AT the final time of asking, the Allies got on the board with a win at this year’s AFL Under 18 National Championships, downing Western Australia by an even two goals at Thebarton Oval in Adelaide. Saturday’s clash saw a number of genuine AFL Draft prospects go at it, some of which feature in our latest edition of Scouting Notes.

All notes are the opinion of the individual author.

ALLIES:

By: Tom Wyman

#4 Shadeau Brain (Lions Academy/Queensland)

A high hamstring complaint mid-game wasn’t enough to stop small forward, Brain from having a say over the outcome of the clash. Providing plenty of energy inside-50, his disposal was inconsistent, with some kicks hitting their targets inside-50 and others resulting in a turnover for the Black Swans. Brain booted two highly important goals late in the piece to seal the victory. He cracked in hard, looked to hurt the opposition with his disposal and natural athleticism. At 185cm, the Brisbane Academy teenager is a nice size who’s name and game will be sure to capture the attention of scouts.

#17 Jason Gillbee (Bendigo Pioneers/NSW-ACT)

Balranald’s Gillbee spent the game on the wing where his neat left foot kick and running capacity stood out. His link-up work between the arcs was the highlight of his game, as the Bendigo Pioneer prospect helped the Allies in transition. Having spent some time down back this season, it was encouraging to see Gillbee use the ball efficiently as an outside midfielder as he looks to gain confidence ahead of the second half of the year.

#18 Jaspa Fletcher (Lions Academy/Queensland)

Son-of-a-gun midfielder, Fletcher was best on ground for the Allies as they recorded an impressive 12-point win over a sluggish Western Australia in Adelaide. Often utilised as a wingman, Fletcher played a more inside role on Saturday afternoon, where he was still able to use his endurance, burst of speed and neat skillset to hurt the opposition. Fletcher’s work at stoppages was noteworthy as he finished with six clearances, to go with 26 disposals and four tackles. Able to nominate as a father-son selection with the Lions, Fletcher’s stocks as a running on-baller will have risen after a strong showing in the Allies final hit-out of the under-18 championships.

#27 Angus Anderson (Swans Academy/NSW-ACT)

19-year old Swans Academy prospect, Anderson was a mainstay in the Allies on-ball unit. Providing a physical presence around the contest, his inside game was typically strong, winning clearances and cracking in hard to extract the footy from congestion. Although his game wasn’t particularly refined or classy, Anderson’s willingness to do the tough grunt work was important. He often gained good distance with his kicks out of stoppages and worked well with the likes of Jaspa Fletcher, fellow New South Welshman Harry Rowston, and ruckman Nick Madden.

#28 Tom McCallum (Tasmania Devils)

Tasmania’s McCallum lined up across half-back, where his ability to read the play and drift across to intercept was excellent. McCallum knew when to peel off his direct opponent and influence the contest and generally used the ball effectively. Although his ball-drop could do with some refinement, McCallum played with confidence and had a big say on the outcome of the game.

#38 Jed Walter (Suns Academy/Queensland)

The bottom-aged key forward enjoyed a terrific duel with likely top ten prospect and WA namesake Jedd Busslinger. An imposing figure already, Walter’s contested pack marking was a highlight of his game. Presenting nicely all game, the Gold Coast Academy prospect took a couple of towering grabs down the line. Walter booted three goals for the match, one from a set-shot, a second from a neat snap around the body and a third from point-blank range. Emerging as an interesting prospect for next season Walter, who only turned 17 last month, played a crucial role in the Allies win to finish his championships with nine goals from four matches.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA:

By: Ed Pascoe

#1 Darcy Jones (Swan Districts)

The nippy midfielder once again caught the eye and not because of his stature and signature helmet but for his speed and class and he did everything in his power in the last quarter to try and get his team over the line doing it all not only in the midfield but as a high half forward. In the 2nd quarter playing mostly as a forward Jones would take some impressive marks one leading to a goal inside 50 and the other a strong contested mark on the far flank doing something a 174cm player shouldn’t be able to do, although there is one game remaining Jones would be firming for MVP honours for WA with his consistency and energy hard to ignore as he pushes his case for this years draft.

