TAC CUP GRAND OLD FINAL by Whispering Jack

On the morning of the TAC Cup Grand Final, the Sunday Herald Sun ran an article quoting Barry Prendergast on Oakleigh Charger midfielder Jack Viney, with the Melbourne recruiting chief declaring that he would "not take much notice of the father-son sensation".

Easy for him to say because the 178cm 77kg midfielder is already committed to the club, but for Demon fans at the ground it was hard not to notice the 34 possession winning human battering-ram tackle, harass and generally terrorise the Sandringham Dragons on his way to being judged officially as best on ground.

A fair effort for a bottom aged player who isn't eligible to be drafted until November next year, but enough of that.

This was a grand final and it was won by the Dragons who started and finished the stronger and it was their big men who won the day in a high standard exciting game of football that had everything.

The game was one of momentum shifts that also highlighted the talents of some skilful youngsters who will soon be attracting more attention from the football world as the national draft draws closer.

The players who attracted my attention were:-

• Sandringham Dragons

Ben Darrou 25/11/93 190cm 91kg - a strong, athletic defender who looks to have all the attributes necessary to make it at AFL level. He held up well even in the middle stages when the Dragon defence was most under pressure. Does a lot of the one per centers that often don't get noticed.

Jackson Paine 21/06/93 193cm 87kg - was impressive when I saw him playing for Vic Metro in the televised national championships game. On Sunday, he kicked a couple of goals and always looked dangerous with his good positioning and strong marking.

Xavier Richards 25/04/93 194cm 81kg - brother of Sydney Swan Ted Richards. He played forward and back, kicked a couple of goals and was one of a number of talls who overwhelmed the Chargers in the end.

Fletcher Roberts 03/06/93 197cm 80kg - it seems that every TAC Cup grand final produces a player whose performance is elevated in draft standings and the 197cm Roberts with five goals (three in the final quarter) was the match winner who stood out with his leading and strong contested marking. He missed a couple in the third term but generally, his disposal was good. He also showed good agility and was reasonable at ground level.

Liam Sumner 16/08/93 182cm 70kg - a well balanced pacy outside midfielder with poise who kept going all day. Showed that he can win the ball at the stoppages and also pushed forward to kick a goal. A potential first round selection.

Alex Woodwood 11/06/93 179cm 79kg - worked really hard for the Dragons and finished with 20 touches in a performance that showed he has the capability of making it as a small midfielder who can win the hard ball.

• Oakleigh Chargers

Seb Gotch 12/07/93 172cm 71kg - son of the Scorpions' coach. I liked the way this Gotch played and in this day and age when the small forward is making a comeback, it would not surprise if he was drafted (albeit probably late because of his size). He took a couple of speccies in the second quarter for his two goals and showed great discipline on a couple of occasions when he gave the ball off to a teammate in a better position. Is a quick thinker and a moves well and apparently if he doesn't make it as a footballer, he could make it at a high level at cricket.

Toby Greene 15/09/93 180cm 78kg - was super-impressive at the national championships and was close to best on ground in the final game at Etihad Stadium on his way to All Australian honours. He must like this ground because he was close to best again with 34 possessions in a losing team. A real ball magnet who links well and has good skills.

Nick Murphy 22/03/93 194cm 86kg - got the Chargers going with his strong hands, good leading and accuracy in front of goals. Kicked five but in the end was overshadowed by his opposite number for the Dragons.

Adam Tomlinson 10/08/93 192cm 86kg - his run out of defence was exceptional and he saved his team on a number of occasions. Has good mobility and, despite a rare error late in the game, he was one of his team's best. Should get drafted early.

Dom Tyson 08/06/93 186cm 82kg - touted as one of the leading midfielders and a possible top five draft choice after winning All Australian selection at the national championships. Tyson did not stand out in the grand final but he did show signs of his ball winning ability and the creativity that led to the big wraps on him this year.

