2005 potential draftees thread

[mightytiges]

What did you think of Tom Redden's game RT?

Key Positions that Impressed me this weekend that may be in the RFC draft mix

Here's a bit of info from footydraft.com

1) Beau Dowler
Club: Noble Park/Oakleigh Chargers, Vic
DOB: 16 December 1987
Hgt: 192cm Wgt: 84kg
Position: Forward
Natural Foot: Right

2) Josh Kennedy
Club: East Fremantle, WA
DOB: 25 July 1987
Hgt: 193cm Wgt: 93kg

3) Matthew Spangher
Club: Xavier/Eastern Ranges, Vic
DOB: 23 April 1987
Hgt: 193cm Wgt: 84kg
Position: Centre Half Back
Natural Foot: Right Footer

4) Cleve Hughes
Club: Norwood / Lobethal, SA
DOB: 15 January 1987
Hgt:193cm Wgt: 85kg

5) Lachlan Hansen
Club: Gippsland/Nar Nar Goon, Vic 
DOB: 17 August 1988
Hgt: 195cm Wgt: 84kg

6) Mitch Thorp
Club: Northern Bombers, Tas.
DOB: 25 December 1988
Hgt: 193cm Wgt: 81kg

Yeah RT both Hansen and Thorp will be ready for next year's draft. Big boys for 16 year olds.

7) Mitch Clark- Disappointing today
Club: East Fremantle, WA
DOB: 19 October 1987 Hgt: 197cm Wgt: 90kg

[one-eyed]

Queensland into 'final'
4:43:12 PM Tue 28 June, 2005
Matt Burgan at Skilled Stadium
Exclusive to afl.com.au

Queensland has thrashed Northern Territory by 51 points to set up a fascinating showdown with Tasmania for the second division title in the 2005 NAB AFL under 18 championships.

The Scorpions 15.7 (97) defeated the Thunder 6.10 (46) in the second of the double-header played at Skilled Stadium on Tuesday. Queensland will now meet the Apple Isle on Saturday at Optus Oval.

After winning two of the past three division-two titles in 2002 and 2004, Northern Territory suffered its second consecutive 50-plus point defeat, after Tasmania thrashed it in the opening match on Saturday.

Queensland never looked in doubt, leading at every change, while the Territory was never in the hunt, after it produced just one goal in the first half.
 
The Scorpions had 10 separate goalkickers, while Glen Screech (three goals), Julian Kannis (two), Lee Spurr (two) and Jessie White (two) all multiple scorers.

Brad Howard was Queensland's leading possession winner, with 21 touches, while Austin Lucy, Spurr and Kannis were also among the Scorpions' best.

For the Northern Territory, Trevor Oliver continued his fine carnival, as he collected 21 disposals - his side's best - while Jethro Calma-Holt chipped in with two of the Thunder's six goals.

Queensland started in a blaze of glory, when slammed four in a row to gain a 22-point lead.

Austin Wonaeamirri broke through with Northern Territory's first for the match at the 17-minute mark of the first term, yet when Courtenay Dempsey added Queensland's fifth for the quarter, the Scorpions were back out to a 22-point lead at the first change.

Queensland dominated the first half and added a further three goals in the second term, as the Thunder was held scoreless during that period.

The Scorpions took a 40-point lead into half-time and by three quarter-time the match was well and truly over. Queensland had extended the margin to 47 points after adding three goals to two.

Although Northern Territory added three goals in the final term, which was its best for the match, it proved far too late, as Queensland added another four to its name and recorded its second win of the tournament.

QUEENSLAND: 5.1 8.4 11.6 15.7 (97)
NORTHERN TERRITORY: 1.3 1.6 3.7 6.10 (46)

GOALS -
Queensland: Screech 3, Kannis 2, Spurr 2, White 2, Dempsey, Dzufer, Fletcher, Mills, Mueller, Nuss
Northern Territory: Calma-Holt 2, Gale, Irwin, G.McLean, Wonaeamirri

BEST -
Queensland: Howard, Spurr, Kannis, Screech, Lucy, White, Fletcher
Northern Territory: Oliver, Wonaeamirri, Calma-Holt, Stephensen, Measures

UMPIRES - Brown, Elliott, Ryan
At Skilled Stadium

http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=211846

[one-eyed]

Tassie wins again
2:38:44 PM Tue 28 June, 2005
Matt Burgan at Skilled Stadium
Sportal for afl.com.au

Tasmania has held off New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory by 11 points in a nail-biting clash at Skilled Stadium on Tuesday, to record its second win of the 2005 NAB AFL under-18 championships.

