Recap

Matt Balmer’s scouting notes

Murray Bushrangers:

#6 Charlie Spargo– A bottom age player who won the NSW MVP & the Division Two player of the carnival at the U16 Championships last year. Spargo spent most the day playing as a small forward, he has above average pace and looked dangerous when the ball went to ground.

#13 Lachlan Tiziani– Probably one of the better games I’ve seen Tiziani play, he spent a lot of time forward but when he pushed up the ground he looked much better. As an overager he’ll need to continue to perform well, but his tackling presence in the centre of the ground indicated to me he is hungry to be drafted in 2016.

#20 Zachary Sproule– The GWS Academy member had another good game for Murray competing well inside 50. Sproule was the only multiple goalkicker for Murray and his ability to get up the ground on a long lead was very good. Sproule’s agility is good and at times was able to get a good distant between himself and his opponent changing direction and leading.

#22 Harry Morrison– A much improved performance from Morrison compared with the Vic Country trial game. Morrison is a real impact player and ran hard all day in the midfield. Morrison kicked the final goal of the day and I’m hoping Sunday’s game is the kick starter of a big month of TAC Cup football for him.

North Ballarat Rebels:

#5 Jarrod Berry– A decent effort of 21 disposals for Berry on Sunday, but I was disappointed with his game. I was really hoping to be blown away by Berry but it seemed like he struggled. I’d argue the big last few weeks with the AFL Academy may have caught up with him- But I’m sure he’ll bounce back this week. Berry spent a lot of time rotating forward perched underneath ruckman Lloyd Meek inside 50, his set shot kicking does need some work and had a kickable chance I thought he should have nailed to keep the Rebels in the game.

#7 Hugh McCluggage– McCluggage really turned eyes on the weekend with flashes of brilliance. He was consistent throughout the whole afternoon and his silky movement in the midfield was fantastic. When watching him go about his business the word “classy” springs to mind and he continues to be a name much talked about in the first month of football. At stages it almost looked like time stood still for McCluggage to make decisions and he moved the ball very well throughout the afternoon. McCluggage had a flash of brilliance in the third term nearly snapping a goal that would have had most of the crowd at the ground on their feet.

#15 James Gow– I thought Gow had a solid game. He had 14 disposals in the first half but was quiet after half time but the outside midfielder had done enough. He has a really long kick on him and I’d argue he’s one of the better kicks in this draft pool (which isn’t a strong pool for elite kickers).

#23 Lloyd Meek– A quiet game for ruckman Meek compared to the Vic Country trial the week before. Meek spent a lot more time inside 50 playing as a tall forward. He looked a bit lost at stages inside 50 and wasn’t able to get his hands on the ball in the swirling breeze. I think he’s better suited to playing as the No.1 ruckman in the side and will be interested to see whether he spends more time in the ruck in the Rebels’ next match.