The two young AIS/AFL Academy lads, Oscar Clavarino (#8) and Luke Davies-Uniacke (#31) who have been doing work experience at Melbourne over the last couple of weeks both loom as terrific prospects in next year's draft. I think we're going to hear a lot more about them in 2017.

Bigfooty's grundog49 describes them as follows:-

Oscar Clavarino
Dandenong Stingrays/Vic Country
Key Defender
Height: 194 cm Weight: 80 kg D.O.B: 22/5/99

The marquee key defender for the draft, Clavarino is a rock in defense. A player who has been on the radar of recruiters for a while, Clavarino has stepped up to the speed of TAC cup football and held down a key post all year. This year for Dandenong and Vic Country, Clavarino has showed that he can both stop and also provide a rebounding target on the way out. Oscar loves to intercept the football at every opportunity but definitely knows when it's best to fist the ball out of play. Oscar is just the all round key defender with a great mix of stopping, rebounding and intercepting which makes him one of the most influential players on the ground no matter the situation.

Luke Davies-Uniacke
Dandenong Stingrays/Vic Country
Inside Midfielder
Height: 187 cm Weight: 86 kg D.O.B: 8/6/99

The mystery man for the 2017 AFL draft is one who you can underestimate. After an incredible u15 schoolboys championships where he was named the best player for the carnival, Luke has faced some injury issues the last two years. These issues combined with school football commitments at Haileybury have limited the exposure recruiters get when looking at him playing against the best players in the state. Despite this, Luke played some very good football in his three total games at rep level including a very strong game against the Allies in the u18 Championships. Luke Davies-Uniacke is your prototype big bodied midfielder and unlike many other inside midfielder, has great foot skills to match his contested ball winning ability.

Yes, I only saw a bit of both of them when I was at the (supposed) final training session of the year last Friday and both appeared to be handling themselves well in a highly professional environment. All indications are that they will fit in well at an AFL club - especially Clavarino who should be close to a top 10 pick if he continues to develop in 2017. 

It would be nice if the Dandenong Stingrays was declares an MFC Academy zone in the real sense where we could have the right to match bids if other clubs wanted these players.

47 minutes ago, Whispering_Jack said:

Yes, I only saw a bit of both of them when I was at the (supposed) final training session of the year last Friday and both appeared to be handling themselves well in a highly professional environment. All indications are that they will fit in well at an AFL club - especially Clavarino who should be close to a top 10 pick if he continues to develop in 2017. 

It would be nice if the Dandenong Stingrays was declares an MFC Academy zone in the real sense where we could have the right to match bids if other clubs wanted these players.

I don't think so 'Jack'.

Maybe Sandringham or Oakleigh would be better bets but in all honesty I would hate to see a return to zones.

It's a real retrograde step.

On 23/12/2016 at 1:18 AM, 254alonzoraymond said:

Oscar Clavarino
Dandenong Stingrays/Vic Country
Key Defender
Height: 194 cm Weight: 80 kg D.O.B: 22/5/99

The marquee key defender for the draft, Clavarino is a rock in defense. A player who has been on the radar of recruiters for a while, Clavarino has stepped up to the speed of TAC cup football and held down a key post all year. This year for Dandenong and Vic Country, Clavarino has showed that he can both stop and also provide a rebounding target on the way out. Oscar loves to intercept the football at every opportunity but definitely knows when it's best to fist the ball out of play. Oscar is just the all round key defender with a great mix of stopping, rebounding and intercepting which makes him one of the most influential players on the ground no matter the situation.

Watching the Friday training session and wondering who number 8 was. 

I was concerned about his attack on the ball, seemed a bit timid in contested situations.

Wasn't hitting the ball up hard.

Then I realised he was an academy kid and not one of ours.

He's a kid in a foreign environment and has time on his side.

Will be interested to watch his development this year & beyond.

18 minutes ago, rjay said:

I don't think so 'Jack'.

Maybe Sandringham or Oakleigh would be better bets but in all honesty I would hate to see a return to zones.

It's a real retrograde step.

Not for GWS or Sydney rjay

29 minutes ago, rjay said:

I don't think so 'Jack'.

Maybe Sandringham or Oakleigh would be better bets but in all honesty I would hate to see a return to zones.

It's a real retrograde step.

Zones have been forced on us through the northern states academies 'rjay'. 

I suggested Dandenong Stingrays because they are located close to Casey Fields and would make a good fit in the transition from high end junior into senior football. 

Just now, Whispering_Jack said:

Zones have been forced on us through the northern states academies 'rjay'. 

I suggested Dandenong Stingrays because they are located close to Casey Fields and would make a good fit in the transition from high end junior into senior football. 

We would be the loser with the Stingrays 'Jack'...

13 minutes ago, Return to Glory said:

Not for GWS or Sydney rjay

I think it would be better if the AFL controlled the academies in the long run 'Return'.

I understand the reasoning behind them but particularly in GWS's case they have become a rort...

I can't decide if their names sound like musical instruments or anatomy.

Either way, definitely should recruit on that basis alone.

Another Oscar in the backline!  Could confuse oppositions and supporters alike. :-)

Luke would need a surname change - a bit of a mouthful as is stands.  LDU?

Just put sufficient bling into a couple of Caymen Is accounts and tell them not to play for the rest of the year.

I remember Oscar Clavarino from WA vs Vic Country terrible haircut with a long pony tail which actually made him standout as someone you remember and recognise when he goes near the ball and track his movement.   Have to say (and it will be in my match post of the U18 champs somewhere)the boy was a very good defender. Read the play well and was brave backing into contests. I seem to recall him leaving his opponent on occasion to go third man up or drop in front of a player to intercept. Will be interested to see how he goes this season 

I always but their clothes.

Their Spring collection is adorable.