NT and Vic Metro kick off the Carnival this Saturday at TIO stadium.  The Round Robin will then conclude a month and a bit later on the 5th of July after completion of 5 rounds.  The following players were handpicked from Div 1 as those to keep a particularly close eye on and suspected to feature at the pointy end of the draft.  

Nick Vlastuin: Vic Metro

Jimmy Toumpas: SA

Lachie Whitfield: Vic Country

Mason Shaw: WA

For all those interested in the upcoming draft, the AFL website has also listed other potential players to watch out for.

Div 1 players

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/136637/default.aspx

Div 2 players

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/136621/default.aspx

The fixture can be both found and downloaded as a pdf file from this link.

http://www.afl.com.a...76/default.aspx

*Jack Viney is listed in the Metro team and will be wearing number 35 if his jaw recovers before the end of the tournament.

Although the article doesn't mention him among the absentees, it looks like it's a case of no Jack Viney, no Vic Metro

Rioli cousins wreak havoc in Thunder's U18 stunner

NORTHERN TERRITORY 3.3 7.5 11.8 15.10 (100)

VIC METRO 1.8 3.9 5.13 11.16 (82)

GOALS

Northern Territory: Autio 2, Ankers 2, W Rioli 2, McLean, Assan, Anderson, Barry, McEwin, Renehan, B. Rioli, Tipungwuti, Williams

Vic Metro: Brown 4, Billings 3, Lennon 2, Hrovat, Langdon

BEST

Northern Territory: Tipungwuti, B Rioli, W.Rioli, Anderson, Neade, Lawton, Barry

Vic Metro: Brown, Billings, Hrovat, McKenzie, Lennon, Jaksch

Some interesting results at the completion of round 1 with Div 2 teams troubling the Div 1 teams and WA going down to Queensland.

NSW/ACT Vs Vic Country: Match Report

NSW/ACT 4.2 4.3 4.7 7.9 (51)

VIC COUNTRY 2.2 4.6 7.7 8.12 (60)

GOALS

NSW/ACT: Flaherty 2, Vearing 2, Hampton 2, Burgess

VIC COUNTRY:Crouch 2, Scott 2, Tsitas, Martyn, Garner, Lockyer

BEST

NSW/ACT:Williams, Robinson, Weir, Hampton, Keogh, Baker

VIC COUNTRY: Crouch, Graham, Hartung, Kearns, Close, Garner

Crouch is the younger brother of highly rated Adelaide mini draft selection Brad Crouch and was BOG with 29 disposals (22 contested, 10 clearances).

Tasmania Vs South Australia: Match Report

TASMANIA 1.3 3.4 4.7 7.8 (50)

SOUTH AUSTRALIA 8.0 13.3 25.10 30.14 (194)

GOALS

Tasmania: Walsh 2, Hanson 2, Linnane, Ling, K. Kolodjashnij

South Australia: Menzel 9, O'Brien 6, Kennedy 4, Grundy 3, Toumpas, Amato, Stark, Dumont, McDonough, Broomhead, Mayes, Scharenberg

BEST

Tasmania: Jeffery, Thurlow, Blight, Webster, Grant, Van Den Berg

South Australia: Colquhoun, Menzel, Toumpas, Kennedy, Broomhead, Scharenberg, Montgomery, Grundy

Troy Menzel, rated as a possible top 20 choice at this early stage, is the brother of unlucky cat medfielder Daniel Menzel. Interestingly, Troy has also done an ACL when playing Under 16's.

Queensland Vs Western Australia: Match Report

QUEENSLAND 1.0 3.3 7.5 10.6 (66)

WESTERN AUSTRALIA 0.5 4.8 6.12 8.16 (64)

GOALS

Queensland: Tickner 4, Bourke, Grewar, Gribble, Jones, Power, Wardle

Western Australia: Shaw 2, Yarran 2, Hogan, Garlett, McKenzie, Stokes

BEST:

Queensland: Tickner, Wylde, Ives, Skennar, Power, Jones, Allir

Western Australia: Taylor, Ramsay, Garlett, Lynch, Hogan

Round 2 results

Western Australia Vs NSW/ACT: Match Report

WESTERN AUSTRALIA 3.3 7.7 12.11 14.17 (101)