Tassie 11.11 (77) defeated the Rams 10.6 (66) to book a showdown against Queensland at Optus Oval on Saturday, in what is likely to decide the second division title.

After achieving a 62-point victory against the Northern Territory last Saturday, Tasmania started slowly, but managed to lead at every change, in a close encounter.

For NSW/ACT, it was the Rams' second loss in this year's championships, after going down to Queensland by 16 points on the opening day.
 
Tasmania had several fine performers, including Grant Birchall, who finished with 24 disposals, while Matthew Wade claimed 20 touches. Darren Crawford was also a key contributor as the game progressed for Tassie.

Highly-rated Taswegian Mitchell Thorp, who is too young to be drafted this year, finished with two majors.

NSW/ACT's Kieran Jack - the son of rugby league great Gary - had a stellar match, as he notched up 23 possessions. He also had nine tackles and 10 clearances and was ranked the best player on ground. James Bennett was again prominent for NSW/ACT.

The Rams started the match strongly, when it posted three unanswered goals to claim a 16-point lead. The signs looked ominous for Tassie, yet the Southerners bounced back with three of their own to hit the front by three points at the first change.

James Charlesworth extended Tasmania's lead to nine points, in the opening minute of the second term, in what was a goal-for-goal quarter. By half-time, Tassie led by 13 points.

After booting 10 goals in the opening match against Northern Territory, Todd Grima added his only major for the match to start proceedings in the second half. His effort gave Tasmania a 19-point lead - the biggest of the match.

But NSW/ACT fought back with three in a row and when Jack booted his second, the Rams leveled the scores. Wade added Tassie's only other goal for the third term, which gave the Apple Isle a six-point lead heading into the final stanza.

In a nail-biting final term, NSW/ACT's Adam Prior got the ball-rolling when he kicked truly to again level the scores. It was a see-sawing contest, until two in row from Tassie, courtesy of Leon Noel and Sam Lonergan, gave the Apple Isle the four points.

TASMANIA: 3.4 6.8 8.10 11.11 (77)
NEW SOUTH WALES/AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY: 3.1 5.1 8.4 10.6 (66)

GOALS -
Tasmania: Thorp 2, Birchall, Chapman, Charlesworth, Fielding, Grima, Iles, Lonergan, Noel, Wade
NSW/ACT: Jack 2, Johnston 2, Fyfe, Lynch, McConnochie, A.Prior, Toussis, Wilson

BEST -
Tasmania: Birchall, Wade, Crawford, Lonergan, Iles, Graham
NSW/ACT: Jack, Bennett, A.Prior, Logie, Goodrem, Twomey

UMPIRES - Kelleher, McDonald, Hay
At Skilled Stadium

http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=211797

[one-eyed]

Fox footy today (29/06/05) are showing both Division One games that were played on Sunday.

SA vs Vic Country

7.30am - WA
8.00am - SA
8.30am - VIC, ACT, NSW, QLD 

Vic Metro vs WA

12.00pm - WA
12.30pm - SA
1.00pm - VIC, ACT, NSW

[one-eyed]

Vic Metro stays unbeaten
4:07:48 PM Wed 29 June, 2005
Matt Burgan at Skilled Stadium
Exclusive to afl.com.au

A stunning final term from Victoria Metropolitan - including three goals from Ben McKinley - has given the city slickers the perfect record in two matches of the 2005 NAB AFL under 18 championships, after Metro defeated Victoria Country by 38 points.

Vic Metro 12.13 (85) overcame arch-rival Vic Country 7.5 (47) in the second match of the division one double-header at Skilled Stadium on Wednesday. Metro's win puts it firmly in front to claim its 11th title - and its fourth championship in five years - with the division one round-robin title to be decided on Sunday.

After trailing at half-time and failing to kick a goal in the second term, Vic Metro turned it on in the second half, booting 10 goals to two, to runaway with the four points.

McKinley was best-on-ground, as he finished with five goals for the match - all kicked in Vic Metro's second half revival. Ryan Jackson, a NAB AFL Draft Camp attendee last year, was a fine player, along with Vic Metro teammates Nathan Jones and Richard Douglas. The highly-rated Marc Murphy - the son of former VFL/AFL player John - was again a key contributor for Metro.

