{"id":139215,"date":"2023-08-22T16:03:22","date_gmt":"2023-08-22T06:03:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/?p=139215"},"modified":"2023-08-22T16:12:44","modified_gmt":"2023-08-22T06:12:44","slug":"up-the-grades-bottom-agers-blooded-in-vfl","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/2023\/08\/22\/up-the-grades-bottom-agers-blooded-in-vfl\/","title":{"rendered":"Up the Grades: Bottom-agers blooded in VFL"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A PAIR of bottom-agers tied to Northern Academies were unleashed unto the VFL over the weekend, as Gold Coast’s Leonardo Lombard<\/a> and GWS’ Josaia Delana<\/a> made their state league debuts. Both acclimated well, notching 11 and 12 disposals respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lombard’s Suns thrashed Carlton out of a Wildcard Round spot on percentage, winning to the tune of 127 points at Heritage Bank Stadium. Top-aged midfielder Will Graham<\/a> (11 disposals, one goal) and defender Nick Williams<\/a> (eight disposals, four marks) also continued their runs at the level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Giants fielded a couple more academy members on Saturday, too. Midfielder Daniel Gauci<\/a> equalled his personal-best disposal haul of 16 and booted two goals, while over-age key defender Dayne Posthuma<\/a> managed 10 touches in the loss to Geelong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Tarkyn O’Leary has quickly found his feet in the VFL | Image Credit: Rookie Me Central<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Elsewhere in the VFL, Sandringham Dragons product Tarkyn O’Leary<\/a> did some nice things as his Zebras downed Williamstown. He booted two early goals and finished with 10 disposals in just his second outing, a day after the Dragons suffered an upset loss at the same venue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Along with Gold Coast and GWS, Sydney was another side to grant their juniors more state league opportunities. Caiden Cleary<\/a> again stood out with 14 touches in a defeat to Werribee, as Indhi Kirk<\/a>, Max Rider<\/a>, and Lachlan Cabor<\/a> also took the field at Tramway Oval.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The VFL will now roll on into its inaugural Wildcard Round with two games scheduled for the upcoming weekend. Gold Coast took out the minor premiership level on points with Werribee and will have a host of young talent to call upon during finals if required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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