COOPER Collins‘ last gasp goal has delivered the Suns Academy a sensational four-point victory over Gippsland Power in Bundoora on Sunday. Trailing by eight points with just three minutes left to play, the visitors found a way to conjure two late majors and finish their Talent League stint with a third win.

In what was at times a spiteful affair, the Suns produced some incredibly fluent coast-to-coast ball movement. After shifting back and across, they unleashed through the corridor with waves of handballs to set up scoring opportunities. Down back, they defended for their lives late in the piece.

Gippsland trailed by as many as 32 points at the start of term three before piling on six straight goals to take the lead. The Suns remained in touch, and despite going to the wire on the back of their travels from the sunshine state, had what it took to end their campaign on a high.

We took note of the top prospects from either side.

GIPPSLAND POWER 2.1 | 4.2 | 11.5 | 12.8 (80)
SUNS ACADEMY 1.8 | 5.10 | 9.10 | 12.12 (84)

GOALS:
Gippsland Power: J. Walker 4, B. Bibby, C. Dent, A. Finsterer, J. Hilton, X. Ladbrook, C. Macmillan, C. Templeton, K. Thornley
Suns Academy: J. Callinan 2, E. Johnston 2, C. Collins, B. Crawford, J. Frost, Z. Gale, J. Harris, I. Mayne, K. Wallace, C. Williams

BEST:
Gippsland Power: L. Macumber, B. Bibby, J. Hilton, C. Snell, J. Little, J. Walker
Suns Academy: C. Collins, A. Hill, E. Johnston, K. Wallace, H. Gray, I. Mayne

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GIPPSLAND POWER:

#7 Keenan Boi (Hawthorn NGA)
Small Forward | 177cm | 03/11/2008

Stats: 13 disposals, 4 tackles, 6 inside 50s

Boi may not have gotten the scoreboard reward, but was typically energetic in Gippsland’s front half. His ground level presence was built on speed and pressure, providing support at the fall of the ball and forming a lively link into the forward 50. Boi’s leg speed and evasiveness were capped off by punchy kicks deep into the Power’s attacking arc, even lowering his eyes to hit leading targets.

#10 Cody Templeton
Midfielder/Forward | 180cm | 01/01/2008

Stats: 16 disposals, 5 marks, 5 clearances, 1 goal

It was somewhat of a frustrating day for Templeton, with time and space difficult to come by. He did everything in his power to force a way out of stoppages, caught in possession on occasion but regularly breaking through tackle pressure. Templeton’s powerful frame and physical nature meant he was up for the scrap, even if that meant flying the flag for besieged teammates in what was a spiteful game at times. Leading by example, the Power skipper won a crucial clearance to spark his side into action after half time, fronting a sudden resurgence.

#16 Oscar Henwood
Midfielder/Forward | 185cm | 11/06/2009

Stats: 14 disposals, 3 marks, 3 tackles

Henwood’s mettle was tested throughout the first half, but he came out the other side to show the enormous class that has him rated highly among next year’s prospects. Starting up forward, his poise and agility came to the fore as he looked to free up his favoured left side to deliver inside 50. Henwood was made to ride a few big bumps along the way, but channelled his energy well with a move into midfield, picking up possessions more regularly and hitting sharp passes on the turn.

#41 Clancy Snell
Key Defender | 196cm | 21/08/2008

Stats: 24 disposals, 6 marks, 7 rebound 50s

Continuing his imperious form, Snell did plenty of things right in the face of Gold Coast’s 55 forward 50 entries. He was just about unbeatable in the air, winning several one-on-one duels and peeling off to intercept at will. Even in open play, Snell leant on his athletic gifts to mop up at ground level with a supreme level of composure. He simply didn’t fumble and used the ball efficiently, either distributing off the last line or advancing up the ground to support Gippsland’s transitional play. With such a flawless all-round performance, Snell’s top 10 credentials have only strengthened.

