2013 UNDER 18 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

[Machsy 2,858]

Why does that matter? You don't think opposition teams would sit another player in front of Boyd? Have you even seen him play?

Yeah, and I think he has it easy because of his size and the lack of decent opposition.

I'm not saying he'll be a bad player, but I think he's overhyped.

Not top 5 for mine.

Plus we don't need him, with our abundance of talls.

[whatwhat say what 22,783]

can we just settle for a star?

(or two??)

[Machsy 2,858]

For 2nd round, I don't mind Jimmy Tsitas, Lennon, Todd McKay or Hartung.

Stretch was there but I didn't see him suit up.

Could do with some size, but he's still young.

[Jack7 528]

This will be an interesting draft as both GWS and us don't need Boyd so he may slide to the Bulldogs.

I'd love to take Matt Scharenberg in case Chip leaves next year,a ready made perfect replacement and is a better kick that Chip.

I hope we get Sheed,he's ready made and much bigger bodied than Kelly and Aish and his kicking is elite on both sides and goes in hard,head first.

[ThreeOneSix 954]

I don't mind Hartung if he makes it to the second round.

[Generation dee 1,336]

Yeah, and I think he has it easy because of his size and the lack of decent opposition.

I'm not saying he'll be a bad player, but I think he's overhyped.

Not top 5 for mine.

Plus we don't need him, with our abundance of talls.

That's fair enough, but you can only compete against who your opponent is. Whether that be Steve silvagni or a light on 17yo. Not having a crack at jack watts, but the year he won the larke medal he was opposed to defenders like Phil Davis, Jackson trengrove etc, and beat them quite comfortably. I think the players who show courage, desire and timing (on top of skill and talent) are the ones who go on to successful careers, and Boyd shows all of that and more.

This will be an interesting draft as both GWS and us don't need Boyd so he may slide to the Bulldogs.

I'd love to take Matt Scharenberg in case Chip leaves next year,a ready made perfect replacement and is a better kick that Chip.

I hope we get Sheed,he's ready made and much bigger bodied than Kelly and Aish and his kicking is elite on both sides and goes in hard,head first.

I think scharenberg will be a tall midfielder like Kennedy, fyfe etc more than a defender. He has skill and agility, with solid, quick hands. I hope he continues his improvement and finds himself in red and blue next year. Agree with sheed, possibly the best pure midfielder in the champs!

[TheoX 1,222]

VIC METRO 2.1 3.2 5.7 8.7 (55)

SOUTH AUSTRALIA 3.1 4.4 7.4 8.10 (58)

GOALS

Vic Metro: Billings, Lennon, Bontempelli, Kelly McLaren, Honeychurch, Apeness, Hayes

South Australia: Hourigan 3, Reynolds 2, Fantasia, Hewett, Johansen

BEST

Vic Metro: TBC

South Australia: TBC

Apeness hahah

[thedirtydog24 18]

Lennon is top 10. No chance of slipping to the 2nd round.

Kelly/Scharanberg will be the dilemma at Pick 2.

[ThreeOneSix 954]

Lennon is top 10. No chance of slipping to the 2nd round.

Kelly/Scharanberg will be the dilemma at Pick 2.

Kelly or Scharabberg, no complaints either of those guys.

Would be good to have picks 2 and 3, that would be a dream.

[spirit of norm smith 16,476]

1 GWS James Aish
2 MEL Dominic Sheed
3 WB Tom Boyd
4 STK Luke Dunstan
5 SUNS Matt Crouch
6 BRIS Matt Scharenberg
7 PORT Marco Bontempelli
8 KANGAS Luke McDonald *
9 CARL Luke Billings
10 WC Josh Kelly
11 RICH Trent Dumont
12 ESS Ben Lennon
13 CROWS Dwayne Wilson
14 FREM Blake Acres
15 COLL Christian Salem
16 CATS Lewis Taylor
17 SWANS Billy Hartung
18 HAWKS Nick Robertson
19 GWS Kade Kolodjashnij
20 MEL Nathan Freeman
21 WB Darcy Hourigan
22 STK Ben Cavarra
23 SUNS Darcy Gardiner
24 BRIS Issac Conway
25 PORT Alex Spina
26 KANGAS Isaiah Miller
27 CARL Luke Reynolds
28 WC Clayton McCartney
29 RICH Nick Bourke
30 ESS Zac Merrett
31 CROWS Toby Nankervis
32 FREM Cameron Conlan
33 COLL Tom Cutler
34 CATS James Tsitas
35 SWANS Jono Freeman
36 HAWKS Jay Kennedy-Harris
37 GWS Cain Tickner
38 MEL Jarman Impey
39 WB Johnathan Marsh
40 STK Errin Wasley-Black
41 SUNS Patrick Cripps
42 BRIS Jason Cooke
43 PORT Cameron Giles
44 KANGAS Mitchell Honeychurch
45 CARL Nick Holman
46 WC Cameron McCarthy
47 RICH Aiden Franetic
48 ESS Eli Templeton
49 CROWS Malcolm Karpany
50 FREM Dayle Gartlett

