson, P. McKenna, J. O’Brien, L. Petrie, F. Russell, M. Ward
Geelong Falcons: A. Chamberlain 3, J. Elek 2, R. McLeod, N. Mensch

BEST:
GWV Rebels: K. Nicholls, E. Drever, L. Ellerton, L. Byrne, A. Elliott, T. Hellessey
Geelong Falcons: D. Harrington, C. Gray, A. Chamberlain, N. Mensch, R. McLure, A. Daffy

GWV REBELS:

#1 Patrick McKenna
Forward | 182cm | 15/02/2009

Stats: 17 disposals, 6 marks, 7 tackles, 1 goal

After a quiet first half, McKenna finished the game in fine form with his intensity and pressure coming to the fore. The bottom-ager worked high up the ground to help connect the Rebels heading inside 50, looking to turn quickly and drive the ball deep. His rugged tackling was a highlight, as was his ability to clunk strong marks overhead in scoring positions. He ended up with 1.1 in the final term having shown great courage to pluck the ball in the forward-50 hole.

#4 Ethan Drever
Midfielder | 188cm | 10/07/2008

Stats: 18 disposals, 9 tackles, 2 goals

After an uncharacteristically quiet start to the game, Drever began to get his hands on the ball and eventually found more success in using his power around the ground. The midfielder looked to chain possessions by hand and attempted to drive his legs when possible, which helped him hit the scoreboard with two running goals. Drever also dropped back to support GWV’s defensive transition and was prepared to compete in one-on-one situations around the ground, rather than solely at stoppage. Still, he was relatively well contained by Geelong, especially in a clearance sense.

#8 Toby Hellessey
Key Defender | 194cm | 01/02/2009

Stats: 10 disposals, 4 marks, 2 tackles

Settling into a role behind the ball, Hellessey showcased his athleticism and skill as a dynamic tall prospect. The bottom-ager’s speed and mobility helped him arrive first at the contest, often marking from front position or mopping up at ground level. He operated across a high line to intercept and lock the ball in GWV’s front half, reading the play well before springing into action. A versatile key position player with plenty of upside for next year.

#11 Leo Ellerton
Wing | 182cm | 08/08/2008

Stats: 21 disposals, 4 tackles, 3 inside 50s

Playing in quite a natural role out on the wing, Ellerton provided great connection between the arcs with his ability to link up by hand. He held width and got into position to receive the ball out of congestion, moving it on stylishly on the attack. Given his relatively light frame, he was tested by physicality and pressure, but otherwise dished the ball around in slick fashion.

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

Stats: 11 disposals, 7 marks, 2 goals

For a 182cm player, Elliott’s marking and hit-up craft is outstanding. He provided a strong leading target inside 50 throughout the day, showcasing his speed and vice-like hands out in front. Elliott also ventured up the ground at times and was prepared to apply pressure when required. Although, his best work was done closer to goal where he threatened in the air and on the deck, proving a difficult one-on-one matchup who can’t help himself but kick goals.

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

Stats: 24 disposals, 6 marks, 10 rebound 50s

Nicholls was among the best players afield and had to work through some early adversity to show his best traits. Capable of playing above his 187cm standing, his best moments were generally intercept marks, with the top-ager either impacting third-up or holding his own one-out. He also got to work as a rebounder, hunting handball receives and kickstarting his side from deep in defence. Nicholls’ versatility in that sense is impressive, as he can fulfil a number of roles down back.

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

Stats: 12 disposals, 6 marks, 31 hitouts, 1 goal

O’Brien continues to develop nicely as a raw ruck prospect and stamped his authority with 31 hitouts. He used his superior size and reach to dominate the ball-ups, while also providing a solid marking target around the ground – often as an outlet down the line or coming out of defensive 50. O’Brien tended to play to the general limitations of a ruck, opting to dish the ball off by hand and allow GWV’s runner to get to work.

GEELONG FALCONS:

#3 Archie Daffy (Richmond F/S)
Midfielder/Forward | 175cm | 24/09/2008

Stats: 16 disposals, 5 clearances, 4 inside 50s

Daffy was out to show his speed at all costs on Saturday, wheeling out of congestion and driving his legs with attacking intent. He showed a great ability to burst out of stoppage, bust through a tackle or spring out of one-on-one duels with the ball, helping put Geelong on the front foot. Although, with plenty of time spent in midfield, this was one of his few appearances without a goal for the Falcons.

#4 Darcy Harrington
Midfielder | 176cm | 17/11/2008

Stats: 27 disposals, 8 marks, 6 clearances, 8 inside 50s

It was another performance built on work rate from Harrington, who once again topped the disposal charts. The diminutive midfielder was typically sharp at stoppage, sharking the ball and using his turn of foot to accelerate into space. His clean hands and springy leap translated to some impressive work overhead, none more so than his outrageous speccy in the second term – albeit without converting the goal. Harrington otherwise worked hard from contest to contest, but can still look to add polish to his forward-50 entry kicks.

#20 Charlie Gray
Midfielder | 181cm | 12/05/2008

Stats: 27 disposals, 6 tackles, 11 clearances, 6 inside 50s

Matching Harrington’s disposal output in a productive outing, Gray did well to show his expansiveness on Saturday. The midfielder was typically rugged at the contest in the way of clean extraction work and hard tackles, while also using his lateral movement to step past opponents and take ground out of the centre. He backed his speed in general play to compliment his competitiveness in the cut and thrust of the midfield battle.

#25 Jett Elek
Key Forward/Ruck | 201cm | 17/04/2007

Stats: 8 disposals, 7 marks, 7 hitouts, 2 goals

Elek shook off a slight knock late in the second term to run out the game and compete strongly in the air. He split plenty of one-on-one contests and was prepared to crash packs, bringing the ball to ground where he could remain involved. The over-ager dropped back to intercept and was a target ahead of the ball, clunking seven marks and slotting a set shot in the second quarter.

#36 Nate Mensch (Geelong F/S)
Ruck/Key Forward | 196cm | 11/03/2009

Stats: 12 disposals, 7 marks, 24 hitouts, 1 goal

Mensch has been outstanding in his back-end stint for Geelong, providing ample cover in the ruck to compliment his work up forward. He started at the centre ball-ups on Saturday and while outgunned in terms of height, cut the difference with his leap. Much like Elek, Mensch was adept at dropping back to provide aerial support in defence and showed great mobility to cover the ground. He marked strongly and followed up just as willingly, although can continue to refine some of his decision making with ball in hand.