NSW/ACT 1.2 3.3 4.4 5.5 (35)

GOALS

Western Australia: Shaw 3, Simpson 3, Paparone 2, Hogan 2, McKenzie, Chalmers, Sheed, Martin

NSW/ACT: Hampton, Hargreave, Taylor, Vearing, West

BEST

Western Australia: Lynch, Garlett, Simpson, Hogan, Lowrie, Martin

NSW/ACT: Williams, Robinson, Hargreave, Harper, McGillivray

Vic Country Vs Queensland: Match Report

VIC COUNTRY 2.3 5.8 10.11 15.15 (105)

QUEENSLAND 1.1 1.1 1.4 1.5 (11)

GOALS

Vic Country: Whitfield 3, Close 2, Hans 2, Martyn 2, Bourke, Herbert, Taylor, Pierce, Taylor, Tsitas

Queensland: Brown

BEST

Vic Country: Whitfield, Wines, Taylor, Wright, Close, Hans

Queensland: Conway, Wardle, Jones, Power, Wolbers, Boston

South Australia Vs Northern Territory: Match Report

SOUTH AUSTRALIA 6.3 11.6 15.9 16.13 (109)

NORTHERN TERRITORY 2.2 5.3 7.6 12.8 (80)

GOALS

South Australia: Menzel 6, Murdoch 3, O'Brien 2, Colquhoun, McDonough Toumpas, Kennedy, Wilson

Northern Territory: Anderson 2, Barry 2, W Rioli 2, Tipungwuti 2, Stokes, Lawton, B Rioli, J Williams

BEST

South Australia: Colquhoun, Grundy, Menzel, Kennedy, Montgomery, Luccon

Northern Territory: D Williams, Tipungwuti, Neade, Anderson, Barry, J Williams, W Rioli

Vic Metro Vs Tasmania: Match Report

VIC METRO 6.4 9.7 17.8 21.11 (137)

TASMANIA 2.2 5.3 5.3 6.5 (41)

GOALS

Vic Metro: Jaksch 6, Macrae 6, Temay 2, Stewart, Hunter, Tyquin, Wood, Ballard, Corr

Tasmania: Smith, Kendall, Hibberd, Z Webster, Van Den Berg, Bones

BEST

Vic Metro: Macrae, Vlastuin, Ballard, Jaksch, Hrovat, Temay

Tasmania: Thurlow, Templeton, Van Den Berg, Z Webster, Walsh, Murphy

Highly rated Vlastuin is again up there in the bests for Vic Metro while Troy Menzel, brother of unlucky Geelong midfielder Daniel, stars for SA two weeks in a row, this time booting 6 goals (for a total of 15 in 2 games). Top draft prospect and touted No. 1 pick Lachie Whitfield dominates for Vic Metro with a BOG performance. Garlett and Simpson from WA are receiving some praise and may be players to look out for come draft time.

I went and watched the two games at Visy Park, thought the top players in particular Whitfield was very well- but worried about the depth.Saw a beauty in Jarks , a195 cm utility tall-( can play either back ot forward , played forward and kicked 6, great hands and a rolls Royce kicking action.Looked the goods.A smokie in the name of Herbert felon Vic Country very much impressed me.

Not. As much depth as I expected and very short of many good talls or rucks.

Anyone seen Menzel in action? Sounds like he can play.

Did I read it right that he kicked 15 in two games?

I went and watched the two games at Visy Park, thought the top players in particular Whitfield was very well- but worried about the depth.Saw a beauty in Jarks , a195 cm utility tall-( can play either back ot forward , played forward and kicked 6, great hands and a rolls Royce kicking action.Looked the goods.A smokie in the name of Herbert felon Vic Country very much impressed me.

Not. As much depth as I expected and very short of many good talls or rucks.

Just wondering about this smokie jayceebee.

If worst comes to worst in the NT court system (and heaven forbid that it should happen!) would Herbert felon be an adequate replacement?

Anyone seen Menzel in action? Sounds like he can play.

