{"id":197812,"date":"2025-08-11T12:49:47","date_gmt":"2025-08-11T02:49:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/?p=197812"},"modified":"2025-08-11T12:49:50","modified_gmt":"2025-08-11T02:49:50","slug":"up-the-grades-dovaston-shines-on-vfl-debut","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/2025\/08\/11\/up-the-grades-dovaston-shines-on-vfl-debut\/","title":{"rendered":"Up the Grades: Dovaston shines on VFL debut"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

EASTERN Ranges forward Lachy Dovaston<\/a> was among the latest batch of state league debutants over the weekend, impressing in a lively performance for Box Hill. Meanwhile, a pair of top five prospects locked horns in the VFL, and club-tied talent broke through into the senior WAFL grade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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SANFL<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

League & Reserves Round 17<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Norwood defender Balyn O’Brien<\/a> was the latest South Australian Under 18 representative to make his SANFL League debut, turning out in the Redlegs’ one-point win over West Adelaide. The home side held on at Norwood Oval, with O’Brien laying five tackles while notching as many disposals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile at Woodville Oval, Eagles prospect Jack Cook<\/a> offered a bright light in his side’s heavy defeat to Sturt. He booted his maiden League goal from 15 touches and six marks, while teammate and Under 18 captain Jevan Phillipou<\/a> managed a single major from his 10 disposals and four marks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Central District also had two state 18s squad members take the field, with both nabbing a goal each. Larke Medal winner Dyson Sharp<\/a> (11 disposals, four clearances) and star bottom-ager Dougie Cochrane<\/a> (seven disposals, five marks) played their part in a 14-point loss to Port Adelaide in Alberton.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Jesse Nye made his League debut for South Adelaide | Image Credit: Rookie Me Central<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In the Reserves grade, South Adelaide Under 18 captain Jesse Nye<\/a> debuted with 14 possessions and seven marks in a 53-point loss to Centrals. Woodville-West Torrens’ Lachlan Sands<\/a> also made his first senior appearance with 18 disposals, eight marks and three goals in a win over Sturt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those to impress at the level was North Adelaide midfielder Blake Oudshoorn-Bennier<\/a>, who gathered 30 disposals, five marks and five inside 50s as his side went down to Glenelg. In the same game, mature-age state combine invitee Latrelle Sumner-Pickett<\/strong> booted two goals for the Bays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On top of O’Brien’s League breakthrough, Norwood continues to blood young talent in the twos. All-Australian ruck Sam Ainsworth<\/a> bagged 3.2 from 14 disposals and six marks, while Jim Kelly<\/a> notched up 23 disposals, five tackles and six inside 50s in a 35-point victory over West Adelaide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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VFL<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Round 20<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eastern Ranges prospect Lachy Dovaston<\/a> was up and about in his maiden VFL outing, producing four scoring shots for Box Hill. The lively forward booted 1.3 from 18 disposals and five marks as the Hawks went down to Footscray by 19 points in a top-of-the-table clash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dovaston earned All-Australian honours having kicked nine goals in four appearances with Vic Metro. The crafty 177cm talent had recently been rotating on-ball for the Ranges from his usual spot up forward, and was handed a state league opportunity during the Coates Talent League break.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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