Whispering_Jack

VIC COUNTRY THE STAR: HARVEY LANGFORD A powerful midfielder from the Dandenong Stingrays, Langford finished the tournament not only as Vic Country's MVP but also as a joint winner of the Larke Medal. A hardworking contest star, Langford also has a booming kick when he finds space on the outside and can take a strong mark. He averaged 25.5 disposals, 6.3 clearances and 7.5 score involvements across his four games for Vic Country. "He was superb from the first game against SA," Vic Country coach Paul Corrigan said. "He just carried that form through for us. He pretty much played the whole time in the middle. He was exceptional around stoppages and clearances. "He also found a lot of ball on the outside, but also proved on the weekend he's got that aerial prowess to go forward and mark the footy and hit the scoreboard as well. I just thought his whole campaign was super consistent and really impressive for us." THE SURPRISE: JOE BERRY While he didn't necessarily surprise after a strong start to the season with the Murray Bushrangers, Berry's stocks did rise during the championships. The clever 180cm forward from Wangaratta who can hurt opposition sides in multiple ways, Berry booted nine goals across his four matches during the tournament including a 14 disposal and three-goal game against Vic Metro last weekend. "I thought his carnival as well was exceptional as a small forward," Corrigan said. "He's just so lively. He's one of those players that can play deep one-on-one, he can come up the ground. His defensive acts were really good. He's got really good speed and power. He hits the scoreboard, too. The other thing that we liked about him too was we injected him through the midfield at times and he just gave us a different spark at times and that ability to change up what was in there." Supercoach Rankings Name Position Games Average J. Alger Gen Fwd 4 60.0 R. Andrew Mid 1 47.0 J. Barrat Key Fwd 3 60.3 J. Berry Gen Fwd 4 85.3 F. Burmeister Ruck 4 44.0 H. Charleson Mid 4 73.3 A. Day-Wicks Gen Fwd 3 65.0 J. Doherty Ruck 1 34.0 W. Duursma Key Def 3 68.3 J. Faull Key Fwd 3 59.0 O. Hannaford Mid 3 56.3 N. Hibbins-Hargreaves Gen Fwd 1 65.0 C. Hynes Mid 4 90.0 X. Ivisic Mid 4 103.8 L. Jaques Gen Def 4 90.3 S. Lalor Mid 3 80.7 H. Langford Mid 4 129 X. Lindsay Mid 3 116.7 M. Lloyd Key Def 2 70.0 F. O'Sullivan Mid 2 56.0 R. Onley Mid 3 63.7 J. Ough Mid 4 68.8 C. Paul Mid 1 20.0 F. Penry Ruck 1 39.0 R. Stevens Mid-Fwd 2 75.0 A. Tauru Key Def 3 42.0 T. Travaglia Mid 4 112.0 R. Unwin Gen Fwd 2 36.5

SOUTH AUSTRALIA THE STAR: BEN CAMPOREALE Carlton fans have plenty to be excited about after father-son prospect Ben Camporeale produced an impressive under-18 national championships campaign for South Australia. Camporeale was named the side's MVP after averaging 26.8 disposals, 5.3 marks and 4.5 clearances across a very consistent four games. The son of Blues premiership player Scott, Camporeale is clean in the contest, has a good balance between his inside and outside game, brings elite workrate and is creative going forward. "He played as an inside mid for us in all four games. Totally different role," South Australia coach Tony Bamford said. "He was able to impact in contest and stoppage really, really well. Kicking's still a work in progress in terms of his connection with forwards going inside 50, but most midfielders need to work on that. But his leadership, his contest, his energy and drive and his ability to set us up around the contest was really important as an inside mid." THE SURPRISE: CHARLIE NICHOLLS He might not have been South Australia's best or most consistent player of the championships, but Nicholls showed more than a few exciting glimpses. A 197cm key forward who leads well and can take strong contested marks, Nicholls particularly impressed in the side's second game against Vic Country when he racked up 11 disposals, nine marks (four contested) and kicked 1.3. "He played as a key forward in the first three games and then we put him to a key back position for game four," Bamford said. "He runs great patterns. He was clearly a smart forward in terms of knowing where to go and when to go. He clearly likes to run. He's getting up the ground and it gives him an ability to showcase his running power as opposed to staying deep. "He's really elevated himself this year and we're really pleased for him. He's a kid from the Barossa so he's had to travel an hour and a half each way to get the training during the last three months. So he's really committed." Supercoach Rankings Name Position Games Ranking N. Atkinson Gen Fwd 1 31.0 H. Barker Gen Def 3 50.3 B. Barrett Mid 2 67.0 R. Borlace Ruck 1 57.0 N. Bowman Gen Fwd 4 44.5 E. Bradley Gen Fwd 4 51.8 R. Burgoyne Gen Def 1 58.0 B. Camporeale Mid 4 116.5 L. Camporeale Mid 4 90.3 A. Clarke Key Def 4 92.5 S. Cumming Mid 2 76.5 T. Delmenico Key Def 3 36.7 H. Dodd Mid 1 54.0 A. Dodson Ruck 3 114.0 S. Draper Mid 4 77.5 P. Hargrave Mid 4 88.5 J. Hasting Mid 4 52.8 K. Herbert Mid 4 53.8 N. Howes Key Fwd 2 68.5 T. McKay Key Fwd 4 51.3 L. Montgomery Gen Def 4 59.0 J. Newton Mid 4 72.8 C. Nicholls Key Fwd 4 60.8 J. Phillipou Mid 1 23.0 H. Ramm Ruck 3 28.7 T. Rosenzweig Key Fwd 2 28.5 D. Sharp Mid 4 109.5 J. Sheean Key Def 4 57.8 D. Sterzl Mid 1 36.0 T. Welsh Key Fwd 4 50.8 C. West Key Fwd 2 88.5