Did I read it right that he kicked 15 in two games?

The fact that he's already done an ACL and his Brother has already done two (each knee) must be a concern.

I think Menzel has been good, but it's very likely there'll be better players available at our first 3 picks, and he'll likely be gone by our 4th.

I went and watched the two games at Visy Park, thought the top players in particular Whitfield was very well- but worried about the depth.Saw a beauty in Jarks , a195 cm utility tall-( can play either back ot forward , played forward and kicked 6, great hands and a rolls Royce kicking action.Looked the goods.A smokie in the name of Herbert felon Vic Country very much impressed me.

Not. As much depth as I expected and very short of many good talls or rucks.

Once we add Travis Cloke to our list, we should be sweet on quality talls for a while.

I think Menzel has been good, but it's very likely there'll be better players available at our first 3 picks, and he'll likely be gone by our 4th.

I think I read somewhere that he had the LARS done. Surely not at such a young age?

Yes, definitely had LARS. I have no idea why.

I went yesterday too. Pretty disappointing. And very cold. I think we're going to have to wait until SA comes over.

Just wondering about this smokie jayceebee.

If worst comes to worst in the NT court system (and heaven forbid that it should happen!) would Herbert felon be an adequate replacement?

Good one WJ, sorry typo on IPad,

Herbert,a North Ballarat, Sth Warnambool, bullet, fast & smart, reads the play very well.(186,70kls,27 June94) can play ,will be picked up.Another player- international - a chance to be picked up, similar to be Jong last year's long shot- picked up by Bulldogs is Q'lands -Aliir Aliir , 193, utility whom can play anywhere, ruck, wing,CHB, CHF,(193,82, born Sept,94)- got potential, development in a year short of talls.

Once we add Travis Cloke to our list, we should be sweet on quality talls for a while.

We will not take the risk on Cloke, but I also think we will go for a other tall somewhere early. However with Davis, Cook, Sheahan doing so well at Casey, we may just go for quality smalls- mids, forward and another small back to add to our list.

Big thank you to the people that give there time to attend these games and provide some futher insight into the potential draftees. I believe Emma Quayle has questioned the much reported depth of this draft. This can only be beneficial to us as we'll have at least 3 quality picks where it counts, compared to 2008 where we had some good picks but every club was able to snag a quality player at some point in the draft.

Another player- international - a chance to be picked up, similar to be Jong last year's long shot- picked up by Bulldogs is Q'lands -Aliir Aliir , 193, utility whom can play anywhere, ruck, wing,CHB, CHF,(193,82, born Sept,94)- got potential, development in a year short of talls.

I've taught and coached this kid since he was about 13. He's definitely athletic. I always worried about his intensity and his hardness but he's had an impressive 12 months. The rest of his family moved to WA and AFL Qld encouraged him to stay up here and gave him a job and a lot of AFLQ staff give him a good chance of being drafted.

I've actually got a connection to two others in the QLD U18's - Ives and Gribble. Gribble is still underage but like Aliir has had a really impressive 12 months. He's got good goal sense and good skills. He's building a motor and is gradually getting harder and harder (his weakness). Should be a chance to be drafted next year or rookied by one of the QLD teams.

The real gem is Ives - the kid is a freak. Despite his height (listed for the carnival at 176 but I thought a little taller) he ticks all the boxes. He ran a 14.1 beep when he was 13, has great skills and has an impressive vertical leap and marking game for his size. He knows where the goals are and loves the physical side of the contest having played plenty of Rugby League when he was younger. Would love it if the Dees identified him as late draft possibility. I'd definitely take the chance.

Just wondering about this smokie jayceebee.

If worst comes to worst in the NT court system (and heaven forbid that it should happen!) would Herbert felon be an adequate replacement?

Hahaha

Apparently very very good on the run... boom boom,

Hahaha

Apparently very very good on the run... boom boom,

He plays with a lot of conviction.

Hahaha

Apparently very very good on the run... boom boom,

Your sarcasm should be zoom zoom

Big thank you to the people that give there time to attend these games and provide some futher insight into the potential draftees. I believe Emma Quayle has questioned the much reported depth of this draft. This can only be beneficial to us as we'll have at least 3 quality picks where it counts, compared to 2008 where we had some good picks but every club was able to snag a quality player at some point in the draft.

