Draft Watch: Essendon NGA trio dine out as Dogs Academy pair star

The Cannons were dominant in their 49-point win over the Ranges in Craigieburn. Essendon NGA-tied Moustafa Darwish was outstanding with a massive 36 disposals (23 kicks, 13 handballs), 11 marks, six tackles and four inside 50s. The bottom-age prospect, who is eligible for next year’s draft, continues to impress with his clean ball use and ball-winning ability. Fellow Bombers NGA prospect Blake Justice was excellent with 28 disposals, six marks, six inside 50s and five tackles in a strong all-round contribution. Isa Merhi was busy with 28 touches, Jack Watkins kicked three goals from 21 possessions and bottom-age forward Nate Jenkins was dangerous in attack with 2.2 from 18 touches and nine marks. Port Adelaide father/son and Dons NGA talent Tevita Rodan was good again with 21 disposals, a team-high eight inside 50s plus two goals, Essendon father/son Koby Bewick, son of Dons great Darren, had it 20 times and kicked two goals, Charlie Robbins had 24 touches and Thomas Lincoln kicked three majors from 15 possessions.

For Eastern, Jordan Knapp produced an extraordinary midfield performance with a game-high 43 disposals (21 kicks, 22 handballs), 14 marks and a game-best 11 inside 50s. After a solid Vic Metro carnival, Knapp continues to rack up elite Talent League numbers. Mitch Gillan had 25 touches and took 12 marks, Zac Antonellos impressed with a highly-productive 32 possessions and nine marks, Archie Spencer had it 25 times and Harrison Chapman contributed 24 touches.

The Power secured a solid 32-point victory over the Dragons in Morwell. The standout for Gippy was Judd Burgiel who was best afield with a game-high 27 disposals, nine marks, seven inside 50s and four tackles. He continues his consistent form as a key ball-winner for the Power. Cody Templeton was good with 23 touches and a goal, while another Burgiel in Will contributed 24 disposals and a team-high eight tackles. Augustus Finsterer damaged up forward with four goals from 18 possessions and pressure was the name of the game for Keenan Boi who did the dirty work to finish with six tackles, 13 touches and a goal.

Lochie Burrows produced an excellent defensive effort for Sandy with 18 disposals and nine tackles. His pressure and contested work stood out. Max Matthews had a team-high 25 touches, using his running power to find the ball frequently, Marcus Torcasio contributed 22 disposals and a goal, Charlie Brookes had it 20 times and kicked a goal, Luke Mahimarajan was busy with 22 disposals and Archie Grikis kicked 3.2.

The Jets delivered a 60-point thrashing of the Falcons in Colac. There were multiple standouts including Mac Dullard who had an excellent all-round game with 24 disposals, 11 marks, a game-high seven inside 50s, four tackles and a goal. Lachlan Hicks enjoyed another massive outing with a game-best 33 disposals, plus seven marks, five inside 50s, four tackles and three goals. His elite ball-winning ability and scoreboard impact has him rising the draft rankings swiftly. Hawthorn father/son and Western Bulldogs NGA prospect Kobe Williams was highly influential with 24 disposals, 11 marks, five inside 50s and 2.3. Fellow Bulldogs NGA talent Khaled El Souki put on a small forward masterclass with 19 disposals and a bag of five goals. He has kicked 36 goals in 11 outings to lead the way in the Talent League.

Darcy Harrington was best for the Falcons with 25 disposals, a game-high 10 tackles, mixing relentless pressure with call-winning expertise. Jordan Penrice had it 26 times, Hamish Andrews had 19 possessions, seven marks and five tackles and William Nicholls contributed 17 disposals and seven tackles in a solid display.

The Knights made it 11 wins from 12 matches with a 38-point result over the Stingrays at Shepley Oval. Sonny Caruso was best on ground with 26 disposals, a game-best 11 inside 50s and 3.2 in a sublime showing. Top draft prospect Harry Van Hattum was dominant in the ruck. The highly-rated Van Hattum delivered with 26 hitouts, 16 disposals, six marks, three tackles and a goal with his athleticism and presence around the ground on full display. Harvie Cooke had it 23 times in a high-pressure outing which included an equal game-high seven tackles, while Rylee Ratkovic and Kai Parker both had 20 touches. Promising tall forward Harrison Leeder was damaging inside 50 with a game-best four goals from eight touches and four marks.

Wil Antrobus was Dandy’s best with 25 disposals (20 kicks) and a game-high seven marks, while Port father/son Louis Salopek was solid with 17 disposals, six tackles and two goals, continuing to find form after an injury-interrupted campaign. Marcus Prasad had it 24 times and kicked a goal and Noah Wisken kicked three snags.

The Rebels were far too good for the Pioneers, winning by 68 points in Ballarat. Archie Elliott produced an extraordinary forward display with 7.2 from 13 touches in arguably the best individual performance of the round. He was supported by Klay Nicholls who impressed with with 24 disposals, a game-high 12 marks and a goal. Oscar Henderson contributed 17 disposals and a team-high 11 tackles with relentless pressure, Harrison Welsh kicked two goals form 19 touches and seven inside 50s, and Hamish Birkett booted four majors.

Max Thompson was Bendigo’s best with 26 disposals, seven marks and an equal game-high seven inside 50s. Riley Travaglia, brother of St Kilda’s Tobie, was industrious with a game-high 12 tackles and 10 possessions while Luca Iudica had it 22 times and kicked 1.2.

The Devils secured a 17-point win over the Bushrangers in Craigieburn. Max Gulliver travelled nicely with 25 disposals, a game-high eight inside 50s and two goals as one of Tassie’s very best. The prolific Archie Devine was massive again with an equal game-high 32 touches, Jake Beams was very good again, amassing 26 possessions, and Tom Geappen was influential with 28 touches. Thomas Bearman bagged six goals from 12 possessions in a dominant forward display.

Jackson Hewitt was the outstanding performer for Murray with 32 disposals and five tackles. He continues to be a high-volume ball-winner who has racked up the most stats (334) in the Talent League at an average of 27.8. Lincoln Brand had it 26 times with five inside 50s and three tackles, while Jack Mellington had 22 possessions, four tackles and kicked two goals. Ryan Ash, the brother of GWS star Lachie, rebounded out of defence all day with 25 touches and 10 rebound 50s.