#42 Jonah Walker
Key Forward/Ruck | 193cm | 16/06/2007

Stats: 9 disposals, 4 marks, 7 hitouts, 4 goals

Walker led the day’s scoring with four goals, including three in the first half before a move into the ruck. Able to stand up in packs or crash them, the over-ager provided a strong physical presence to compliment his goalkicking feats. He converted three set shots and one snap, showing great mobility and skill for a player of his built. When rucking, Walker’s effort and competitive nature continued to shine through. One of his best moments was a massive shepherd in the goalsquare to flatten Collins, who had previously gotten stuck into bottom-ager Henwood.

SUNS ACADEMY:

#8 Leroy Kaesler
Midfielder/Forward | 177cm | 19/12/2008

Stats: 24 disposals, 5 tackles, 4 clearances, 6 inside 50s

Not only was Kaesler prominent around the contest, but he also provided a threat heading forward. The classy small was typically clean at stoppages, roving the ball and either dishing it out quickly, rolling out of tackles or side-stepping into space. On the outside, he was absolutely deadly when afforded the time and space to pick out targets inside 50. On the defensive end, Kaesler was also willing to get stuck in with heavy tackles and stood up to the physicality of the match.

#12 Archie Hill
Forward/Midfielder | 181cm | 04/03/2008

Stats: 21 disposals, 3 marks, 7 inside 50s, 3 behinds

Hill was utilised in a slightly different role on Sunday, starting up forward with a rotation into midfield. He was effective as a high forward, clearing out up the ground and using his work rate to surge back to goal. With his side engaging in a handball happy method forward of centre, Hill joined in on the end of several running waves and was often the player to launch inside 50. While prone to being a little frantic at times, he showed the right intent and was full of running. The top-ager ended up with three behinds; having a set shot chance, left-foot snap, and running attempt in the first half.

#18 Isaac Mayne
Midfielder/Forward | 185cm | 12/02/2008

Stats: 25 disposals, 5 clearances, 1 goal

Mayne was one of the Suns’ many midfielder-forwards who thrived in the attacking phase. His turn of foot and ability to link up by hand made him a threat as Gold Coast moved from end-to-end, continually finding the next link in the chain. Mayne’s smooth side-step caught the eye and he was composed with ball in hand, as evidenced by his quick turn and goal in the second quarter. He did most of his work by hand (19 handballs) but still found a way to be damaging.

#24 Jake Callinan
Forward/Midfielder | 190cm | 18/08/2008

Stats: 13 disposals, 5 inside 50s, 2 goals

His numbers may not jump off the page, but Callinan was among the most stylish and potent players afield in patches. He started brightly, showing great composure and agility in traffic to remain upright under pressure. His clean roving ability and flashy spins made clearing congestion all the more easy, though he was willing to use his tall frame to absorb contact. Callinan’s stoppage goal in the first term was all class, sharking the tap and continuing his momentum into the finish. He added a second major in term four, collecting out of a scramble before snapping truly.

#25 Taj Murray
Midfielder/Forward | 181cm | 09/02/2009

Stats: 21 disposals, 5 marks, 6 inside 50s

Another handball-happy Sun, Murray was the ideal link player through the corridor. His clean handling saw him take possession and supply Gold Coast’s runners in seamless movements, often giving the ball as quickly as he got it. The bottom-ager did so as a midfielder, but also worked high up the ground when rotating forward to provide the same kind of connection heading inside 50.

#37 Cooper Collins
Defender | 188cm | 13/11/2007

Stats: 36 disposals, 12 marks, 1 goal

In what was his final game for the Suns Academy, Collins finished on a high note with the winning goal. He was in absolutely everything across Gold Coast’s defensive half, dictating play back and across before flicking the switch to surge up the field aggressively. The over-ager wasn’t afraid to venture up high on the overlap, and contrary to many of his teammates, opted to primarily use his foot skills. Collins was full of run and creativity, helping launch several attacked as his side’s main distributor. His final crowning moment was made all the more sweet given he had invested in plenty of niggle and verbals throughout the game, strutting around as a confident and physical presence.