Thanks for your appreciation , I was talking to John Turnbull at the games and he made comments similar to Emma, the depth is not there,I also agree- and I have been watching this comp for over 20 years now. No where near the depth of last year IMO.

I wouldnt mind Garlett if we can pick him up with our 2nd rounder (if worse comes to worse and we need to use our 1st rounder on Viney)

Thanks for your appreciation , I was talking to John Turnbull at the games and he made comments similar to Emma, the depth is not there,I also agree- and I have been watching this comp for over 20 years now. No where near the depth of last year IMO.

That's really interesting, where do you think the gold is before it bottoms out? are the top picks being highlighted because of a lack of opposition and if so are they not as good as has been quoted?

For those of you that are interested, Knightmare from bigfooty puts a lot of work into producing mock drafts this year and has a great knowledge of U18's football, it is a fantastic read. He has updated his rankings from his last report that was done pre-season.

Knightmares 2012 Mock Draft

For what its worth he has Jack Viney only behind Lachlan Whitfield and Jaeger O'Meara essentially rating him as the 2nd best player available in the draft.

Round 3

South Australia vs Vic Metro : Match Report

SOUTH AUSTRALIA 2.2 7.4 10.7 12.13 (85)

VIC METRO 6.3 9.5 14.5 16.7 (103)

GOALS

South Australia: McDonough 6, Grundy 3, Stark, Gill, O'Brien

Vic Metro: Billings 5, Hunter 2, Macrae 2, O'Rourke, Haynes, Ballard, Daniher, Salem, Lennon, Tyquin

BEST

South Australia: Kennedy, Scharenberg, Stark, McDonough, Colquhoun, Montgomery

Vic Metro: Hrovat, McDonald, Billings, Vlastuin, O'Rourke, McKenzie, Kelly

Western Australia vs Vic Country: Match Report

Whitfield leading the pack

WESTERN AUSTRALIA 4.3 7.5 9.9 13.14 (92)

VIC COUNTRY 1.1 6.5 10.6 11.8 (74)

GOALS

Western Australia: Shaw 4, Hogan 3, Paparone 2, Martin 2, Deluca 2

Vic Country: Whitfield 3, Garner 3, Hartung, Martyn, McCartney, Saunders, Morrison

BEST

Western Australia: Martin, Howson, Deluca, Hogan, Shaw, Lim

Vic Country: Whitfield, Garner, Wines, Wright, Crouch, Pierce, Gardiner

Queensland vs Tasmania: Match Report

QUEENSLAND 1.4 4.11 4.13 6.17 (53)

TASMANIA 3.1 5.3 7.6 9.7 (61)

GOALS

Queensland: Bourke 3, Wardle, Tickner, Coleman-Broome

Tasmania: Z Webster 2, Van den Berg 2, M Walsh, Douglas, Grant, Kendall, K Kolodjashnij

BEST

Queensland: Boston, Conway, Grewar, Rutledge, Skennar

Tasmania: Van den Berg, Hibberd, Nankervis, J Kolodjashnij, M Walsh, Lonergan

NSW/ACT vs Northern Territory: Match Report

NSW/ACT 0.4 3.5 4.9 6.11 (47)

NORTHERN TERRITORY 4.3 9.7 12.7 20.10 (130)

GOALS

NSW/ACT: Flaherty 3, Redfern, Clothier, Weir

Northern Territory: Anderson 3, Assan 3, Roberts 2, Williams 2, McEwin 2, Tipungwuti 2, Alice, Barry, Ankers, Stokes, Neade, Hatcher

BEST

NSW/ACT: Flaherty, Clothier, Hampton, Redfern

Northern Territory: Neade, McEwin, Tipungwuti, Anderson, Wasley-Black, Alice

Edited June 26, 201213 yr by Nascent

should get in whitfields ear and tell him we'll take him so he gets to stay in Vic instead of havn to live interstate. maybe he can refuse to be interviewed by GC or GWS