Recap

Photo credit: AFL Photos (Scott Barbour)

The AFL Academy suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of a strong Werribee Tigers VFL line up, going down by 50 points on Friday night at the MCG.

Despite leading at the main break by a point, the AFL Academy could only find the goals three times in the second half to Werribee’s 12. At half time the game was evenly poised with Werribee leading the possessions (179-171) but the Tigers moved the ball freely and stamped their authority on the game.

The academies ball movement from half back was their strength in the first half but was shut down after half time with Werribee shutting down the corridor. North Melbourne 2015 draftees Ryan Clarke and Declan Mountford performed well in the middle for Werribee and will be watched closely this year whether they will break into the senior side. Sam Durdin played forward taking some strong overhead marks and slotted two goals. Majak Daw shined early, being too tall and strong for his younger opponents but drifted out of the game in the second half. Ryley Barrack kicked three goals inside 50 for the Tigers.

For the AFL Academy, Murray Bushrangers midfielder Will Brodie continued his strong form from Saturday where he collected 27 disposals at the TAC Cup. Brodie stood out at the MCG with 20 disposals and was awarded the MCC Presidents medal for the best academy player of the game. Brodie is no stranger to big games and was also best on in the Level one academy match in 2015 over in New Zealand.

West Australian midfielder Sam Petrevski-Seton (14 disposals) also had a strong showing in the middle, using the ball well taking it forward. Petrevski-Seton kicks well on both feet and would be one of the few you could throw up as the possible No.1 pick in November. Fellow Western Australia Jeremy Goddard toiled hard in the ruck all day and could be the highest ruckman drafted since Brodie Grundy in 2012. Captain for the day Jarrod Berry also collected 17 disposals off half back.

Inside 50, athletic tall Josh Battle moved well and kicked two goals after coming off a four goal haul on Saturday. GWS Academy member Zach Sproule also kicked two goals early, while Gold Coast academy member Jack Bowes (14 disposals) was the other multiple goal kicker with both goals on the siren in the third and fourth quarter.

Full stats and scouting notes to come… 

Goals:

AFL Academy: Battle 2, Sproule 2, Bowes 2, Brodie, Petrevski-Seton, Waterman, McCluggage

Werribee: Barrack 3, Durdin 2, Wagner 2, Daw 2, Conway, Gribble, Mountford, Munro, McFarlane, Butt, Clarke, Fordham

Bests:

AFL Academy: Brodie, Petreski-Seton, Bowes, Parfitt, Powell-Pepper

Werribee: Mountford, Clarke, Barrack, Durdin, Wagner

MCC President’s award:

Declan Mountford (Werribee) & Will Brodie (AFL Academy)