Vic Country defender Marcus Drum - the nephew of former Fremantle coach and former Geelong player Damian - was among his side's best, while Joel Selwood - the younger brother of AFL twins Adam and Troy - starred with 26 disposals. He will be highly sought after next year, as he is too young to be drafted this year.

Shaun Higgins, Xavier Ellis and Danny Stanley were other Vic Country players to shine and are names to keep a close eye on.

In an entertaining opening, Vic Country took a six-point lead into the first break, after booting three goals to two.

The home side extended its lead to 14 points at the long break, after adding two for the term, while holding Metro goalless. The city slickers squandered several opportunities, as they posted five behinds for the quarter. Jay Neagle and Grant Weeks both kicked two goals each for Country.

Lachlan Hansen - a player to watch out for in next year's NAB AFL Draft - kicked truly to start the second half for Vic Country, which resulted in a 20-point lead to the home side - its biggest lead of the match.

But Metro fought back strongly, when it booted four of the remaining five goals for the quarter, to reduce the margin back to just one-point, heading into the final stanza.

The comeback came at a cost, however, when Beau Dowler, a likely first-round draft selection, came off second best in a ruck contest, which left him in the hands of the trainers. He was then stretchered from the field and played no further part in the match.

But the potential nail-biter ended, when Metro booted six goals to zip in the final term.

VICTORIA COUNTRY: 3.3 5.4 7.5 7.5 (47)
VICTORIA METROPOLITAN:  2.3 2.8 6.10 12.13 (85)

GOALS -
Victoria Country: Neagle 2, Weeks 2, Ellis, Hansen, Higgins
Victoria Metropolitan: McKinley 5, Bowes 2, Adams, Bentley, Jackson, Marcius, Phillips

BEST -
Victoria Country: Drum, Selwood, Higgins, Ellis, Stanley, Dowd
Victoria Metropolitan: McKinley, Jones, Jackson, Murphy, Bentley, Douglas

UMPIRES -  Fila, Pawley, Reeves

[one-eyed]

Sandgropers flex their muscles
1:23:24 PM Wed 29 June, 2005
Matt Burgan at Skilled Stadium
Exclusive to afl.com.au

Western Australia has shown why it entered the 2005 NAB AFL under 18 championships as the one to watch and the team to beat, after it recorded an emphatic 47-point victory over South Australia.

The Sandgropers 11.10 (76) defeated the Croweaters 3.11 (29) in the first of the double-header at Skilled Stadium on Wednesday.

After Victoria Metropolitan upset Western Australia by 27 points in the first division one match on Sunday, the Sandgropers bounced back hard, setting up the win with nine goals to one after quarter-time.

Highly-rated Western Australians - Andrew Swallow, Leroy Jetta and Mitchell Clark - all shone against South Australia.

  Swallow was dominant in the midfield, collecting 16 disposals, while laying eight tackles. Jetta, who is too young to be drafted this year, but will surely be one to watch in 2006, finished with three goals and showed plenty of class in his performance. Clark, one of the hottest prospects in this year's draft, also snagged three majors.

South Australian Jace Bode notched up 17 disposals - the most in what was an incredibly low possession tally for the match - while teammates Sam Elliott, Cleave Hughes and Shannon Hurn were among their side's best.

The opening quarter was a low-scoring affair. Both sides managed two goals apiece, yet South Australia took a one-point lead into the first change.

The Croweaters were held goalless in the second term, but poor kicking for goal proved costly, as South Australia managed 0.4. In fact, the Croweaters had nine scoring shots to eight, yet trailed by nine points at the long break.

Scott Gumbleton and Jetta were the Sandgropers' goalscorers in the second term, which gave them a nine-point buffer at half-time.

Western Australia added three goals in the third term, as South Australia was again held goalless. Again, inaccurate kicking was the Croweaters downfall, as they produced 0.3, while the Sandgropers extended the margin to 26 points at three quarter-time.

South Australia finally registered its first goal - since the 11-minute mark of the first term - when Tom Hurley added his side's third goal for the day to open proceedings in the last quarter.