There were others who went in and out of the game which I rate as one of the best I've seen in the two decades of TAC Cup competition but I have to come back to Viney who fully deserved the accolades he received for his game. His attack on the ball was the strongest I've seen from a kid of his age and his performance ranks favourably with that of another under age midfield type from the Dandenong Stingrays who I watched in the 2008 final series. Tom Scully was seriously good in those games and stamped himself as a potential # 1 pick for the draft that was then more than twelve months away. Viney is in the same category but his pathway is likely to be different in that he will probably share his time between the Casey Scorpions and the Carey Grammar school team. I do sense that Viney will be somewhat more committed to the cause of the AFL team for which he is destined to play.

Sandringham Dragons 6.1 7.6 10.10 17.11 (113)

Oakleigh Chargers 2.2 9.4 14.6 16.9 (105)

GOALS:

Sandringham Dragons: Roberts 5 Williams 2 Coleman 2 Paine 2 Richards 2 Sumner Anastasio Fallon Ong

Oakleigh Chargers: Murphy 5 Mascitti 2 Gotch 2 Hammond Jong Greene Soriano Wooffindin Heath Arnot

BEST:

Sandringham Dragons: Roberts Darrou Paine Heagney-Steart Williams Woodward

Oakleigh Chargers: VINEY Harris Tomlinson Murphy Greene Purcell

Thanks WJ. As you say, a fantastic effort from a bottom aged player scheduled to be drafted in 13 months time to receive best on ground honours among many who will be drafted in a month's time. Have witnessed some smart quick clearances that certainly raise an eyebrow.

Seeing that brought back memories of his father's 1998 season where he won the B&F, and the pure ruthless aggression he displayed that year at clearances with a large degree of intent to scrap and will himself to get the pill.

Like father, like son. As Todd said on TSFS, "yeah, he has a fair dinkum crack".

That's all die hard Melbourne supporters want.

now lets hope he plays poorly for a season, flys under the radar and we can then use a third round pick on him for fathers son

now lets hope he plays poorly for a season, flys under the radar and we can then use a third round pick on him for fathers son

I think the BOG with 34 possessions puts the spotlight on him for a year and pretty much seals first round pick. Even if he plays at Casey and for his school.

Brad Scott mentioned earlier in the year in relation to father & sons, that if they're considered near top 10, as an opposition club you nominate early anyway, because it's a competition and opposition clubs look to gain any advantage on any other club that has father/son picks. As EJ would say, 'stick it right up them'. So if they nominate with their first round pick - it will be our pick in the first round.

In any case I think we'll get a very good player, so if clubs intend to do that - they can shove it where the sun don't shine.

Yeah, I was being very wishful.

If we use the compensation picks anyway, which is pick 9 or so next season we will have two first round picks in similar areas so probably do pretty well out of it nonetheless.

He would probably be a top 5 or so pick, so getting him with our first round is a steal!

I'm excited to see him play in the VFL next season and slightly worried about him hurting himself haha

I just wonder about the wisdom of playing him at Casey next year instead of with the Oakleigh Chargers. I believe he'll be doing school year 12 so there'll be plenty of pressure from that area as well as completing school team commitments and trying to live the normal life of a teenager. It won't be easy.

Pretty sure they'd be aware of that and let him focus on his studies.

The way I understand it, he'd play mostly school footy, but train with the club occasionally and play the odd VFL game provided he is up to it, exactly as Watts did in his first year.

The real benefit is in the coaching and advice he'd get from the club.

The real benefit is in the coaching and advice he'd get from the club.

...and the sport science stuff that can help him hit the ground running. Not just physios but bio-mechanic knowledge. He should be the most 'looked after' junior player in the country.

I considered that included in "coaching and advice", but yes, specifically that would be better than anything he'd get elsewhere.

Here's an interesting review of the stand out players in the TAC Cup finals from FOOTY TRAGIC.

I think Seb Gotch might be lost to cricket.

Hit 120 playing for the Melbourne First XI in Premier Cricket and I suspect a state berth awaits him soon.