Scouting notes: APS v AGSV schoolboy match

The APS made it seven-in-a-row with 38-point victory over the AGSV out at Carey Grammar on Saturday.

The annual Victorian school boys representative game has seen players such as Jayden Hunt (2013), Brayden Sier (2015) and Oliver Hanrahan (2016) push their names into consideration to be drafted – with Hunt and Hanrahan bypassing the Under 18 TAC Cup competition in their draft year.

The APS’ second team also took on Sports Association of Tasmanian Independent Schools (SATIS) rep football team, winning 106 to 50.

Matt Balmer’s scouting notes:

APS:

#3 Noah Croes – The rebounding half back flanker has been a solid performer for Scotch over the last few years in the APS competition. Whilst he didn’t find a lot of the ball, his usage on his right foot was reasonable and he did provide some dash & booted a long goal in the opening quarter.

#5 Seb Williams – Was arguably the best player on the ground. The Brighton Grammar & Sandringham Dragons midfielder played well on the outside booting four goals for the game. While he missed a few of his kicks early, he did get better as the game went on and found plenty of the ball going forward. One of his better performances.

#7 Angus Styles – Was a strong performer in Caulfield’s come from behind victory last week against Wesley and he continued his ball winning ability at Carey, finding plenty of the ball. He played mostly on the wing, but was able to win the ball in the contest. When he possess the ball, he was willing to stop and look for the best target.

#14 Ed Richards – Rebounded the ball out of defence with speed and his usage on his left foot was very good. Took most of the kick outs throughout the contest and his quick hands are elite.

#26 Max King – Was a class above in the forward half with four first-half goals. He was able to get space between him and his opponent, leaping high and plucking the ball out from the clouds. Finished the day with five goals as the most dominating tall for the day, alongside twin brother Ben who played in defence. Would be Pick 1 in this year’s draft if he was eligible.

#27 Nathan Murphy – Booted two goals up forward – but most of the APS inside 50s were targeted towards the taller Max King. Murphy kept his feet and was very clean from ground level. Was challenged in the final quarter with the APS coach throwing him into the ruck, competing reasonably well and showing a decent leap.

AGSV:

#4 Lachlan Wilson – The Marcellin midfielder is a very good school footballer and booted two goals from the midfield. Has smarts at the stoppages and wins the ball around the ground.

#9 Curtis Taylor – Showed enough to suggest he’ll be a high pick in 2018 after playing a decent game for the AGSV. Took a superb mark in the final quarter and booted the goal. Has smarts around goal and is a smooth mover.

#12 Ed Newman – The AGSV captain hardly missed a target on his left foot throughout the day. Starting at the centre bounce and winning the opening clearance, Newman also played across half back and found the football with ease. Was agile enough to move past his opponents and was one of the AGSV’s best players.

#14 Joel Amartey – Leaped well in the ruck winning plenty of hitouts throughout the day. Had a very good battle with Nick Phillips – another player who has grown up playing basketball. Up forward, his positioning could’ve been better but he shows promise with each game he plays.

#15 Christian Farchione – Another nice left footer in the AGSV team and despite his size, he is willing to crack in at the contest. Very rarely misses a short target by foot.

#37 Tom Freeman – The Dandenong Stingrays medium tall is off to the State Combine and he did show a few glimpses during the day. In bright yellow boots, Freeman moved well around the ground and had a few nice passages using the ball on his right foot. Had a very good effective switch where he used his vision to find a long target.

APS v SATIS (Tasmania) 

APS:

#7 Rhylee West – The son of Scott (and 2018 Western Bulldogs father-son prospect) was one of the leading disposal winners throughout the game. He covered the ground well and had a very good pinpoint pass off his right foot in the opening few minutes of the game.

#13 Jackson Hille – Was willing to mark the ball and look to get the ball moving as quickly as possible. On one occasion he marked 80m from goal, turned and immediately found an easy target alone inside 50 without hesitating. Possesses a good leap and has some nice athletic traits.

#14 Sam Cameron – The Sandringham Dragons squad member possesses good hands in close and his recent form has seen him score a State Combine invite. Played in a few positions throughout the contest and did some nice things.

#26 Joe Griffiths – Was one of the more exciting players on the ground clunking three contested marks in the opening quarter alone. His leap in the ruck was good and despite being ‘under the weather’ he was the shining light in the game. His agility & step was very good, including one step 25m out from goal which saw him bang home his second goal. Finished with six marks for the day. One to keep an eye on as the Geelong Grammar boarder has a State Combine invite.

#28 Will Clark – Has been an impressive player in every game I’ve seen Scotch play this season. Clark’s ruck work was good yet again, but he separates himself from others with his work around the ground and his decent kick off his right foot. Kicked a goal in the first quarter and it was a good battle in the ruck against Tim Auckland.

SATIS:

#4 Elijah Reardon – Agile half forward flanker who had a few flashes. Used it reasonably well on his right foot going inside 50.

#11 Connor Dixon – The Tasmanian Under 20 Mens basketballer is a nice medium size and has a frame that could translate to AFL if he adds some size. Possessed great agility and had a clean right foot kick. Also went in as an inside midfielder and had a nice clearance in the final quarter.

#12 Oliver Burrows-Cheng – The half forward flanker has blistering speed & agility and had some smarts inside 50. Kicked a nice goal from outside 40m in the opening quarter.

#15 Declan Waddington – SATIS were well drilled in defensive 50 and Waddington controlled the play nicely, rebounding the ball well off his right foot.

#22 Tim Auckland – The Tasmanian Under 18 ruckman had a very good battle in the ruck against Clark and Griffiths. Clunked a very good contested mark in the second term. Didn’t find a whole lot of the ball around the ground, but his strength at the ruck contests was notable.

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Victorian school football update August edition – AFL Draft Central
6 years ago

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