[Hannibal 5,814]

I'll watch Vic Country V WA tomorrow.

Recruiters watch dozens of games, interview coaches, family, etc, but I must say I love Kelly. He obviously needs to develop, but along with Aish he was clearly a class above in the second game. Kelly has sticky hands - he just doesn't fumble, moves beautifully, has great decision making, sticks his tackles for a slender guy and reminds me a little of Robbie.

Scharenberg looks dependable, etc, but no wow factor. I didn't see a top 3 pick, but I haven't seen enough. Billings will be a player, but he's not top 5 for mine. Dunstan is a rich man's Stephen Powell. Built like brick outhouse. Terrific left foot kick and will be A grade. I don't see a superstar, but he's plug and play next year. Dumont didn't do much, but has obvious class. Bontempelli didn't have a great game and made a few mistakes, but at his height and clear talent has terrific upside.

Kelly will take a while, but easily had the most natural talent.

Was a very ordinary game.

Edited June 28, 2013 by Ben-Hur

[Hannibal 5,814]

It's rare to get a talent like O'Meara in a draft. O'Meara is the best young mid I've seen come through the draft system. He's like Cotchin on steroids.

There won't be an O'Meara in this draft - imo.

[Adam The God 30,273]

It's rare to get a talent like O'Meara in a draft. O'Meara is the best young mid I've seen come through the draft system. He's like Cotchin on steroids.

There won't be an O'Meara in this draft - imo.

Where does Sheed sit in your calculations, Ben? I may have missed it on one of the earlier pages.

[ThreeOneSix 954]

1 GWS James Aish

2 MEL Dominic Sheed

3 WB Tom Boyd

4 STK Luke Dunstan

5 SUNS Matt Crouch

6 BRIS Matt Scharenberg

7 PORT Marco Bontempelli

8 KANGAS Luke McDonald *

9 CARL Luke Billings

10 WC Josh Kelly

11 RICH Trent Dumont

12 ESS Ben Lennon

13 CROWS Dwayne Wilson

14 FREM Blake Acres

15 COLL Christian Salem

16 CATS Lewis Taylor

17 SWANS Billy Hartung

18 HAWKS Nick Robertson

19 GWS Kade Kolodjashnij

20 MEL Nathan Freeman

21 WB Darcy Hourigan

22 STK Ben Cavarra

23 SUNS Darcy Gardiner

24 BRIS Issac Conway

25 PORT Alex Spina

26 KANGAS Isaiah Miller

27 CARL Luke Reynolds

28 WC Clayton McCartney

29 RICH Nick Bourke

30 ESS Zac Merrett

31 CROWS Toby Nankervis

32 FREM Cameron Conlan

33 COLL Tom Cutler

34 CATS James Tsitas

35 SWANS Jono Freeman

36 HAWKS Jay Kennedy-Harris

37 GWS Cain Tickner

38 MEL Jarman Impey

39 WB Johnathan Marsh

40 STK Errin Wasley-Black

41 SUNS Patrick Cripps

42 BRIS Jason Cooke

43 PORT Cameron Giles

44 KANGAS Mitchell Honeychurch

45 CARL Nick Holman

46 WC Cameron McCarthy

47 RICH Aiden Franetic

48 ESS Eli Templeton

49 CROWS Malcolm Karpany

50 FREM Dayle Gartlett

Perhaps we could persuade Lukes brother Jack to jump aboard?

[DeeSpencer 25,722]

I'll watch Vic Country V WA tomorrow.

