{"id":191351,"date":"2025-06-04T16:16:50","date_gmt":"2025-06-04T06:16:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/?p=191351"},"modified":"2025-06-04T16:16:51","modified_gmt":"2025-06-04T06:16:51","slug":"rising-stocks-tall-timber-emerges-in-champs-opener","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/2025\/06\/04\/rising-stocks-tall-timber-emerges-in-champs-opener\/","title":{"rendered":"Rising Stocks: Tall timber emerges in champs opener"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

IT WAS tall talent time in the Under 18 National Championships opener on Sunday, which saw South Australia upset title favourites the Allies by seven points in Blacktown. In particular, a group of key forwards from either side made their mark and boosted their stocks at the start of representative season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

>> Scouting Notes:<\/strong> 2025 AFL U18s – Allies vs. South Australia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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RISING STOCKS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

ALLIES:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jack Miller<\/a> (North Hobart\/Tasmania)<\/strong>
Forward | 181cm | 13\/04\/2007<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stats: <\/strong>16 disposals, 5 inside 50s, 3 goals<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The only non-tall among this crop, Miller came into game one as arguably the Allies’ only genuine small forward. He fulfilled the role well, translating his Coates Talent League form (13 goals in seven games) to the representative stage. Miller worked up the ground as a connection piece and was dangerous close to goal, converting well over the mark from a range of angles. His highlight for the day, though, was a snap over his shoulder in the mould of Nate Caddy<\/strong> against Brisbane – a goal of the week contender.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Taj Murray<\/a> (North Adelaide\/Northern Territory)<\/strong>
Ruck\/Key Forward | 199cm | 02\/05\/2007<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stats: <\/strong>11 disposals, 15 hitouts, 4 goals<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Murray would have been buzzing to take on many of his fellow SANFL prospects and teammates and he certainly showed a level of comfort against them. The Northern Territory native took some terrific marks at the top of his reach, threatening to break the game open with two bursts of consecutive goals. He ended up with four overall and helped turn the momentum in the Allies’ favour, outlining a good competitive streak. His spring-heeled leap and mobility were also on show in the ruck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Taj Murray celebrates one of his four goals | Image Credit: Rookie Me Central<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

SOUTH AUSTRALIA:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sam Ainsworth<\/a> (Norwood)<\/strong>
Ruck | 198cm | 12\/08\/2007<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stats: <\/strong>17 disposals, 20 hitouts, 6 clearances<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ainsworth has shot out of the ground to not only become South Australia’s primary ruck option, but a draft prospect. The Norwood tall was forced to shift from his usual key defensive post this year and has been prominent around the ball at SANFL Under 18 level. That form manifested into a team-high 12 contested possessions and six clearances on his representative debut, doing the dirty work at ground level against an array of high-flying Allies ruck. He seems like a great competitor and one to watch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A post shared by Rookie Me Central (@rookiemecentral)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n