#5 Steely Green (South Fremantle)

Coming of a quieter game the week before against Vic Metro Green was able to recapture the form he had playing league football for South Fremantle once again returning to a more midfield role after spending the last few weeks playing more of a forward role. Green’s kicking had been a highlight at league level but wasn’t quite at his usual standard against the Allies but it was the opposite for his hands proving very clean at ground level and often hitting quick and sharp handballs to release teammates. An impressive mark for his size he took a few nice ones for the day and although he has shown good signs in the middle he might also be well suited behind the ball which should help highlight his kicking and showcase his overhead prowess better.

#11 Elijah Hewett (Swan Districts)

After a huge game against Vic Metro last week Hewett was unable to back up his performance with a dirty day by his standards struggling to win the ball against an improved Allies midfield brigade lead by Jaspa Fletcher. Hewett wasn’t produtive but whenever he did win the ball he often used it well by hand and foot and his attack on the ball and ability to burst from congestion was once again unparalleled, Hewett has another chance to back up his impressive game a week ago when Western Australia play Vic Country with the challenge of in form midfielder Jhye Clark a tantalising matchup.

#16 Sam Gilbey (Claremont)

Gilbey’s year got off to a rough start missing plenty of footy due to glandular fever something fellow Claremont star Jacob Van Rooyen had to deal with a year prior and like van Rooyen, it’s taken sometime to refind that confidence that had both highly rated ahead of the year and Luckily for Gilbey he was able to find that form that had him so highly rated coming into the year. The silky rebounding defender was at his absolute best in the 2nd quarter with his agility and ball use at a high level cutting through the Allies forward zones with ease and you could tell as the game went on that his confidence was improving with some great tackles and lovely kicks and although moved to the less favourably wing position in the 2nd half he still managed to have some impressive movements just not as frequent.

#19 Luke Michael (West Perth)

A reliable defender for Western Australia Michael gave nothing away competing well on one on ones and offering measured rebound rarely missing a target by hand and foot, although not quick Michael was quick of mind able to get to contests to intercept or crumb earlier than most with his smarts and in a dirty day for Western Australia Michael looked better than most on the ground when it came to skill and composure, it will be hard to value Michael as a draft prospect but his game against the Allies certainly would have won more fans than loss them.

#21 Reuben Ginbey (East Perth)

Despite a slow start Ginbey really came into his own with the big bodied midfielder playing his role to perfection and was a major reason Western Australia still had a shot in the last quarter with a huge 2nd half winning plenty of the ball and using it well by hand and foot. Ginbey shares a lot of similarities to Collingwood defender/midfielder Jack Crisp with his mix of attack/defence and long left foot and a surprising turn of pace which although disputed in his testing still comes as a surprise when he does want to use it in game. Ginbey won plenty of quality clearances but also did well going the other way with some good tackles and desperate spoils around the ground showing why he played league football early as a defender for East Perth.

#29 Jedd Busslinger (East Perth)

After a quieter game against Vic Metro not only did Busslinger perform strongly with his rebound game he also did it playing open in form key forward Jed Walter with both having their movements in a good old fashioned one on one duel with Walter kicking 3 goals and Busslinger gathering 25 disposals. It was a shame that Busslinger didn’t get to go to Jefferson last week against Vic Metro but he would get that big defensive test on Jed Walter and although it would have been more ideal to keep his opponent scoreless it was also up to Walter as his direct oppoenent to try and stop Busslinger’s dangerous rebounding game and with 25 disposals most finding their mark you would have to say they both settle for a draw until the meet each other again no doubt at AFL level in a few years.

#40 Jackson Broadbent (Peel Thunder)

It was another quieter game from Jackson Broadbent who would share the ruck duties with talented bottom ager Mitchell Edwards even spending some time forward to try and show some versatility. Broadbent would have a hard matchup with Nick Madden with neither really able to get a clean hitout straight to a teammate so when Broadbent couldn’t dominate the ruck he did his best to influence around the ground and he showed great workrate to get up and down the ground and wasn’t always used but managed to mark inside 50 from his strong running but would miss the set shot attempt.