Recap

Matt Balmer’s scouting Notes:

Vic Metro easily accounted for an undersized Tasmanian side who had to borrow Oakleigh Chargers ruckman Ned Reeves to ensure they had a tall in their side.

#1 Cameron Polson– I thought Polson had a really good game playing in the midfield for Vic Metro. His run off the wing was really good and I’m starting to believe he is a chance to be drafted. Polson kicked at 60% on the weekend and probably is the one thing he needs to try and address as an outside player.
#3 Jack Higgins– Was the leading possession winner out of all the bottom agers over the weekend (2nd overall behind Callum Brown for all the players). He has been really good for Oakleigh in the past two games and continued his strong form into the trial game. He spent majority of the game on the wing/HFF and is a solid runner for a ‘bottom-ager.’ Higgins was player of the U16 carnival in 2015 and one to watch for the 2017 draft. Higgins’ voice was also really good when he didn’t have the ball around stoppages.
#5 Andrew McGrath– Coming off a 32 disposal game for the Dragons the week before McGrath was relatively quiet with only 14 disposals. He didn’t have a kick in the first half, but laid six tackles which is his highest for the year. It was a bit of a different game for McGrath spending more time in the centre than he normally does at TAC Cup level & he led the Vic Metro team on the day.
#7 Oliver Florent– Florent stands out in his flashy orange boots and moved really well on the outside for Metro. He wasn’t on my radar coming into the season, but I’ve finally pencilled his name down as a possible candidate if he can keep up his solid start to the year as in my opinion, he is a real line breaker.
#11 Patrick Naish– Naish was one of the standouts in a relatively easy win for the Vics. The bottom ager & 2017 Richmond F/S candidate provided really good run on the wing, often tucking the ball under his arm and running with it where he had four inside 50s.
#13 Thomas Jacotine– Jacotine spent most of the game in the back pocket, he had a quiet game but ran the ball out of defence well on a few occasions.
#15 Mason Blakey– Blakey played most of the game on the inside, with seven contested possessions. If I was going to be critical I would have liked a few more tackles from him throughout the day.
#17 Tim Taranto– It really surprised me when I saw the stats sheet with Taranto having 27 disposals. I thought he was quieter than he normally was for the Dragons, he laid some really strong tackles in the midfield and also went forward and kicked a goal (also had five score assists). With a basketball background the 186cm midfielder is one to keep an eye on throughout the champs.
#19 Cameron Rayner– Bottom ager Rayner had 12 disposals and probably spent more time outside 50 than he has in both TAC Cup games this year.
#21 Luke Bunker– Bunker has collected a lot of disposals so far in the TAC Cup playing on ball for the Northern Knights, more than half of his disposals were contested and despite his small frame of 78kg he’s not afraid to throw his body around in the centre.
#23 Dylan Clarke– Spent more time on the outside than he normally does for the Ranges and it resulted in 3/4 of his disposals being uncontested. It also gave him a chance to hit the scoreboard twice with his left foot.
#25 Wilson Berry– An ok game from Berry collecting 11 disposals, however he collected three “junk-time” goals kicking the last three for the game.
#28 Jackson McDonald– McDonald burst on the scene kicking three goals in the first quarter, but slowed down after his first quarter of nine disposals. Was the first time I’ve seen McDonald this year and I thought he was ok.
#29 Jack Reaper– Reaper started in defence but moved forward after HT (swapping with Kerr) and kicked two goals.
#31 Pat Kerr– Kerr was really impressive with his marking overhead being a strength, he went and played back in the second half, but due to his height he found it very easy to take marks against his opponents at both ends. A really like Kerr as a forward prospect and will be watching closely throughout the champs.
#33 Taylin Duman– A real quiet one for Duman just the 13 disposals, not sure what end of the ground he is best suited to just yet at 193cm…
#35 Nick Larkey– Larkey played as a tall, spending most the game forward. He wasn’t the main target when Metro went forward hence a quiet game for him.
#37 Harrison Bult– A solid game for Bult with 15 disposals, spending most the game on the wing.
#39 Jaidyn Owen– Another tall who didn’t have too much influence on the contested until his three second half goals.
#41 Sam McLarty– I was saying to someone at the ground that I’d been disappointed with McLarty so far this year, but after 1/4 time he was really impressive. Despite usually not being a big ball winner, he was able to collect a lot of the footy and booted two goals. He was another that went forward and back at stages, I still think he’s a bit unsure on the lead inside 50 and personally think he’s better suited as a defender at this stage. His superior height advantage game him a chance to grab six marks.
#43 Sam Hayes– The bottom ager rucked well when he was in there, at 200cm his follow up work with clearances was also a good sign.
#45 Liam Jeffs– Jeffs played in multiple positions, I’m not sure where he is best suited but will really want to improve from Saturday if he is to get drafted. The outside runner moved well and should get a chance for Metro this year as a over ager.
#47 Jesse Smith– Smith was probably the find of the day rucking superbly. 25 hitouts doesn’t do justice to his strong work around the ground and was probably the best ruckman out of the four games played over the weekend. One to watch

Tasmania:

#13 Thomas Mundy– Mundy kicked three goals and was the only real spark for the Mariners inside 50. The bottom ager hopefully will be given a chance to play in the Division Two championships in May and I really liked his game.
#14 Nicholas Dodge– 2015 forward draft prospect Nicholas Dodge returned as an over ager for Tasmania and was their best player for the day. Dodge played a different role to what we saw last year, playing off Half back where he had nine rebound 50s. Dodge added another string to his bow and I was impressive with his work on Saturday.