But any thought of a comeback by the Croweaters was thwarted when Clark booted two in a row and Jetta posted his third.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA: 2.3 2.7 2.10 3.11 (29)
WESTERN AUSTRALIA:  2.2 4.4 7.6 11.10 (76)

GOALS -
South Australia: Hughes, Hurley, Redden
Western Australia: Clark 3, Jetta 3, Casserley, Collard, Conway, Gumbleton, Swallow

BEST -
South Australia: Bode, Elliott, Hughes, Hurn, Hurley, Pfeiffer
Western Australia: Swallow, Jetta, Seal, Ballantyne, O'Brien, Clark, Bower, Thornton

UMPIRES -  Cure, Mills, Keating
At Skilled Stadium

[one-eyed]

Rams get a win
1:53:57 PM Sat 2 July, 2005
Matt Burgan
Exclusive to afl.com.au

New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory has won its first and final match of its 2005 NAB AFL under-18 championship campaign after it thrashed Northern Territory by 57 points at Optus Oval on Saturday.

The Rams 14.10 (94) defeated the Thunder 5.7 (37) in the 'dead-rubber' between the two second division sides. The title for this section will be decided in the second match at Carlton on Saturday between Queensland and Tasmania.

NSW/ACT entered its third match, having narrowly lost to Queensland by 16 points and Tasmania by 11 points respectively, but finished the tournament on a strong note, after it piled on 11 goals to three after quarter-time.

For Northern Territory, this year's carnival was a disappointing one, particularly as it had won two of the past three second division titles. It was the Thunder's third heavy loss from its three outings.
 
NSW/ACT's Adam Prior was best on ground, as booted seven goals for the match. He was the dominant forward, as he also finished with 13 marks. He had 11 scoring shots, as he also booted four behinds. Malcolm Lynch also chipped in with three majors.

James Bennett (27 disposals), Matt Fife (25), Kieren Jack (23) and Justin Kahlfeldt (22) combined for around 100 touches, while ruckman Sam Rowe won 30 hit outs in an impressive display.

Trevor Oliver capped off a fine carnival for Northern Territory, finishing with 22 possessions, while Nathan McLean had 17 touches. Thomas Motlop was his side's only multiple goalscorer with three goals.

NSW/ACT started in a blaze of glory when it posted the first three goals of the match to breakaway to an 18-point lead. A.Prior booted the opening two and looked threatening up forward for the Rams.

Having already suffered two 50-plus point thrashings in this year's championship, the signs looked ominous early for the Territory, but to its credit, the top-enders fought back with two in a row, pegging the margin back to six points at the first change.

The Rams took control for much of the second quarter, adding three in succession, to claim a 25-point lead at the 13-minute mark. But Aidan Hill's goal for the Northern Territory late in the term, kept the Thunder in touch at the long break.

Although the Thunder was still in reach at half-time, trailing by 20 points, the match was all but over at three quarter-time. NSW/ACT slammed five unanswered goals to runaway to a 49-point lead. Only T.Motlop's second goal reduced the deficit to 42 points heading into the final term.

NSW/ACT added a further three goals to one, rubbing further salt into the Northern Territory wound.

NORTHERN TERRITORY: 2.2 3.4 4.7 5.7 (37)
N.S.W./A.C.T: 3.2 6.6 11.7 14.10 (94)

GOALS -
Northern Territory: T.Motlop 3, Hill, N.McLean
NSW/ACT: A.Prior 7, Lynch 3, Addison, Bennett, Fife, Toussis

BEST -
Northern Territory: Oliver, N.McLean, T.Motlop, Irwin, Hill, Stephensen
NSW/ACT: A.Prior, Bennett, Fife, Rowe, Lynch, Jack, Addison, Kahlfeldt

UMPIRES - Hay, Keating, Mills
At Optus Oval

http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=212710

[one-eyed]

Tassie wins Div 2
4:37:15 PM Sat 2 July, 2005
Matt Burgan
Exclusive to afl.com.au

Tasmania has won a thrilling and often spiteful encounter over Queensland by 11 points to win the 2005 NAB AFL under 18 championships second division title.

The Apple Isle 13.14 (92) defeated the Scorpions 12.9 (81) to win its third title and first since 2001.

Tasmania had several outstanding players including Sam Lonergan (27 disposals), Grant Birchall (23 possessions) and Sam Fielding (22 touches), while Todd Grima, who booted 10 goals in the first match of the carnival, finished with three goals.

Glen Screech was Queensland's highest ball-winner with 27 disposals, while Lee Spurr finished with three goals.
 
With the title on the line, Tasmania gained the upper hand at the first break, after it booted five goals to three, giving the Tassie a 15-point advantage. Grima had two to his name by quarter-time.