Recruiters watch dozens of games, interview coaches, family, etc, but I must say I love Kelly. He obviously needs to develop, but along with Aish he was clearly a class above in the second game. Kelly has sticky hands - he just doesn't fumble, moves beautifully, has great decision making, sticks his tackles for a slender guy and reminds me a little of Robbie.

Scharenberg looks dependable, etc, but no wow factor. I didn't see a top 3 pick, but I haven't seen enough. Billings will be a player, but he's not top 5 for mine. Dunstan is a rich man's Stephen Powell. Built like brick outhouse. Terrific left foot kick and will be A grade. I don't see a superstar, but he's plug and play next year. Dumont didn't do much, but has obvious class. Bontempelli didn't have a great game and made a few mistakes, but at his height and clear talent has terrific upside.

Kelly will take a while, but easily had the most natural talent.

Was a very ordinary game.

How do you factor Kelly's elite endurance at underage level into how he will perform at senior level? Obviously we need top flight runners but you have to factor in how much his advantage over his fellow juniors will disappear when he gets up to AFL level.

Is there a concern that as he puts on weight he'll lose some of the endurance advantage anyway? I'm concerned he ends up another Scully or Kane Lucas who can run all day and dominate under 18's but then he looses that at AFL level.

I'd like to see guys who can play hard contested footy because that's the footy that stands up in September. By no means does that mean I want the solid kids but I'd rather a guy who has to work on some fitness but has the natural ball winning and in tight footy down pat.

[Whispering_Jack 30,235]

Looks like I have plenty of viewing to catch up on with the Foxtel IQ. Not only that but it seems that, based on the results, midfielders will be in plentiful supply

WA pinches nail-biting win in Under-18s

VIC COUNTRY 4.0.24 5.2.32 7.7.49 10.10 (70)

WESTERN AUSTRALIA 3.2.20 4.5.29 7.7.49 11.7 (73)

GOALS

Vic Country: McCartin 5, Scott 3, Willsmore, Crouch

Western Australia: Sheed 4, McCarthy 3, Acres, Main, Cameron, Johnson

BEST

Vic Country: McCartin, Impey, Goddard, Fort, Leslie, Herbert

Western Australia: C Smith, Sheed, Hodgeson, McCarthy, Winton, Acres

Broken collarbone for WA skipper Sheed

U18s: Metro duo shines as SA march on

VIC METRO 2.1.13 3.2.20 5.7.37 8.7 (55)

SOUTH AUSTRALIA 3.1.19 4.4.28 7.4.46 8.10 (58)

GOALS

Vic Metro: Billings, Lennon, Bontempelli, Kelly McLaren, Honeychurch, Apeness, Hayes

South Australia: Hourigan 3, Reynolds 2, Fantasia, Hewett, Johansen

BEST

Vic Metro: Kelly, Honeychurch, Greiser, Kennedy-Harris, Billings

South Australia: McKay, Scharenberg, Pitt, Hewett, Hourigan, Spina, Giles, Dunstan

[DemonFrog 1,354]

WA pinches nail-biting win in Under-18s

VIC COUNTRY 4.0.24 5.2.32 7.7.49 10.10 (70)

WESTERN AUSTRALIA 3.2.20 4.5.29 7.7.49 11.7 (73)

GOALS

Vic Country: McCartin 5, Scott 3, Willsmore, Crouch

Western Australia: Sheed 4, McCarthy 3, Acres, Main, Cameron, Johnson

BEST

Vic Country: McCartin, Impey, Goddard, Fort, Leslie, Herbert

Western Australia: C Smith, Sheed, Hodgeson, McCarthy, Winton, Acres

Go the Sandgropers!

[Hannibal 5,814]

Where does Sheed sit in your calculations, Ben? I may have missed it on one of the earlier pages.

Haven't seen him.

I thought my days of being interested in the draft would be long gone by now, but alas I find myself taping the championships. I'll watch Vic Country v WA some time today and, of course, one viewing of a player means I'm not qualified to have an opinion. Years ago I'd try and watch all the championship matches in Victoria live and see the odd TAC game, but I no longer have the time, or inclination.

There may be someone as good as O'Meara in this draft, but I'd be astonished if there is. As I've already said, he's easily the best young mid I've seen come into the game. Judd would be the closest, but at the same age he's got him covered, imo, so the thought there'd be someone else as good in such a short time would be surprising.

