NORTHERN Knights chalked up their ninth consecutive win of the Talent League season, outlasting Calder to salute by 35 points in Craigieburn on Saturday. Several of the Knights’ Vic Metro squad members were out to impress on the eve of their representative campaign, while an Essendon Next-Generation Academy (NGA) member made his long-awaited return from injury.

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

CALDER CANNONS 1.2 | 2.2 | 7.4 | 7.6 (48)
NORTHERN KNIGHTS 1.5 | 4.8 | 8.11 | 11.17 (83)

GOALS:
Calder Cannons: M. Darwish, N. Jenkins, I. Merhi, C. Robbins, D. Romeril, R. Spillane-Russo, B. Taylor
Northern Knights: H. Leeder 2, H. Cooke, M. Downes, S. Gayfer, L. Houndsome, T. Jeffs, R. Ratkovic, L. Shepherd, S. Tyrrell, C. Woodward

BEST:
Calder Cannons: M. Darwish, C. Robbins, N. Staropoli, B. Justice, N. Jenkins, D. Romeril
Northern Knights: H. Leeder, K. Parker, T. Krasna, M. Downes, C. Woodward, H. Cooke

CALDER CANNONS:

#1 Blake Justice
Midfielder | 191cm | 29/09/2008

Stats: 18 disposals, 5 marks, 3 tackles, 3 clearances

Essendon NGA

Making his much anticipated first appearance for the year, Justice showed good signs in midfield. The Essendon-tied prospect displayed his athleticism with sharp stoppage exits, wheeling into space or cutting in through traffic. His size and frame made him difficult to take down when caught, while also lending to strong aerial impact around the ground. Justice showed poise not to blaze away by foot and often looked to shift the ball inboard, although sometimes invited pressure in doing so. Still, a very positive start to his top-age campaign on the eve of Vic Metro duties.

#3 Nathaniel Jenkins
Key Forward | 196cm | 18/08/2009

Stats: 13 disposals, 3 marks, 4 tackles, 1 goal

An eye-catching athletic tall, Jenkins spent the bulk of Saturday’s game up forward before earning a run at the centre ball-ups – as a midfielder. The bottom-ager faced a tough matchup in Tate Hodgson, but caused him trouble with his speed off the mark and ability to present high up the ground. He provided a mobile target forward of the ball and stayed involved when it hit the deck. His running power was evident as he got involved in waves of handballs late in the day, showing some flashy moves while being prone to the odd error. Raw, but with high potential.

#4 Tevita Rodan
Utility | 180cm | 18/02/2009

Stats: 22 disposals, 3 marks, 3 tackles, 3 clearances

Essendon NGA & Port Adelaide F/S

Rodan’s magnet was moved all over the place, starting forward before getting a run in midfield and finishing the game down back. He used his power and size to impact at the contest but was just as present on the spread, finding pockets of space to help bring the ball forward. Rodan accumulated a good amount of possessions down back but made a couple of errors from kick-ins. Having perhaps lacked a bit of urgency in those instances, he finished with better run and combination play.

#9 Moustafa Darwish
Midfielder | 180cm | 07/01/2009

Stats: 27 disposals, 12 tackles, 7 clearances, 1 goal

Essendon NGA

Arguably the best player afield for Calder, Darwish seems to be enjoying his footy. He added a bit of flair to the midfield battle, often flicking handballs over his shoulder and dishing off quickly to avoid being pinned down. He then spread hard to the outside, dropping back to support the defence and floating forward as an added scoring threat. Darwish’s ability to get involved in transitional passages saw him carry the ball from end-to-end and use his foot skills heading inside 50. His smarts and spatial awareness were top class, and he blended that with a strong willingness to lay tackles.

NORTHERN KNIGHTS:

#3 Toby Krasna
Midfielder | 182cm | 28/02/2008

Stats: 27 disposals, 3 tackles, 3 clearances, 8 inside 50s

Taking his opportunity as a midfield mainstay, Krasna led the Knights for disposals. His running power was on show, often spreading forward of the ball to receive and carry into dangerous areas – highlighted by his eight forward-50 entries. Krasna’s clever patterns made him a threat on the outside, but he was also willing to compete for the loose ball in tighter quarters despite his lighter frame. He combated that factor with quick and clean hands, along with a sharp turn of foot.

#5 Harvie Cooke
Midfielder/Forward | 176cm | 12/04/2008

Stats: 17 disposals, 4 tackles, 5 clearances, 1 goal

Cooke bought his usual tenacity to the contest, prising a team-high five clearances and getting stuck in with rugged tackles. He was busy around stoppages, darting in and out to win the ball and forge a way forward. While a little scrappy at times and often held up in tackles, he continuously looked to take the game on. The combative midfielder also rotated forward and showed his smarts with a terrific front-and-centre crumb for his lone goal in the final term.

#7 Max Downes
Forward/Midfielder | 182cm | 09/07/2008

Stats: 13 disposals, 5 marks, 5 inside 50s, 1 goal

Making his return for the Knights after a hamstring injury, Downes started up forward before being unleashed into the midfield. He played with plenty of power and intent, remaining strong over the ground ball and desperately fighting for it, while also looking to explode forward at every opportunity. Downes’ ability to take ground and kick long put speed on Northern’s score launches, sending the ball inside 50 with venom. His physicality and desire to burst out the front of stoppages made him a threat all day. He finished with a well deserved set shot goal in the fourth quarter.

#15 Lewis Houndsome
Key Forward/Ruck | 198cm | 29/05/2008

Stats: 19 disposals, 5 marks, 12 hitouts, 1 goal

Another player returning for the Knights post-injury, Houndsome took some time to find his groove. He started up forward but struggled to get clean looks at the ball in the first half, instead crashing contests and making an impact with his bodywork in the ruck. Houndsome’s powerful leap was a highlight at the centre ball-ups, and he eventually found reward for effort with several forward-half marks. His best was a pack grab in the third term, resulting in his only goal, standing tall to clunk the ball overhead. Things tended to get easier the harder he worked.

#16 Harrison Leeder
Key Forward | 193cm | 03/12/2008

Stats: 16 disposals, 6 marks, 2 goals, 4 behinds

Leeder was the most prominent key forward afield and arguably should have ended up with a big bag of goals. He settled for 2.4, putting a trio of shots wide in the final quarter and kicking both of his goals in the second. Nonetheless, Leeder consistently found separation on the lead and hit up aggressively at the ball, providing a genuine focal point for the Knights. His dynamism and ability to attack the aerial ball at full extension made him difficult to stop. At 193cm, he is perhaps a little undersized but has the athleticism and mongrel required as a tall forward.

#21 Kai Parker
Defender | 189cm | 17/10/2008

Stats: 23 disposals, 6 marks, 4 inside 50s, 5 rebound 50s

Parker was prolific and dynamic in the back half, impacting on the intercept and just as readily surging the ball forward. A capable aerialist, Parker also showed his speed and dare with several forays up the ground, overlapping to carry the ball into advanced areas. That kind of play made him dangerous all day on top of his more conventional work to mop up and rebound out of the last line.