Queensland fought back in the second term, with three goals to one, to reduce the margin to just two points at half-time. It what had already been a spirited encounter, tempers frayed at half-time when a melee broke out, after Queensland's Rhan Hooper had a set-shot for goal.

After Hooper's shot missed, the fracas then developed, lasting for more than three minutes. On top of several heated tussles, a handful of spectators also ran onto the ground.

Two players - Queensland's Albert Proud and Tasmania's James Armstrong - were given yellow cards, which resulted in the duo starting on the bench in the second half. But under the rule, they were allowed to come back onto the ground after 15 minutes.

Tassie had the slight edge in the third term, when it added four goals to three, giving it a nine-point buffer heading into the final stanza.

Spurr registered his third to kick-start the last term, which brought the deficit back to just three points, but when Jack Riewoldt - cousin of St Kilda captain Nick - and Lonergan posted consecutive majors for the Apple Isle, it was out to 17 points.

With the rain pouring down, Tassie looked set to have the result in the bag, but the Scorpions had one last challenge, posting a couple to trail by just four points. But when Grima booted his third - and match-winning goal - Tassie clinched the title.

TASMANIA: 5.4 6.7 10.9 13.14 (92)
QUEENSLAND: 3.1 6.5 9.6 12.9 (81)

GOALS -
Tasmania: Grima 3, Beck 2, Howard 2, Lonergan 2, Wade 2, Charlesworth, Riewoldt
Queensland: Spurr 3, Brittain 2, Petterd 2, Smith 2, Armitage, Dzufer, Hooper

BEST -
Tasmania: Lonergan, Birchall, Riewoldt, Wade, Fielding, Grima, Thorp, Armstrong
Queensland: Screech, Kiel, Urquhart, Spurr, Lucy, Armitage, Petterd

UMPIRES - Cure, Fila, Pawley
At Optus Oval

http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=212738

[one-eyed]

Sandgropers hang in
2:17:09 PM Sun 3 July, 2005
Matt Burgan
Sportal for afl.com.au

Western Australia has kept its NAB AFL under 18 championship title hopes alive after it comfortably overcame Victoria Country by 41 points at Optus Oval on Sunday.

The Sandgropers 13.9 (87) defeated the Country 6.10 (46) in the first match of the division one double-header, held on the final day of the carnival.

But Western Australia's chances of winning the title hinge on the outcome of the final match between Victoria Metropolitan and South Australia, which will be played on Sunday afternoon at the same venue. At this point, Vic Metro holds the edge.

For Vic Country, it ended a disappointing championship, as it failed to win a match, after going down to South Australia by 51 points and Vic Metro by 38 points in its previous matches.

Western Australia set up the win with seven goals to one in the first half and although Vic Country lifted its game after the long change, it was still outscored by the Sandgropers after half-time.

Matthew Seal was a terrific performer in Western Australia's win, booting four goals and finishing the match with 24 disposals. He also raked in nine grabs in a best-on-ground display.

Highly-rated Western Australian Mitchell Clark snagged three majors, while teammate Andrew Swallow continued his impressive carnival, claiming 22 touches.

Joel Selwood - the younger brother of AFL players Adam and Troy - was Vic Country's best player, claiming 24 touches. He again highlighted why he will be one of the most sought after players in next year's NAB AFL Draft. Tim Looby and Robert Eddy were others to stand out.

Western Australia had the edge in the first quarter, when it booted four goals to zip, claiming a 22-point lead at the break. Seal had an outstanding term, booting three goals.

Vic Country managed its only goal of the first half during the second term, via Selwood, as Western Australia ran away to a 39-point at the main break.

The Sandgropers extended the margin to 51 points mid-way through the third quarter to end any hope of a Vic Country comeback. And despite two in a row from Country late in the term, it still trailed by 37 points heading into the final stanza.

Vic Country kicked the opening two goals of the last quarter, to offer some fleeting comeback signs, but when Western Australia hit back with four of the remaining five majors, the result was never in doubt.

