IN a special exhibition contest for many players to stake their names ahead of the 2022 Mid-Season Draft next month, the Young Guns – a team made up entirely of draft-eligible players – comprehensively defeated Vic Metro’s Under 18s by 58 points on Saturday afternoon at Werribee. Some of Metro’s lesser names were given exposure in the absence of players to school footy, and we took note of some of the top performers from the match.

Note: all comments are opinion of individual author.

Young Guns:

#1 Massimo D’Ambrosio (Western Jets)

Had an intriguing match-up on Harry Sheezel for much of the day and had his work cut out as Sheezel pulled out his full bag of tricks to finish with five goals. Sheezel looked dangerous when the pair were one on one although D’Ambrosio did not shy away and was rewarded with a holding the ball free kick in the second quarter. What stood out about D’Ambrossio’s game was his ability to get his hands on the ball and set up offensive plays from the back half.

#2 Harvey Gallagher (Bendigo Pioneers)

Showed his speed off the mark on several occasions as he broke away from his direct opponent to continually offer a lead for the Young Guns who honoured his work with excellent delivery. He kicked the first goal of the game, a snap from close range and demonstrated opportunism to kick three first half goals. A couple of late behinds meant his scorecard read 5.4 but he seemed more dangerous than that, capitalising on his chances when the game was still in the balance and always looking likely when the ball was in his area.

#12 Zavier Maher (Murray Bushrangers)

It was a good, workmanlike game from the Young Guns captain, with the big midfielder winning plenty of the footy at different parts of the ground to highlight his workrate. Was a key cog in the supreme polish that his side had in the midfield, bringing his teammates into play and sending the ball forward smartly on several occasions.

#14 Hugo Hall-Kahan (Sandringham Dragons)

Worked into the game in the second half playing as a high forward. Was unable to convert either of his two set shots which would have rounded his game off nicely as he dashed and weaved as part of a couple of his team’s quick offensive chains during the middle. Picked the ball up cleanly off his laces on multiple occasions and his pace was particularly noteworthy and saw him involved in some X-factor plays. At one point in the second quarter, he received the ball on defensive wing and took off before handballing inside the centre square in a play that resulted in a scoring opportunity and he wasn’t afraid to get involved in the physical side of the play.

#16 Tyreece Leiu (Eastern Ranges)

The Ranges product did not waste a possession, constantly making good decisions and having the skill set to back up his vision and nous. Tended to be involved in the transitional handball chains that served the Guns so well, often starting quick counterattacks off halfback. Was the player that released Jai Culley through the midfield to have a long range running shot and hit Harvey Gallagher at one stage in the last quarter to emphasise his efficiency as the kick had just the right weighting between defenders and pinpoint precision so the forward did not have to break stride.

#17 Jai Culley (Dandenong Stingrays)

Blew Vic Metro away in the first half as he proved far too strong for their midfielders, shrugging tackles, stepping through traffic and hitting packs hard. Took a couple of big contested marks and lay an enormous tackle on Ben Hempel as his superior physicality proved telling. His raking kick that he has previously shown was highlighted by a 55 metre running goal in the second quarter, one of his four first half goals. High on confidence, he got the give off from a teammate lining up for a set shot from outside 50 and made the distance comfortably – albeit inaccurately – in the third stanza. He also set up teammates, a darting bullet pass finding Max Ramsden inside 50 late in the second quarter, and lowered his eyes on multiple occasions, including a short 15 metre pass in the last quarter to Harvey Gallagher who was waiting 40 metres out. Fell out of it after the main break in his first game since round two of the NAB League, but he was undoubtedly the player that set the platform for a comprehensive win.

#23 Jerome Lawence (Oakleigh Chargers)

A good scoring option for the Young Guns up forward, finishing with three goals. Was lively inside 50 and took a few marks including one in the third quarter which saw him use his frame to protect the drop of the ball masterfully, rotating his body to complete the mark which gave him a set shot.

#26 Fletcher Hart (Murray Bushrangers)

After a quiet first half for Hart, he was given a run in the ruck in the third quarter and that will give him something positive to take away from the performance. Got himself involved in the play, providing a solid contest in the ruck contests and taking some marks. The highlight play was when he passed to a teammate then worked inside 50 to get on the end of the next kick, winning a free kick and converting the set shot.

