AFL U18 Championships/potential draftees thread

[mightytiges]

The National's AFL U18 Championships Draw

MELBOURNE, JULY 3-11, 2004

DIVISION ONE

Sunday, July 4:

Match one: Vic Metro v Vic Country, 11am, MCG
Match two: Western Australia v South Australia, 1.30pm, MCG

Wednesday, July 7:

Winner match one v loser match two, 11am,, Skilled Stadium
Winner match two v loser match one, 1.30pm,, Skilled Stadium

Sunday, July 11:

Winner match one v winner match two, 10.30am, MCG
Loser match one v loser match two, 2pm,, Optus Oval

DIVISION TWO

Saturday, July 3:

Match one: Northern Territory v NSW/ACT, 11am, TEAC Oval
Match two: Tasmania v Queensland, 1.30pm, TEAC Oval

Tuesday, July 6:

Winner match one v loser match two, 10.30am, Optus Oval
Winner match two v loser match one, 1pm, Optus Oval

Saturday, July 10:

Loser match one v loser match two, 10am,, Optus Oval
Winner match one v winner match two, 12.15pm, Optus Oval

Match conditions – Round-robin format; winner in each division will be the team which wins the most games. Where two teams are tied for first position, the team which won the match played between them shall be declared the winner of that division.

Where three teams are tied, the team with the highest percentage will be declared the winner. There will be no drawn matches. Where scores are level at full-time, the time keeper shall not sound the siren until another score (goal or behind) is registered.

http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=aflfocus&spg=display&articleid=157222

[mightytiges]

For those with FOX Footy:

8th July:

12.00pm - Div 2 Game 1 
2.00pm - Div 2 Game 2

9th July:

12.30pm - Div 1 Game 1
2.30pm - Div 1 Game 2
 
11th July: Live!

10.20am (EST) - Grand Final

http://www.foxtel.com.au/TVGuide.aspx

[mightytiges]

They previewed a couple of kids on Talking Footy that will be first to go:

1. Brett Deledio (Vic Country) - 187cm midfielder. Skilled both sides of body and from the clips looked to have poise and a footy brain but it's hard to tell without seeing him in a few games live.

2. Lance Franklin (WA) - 6ft 4 (~194cm) KPP/Forward.

Both would fit in with our needs - a KPP and a midfielder.

They also showed Travis Cloke (Pies) and Mitchell Morton (Eagles) who'll both be picked up as F/S.

[Tiger Spirit]

AFL's annual 'star search' gets underway
2 July, 2004
Matt Burgan
Sportal/exclusive to afl.com.au

With the all-important second half of the AFL season set to recommence on Friday night, another crucial competition also begins this weekend when the National's AFL under 18 championships kicks off on Saturday.

Six days of matches, held from July 3-11, will showcase Australia's best under-age talent, as the next wave of footballers continue their quest of reaching the highest level.

With the majority of players selected at the National AFL Draft every year coming from the championships, the next nine days will be a vital period for the country's elite youngsters, recruiters and AFL clubs alike.

The importance of the under 18 championships was vindicated by the early selections in last year's National AFL Draft - every player drafted from the priority and first round played in last year's carnival.

Although the championships will be a closely scrutinised and analysed, there is also another crucial element in the tournament - state and territory pride is on the line.

Two divisions consist in these championships. Division one features South Australia, Vic Country, Vic Metro and Western Australia, while the second division comprises of NSW/ACT, Northern Territory, Queensland and Tasmania.

AFL national talent manager Kevin Sheehan said the opening match in division one, which will see Vic Metro and Vic Country go head-to-head, will continue a fierce rivalry, particularly after Vic Country won last year.

He nominated several players from both Victorian teams to watch in Sunday's division one opener at the MCG.

Victoria Country

Andrew McQualter - "A Gippsland Power/Caulfield Grammar player who looks certain to step up into the midfield after playing as a small/medium defender last year."