But I look forward to seeing Sheed. Even one game on TV gives you some idea of how good someone may be.

[Hannibal 5,814]

How do you factor Kelly's elite endurance at underage level into how he will perform at senior level? Obviously we need top flight runners but you have to factor in how much his advantage over his fellow juniors will disappear when he gets up to AFL level.

Is there a concern that as he puts on weight he'll lose some of the endurance advantage anyway? I'm concerned he ends up another Scully or Kane Lucas who can run all day and dominate under 18's but then he looses that at AFL level.

I'd like to see guys who can play hard contested footy because that's the footy that stands up in September. By no means does that mean I want the solid kids but I'd rather a guy who has to work on some fitness but has the natural ball winning and in tight footy down pat.

My comments had nothing to do with Kelly's elite endurance. In fact, I didn't refer to it. It was just his class, reading of the play and in particular his hands, the guy doesn't fumble. Watch the game again, notice how many people fumble and study Kelly. He just moves with balance like a thoroughbred. Scully was a running machine, but I doubt anyone ever referred to his "class".

[Machsy 2,858]

I even noticed at times, that although the spirit of the U/18 champs dictates that there is no tagging, Kelly received some treatment off the ball.

There was a concerted effort by SA to impede his run at the ball and ability to get to contests at times, especially around stoppages.

Just interesting to note, since I didn't see much of this in the other games for other players.

[dazzledavey36 54,994]

Can anyone who watched the game tell me about Sheed? Pace, skill, style. how does he play and who does he resemble from the AFL in regards to playing style.

[Whispering_Jack 30,235]

The Division 2 under 18 championships continued at the weekend with Tassie emerging as the favourite:

U18s: Draft prospects star as Tassie inches closer to division two title

U18s: Queensland still alive after last-gasp win

Some more reading:

Double act in the spotlight

Hand break won't slow Crouch down

U18 National Championships: Div 1, Round 4: Stats and Recap

[Machsy 2,858]

My comments had nothing to do with Kelly's elite endurance. In fact, I didn't refer to it. It was just his class, reading of the play and in particular his hands, the guy doesn't fumble. Watch the game again, notice how many people fumble and study Kelly. He just moves with balance like a thoroughbred. Scully was a running machine, but I doubt anyone ever referred to his "class".

Kelly reminds me a lot of Bastinac.

[Whispering_Jack 30,235]

The Teams:

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Backs James Battersby 7 Cameron Giles 31 Sam Durdin 34

H Backs Sean Lemmens 17 Matthew Scharenberg 27 Jake Pitt 29

Centres Trent Dumont 21 Luke Dunstan 20 James Aish 16

H Fwds Jake Johansen 1 Darcy Hourigan 28 Orazio Fantasia 2

Fwds Alex Spina 14 Mitch Harvey 32 Luke Reynolds 24

Followers Peter Steffe 40 Campbell Combe 8 George Hewett 19

Interchange Riley Knight 13 Dwayne Wilson 9 Malcolm Karpany 3 Todd McKay 6

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Backs S.Edwards 18 A.Aliir 51 J.Cuneo 21

H Backs J.Marsh 26 T.Barrass 25 C.Smith 14

Centres B.Johnson 20 J.Pickett 13 R.Lim 34

H Fwds A.Waterman 15 T.Vandeleur 23 T.Keitel 42

Fwds D.Main 10 C.McCarthy 53 C.Cameron 11

Followers D. Cameron 31 P.Cripps 17 J.Jansen 33

Interchange B.Acres 16 D.Winton 30 T.Hodgson 28

VIC COUNTRY

Backs Isaiah Miller 27 Fraser Fort 33 Zak Jones 9

H Backs Nathan Drummond 28 Darcy Gardiner 32 Louis Herbert 12

Centres Nic Bourke 15 James Tsitas 17 Jackson Nelson 19

H Fwds Darcy Lang 14 Patrick McCartin 36 Clayton McCartney 2

Fwds Lewis Taylor 7 Dallas Willsmore 26 Billy Hartung 4

Followers Jack Leslie 38 Zac Merrett 8 Matt Crouch 22

Interchange Jarman Impey 18 Jordan Cunico 6 Hugh Goddard 37 Kyle Hendy 39 Nic Holman 20 Jye Cross 34