#28 Max Ramsden (Sandringham Dragons)

Competed well in the ruck contests, sometimes happy to give up front position, without having clear ascendancy over Clay Tucker and Toby Murray. While there were some hitouts that found his Young Guns teammates, his ability to get involved around the ground was perhaps more eye catching for the 16 clubs interested in watching him. He got the ball in general play several times and was always composed, happy to give to a speedy teammate or good ball user. Worked up forward on a couple of occasions, presenting to Jai Culley late in the first half and taking a contested mark on the line late in the game, finishing off both elementary set shots to record two goals.

Vic Metro:

#5 Kai Windsor (Eastern Ranges)

A quieter day for Kai Windsor. The Eastern Ranges product started well, getting his hands on it early and showed his pace and skill set intermittently, working to try to send the ball inside 50 but was quiet in the second half as the Young Guns midfield got on top. Will benefit from having Vic Metro’s full crew of midfielders when they’re back in action.

#7 Charlie Clarke (Sandringham Dragons)

The Sandy Dragon who has spent most of his time forward to start the NAB League season was given lots of midfield minutes for Vic Metro in the absence of the APS boys. In patches he showed his energetic yet tough style, getting himself from contest to contest as he looked to apply pressure or at least provide a number for Vic Metro. He linked up with Harry Sheezel multiple times forward of centre, setting the skipper up for his first goal, and then in the third quarter, Clarke backed his strength to barge through a tackle but snapped to the top of the square as he couldn’t break free, where Sheezel was among those waiting. Would have liked to have a major to his name, missing a snap from 40 you would usually back him to kick, but has given himself form to build upon if he retains his spot in the Vic Metro side.

#8 Paul Pascu (Calder Cannons)

Looked steady with ball in hand as he distributed and was willing to put his head over the footy, competing as well as anyone to try to give his side some much needed momentum in the midfield. Also lay several strong, tough tackles slowing the Young Guns’ quick transitions down on multiple occasions as he worked for four quarters never shying away from the hard ball.

#10 Harry Sheezel (Sandringham Dragons)

The skipper of Vic Metro on the day, Sheezel led from the front with five goals straight. Building on his form from his last game, a six goal outing against Tassie, Sheezel again showed a bit of everything, blending aerial potency, front and centre work, defensive workrate and pure skill. He kicked his side’s first goal of the game via a big contested mark and calm finish and timed his run perfectly on multiple occasions to crumb marking contests and finish elegantly. The clear highlight was when he worked his way inside 50 after being involved higher up the field in a chain of handballs seconds earlier to hit the contest with speed, crumb the ball cleanly off hands and finish with a banana from 40. Defensively, he worked tirelessly across the match, often getting a hand in there or doing enough to cause a Young Guns’ error and give his side another look.

#14 Ben Hempel (Sandringham Dragons)

After starting the NAB League season on the wing and building into some solid form, Hempel played off a familiar half back role for Vic Metro giving him a chance to show some different traits. Looked relatively assured on his left boot, but it was his intercepting ability that really caught the eye as he took several intercept marks, often essentially uncontested as he read the ball better than his opponents. Shrugged off a big Jai Culley tackle late in the second quarter, and he continued to do his best to halt the Young Guns’ frequent attacking chains.

#17 Nate Caddy (Northern Knights)

The Northern Knights product competed well all day, showing his tricks when playing off half forward. Finished with two goals and when he got into his groove, had athleticism to dazzle. Got caught a couple of times and his kicking did not always come off but continued to back himself and was involved in some nice plays, particularly in the second half.

#25 Clay Tucker (Eastern Ranges)

Probably the only thing separating his game from Max Ramsden’s was that he did not finish the two shots on goal he had, within about a minute of each other in the first quarter. Sprayed both relatively straight forward set shots but his battle with Max Ramsden in the ruck was a good one. Was workmanlike across the match and probably spent a touch more time in the ruck than his direct opponent, showing his craft and positioning himself well to win his share of hitouts.