Sunday’s TAC Cup Semi-Final scouting notes:

Sandringham Dragons 13.13 (91) defeated Dandenong Stingrays 4.6 (30)

Matt Balmer’s scouting notes

Dandenong Stingrays:

#10 Myles Poholke– Spent a fair chunk of the first quarter on the bench, but found plenty of the ball post his time on the pine. He finished with 22 disposals and three clearances, picking the ball up cleanly off the ground throughout the day. Could hold his head up high.

#13 Tom Jok– Picked up an injury and wasn’t sighted after half-time. Can fumble with ball in hand at times and is probably unlikely to be picked in the draft at this stage. Left the game on crutches.

#15 Sam Fowler– Was the big inclusion for the Stingrays but was kept quiet for most the afternoon with just five disposals. His best passage came from him taking three bounces down the wing before taking it inside 50.

#17 Josh Battle– Just the two goals for Battle after nailing six last weekend. Was well held by Ari Sakeson but kicked through well off his right foot when shooting for goal.

Sandringham Dragons:

#4 Will Setterfield– Backed up last weekends effort with 22 disposals and nine tackles. His attack on the ball was great and drilled the ball inside 50 on multiple occasions. His work in close is very strong and he’s a big chance to earn a bid (GWS academy) in mid first round of the draft.

#5 Andrew McGrath– McGrath spent more time on the inside than last weekend and collected 27 disposals and six clearances. The Stingrays tried to rough him up early, but it didn’t work and McGrath let the play do the talking. Hit most of his targets at short range and looked sideways & backwards at stages to find a loose Dragon.

#7 Corey Lyons– Kicking has been a knock but he was good today. Numbers wise he was down on last weekend but wasn’t afraid to get the ball in deep to the Dragons talls inside 50. Finished with 18 disposals.

#8 Tim Taranto– Was the best player on the ground for me. Started slowly last week but didn’t today and was good all match. Finished with 29 disposals, seven marks and eight tackles. His overhead marking is a strength and if he keeps this form up there is no doubt he could push for a Top five pick.

#10 Jack Scrimshaw– Weaves through the packs, lifts his arms and knows where to run. His kicking has been poor the last few weeks, but hardly missed a target today. He collected 27 disposals and took some really nice marks playing across half back. Another who could push for a Top five pick.

#13 Oliver Florent– Had 20 disposals and five inside 50s in his best finals display. Has a lot of X-Factor about him and looks the goods forward of centre. Took seven marks and gets in the right positions.

#25 Tom Maloney– Nabbed four goals and was exciting for the Dragons. Easily his best performance of the season. He’s a smart rover inside 50 and marks well.

Oakleigh Chargers 12.14 (86) defeated North Ballarat Rebels 12.8 (80)

Peter Williams’ scouting notes:

North Ballarat Rebels:

#1 Jamaine Jones – Quiet game from the small forward after a lively first final. Did a couple of nice things on the wing, but did not have his usual scoreboard impact when forward.

#2 Callan Wellings – Sensational game by the captain. Was everywhere and put in a four quarter performance. Finished with 30 disposals, six marks, six clearances and seven inside 50s.

#6 Willem Drew – Another hard working effort from Drew. Consistently won the hardball and put his body on the line with no regard for his own safety. Not the cleanest user of the ball, but you can never question his intensity and bravery.

#7 Hugh McCluggage – Found plenty of the ball again, but was not his usual self. Made a few uncharacteristic errors, but still made space and got the forward to advantage. Another one who did not impact the scoreboard as much as he normally does.

#8 Shannon Beks – One of the best first halves I have seen from Beks, booting three goals and looking like the most dangerous forward on the ground. He drifted out of the game after half-time, but was one of the reasons the Rebels managed to keep in touch to the main break.

#19 Jarrod Korewha – It was a typical Korewha performance. His offensive run off half-back was an asset, reading the play well and getting it moving, but his disposal can hurt at times. Really good one-on-one considering there is not much of him and takes risks, which is a big plus about him, opting for longer kicks rather than the easy short option..

#23 Lloyd Meek – Really strong in the air and looked good around the ground for a bigger bloke. Got frustrated at times and gave away a few undisciplined free kicks (five against total). Was beaten in the hitouts however which would have led to his frustrations.

#46 Cedric Cox – Had a really strong second quarter and kicked his first TAC Cup goal. After starting in defence and being a little quiet he moved forward and was a danger around the goals. Kicked the one but assisted with others and while his stat sheet was not overly high with only 10 touches, his work off the ball with pressure acts was good.

Oakleigh Chargers:

#2 Ed Phillips – Really liked his game as a link-up player between midfield and half-forward. When the Rebels were on top, it was Phillips who along with Aujard, stood up and took control. Had several key inside 50s that led to goals and provided energy and enthusiasm forward of centre.

#3 Vincent Adduci – For a small forward he certainly finds the ball and uses it well. Looked dangerous every time he went near it and provided the Rebels defence with a few headaches. Very small, but just goes in grabs the pill and shoots out quick fire handballs to his teammates.

#6 Campbell Lane – Not the silkiest of players, but is a footballer’s footballer. Does all the hard stuff and puts his body on the line to help his side. Consistently wins one-on-one contests and drives it forward.

#9 Jono Aujard – Another top player for the Chargers that really stood out to me. Found plenty of it on the wing and covered the ground really well, kicking out of defence and being on the end of it at the other end.

#11 Patrick Kerr – Floated in an out of patches much like the first final. Did not do a lot overall, but the opportunities he had he looked solid. Seems to have a penetrating kick for goal and is very quick on the lead. Due for a big game next weekend.

#21 Lachlan Walker – Was solid without being outstanding after a very good first final. Always finds plenty of the ball and is a solid kick without being a star. Often impacts the scoreboard which he did not in the semi-final, but still worked hard. Was reported for a high tackle, but I would be shocked if that was not thrown out pretty quickly.

#28 Josh Daicos – Was quiet for two and a half quarters then snapped a typical ‘Daicos’ goal with a banana after wrong footing his opponent. Then turned it on in the last quarter kicking another and almost had a third with a dribbler from the boundary line. Ultimately kicked the sealer to put the Chargers 18 points up 20 minutes into the final term. Still needs to work on consistency, but the class is there.

#42 Louis Cunningham – His work off half-back was first class. The amount of times he would step back and take a goal-saving mark or stem the flow forward was quite impressive. Another one that was willing to fight the Rebel resistance in the second half.