Brett Deledio - "He was a star at under-16 level for Vic Country last year. With his trial form and his form for the Bushrangers, he is expected to be a key midfielder."

Jarryd Roughead - "A strong marking key forward and a powerful kick on his left foot, he will be an obvious target for Vic Country in these championships.

John Meeson - "A 200cm ruckman from the Geelong Falcons, whose mobility, marking up forward and goalkicking potential makes him an important target."

Victoria Metropolitan
Luke Herrington - "The small livewire forward kicked 17 goals in three games last year. Anything near that level will make him an invaluable asset for Vic Metro."

Eddie Betts - "Another star small forward who is back for another crack and like Herrington, he is super smart around goal. Betts wasn't eligible for the draft last year."

Mark Murphy - "Murphy is the son of John, the five-time best and fairest winner with Fitzroy. He is a very smart, fall of the ball forward/midfielder."

Ryan Willitts - "A 196cm key position forward, he kicked eight in a recent match at TAC Cup level, in what was described as a super performance."

Beau Dowler - "A 191cm key forward, who is not eligible for the draft, but is an exciting talent who is playing with the Oakleigh Chargers in the TAC Cup."

Travis Cloke - "A left-foot kick, with strong hands, he is the son of Richmond and Collingwood champion David and the brother of Magpies' Jason and Cameron."

But there will be no love lost in the second of the division one double-header at the MCG on Sunday, when Western Australia plays South Australia.

The Croweaters will be looking for their first title at under 18 level. They have not won a championship since 1995, when the carnival was staged at under 17 level and Warren Tredrea, Stuart Dew and Jared Crouch were all starring for South Australia.

But Western Australia, too, will be looking to win its first major since 1999, when Paul Hasleby, Joel Corey and Leon Davis were dominating for the state.

On Saturday, the championship officially begins when the Northern Territory and NSW/ACT clash in the opening game of division two at 11am at Teac Oval.

The division two teams are an important part of the championships, particularly with some of the hidden gems recruited from these teams. He pointed to 2004 AFL listed players from the 2001 division two players as an example.

New South Wales: Brett Doswell (Fremantle), Henry Playfair (Geelong), Dale Ellis (Port Adelaide), Paul Bevan, James Meiklejohn, Mark Powell, Lewis Roberts-Thomson, Aaron Rogers, Adam Schneider (Sydney) and Brent Staker (West Coast).

Northern Territory: Trent Hentschel (Adelaide), Jared Brennan, Anthony Corrie, Tom Logan (Brisbane Lions), Aaron Davey (Melbourne), Raphael Clarke and Xavier Clarke (St Kilda).

Queensland: Josh Drummond, Joel Macdonald, Matt Pardew (Brisbane Lions), Paul Shelton (Hawthorn), David Hale (Kangaroos) and Brad Miller (Melbourne).

Tasmania: Tom Davidson, Luke Shackleton (Collingwood), Jason Laycock (Essendon) and Barry Brooks (St Kilda).

http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=157920

[mightytiges]

Here's the U18's team lists (heights, weights, DOB, etc..).

Division 1

Vic Metro

Vic Country

South Australia

Western Australia

Division 2

Tasmania

Queensland

NSW/ACT

Northern Territory

[mightytiges]

2004 Day One Results
6:54:21 PM Sat 3 July, 2004
Sportal

NSW/ACT 10.13 (73) d Northern Territory 10.7 (67)

Goals:
NSW/ACT: Prior 3, Coczur 3, Bennett 2, Bartlett 1, Hodgson 1.
Northern Territory: Roberts 2, Motlop 2, Tambling 2, Mansell 1, Calma 1, Gale 1, McLean 1.

Best:
NSW/ACT: Prior, Tutt, Shaw, Hodgson, Stanton, Stapleton.
Northern Territory: Tambling, McLean, Motlop, Corrie, Richardson, Sawyer.