ALLIES THE STAR: LEO LOMBARD The Gold Coast Suns Academy member was a joint winner of the Larke Medal as the best-performed player of the tournament. A prolific ball-winning onballer who can also feature forward or back, Lombard works hard contest-to-contest, is incredibly clean with his hands and skills, brings great energy and can have an impact on the scoreboard. He averaged 26.3 disposals, 4.8 clearances, 4.5 tackles and kicked four goals across his four games. "He certainly caught the eye with his explosiveness and power and I think that's his main weapon, is his ability to be able to break through traffic and get on to double-up possessions through his hard work," Allies coach Mitch Hahn said of Lombard. "He was able to win some clearances but more importantly was able to hit the scoreboard as well. He challenged the opposition defenders to say, well, if you don't go with me, I can hurt you on the scoreboard. He's going to be a really good prospect for the draft with those attributes that he's got." THE SURPRISE: JOBE SHANAHAN A 194cm forward who is mobile, presents well and can take a strong contested mark, Shanahan would have climbed up some draft boards with his performances during the championships. His best game was his last against Vic Country, when he logged 16 disposals, nine marks (four contested) and kicked 3.1 for the Allies. Shanahan has been a regular goalkicker for the Bendigo Pioneers in the Coates Talent League this season, but played for the Allies given he resides in Moama just over the New South Wales border. "From a tall perspective, he was someone who just continued to build and get better as the program went along," Hahn said of Shanahan. "His marking ability and movement around the ground was something that really helped us in that last game against Vic Country, especially to be able to keep us as close as we were. His ability to be able to hit the scoreboard, to work out and bring others into it was important for us. He was a really solid contributor for us across the four games as well." Supercoach Rankings Name Position Games Ranking N. Andreacchio Gen Def 3 76.0 D. Annable Mid 4 106.0 C. Bell Key Fwd 4 58.3 L. Carmichael Gen Def 4 81.5 N. Chamberlain Mid-Fwd 2 75.0 J. Cochran Key Def 4 65.8 W. Davey-Motlop Gen Fwd 1 32.0 O. Dean Ruck 1 34.0 J. Delana Mid 4 78.8 O. Depaoli-Kubank Mid-Fwd 4 72.8 L. Douglas Gen Fwd 3 45.0 T. Gallop Key Fwd 2 12.5 R. Gilder Gen Def 4 39.3 T. Gillett Ruck 1 57.0 J. Harrison Mid 3 44.0 L. Hogan Mid 2 71.5 B. Kennedy Gen Def 4 59.8 L. Lombard Mid 4 119.8 S. Marshall Mid 4 123.0 F. McFadyen Mid-Fwd 4 46.3 R. Mentha Gen Fwd 2 25.5 Z. Millane Gen Def 2 42.0 J. Murphy Key Fwd 4 64.5 B. Richardson Ruck 3 58.3 J. Shanahan Key Fwd 4 77.0 L. Smith Ruck 4 80.0 T. Stanley Mid 2 80.0 N. Sulzberger Mid 4 44.3 Z. Uwland Mid 4 106.0 K. White Key Def 1 39.0

The on line edition of the Herald Sun has an article today by Chris Cavanagh which rates all of the players in the championships. He also nominates the stars and surprises from each team which I will put up on the following pages.

