Rebels captain Ethan Drever<\/strong> starred in his return to Talent League football, picking up 11 more disposals than the next best player for a whopping haul of 39. Vic Country rucks Jackson O’Brien<\/strong> and Jett Elek <\/strong>also locked horns, while a number of Under 16 prospects were blooded on both sides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We took note of the top prospects from either team.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n GEELONG FALCONS 3.4 | 4.8 | 5.11 | 5.15 (45) GOALS: BEST:<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n GEELONG FALCONS:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n #4 <\/strong>Darcy Harrington<\/a> Stats: <\/strong>28 disposals, 6 tackles, 4 clearances, 4 inside 50s<\/p>\n\n\n\n Harrington led his side for disposals and was typically tough in dire conditions, often seen willing himself to the ball. His sharp lateral movement served him well when navigating tight spots, although the diminutive top-ager was tested by GWV\u2019s outstanding pressure. He was perhaps guilty of playing as if it were dry at times – attempting near-perfect passes and even a running bounce – but adjusted well to play the territory game while continuing to scrap away. He was busy at stoppages and difficult to beat in one-on-one contests around the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #18 <\/strong>Ned Badrock<\/a> Stats: <\/strong>17 disposals, 5 marks, 5 rebound 50s<\/p>\n\n\n\n A reliable figure in the Falcons\u2019 backline, Badrock did his best work aerially. The sturdy tall started out with a big pack spoil and was prepared to wear contact to either split a contest or take possession. Badrock\u2019s reading of the play, positioning and safe hands were pillars of his game throughout the four quarters, as he popped up for several important intercepts. He also managed to stay engaged more often after his initial effort, getting involved in some of Geelong\u2019s cleanest rebound play. He was a cool head patrolling his side’s back 50.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #20 <\/strong>Charlie Gray<\/a> Stats: <\/strong>23 disposals, 4 tackles, 7 clearances<\/p>\n\n\n\n Prising an equal game-high seven clearances, Gray showed some of his evasive tricks on a tough day for it. With clean hands and quick feet, the midfielder escaped congestion on several occasions, springing to life when the ball was there to be won. He was tough when required and used his speed to close in with defensive efforts, complimenting the dogged efforts of William Nicholls<\/strong>. But for the most part, he looked at his best when bursting to the outside and looking to attack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #25 <\/strong>Jett Elek<\/a> Stats: <\/strong>13 disposals, 5 marks, 7 hitouts, 6 inside 50s<\/p>\n\n\n\n Elek produced a mixed bag on Sunday, being frustrated in the ruck at times but going on to lift his aerial output around the ground in a big way. Despite arguably being beaten at the ball-ups, the over-ager\u2019s agility and follow-up work held up well. He also provided a strong marking target up and down the line, coming out with plenty of hunger and intent after the main break. He threw himself at intercepts and high balls, while proving quite nimble and clean below his knees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #36 <\/strong>Nate Mensch<\/a> Stats: <\/strong>14 disposals, 4 marks, 13 hitouts<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mensch provided the perfect fold as a secondary ruck, competing hard in the air and showcasing his athleticism. The bottom-ager wanted to leap and fly at everything, willing himself to as many contests as possible to either mark or bring the ball to ground. He further proved his competitive nature with second efforts and the ability to stay involved in general play. Mensch was also a leading threat inside 50 during the opening term, and while he can work on his field kicking, had plenty of upside as a tall. He’s one for Geelong to monitor as a father-son candidate in 2027.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #43 <\/strong>Daniel May<\/a> Stats: <\/strong>22 disposals, 3 tackles, 8 rebound 50s<\/p>\n\n\n\n May defied his age with an incredibly composed and polished performance down back. The Vic Country Under 16 captain only took two marks for the day, but both were terrific intercepts in the opening term which set him up for a strong outing. May\u2019s handling was outstanding in tough conditions, arriving at contests to either intercept or recover the ground ball before disposing efficiently. He was a trusted distributor from the kick-ins and played the situation of the game well. Perhaps his crowning moment came late in the piece as he laid a clutch tackle and won the ball back deep inside defensive 50 within the final minute of play. Reliable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n GWV REBELS:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n #4 <\/strong>Ethan Drever<\/a> Stats: <\/strong>39 disposals, 9 tackles, 7 clearances, 6 inside 50s<\/p>\n\n\n\n It was as strong a return as Drever could have hoped for, comfortably leading all comers in conditions which suited his best traits. The midfielder\u2019s sheer size and power immediately drew attention at stoppage, forcing opponents into holds and overzealous acts to prevent him winning the ball. Drever had to be a bit ugly at times to gain territory and wasn\u2019t exactly pinpoint by foot, but proved very effective by hand. He showed glimpses of his poise and speed in a couple of line-breaking runs, while working hard around the ground to lead the game for contested (23) and uncontested possessions (16).<\/p>\n\n\n\n #6 <\/strong>Harrison Welsh<\/a> Stats: <\/strong>19 disposals, 12 tackles, 5 inside 50s<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another midfielder who thrived in the stifling conditions, Welsh laid nearly as many tackles as he had disposals. He was prepared to get in and under the packs, either wrapping up opponents or looking to fight his way out of congestion. The bottom-ager sometimes ran into trouble and eventually took a more direct approach to gaining metres, dumping the ball long by foot. Welsh\u2019s core strength and ability to drive his legs served him well in a game which was heavily inside-leaning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #14 <\/strong>Archie Elliott<\/a> Stats: <\/strong>13 disposals, 3 marks, 4 tackles, 2 goals<\/p>\n\n\n\n Elliott was made to persevere and work hard for his moments, as Riley McLeod <\/strong>wore him like a glove all day. The top-ager popped up late in term four with a hit-up lead and set shot goal to momentarily put the Rebels ahead, finding his radar to give his side a chance at winning. Elliott previously missed a few opportunities he would otherwise bury, perhaps as a product of McLeod\u2019s perceived pressure. He was forced to search high up the ground to get involved at times and attempted to use his speed with ball in hand, but nothing came easily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
GWV REBELS 1.0 | 4.2 | 4.7 | 6.9 (45)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Geelong Falcons:<\/strong> A. Chamberlain 2, K. Charman, V. Rahilly, H. Watson
GWV Rebels:<\/strong> A. Elliott 2, M. Hughes, L. Petrie, N. Prevett, D. Rizzoli<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Geelong Falcons: <\/strong>D. Harrington, D. May, N. Mensch, W. Nicholls, N. Badrock, R. McLeod
GWV Rebels: <\/strong>E. Drever, J. O’Brien, K. Nicholls, H. Welsh, P. McKenna, J. Connolly<\/p>\n\n\n\nGeelong Falcons<\/h5>
<\/li><\/ul><\/div>GWV Rebels<\/h5>
<\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
Midfielder | 176cm | 17\/11\/2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Key Defender | 194cm | 28\/02\/2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Midfielder | 181cm | 12\/05\/2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ruck\/Key Forward | 201cm | 17\/04\/2007<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Key Forward\/Ruck | 196cm | 11\/03\/2009<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Defender | 187cm | 06\/11\/2010<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Midfielder | 188cm | 10\/07\/2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Midfielder | 179cm | 23\/08\/2009<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Forward | 182cm | 10\/08\/2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n