MIDFIELDER Ethan Drever was the star of the show as his GWV Rebels ran out 23-point winners over the Northern Territory Academy at TIO Stadium on Saturday. The rising prospect led all comers with 31 disposals and booted two goals as the Rebels shook off their weary legs to salute up in Darwin.

Having conceded the lead heading into three-quarter time, the Rebels lifted with six goals to two in the final term, which proved the difference in the result. It was the NT’s penultimate Talent League game for the year, as they prepare to host the Western Jets in Round 9 for what will be their fourth an final fixture.

We took note of the top performers and prospects from either side.

NT ACADEMY 3.0 | 7.3 | 10.8 | 12.10 (82)
GWV REBELS 3.8 | 7.10 | 9.11 | 15.15 (105)

GOALS:
NT Academy: F. Tipungwuti 3, I. Thomson 3, T. Murray 2, S. Smiler 2, N. Bourke-Miler, M. Le Rossignol
GWV Rebels: L. Munyard 5, C. Kenna 3, E. Drever 2, A. Beattie, A. Elliott, D. Ewing, D. Rizzoli, J. Stevens

BEST:
NT Academy: T. Murray, I. Thomson, S. Smiler, F. Tipungwuti, G. Trigwell, N. Lampton
GWV Rebels: E. Drever, C. Kenna, L. Munyard, R. Bell, J. Sobey, H. Welsh

>> Scouting Notes: Calder vs. Geelong | Eastern vs. Sydney

NORTHERN TERRITORY ACADEMY:

#6 Sonny Smiler (Wanderers)
Midfielder/Forward | 176cm | 20/10/2008

Stats: 16 disposals, 6 tackles, 7 inside 50s, 2 goals

After a steady start to the game, Smiler came to life in the second term with a big lift around the ball and up forward. He struck a sweet set shot goal from long-range to finish the half having previously showcased his sharp turn of speed and sweeping left-foot kicking. Smiler often looked to wheel around on his favoured side and was dangerous when delivering inside 50, especially after accelerating or stepping into space. Tackling was another feature of his game, converting goal number two via a holding-the-ball free kick in the third quarter.

#7 Nathaniel Lampton (Pioneer/Palmerston)
Defender/Wing | 177cm | 04/11/2008

Stats: 18 disposals, 6 tackles, 6 rebound 50s

Lampton has produced an impressive stint for the NT, continuing his form with another well-rounded display on Saturday. The top-ager’s work rate was clear to see, often running hard to outnumber at contests or mopping the ball up himself. He also chained together plenty of passages out of defence, extending his runs up the field and utilising his foot skills in combination play. It was again pleasing to see Lampton get stuck in on the defensive end, applying tackles and splitting aerial contests to highlight his competitive nature.

#9 Ben Barnard (Southern Districts/Sturt)
Defender | 182cm | 26/03/2008

Stats: 21 disposals, 2 marks, 9 rebound 50s

Taking on the kick-in duties alongside Lampton, Barnard was the NT’s most trusted and effective distributor. He effortlessly cleared the defensive 50 arc by foot and was capable of hitting targets up the corridor, showing greater dare when the game required it. Barnard also looked to venture up the ground and impacted with intercepts, using his size to remain strong in the air and on the ground. His twists and turns bought him that extra bit of time to make an effective decision with ball in hand.

#16 Ian Thomson (Katherine/Glenelg)
Key Forward/Ruck | 197cm | 22/11/2008

Stats: 13 disposals, 4 marks, 5 hitouts, 3 goals

Thomson did a bit of everything, starting at the first centre ball-up as a midfielder before getting into his usual forward-ruck rotation. He competed well as a second or third ruck but was most effective up forward, offering a strong marking target deep inside 50 and up on the flank. Thomson’s robust frame and bodywork saw him access the aerial ball one-on-one, which in turn earned him scoring opportunities. His foot skills wavered at times under pressure, but he managed to sail home a quick kick out of congestion for his third and final goal.

#17 Taj Murray (Nightcliff/North Adelaide)
Key Forward/Ruck | 201cm | 05/02/2007

Stats: 12 disposals, 11 hitouts, 6 clearances, 2 goals

Murray looked to impose himself on the contest with a lift in physical pressure, despite only being credited with one tackle. The over-ager showed his intent with hard hits and gutsy attack on a high ball in term two, which he marked before converting the goal. Murray was dynamic inside 50 and went on to further display his athleticism in the ruck, taking over at the centre ball-ups with his enormous leap. He also played with authority to grab the ball out of the ruck and get it moving.

GWV REBELS:

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

Stats: 31 disposals, 6 clearances, 8 inside 50s, 2 goals

Drever was central to GWV’s late lift and proved typically reliable around the contest all day. He roved the rucks’ taps with clean handling and combined strength with poise to dish out by hand. As has become a habit this season, he also stormed forward for two long-range running goals, the second coming out of the centre clearance. Drever’s side-step and overall power bought him time in possession, although he got good purchase off his one-step kicks under pressure.

#6 Harrison Welsh
Midfielder | 179cm | 23/08/2009

Stats: 19 disposals, 4 clearances, 8 inside 50s

Welsh continues to show nice signs as a bottom-ager and stood out with his ability to get dangerous in the attacking phase. He peeled forward well when GWV won the centre clearances, allowing him to be the player delivering inside 50. Welsh used his slick lateral movement and power through the core to evade tacklers, showing an innate ability to consistently escape the contest.

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

Stats: 23 disposals, 5 tackles, 6 clearances

Another of GWV’s prominent midfielders, Ellerton showed he was up for the fight. Despite his relatively light frame, he stuck strong tackles against bigger opponents and slipped out of trouble with flashy handpasses. Ellerton also worked into space and aided his side’s moments of possession, while proving capable of taking the ball cleanly at speed and delivering by foot.

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

Stats: 12 disposals, 4 marks, 8 tackles, 1 goal

Elliott looks dangerous every time he’s out there and that was no different on Saturday. His movement saw him gain separation and provide a dynamic target inside 50, while also working up the ground to help connect into attack. He competes well in the air for a player his size and booted his only goal from a brave mark going back with the flight. His spurts of speed and pressure caught the eye each time despite having his first game without multiple goals this season.

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

Stats: 23 disposals, 5 marks, 6 rebound 50s

Nicholls played his role in defence, distributing the ball reliably all day. He was, for the most part, effective from the kick-ins and ventured further afield to provide moments of overlap run. He sometimes came undone under pressure, but generally hit his targets by foot and was a trusted ball user. Nicholls also held a high intercept line when GWV attacked and competed well aerially.

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

Stats: 10 disposals, 3 marks, 18 hitouts

Coming up against a range of opponents in the ruck, O’Brien held his own to top the hitout count. He showcased his leap at the centre ball-ups and supplied the GWV mids with clear hits at times, helping create clean movement out of the middle. O’Brien was also a viable marking option down the line, either finding space or standing up in packs around the ground. He tended to hold his position well and distributed the ball nicely in open play.

#24 Levi Munyard
Forward | 181cm | 18/10/2008

Stats: 12 disposals, 6 marks, 4 tackles, 5 goals

After a strong performance in midfield last time out, Munyard got the job done up forward with a game-high five goals. He got going with back-to-back majors late in the second term, finishing nicely both over the mark and in open play. He read the incoming ball well to move first and snap up marks before converting his opportunities. Munyard also showed his competitiveness to tackle hard and force turnovers in dangerous positions around goal.