Tasmania 14.7 (91) d Queensland 8.10 (58)

Goals:
Tasmania: Crawford 3, Lee 2, Garth 2, Keeley 2, Howard 1, O'Donoghue 1, Grimmer 1, Harding 1, Bielski 1.
Queensland: Hall 2, Skrinis 2, Garling 1, Tanton 1, Page 1, Williams 1.

Best:
Tasmania: Lee, Cairns, Garth, Wade, Lonergan, Bielski.
Queensland: Hall, West, Allan, Hamill, Lucy, West.

http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=pathwayarchive&spg=u18champsdisplay&articleid=158128

[mightytiges]

2004 Day 2 results
4:36:38 PM Sun 4 July, 2004
Sportal

Western Australia: 2.2 4.2 6.4 8.7 (55)
South Australia: 5.0 9.2 10.4 15.6 (96)

Goals:
Western Australia: Morton 2, Corbett-Wynne, Cox, Delmenico, Franklin, Wilkes, Wright
South Australia: Grundy 3, McLeay 3, Thomson 2, Batchelor, Griffen, Meyer, Monfries, Saunders, Sugars, Taylor

Best:
Western Australia: Morton, Franklin, Hams, Bowers, Le Cras, J.Smith
South Australia: Griffen, Grundy, Batchelor, McLeay, Stribling, Monfries

Match report


Victoria Metropolitan: 4.0 8.1 15.3 19.6 (120)
Victoria Country: 3.0 5.1 6.4 8.9 (57)

Goals:
Vic Metro: Herrington 4, Willitts 4, Little 2, M.Murphy 2, J.W.Smith 2, Bain, Betts, Jolley, May, Moore
Vic Country: Herring 2, Rosa 2, Deledio, Lewis, Pendlebury, S.Young

Best:
Vic Metro: Murphy, Willitts, Sharp, J.W.Smith, Bain, Herrington
Vic Country: Polo, Lewis, Rosa, Deledio, Drum, Kirby

Match report

[one-eyed]

After a request we've made this thread a sticky for future reference when the draft/trade period is on later in the year and also to allow anyone who sees any junior(s) that catch their eye to report about them here. Cheers  .

[mightytiges]

By Emma Quayle
realfooty.theage.com.au
July 5, 2004



Brett Deledio
Picture: Ray Kennedy

AFL clubs looking to boost their ruck stocks at this year's national draft could have their best choice in some time, with several young ruckman standing out in the opening games of the national under-18 championships.

The Kangaroos, West Coast, Collingwood, Richmond and the Brisbane Lions would also have left the first matches encouraged by the form of potential father-son selections Jesse Smith, Mitchell Morton, Travis Cloke and Marc Murphy.

John Meesen compiled 16 hit-outs for Vic Country in its 11-goal thrashing by Vic Metro in the first division one match at the MCG yesterday, a game in which Metro ruckman Fabian Deluca and Ivan Maric, were also useful. Earl Shaw was among NSW/ACT's better players in its division two win over the Northern Territory on Saturday while Cameron Wood displayed a promising leap and some good tap skills playing in the ruck for South Australia yesterday in its seven-goal win over Western Australia.

Melbourne recruiting manager Craig Cameron said that while this year's draft pool looked light on for ready-made key-position players, as most did, several of the ruck prospects would be first-round selections.

The AFL's development programs have been aimed at tall players in recent years and lured several from other sports. Maric, who plays for Calder Cannons in the TAC Cup, only just missed selection in a state basketball team this time last year, while Wood recently knocked back a scholarship offer to pursue a career in Major League Baseball.

"There are some pretty good ruckmen out there. A couple of them will go early, Deluca and probably Cameron Wood and a few others will be looked at closely," Cameron said.

"The key position players are a bit light on, but that's the same as always. We'll have to find our key position players somewhere, but I reckon that, with the development path the AFL's gone down, there are a few more there.

"I think they've been making a real effort to find more tall players. Queensland had five or six guys over 190 centimetres in its team so that was a pretty good effort. They got beaten, but those guys always take a bit longer to develop."

