Matt Balmer’s scouting notes:

Sandringham Dragons 10.17 (77) defeated Eastern Ranges 10.15 (75)

Sandringham Dragons:

#4 Will Setterfield– Incredible performance on the inside from Setterfield. Was the main man in the centre for the Dragons. Laid 16 huge tackles and had nine clearances in his 19 disposals including 13 contested possessions. The GWS academy member is putting some strong form together in the last month.

#5 Andrew McGrath– “Oooo ahhh Andy McGrath” was the call from the TAC Cup Radio guys. McGrath had plenty of agile steps going around the Eastern midfielders. Had 17 disposals by HT but was moved to shut off the dangerous Jaidyn Stephenson during the third term. He kept him goalless and finished with 29 disposals and seven clearances. Didn’t do his Top five stocks any harm.

#7 Corey Lyons– One of Lyons’ best game for the season, kicking the winning goal with a few minutes to go. Had a few clangers but propelled the Dragons inside 50 on multiple occassions. He finished with 30 disposals and his kicking was better than what he’s been at stages throughout the year.

#8 Tim Taranto-Started slowly before spending most the second half in the midfield where he had 17 second half disposals finishing with 26 disposals. Spent some time on the bench in the first half but once he worked into it was very important. When he gets into a rhythm he’s hard to stop.

#10 Jack Scrimshaw– Incredible agility and can squeeze through and get around a pack when needed. He did however kick at 50% missing a few kicks he really needed to hit. I still think he’s there abouts for the top 10, but his kicking isn’t as good as I think a few of us first thought. Had a few brain fades including playing on from 15m out in front of goal, but didn’t look out of place when he spent more time forward in the game.

Eastern Ranges:

#4 Jackson McCormack– Was a spark for the Ranges through the midfield. His kicking was off at stages, but seemed to bob up at times and get involved in a few passages.

#7 Jordan Gallucci– Zippy midfielder who played mostly forward of centre. Kicking was off and he kicked 1.4 in front of goal. Was willing to use either foot to bring the ball inside 50, which he did on eight occassions.

#11 Callum Brown– Was mostly quiet for the contest but was most dangerous closer to goal. Had 18 disposals and three clearances but looms likely for a bid in the second to third round.

#12 Dylan Clarke– Really liked Clarke’s game of 22 disposals (13 contested) and you can’t knock his endeavour to win the ball back. Tackles in hard and wins the ball at the clearances. His kicking was better than it has been in previous weeks but he went missing in the third term. Standing next to him at the Morrish Medal, he’s definitely well built and seems closer to 190cm than I thought.

#16 Jaidyn Stephenson– Incredible game from the bottom-ager who I would consider as my No.1 on my rankings of the 2017 players. Was able to work Sakeson under the ball and run on to multiple goals. Good mark overhead and finished with 4.2. McGrath moving on to him kept him to one disposal for the final quarter.

#17 Hayden Stanley– Thought he was the Ranges’ best in defence. Read the play well in the back half and rebounded the ball well out of defence. A nice long boot who hardly missed a target all day, I would’ve liked to have seen more of him this year.

#51 Josh Begley– Started the match well with two of the first four scoring shots but was largely underwhelming. Is built like a brick wall, but just floated in and out of the game. He kicked a goal late to get them back infront in the final term but it was all Dragons’ way after that.

Murray Bushrangers 15.14 (104) defeated Dandenong Stingrays 12.6 (78)

Dandenong Stingrays:

#1 Luke Dalmau– Played a strong game in defence rebounding the ball well. Is a solid mark overhead and he’s been a good contributor at TAC Cup and APS school boy level this season.

#10 Myles Poholke– Best game I’ve seen Myles play this season. Had a huge opening quarter with 10 disposals and four marks, finishing with 23 disposals. Unfortunately he fizzled out and had just the single touch in the last term when the Stingrays needed him the most. I think he’s a really strong option for a club looking for value later in the draft.

#17 Josh Battle– Battle has the ability to flick a switch and turn a game. His six-goal haul really stood out, which included a burst of three goals in nine minutes in the third term. Roamed more up the ground than he has in the past and looks more suited when he gets further away from the goal square. Has the ability to bang the goals from long ranges as the video below shows.

Josh Battle has five! Superb shot on goal called by the @TACCupRadio boys. Stingrays lead by 2 pts. @DandyStingrays pic.twitter.com/gcMIjVrTLh

— Matt Balmer (@MattBalmer7) September 4, 2016

#24 Oscar Clavarino– A rock in defence for the Stingrays. Although he didn’t win a huge amount of the ball, he was very good in one-on-one contests. His ability to shut down opposition hasn’t been recognised enough in a year where he could’ve well been in the Under 18 All-Australian side.

#40 Nathan Scagliarini– First time I’d watched him closely this season and I thought he provided plenty of energy for the Stingrays. Laid 13 tackles for the afternoon and was willing to take the ball inside 50. Disappointingly he led the clanger count of the weekend with four for the match.

Murray Bushrangers:

#1 Esava Ratugolea– There is plenty to like about Ratugolea, who despite being 194cm has a leap that can make him taller than most opposition. He had 16 hitouts and six marks, but I still feel he’s dropping marks he really needs to take.

#6 Charlie Spargo– Pint sized midfielder who got under some of the Stingrays noses when he drew a few free kicks after ‘dropping his knees.’ Finds the football and generally uses it well when taking it inside 50. GWS academy member eligible for 2017.

#7 Will Brodie– A quiet game by his standards, but still managed to record 19 disposals and 10 clearances. Really turned it on in the first six minutes of the last quarter where he had six disposals ensuring the Stingrays wouldn’t get a sniff. Is travelling ok, but you could make a case that McGrath has overtaken him in the rankings.

#22 Harry Morrison– Missed a big chunk earlier in the season but has come back well rebounding across half back on his right boot. Morrison played further up the ground this week and that might well be his best position. One to watch come their next game, as he probably will start to get some credits with another good game.

#40 Todd Marshall– Looked completely out of it, only finding the ball on five occasions. One passage of play was promising where he collected the ball and kicked it inside 50- But it missed the target. According to whispers he’s battered and bruised up, so the week off comes at a good time.