Draft Watch: North, Crows and Hawks NGAs all in dominant form

Vic Metro kicked off their National Champs with a 36-point triumph over Western Australia at Fremantle's Cockburn home. For the Vics, Eastern Ranges talent Archie Spencer was damaging on the outside with 25 disposals (20 uncontested) and nine marks. Northern Knights star Kai Parker was excellent with 24 touches, a game-high 13 marks, eight intercepts and six rebound 50s while Jett Flower (Eastern Ranges) had 20 possessions, five tackles and five rebound 50s. Western Jets gun Billy Wigmore was very good with 23 disposals and 13 intercepts, Harrison Chapman (Eastern Ranges) had it 20 times and Albert Macgowan (Sandringham Dragons) contributed 22 disposals and an equal game-high six score involvements. His Sandy teammate Gus Teixeira was dangerous as a high half-forward with 15 disposals, seven tackles, five score involvements and 1.2. Another Dragon, Arki Butler, possesses proper star quality. He could have had a big day in front of goal, finishing with 2.2 from 14 touches. Pure class and excellent work rate. North Melbourne father/son prospect Sam Harris (Calder Cannons) worked hard as a high half-forward with 13 touches, six tackles and a goal. It wasn’t a great day for key forwards with Harrison Leeder (nine disposals, one goal), Sam Gayfer (nine disposals, one goal) and Jake Miller (12 disposal) all struggling to have a major impact. For WA, Heath Mellody (29 disposals, 10 rebound 50s), George Gale (28 disposals), Leo Steed (24 disposals, six clearances, eight tackles) and West Coast NGA talent Lachlan McGlade was impressive with two goals.

Last year’s champs South Australia flogged the Allies by 66 points at Alberton. Jack Slattery, Charlie Bradford and Anthony Long all had great days up forward for SA, combining for 13 goals. Slattery bagged six goals from 13 disposals, Bradford kicked four majors from 10 touches and Crows NGA-tied Long booted 3.4 from 14 possessions. SA gun Kodah Edwards performed brilliantly with 28 touches, 10 score involvements, six clearances, six tackles and six inside 50s. Memphis Webb, who was busy in last week’s game, had it 27 times and Jacob McNicol finished with 26 disposals. For the Allies, Brisbane Lions Academy’s Caylen Murray starred with 31 touches (22 kicks), seven rebound 50s, six inside 50s and two goals. His Lions teammate Cooper Hodge was solid with 17 touches while North Melbourne NGA prospect Archie Devine (Tassie Devils) was prolific with 25 possessions, nine marks and three rebound 50s. Archie Hill, who has been on the Gold Coast Suns’ radar for quite some time, did some very clever things with his 11 disposals and seven tackles.

The Rebels pumped the Bushrangers by 49 points in Craigieburn, keeping their opponents to just two goals. Ethan Drever’s superb season continued with another 31 disposals, seven inside 50s and five tackles, backing up last week’s strong showing for Vic Country. 16-year-old Harrison Welsh impacted with 26 touches, 12 tackles and 10 inside 50s while Jake Connolly had it 25 times. Archie Elliott was busy again with 2.1 from 15 touches and Levi Munyard kicked 2.2. For the Bushies, Lincoln Brand had 29 possessions and six inside 50s, Jack Mellington built on his strong campaign with 25 touches and five tackles, while Jackson Hewitt (23), Cooper Webster (22) and Noah Porter (22) all had 20 or more touches.

The Stingrays did it easy against the Falcons, lobbing by 59 points in Dandenong. Ben Carroll was unbelievable for the winning side with 34 disposals, eight inside 50s, four tackles and two goals. He was assisted by Clancy Stuart who had 29 touches (20 kicks), five tackles and five inside 50s, Mitch Toner who had 21 possessions and kicked 3.2, and Gus Kennedy who contributed 22 disposals and two goals. Caiden Styles kicked three goals for the Stingrays and showed plenty of class inside forward 50. Darcy Harrington was dominant for the Falcons with a massive 37 touches and 11 tackles. Tom Teague had it 22 times and 15-year-old Daniel May made his presence felt with a game-high 12 tackles and 14 touches. Charlie Gray was also productive with 21 touches and five tackles.

The Power absolutely spanked the Pioneers in Bundoora to win by 118 points. It was all Gippy players at the top of the rankings with Oscar Henwood again one of his side’s very best. He had a game-high 33 disposals to go with six tackles and six inside 50s. Cody Templeton kicked 4.2 from 20 touches and six tackles, while Ash Mounsey booted 4.3 from 13 touches in a damaging display. Jack Hilton (22 disposals, one goal), Will Burgiel (20 disposals, two goals), 16-year-old Alex Ingham (24 disposals) and Blair Roscoe (23 disposals) all played very well. Hawthorn NGA-tied Keenan Boi was great again after impressing for Vic Country last week. He finished with 21 disposals (18 kicks), four inside 50s and a crumbing goal that was a thing of beauty. The best for the battling Bendigo side was Chase Poyser (22 disposals), Cruz O’Sullivan (22 disposals), Tyce Griffin (20 disposals) and 15-year-old Nate Wade with two goals.