West Australian midfielder Morton was among his team's best players in the loss to South Australia and is available to West Coast this year as a third-round draft selection because his father, Noel, played for Claremont in the WAFL.

The Kangaroos have access to Smith, the son of ex-defender Ross Smith, who did some smart things on a wing and at half-back for Vic Metro, while the third Cloke brother, Travis, provided several contests at centre-half-forward.

One of Metro's best movers was Marc Murphy, who came into the squad late after a delayed start to his season. Murphy, whose father, John, played for Fitzroy, played Premier League cricket this year as a 16-year-old. The midfielder is too young to be drafted this November, but will become available to the Lions before next year's draft should he decide to stick with football.

Other players to impress yesterday included South Australian midfielder Ryan Griffen, a potential top-five draft pick and Vic Country onballers Dean Polo and Brett Deledio.

The next division one match is at Skilled Stadium on Wednesday, while division two continues tomorrow at Optus Oval with games between NSW/ACT and Queensland, and Tasmania and the Northern Territory.

http://www.realfooty.theage.com.au/realfooty/articles/2004/07/04/1088879374685.html

[mightytiges]

AFL clubs looking to boost their ruck stocks at this year's national draft could have their best choice in some time, with several young ruckman standing out in the opening games of the national under-18 championships.

The Kangaroos, West Coast, Collingwood, Richmond and the Brisbane Lions would also have left the first matches encouraged by the form of potential father-son selections Jesse Smith, Mitchell Morton, Travis Cloke and Marc Murphy.

I think Travis Cloke only had 4 possessions  ???

Melbourne recruiting manager Craig Cameron said that while this year's draft pool looked light on for ready-made key-position players, as most did, several of the ruck prospects would be first-round selections.

If we end up with a priority pick as well as the first rounder we may go for a midfielder and a ruckman with our first two picks by the sound of that. Fortunately a young ruckman is what we need (as well as midfielders and KPP).

[Tiger Spirit]

Burgatron's Top 10
6 July, 2004
Matt Burgan
Sportal/exclusive to afl.com.au

Round Two of the National Under 18 Championships are on at Optus Oval on Tuesday with the second day of the division two matches. Some great footy was played on the opening weekend, however, and after casting his eye over the action, our Matt Burgan lists his best 10 players from the first two days.

Please note this is not a prediction of how the first 10 picks of the National AFL Draft may pan out in November.

1. Heath Grundy - South Australia
Back for his second championship, Grundy was terrific up forward in his first game for South Australia against Western Australia, booting three goals and raking in 11 grabs - including seven contested marks. He also finished with 15 disposals. He stands at 190cm.

2. Ryan Griffen - South Australia
Another Croweater returning for the second successive year, Griffen was outstanding with 25 touches - the most for the match against Western Australia, which included 18 kicks. A midfielder at 186cm, he also chipped in with a goal. He is a standout prospect.

3. Marc Murphy - Victoria Metropolitan
Murphy, the son of five-time Fitzroy best-and-fairest winner John, was a shining light in Vic Metro's opening win over arch-rival Vic Country. He finished with 20 touches - the most for his side - while he also booted two goals. He was good in the clearances.

4. Ryan Willitts - Victoria Metropolitan
Very impressive key marking forward, Willitts took five marks - including some impressive contested marks - and finished with four goals against Vic Country. Standing at 196cm and 96kg, Willitts kicked eight goals in a recent TAC Cup match.

5. Toby Stribling - South Australia
Stribling put in an outstanding performance for South Australian against Western Australia. The dashing blonde-haired midfielder notched up 24 disposals - 12 kicks and 12 handballs - and pumped the ball inside 50 on eight occasions.

6. Mitchell Morton - Western Australia
Despite playing in Western Australia's losing side to South Australia, Morton showed why he is set to be pounced on as a father-son for West Coast - his father Noel played for Claremont - collecting 24 disposals and booting two goals in a fine display.