VICTORIA COUNTRY: 0.3 1.4 3.7 6.10 (46)
WESTERN AUSTRALIA: 4.1 7.7 9.8 13.9 (87)

GOALS -
Vic Country: Simpkin 2, R.Eddy, Looby, Neagle, Selwood
Western Australia: Seal 4, Clark 3, Ballantyne, Collard, Conway, Kennedy, O'Brien, Swallow

BEST -
Vic Country: Selwood, Looby, R.Eddy, Thomas, Pendlebury, Bowe
Western Australia: Seal, Swallow, Conway, Heise, Jetta, O'Keefe, Toovey, Taggart, Clark

UMPIRES - Brown, McDonald, Reeves
At Optus Oval

http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=risingstarprogram&spg=u18champsdisplay&articleid=212833

[one-eyed]

Metro claims another title
5:41:43 PM Sun 3 July, 2005
Matt Burgan
Sportal for afl.com.au

Victoria Metropolitan has won its 11th NAB AFL under-18 championship, easily accounting for South Australia by 23 points in the final match of the 2005 carnival.

Metro 14.4 (88) defeated the Croweaters 9.11 (65) to win its fourth division one title in five years, having also won it in 2001-02 and 2004.

Vic Metro won the title after going through the championship undefeated, having recording a 27-point victory over Western Australia and a 38-point win against Vic Country in its previous two encounters.

For South Australia, its campaign ended with two losses, after it opened the division one section of this year's titles with an emphatic 51-point win over Vic Country.
 
Ben McKinley had another terrific match for Vic Metro, jagging six majors, after he booted five goals against Vic Country last Wednesday at Skilled Stadium. He finished the tournament with 12 goals.

Marc Murphy - the son of former VFL/AFL player John - also capped off an outstanding championship with 23 disposals against South Australia. Ryan Jackson, Richard Douglas and Nathan Jones were other terrific performers for Vic Metro against the Croweaters.

South Australian skipper Shannon Hurn was his side's best, notching up 24 touches and claiming 10 marks. He too had a great week at this level.

Vic Metro set up its title win with seven goals to zip in the opening term to runaway to a 41-point lead at the first change. Nick Salter was the lone South Australian scorer during this period, when he registered a behind during this period.

McKinley and Simon Phillips both booted two goals each for Metro in the opening term.

South Australia posted its first goal via vice-captain Tom Rischbieth at the four-minute mark of the second term. But the margin was still 40 points in favour of Vic Metro at half-time, after it added three goals to two.

The Croweaters displayed plenty of fight in the third term, posting four goals to one, with the deficit reduced to 24 points at three quarter-time. But with South Australia adding 4.4 to 1.2 for the term, the margin could have been narrowed even further, had several shots on goal not been squandered.

Any thought of a fairytale comeback from South Australia was quickly thwarted by Vic Metro in the final term, when it booted three of the opening four goals in the final term to bounce out to a 35-point lead. Two late Croweaters' goals were too late.

VICTORIA METROPOLITAN: 7.0 10.4 11.2 14.4 (88)
SOUTH AUSTRALIA: 0.1 2.4 6.8 9.11 (65)

GOALS -
Vic Metro: McKinley 6, Cain 2, Phillips 2, Adams, Bowes, Douglas, Dowler
South Australia: Rischbieth 2, Hughes, Hurn, Moss, Pfeiffer, Redden, Sugars, Yeomans

BEST -
Vic Metro: McKinley, Murphy, Jackson, Jones, Nicholls, Douglas, Bowes, Nahas
South Australia: Hurn, Redden, Yeomans, Hurley, E.Lower, Pfeiffer, Hughes, Bode

UMPIRES - Elliott, Kelleher, Ryan
At Optus Oval

http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=212855

[one-eyed]

More than enough talent for two drafts
By Emma Quayle
The Age
July 4, 2005

Recruiters watched Vic Metro wrap up the national under-18 carnival yesterday, feeling no less sure how the top part of this year's draft will unfold, but certain that next year's crop has some superstar potential.

While Larke Medallist Marc Murphy, Xavier Ellis and Beau Dowler, as well as South Australian captain Shannon Hurn, continued to press their first-round claims in the final round of division one games at Optus Oval, the ineligible likes of Joel Selwood, Lachlan Hansen, Leroy Jetta and Scott Gumbleton also stood out.

West Australians Clinton Benjamin and Matthew Leuenberger and Queenslanders Gavin Urquhart, Brent Renouf, Ricky Petterd and Albert Proud are also among the talent off limits until next year.

Melbourne recruiting manager Craig Cameron said several of the ineligible players would have loomed as potential top-five picks if available this season. "I'm a selector for the under-16s All-Australian side this year, so it will be interesting to see how that stacks up because it could be a real boomer of a year next year," he said.

"There's probably two guys who ran around today who could have been top five, in Hansen and Gumbleton, and then you've got Leroy Jetta and Joel Selwood and Albert Proud.