VIC METRO

Backs Darcy Byrne-Jones 9 Alex Spencer 34 Jake Lever 27

H Backs Jordan Walker 20 Daniel McStay 33 Lachlan Ritchie 25

Centres Will Maginness 11 Josh Kelly 13 Christian Salem 15

H Fwds Jack Billings 16 Max Hayes 29 Ben Lennon 23

Fwds Jay Kennedy-Harris 1 Michael Apeness 37 Mitch Honeychurch 4

Followers Sean McLaren 35 Luke McDonald 24 Jake Greiser 8

Interchange Nathan Freeman 10 Ben Cavarra 2 Marcus Bontempelli 31 Aiden Franetic 18

Emerg: Hugh Curnow 17 James Sicily 21 Angus Milham 40

Draft Watch: See the predicted top 10 for this year's draft before the national championships conclude

SAM LANDSBERGERS EARLY TIPS FOR THIS YEARS TOP 10

1. TOM BOYD (Vic Metro/Eastern Ranges, 199cm, 102kg)

The gorilla power forward who has clubs licking their lips. A dominant spearhead set to return from ankle damage late in the TAC Cup season.

2. MATT SCHARENBERG (South Australia, 190cm, 89kg)

The ultimate prototype of an AFL player. Great size, elite kick, can play in just about any position - much like Brendon Goddard - and reads the play exceptionally well.

3. JOSH KELLY (Vic Metro/Sandringham Dragons, 182cm, 73kg)

Endurance machine with a pin-point left boot complemented by smarts on his opposite side. Narrowly overlooked in last years mini-draft.

4. JAMES AISH (South Australia, 183cm, 74kg)

All-Australian last year and the youngest ever SANFL premiership player. Gets tagged each week and resembles Scott Pendlebury. Still getting back to his best after a long layoff with shoulder surgery.

5. JACK BILLINGS (Vic Metro/Oakleigh Chargers, 183cm, 78kg)

Another All-Australian from last year, his goal sense and overhead marking make him a devastating half-forward.

6. LUKE MCDONALD (Vic Metro/Werribee VFL, 188cm, 90kg) (Kangaroos father-son)

A rebounding half-back whos biggest weapon is his powerful left foot. Will cost the Roos their first pick.

7. DOMINIC SHEED (Western Australia, 182cm, 82kg)

The player of the carnival until breaking his collarbone last Friday. The best inside midfielder who can go outside and boot crucial goals. Eagles would love this Simon Black type.

8. LEWIS TAYLOR (Vic Country/Geelong Falcons, 173cm, 73kg)

Small, but as creative as they come. Takes opponents on and backs his speed and crafty sidestep, ala Brent Harvey.

9. BEN LENNON (Vic Metro/Northern Knights, 187cm, 79kg)

Hard-working flanker with great hands and an excellent finisher, much like Bob Murphy. Boasts plenty of tricks.

10. KADE KOLODJASHNIJ (Tasmania, 188cm, 76kg)

Soaring up the rankings as a ball magnet who can control matches between the arcs. Good decision-maker suited to the modern game.

* West Australians Jack Martin (Gold Coast) and Jesse Hogan (Melbourne) graduated to AFL clubs last year through the mini-draft

OTHER NAMES TO KEEP AN EYE ON TODAY

Hugh Goddard (Vic Country) - Brendon's cousin. Not eligible until next year.

Marcus Bontempelli (Vic Metro) - Nick Dal Santo's cousin - and it shows.

Darcy Gardiner (Vic Country) - Announced himself shutting down Jesse Hogan on the national stage last year. Competitive beast expected to return today. Should go early in the draft.

Zach Merrett (Vic Country) - Jackson's brother. Boasts a lovely kick.

Jonathan Marsh (WA) - Freakishly athletic forward. Right in the top 10 mix.

Mitch Harvey (SA) - Star AFL scout Matty Rendell's nephew. Tall forward with nice agility and clean hands.

Darcy Hourigan (SA) - A beast who dominated against Metro last week. Looms as the focal point in attack today.

Josh Scott (Vic Country) - A late developing 19-year-old from Lakes Entrance who has 46 TAC Cup goals this season. Might not play against Metro.

Cam McCarthy (WA) - Goaled on the siren to beat Vic Country in Geelong last Friday. The last player to do that was Buddy Franklin nine years ago.

[What 18,810]

1 Aiden Franetic

Ill take this kid based on his surname alone