They're all scrambling to get their lists out. Here's Cal Twomey's Phantom Form Guide: Top draft prospects' July ranking A few differences between this one and that of AFL Draft Central and the still glaring omissions of the Camporeale twins and Walsh from SA. My favourite is Harvey Langford who comes in at #4 here but was in the 20s in the Draft Central rankings. 1. Levi Ashcroft 2. Josh Smillie 3. Finn O'Sullivan 4. Harvey Langford 5. Murphy Reid 6. Jagga Smith 7. Luke Trainor 8. Sam Lalor 9. Sid Draper 10. Bo Allan 11. Leo Lombard 12. Taj Hotton 13. Tobie Travaglia 14. Harry Armstrong 15. Isaac Kako 16. Xavier Lindsay 17. Joe Berry 18. Jack Whitlock 19. Cooper Hynes 20. Tom Gross 21. Sam Marshall 22. Christian Moraes 23. Alex Dodson 24. Alixzander Tauru 25. Harrison Oliver 26. Matt Whitlock 27. Jobe Shanahan 28. Jonty Faull 29. Thomas Sims 30. Noah Mraz

Right on cue, the AFL Draft Central 2024 Power Rankings are out. I’ll load them up as they came in -

There are changes coming to the rules relating to NGA access in drafts. AFL proposes change to NGA access for this year’s draft

It was Round 11, 2022 at the MCG when Fremantle came back from a 25 point deficit at half time to beat Melbourne by 38 points. They met again in Round 20 at Optus Stadium and the Demons won by 46 points making it an 84 point turnaround - more if you take into account that half time MCG deficit. At the time, loading by the Melbourne fitness team was raised by many to explain the amazing improvement from one game to the next. So … it … can … be … done

The Herald Sun recognising the quality of our youth:- EIGHT KIDS KEEPING DEES IN FINALS MIX - HERALD SUN ONLINE • Jacob Van Rooyen, 21, who kicked four goals last week then was exceptional in the ruck against Draper. • Trent Rivers, 23, who has peeled off six excellent games in the midfield and has had 29 possessions in successive weeks as well as 15 total clearances. • Judd McVee, 20, who has had another excellent year as a miserly defender averaging 17 touches while kicking at 80 per cent efficiency. • Kysaiah Pickett, 23, who has kicked 12 goals in the past five weeks and 39 total score involvements. • Wingman Caleb Windsor, 19, who has played all 17 games in a year that could be rewarded with the Rising Star and has kicked a goal in each of the past two games. • Koltyn Tholstrup, 19, who has played the last four games for five in total in his debut year and who has only two goals but seven direct score assists in that time. • Andy Moniz-Wakefield, 20, who has played three games as a pacy defender and is averaging six intercept possessions and 14 possessions. • Daniel Turner, 22, who has kicked 11.3 and seven goals in the past four weeks (three against Essendon) as another key forward prospect for the Demons.

Getting close to favouritism in the Rising Star ⭐️

Another Demon from Melbourne’s golden era, Jim Sandral has passed away. Sandral was a member of the club’s 1956 premiership team and only spent two years at the club before he went off to the country at the end of 1957 for a long and illustrious career which stretched well into the mid 60s. Condolences to his family.

I haven’t seen as much of the National Championships and Coates League games as I have in the past but it seems fairly clear to me that there’s one glaring difference between this year and the last. In 2023, it was Harley Reid first and daylight next. At the head of the following pack was Colby McKercher so North did well to snare him, although the lure of Tasmania will soon be a factor with him. Time will tell, but I think Jason Taylor has done well to get Caleb Windsor and Koltyn Tholstrup although I felt at the time that with our draft hand, we could have tried for one more young player from the top 40 players. By way of contrast, 2024 is far more open and there is a plethora of opinion as to who fits into the top dozen players. There are candidates from everywhere putting their hands up so having first pick in this draft won’t be as big a deal on the face of it, as last year. For example, hard nosed midfielder Harvey Langford who appeals to me as the prototypical Jason Taylor selection and who shared the Larke Medal was ranked at only 17 by Davo-27 (see above). The Power rankings and Phantom drafts that come out in coming months are going to be interesting.

To wrap up the final game of the national championships. Scouting Notes: 2024 AFL U18s – Vic Metro vs. Vic Country

Perhaps @binman might wish to expand on this thought and what it might mean for the Dees on Sunday 😀

That blond bloke in the picture is the late Greg Parke, a high flying key forward who sadly passed away in the eve of Melbourne’s 2021 premiership.

15 July 1967 - on this day in 1967, an 18-year-old, 189cm ruckman from Tasmania, Max Walker, made his debut for the Demons on the MCG against the Kangaroos wearing the number 46 guernsey. His 15 kicks, 18 hitouts, 7 marks and goal helped his team across the line by 3 points. He had risen dramatically from the Under 19s to seniors in just over half a season after being discovered the year before in a schoolboy’s grand final. He went on to wear the number 1 in the following season when he established himself in the Melbourne lineup. Walker played 85 games for the Dees by the end of 1972 when he was called up to play in the Australian Test Cricket team. The tangle-footed right arm medium pace bowler was played as a foil for the famed express duo of Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson. Although he was trained as an architect, Walker went on to become a popular television cricket commentator, public speaker and author. Walker passed away in 2016.

Clubhouse leader.

Melbourne captain Max Gawn provides update on injury return timeframe

Surely though, they should have called the bloke who kicked the two for the Bombers by the name of “Langdon”, for the sake of inconsistency?😀

I like the cut of Harvey Langford’s jib. He looks to me to be exactly the type of player Goody would want to recruit in the draft.