"I'm not sure they'd go top five as well, but they'd be up there. Next year's crop looks really good."

Having started yesterday's match with two wins, Vic Metro needed only to beat South Australia to win its seventh title in 10 seasons. After the West Australians kept themselves in contention with a 41-point win over Country, Metro slammed on seven first-quarter goals to win by 23 points.

Western Bulldogs' recruiting manager Scott Clayton said Metro's Nathan Jones, as well as WA tall Patrick Ryder, Ellis and Murphy had enhanced or confirmed their reputations during the week-long carnival.

But the top end of this year's draft remained unclear, with no obvious candidates for the first two or three selections. Murphy, who must decide whether to go to the Brisbane Lions as a father-son selection, and Ellis, who wants to finish year 12 at Melbourne Grammar next year, could have a big say in how the first round unfolds.

http://www.realfooty.theage.com.au/realfooty/articles/2005/07/03/1120329325032.html

[one-eyed]

From footygoss.com
Jul 03, 2005 - 21:10 PM

Following the completion of the 2005 NAB AFL Under 18 Championships in Melbourne, the 2005 Under 18 All Australian team was announced.

The team consists of five West Australian players. Andrew Swallow, Josh Kennedy, Leroy Jetta, Patrick Ryder and Paul Bower.

South Australia had four representatives, Tasmania three, Queensland three, Victoria Country three and Victoria Metro four.

The 2005 Under 18 All Australian team

Backs: Xavier Ellis (Vic C), Austin Lucy (Qld), Shannon Hurn (SA)

HB: Darren Pfeiffer (SA), Paul Bower (WA), Joel Selwood (Vic C)

C: Jace Bode (SA), Andrew Swallow (WA), Grant Birchall (Tas)

HF: Beau Dowler (Vic M), Cleve Hughes (SA), Dale Thomas (Vic C)

F: Leroy Jetta (WA), Ben McKinley (Vic M), Josh Kennedy (WA)

Foll: Patrick Ryder (WA), Marc Murphy (Vic M), Nathan Jones (Vic M)

IC: Todd Grima (Tas), Sam Lonergan (Tas), Wayde Mills (Qld), Gavin Urquhart (Qld)

Coach: David Dickson (Vic Metro Division 1 title winners)
Assistant coach: Hamish Ogilvie (Tasmania Division 2 title winners)

http://footygoss.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=21331&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0&POSTNUKESID=a0c31c80955516e2437d0e7db25ae68d

[mightytiges]

Here's footydraft's top 15 draftees after the U18 championships. The full 50 phantom draft can be found at http://www.footydraft.com .

The Tigers first pick will be around pick 12 if we remain about 7th on the ladder.

1- Xavier Ellis (Gippsland Power)
2- Marc Murphy (Oakleigh Chargers)
3- Beau Dowler (Oakleigh Chargers)
4- Shannon Hurn (Central District)
5- Mitchell Clark (East Fremantle)
6- Travis Varcoe (Central District)
7- Nathan Jones (Dandenong Stingrays)
8- Cleve Hughes (Norwood)
9- Marcus Drum (Murray Bushrangers)
10- Andrew Swallow (East Fremantle)
11- Shane Neaves (Calder Cannons)
12- Patrick Ryder (East Fremantle)
13- Ben McKinley (Northern Knights)
14- Grant Burchall (Devonport)
15- Beau Muston (Murray Bushrangers)

[PuntRdRoar]

Listings are way to early and from what i saw way out as well. Muston and West appear in top 20 and both have knee recos in the last 3 months. Some of the better performers from the carnival like Bower from WA and Spangher from VIC are to low and Brennan Mills who would of been a top 10 if not for a broken leg is not in the top 50. Mind you if Cleve Hughes falls any lower than 8 we might be in business and if we can pick up Spangher at 30 something lol...it will be party time!

[one-eyed]

Fox footy will have a highlights show of the U18 Championships:

Wednesday 13th July

VIC,ACT,NSW, QLD: 6.00pm
WA: 4.30pm
SA: 5.30pm

Thursday 14th July

VIC,ACT,NSW, QLD: 7.30am
SA: 7.00am

Saturday 16th July

WA: 4.30am

Sunday 17th July

VIC,ACT,NSW, QLD: 3.30am
WA: 1.30am
SA: 3.00am

Monday 18th July

VIC,ACT,NSW, QLD: 1.30am
WA: 7.00am
SA: 6.30am