{"id":138808,"date":"2023-08-15T20:06:34","date_gmt":"2023-08-15T10:06:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/?p=138808"},"modified":"2023-08-15T20:06:36","modified_gmt":"2023-08-15T10:06:36","slug":"up-the-grades-stevens-bares-claws-in-cats-return","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/2023\/08\/15\/up-the-grades-stevens-bares-claws-in-cats-return\/","title":{"rendered":"Up the Grades: Stevens bares claws in Cats return"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

TALENT pathway prospects were littered across the state leagues over the weekend, headlined by George Stevens<\/a>‘ return to Geelong’s VFL side. The GWV Rebels product won a team-high 29 touches in the Cats’ heavy loss to Collingwood, thriving in wet conditions with his contested nous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stevens has been a standout in the Talent League of late, averaging 38 disposals, seven tackles, and seven inside 50s across his last three games. He also had a superb National Championships with Vic Country and was last seen in the VFL for his Round 6 debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, the Sydney-Gold Coast clash was littered with Northern Academy members. Swans Caiden Cleary<\/a> (22 disposals) and Indhi Kirk<\/a> (21) were prolific, but their side was thoroughly outclassed at the SCG by the ladder leading Suns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All Australian ruck Ethan Read<\/a> (12 disposals, five marks, four behinds) made his debut for the victors, accompanied by the likes of Will Graham<\/a>, Nick Williams<\/a>, and Jake Rogers<\/a>. The likes of Lachlan Cabor<\/a>, Tye Gander<\/a>, and Max Rider<\/a> were also fielded for the Swans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ethan Read made his VFL debut with the Suns | Image Credit: Rookie Me Central<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The trend continued in GWS’ big win over Northern Bullants. Key forward Charlie McCormack<\/a> was handed a debut, joining fellow Giants Academy members Harvey Thomas<\/a> (14 disposals, two goals), Daniel Gauci<\/a> (16 disposals, seven tackles, one goal), and Dayne Posthuma<\/a> in the side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Frankston got up over Coburg in a clash of two standalone clubs. The Dolphins were boosted by two debutants in Eastern key defender Cooper Trembath<\/a> (11 disposals, five marks) and Sandringham Dragons captain Will Brown<\/a> (five disposals, one goal) in the 36-point win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elsewhere, top-age Oakleigh Chargers pair Nathan Philactides<\/a> and Kynan Brown<\/a> turned out for Richmond and Casey respectively. The latter, a father-son candidate for Melbourne, snared his second goal in as many games at the level as the Demons were felled by Carlton.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Over in Western Australia, a pair of state squad teammates made their maiden senior outings. Perth’s Oscar Hine-Baston<\/a> cracked the grade in a 28-point loss to Swan Districts, but Ashton Ferreira<\/a> had a much better time of it with 26 touches, eight marks and seven inside 50s, albeit also in a defeat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arguably the main event out West saw state MVP Daniel Curtin<\/a> lock horns with Clay Hall<\/a>, whose Peel Thunder outfit beat Claremont by 32 points. Both players notched up 20 disposals, with Curtin also taking six marks in his second League game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subiaco tall Luker Kentfield<\/a> was another state representative to feature in the top flight, stringing together one of his better games to date with seven disposals, three marks, four tackles and two goals in a monster win over West Coast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Peel also had a couple of juniors running around in the Reserves. Ruck Mitchell Edwards<\/a> (13 hitouts) had AFL-listed teammates to contend with in the same role, while smooth mover Reece Torrent<\/a> managed 15 disposals, four marks and four inside 50s in a loss to Claremont.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Jack Delean kicked two goals for South Adelaide | Image Credit: Nick Hook Photography<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

South Australian livewire Jack Delean<\/a> continued his senior SANFL run with two goals as South Adelaide held on to beat Norwood by two points. Eagles bottom-ager Kade Herbert<\/a> also featured in the top grade, collecting a personal best 16 touches as his side went down to North Adelaide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There was some star power in the Reserves this week, too. Ashton Moir<\/a> (one goal) was subdued in Glenelg’s win over Westies, but the likes of Logan Evans<\/a> (15 disposals, four marks), Patrick Weckert<\/a> (12 disposals, five marks), and Kane McAuliffe<\/a> (19 disposals) all had positive outings around the grounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With no Talent League game once again, Tassie Devils players again filtered through the TSL. Among them were Allies squad members Heath Ollington<\/a> (two goals), Tom Beaumont<\/a> and Arie Schoenmaker<\/a>, as well as Connor Ling<\/a> who was again named Glenorchy’s best in a defeat to Clarence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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