7. Richard Tambling - Northern Territory
He is another who played in a losing side in the opening round, yet the highly-rated Tambling put in an outstanding individual performance. He notched up 25 disposals, gained eight clearances, sent the ball inside 50 on eight occasions and kicked two goals.

8. Jesse W.Smith - Victoria Metropolitan
The son of former Kangaroos' defender Ross is likely to be taken as a father-son selection in this year's National's AFL Draft. He showed plenty to like about his game, notching up 16 touches, booting two goals, while sending the ball inside 50 on six occasions.

9. Ryan Bain - Victoria Metropolitan
Bain was a key contributor in Vic Metro's first round win over Vic Country, winning 16 touches, while he won plenty of loose balls and sent it inside 50 on six occasions. His performance was rated very highly by the Vic Metro coaching staff.

10. Nick Batchelor - South Australia
Another fine performer in South Australia's first-up victory over Western Australia, Batchelor was a strong performer in the midfield, gaining 16 disposals, four inside 50s, while he also chipped in with a goal. Stands at 182cm and hails from Norwood.

Matt Burgan is a staff writer for Sportal. The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the AFL or the clubs.

http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=158502

[mightytiges]

NT bounces back
4:37:56 PM Tue 6 July, 2004
Matt Burgan
Sportal

Tasmania: 2.2 5.4 8.6 11.8 (74)
Northern Territory: 2.3 5.9 12.10 14.13 (97)

Goals:
TAS: Crawford 3, Murphy 3, Bielski 2, Garth 2, Wade
NT: Roberts 3, Stephensen 3, Tambling 3, Ilett 2, Campbell, I.McLean, M.McLean

Best:
TAS: Crawford, Bielski, Garth, Wade, Rattenbury, Iles
NT: Ilett, Tambling, A.Motlop, Campbell, I.McLean, M.McLean

Match Report

[Rodgerramjet]

I wouldn't mind us getting our hands on Richard Tambling MT, what do you think?

[mightytiges]

I wouldn't mind us getting our hands on Richard Tambling MT, what do you think?

He's obviously a very skillful and talented kid with pace to burn RR. People liken him to Aaron Davey. Although his football talents and especially his pace are desperately needed at Richmond, my only concern is that he is listed as weighing at only 68kg so he'll most likely be a receiver at AFL level. We as a Club haven't had too much success with such lightweights. On the other hand, Krakouer was probably at a similar weight when we drafted him now that I think about it. I'd personally rather go for  a young midfielder with a bit of muscle his frame with our first round (or hopefully priority) pick. But that's just my preference.   

[mightytiges]

2004 Day 3 results
6:15:39 PM Tue 6 July, 2004
Sportal

NSW/ACT: 3.2 4.2 4.7 8.9 (57)
Queensland: 2.2 4.4 5.5 7.11 (53)

Goals:
NSW/ACT: Bennett 2, E.Clarke 2, Prior 2, Ford, Stanton
QLD: Spurr 2, Allan, McDonnell, Page, Tanton, West

Best:
NSW/ACT: Hodgson, Bennett, Bartlett, McGlynn, E.Clarke, Shaw
QLD: McGuane, Allan, Spurr, Tanton, Stiller, Hamill

http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=pathwayarchive&spg=u18champsdisplay&articleid=158736

2004: Day 4 Results:

Victoria Metropolitan: 3.1 5.5 7.7 7.8 (50)
Western Australia: 1.1 3.7 4.7 7.10 (52)

Goals: Vic Metro: Herrington 3, M.Murphy 2, Dowler, Knights
Western Australia: Hams 2, Bowers, Jones

Best: Vic Metro: M.Murphy, Prismall, J.D.Smith, Dowler, Moore, Herrington
Western Australia: Hams, Delmenico, Toovey, Nye, Jo.Smith, Blackwell

Match Report

The Lions and Roos will be happy with again good performances from Marc Murphy and Jesse Smith.

I wonder how Travis Cloke went?