Draft Watch: Richmond NGA mid stars for Vic Country, Carlton father/son injured

Some big number across those three league games including Western Jets gun Lachlan Hicks who had another beauty of an outing with 36 disposals and a goal.

In the National Champs, Richmond NGA prospect Tanner Armstrong was brilliant as Vic Country edged the Allies with a team-high 29 disposals.

WA beat last year’s champs SA by 12 points at Mineral Resources Park in Perth. WA’s Leo Steed was the game’s most prolific player with 30 disposals, six score involvements, four clearances a goal. Assisting him was George Gale with 27 touches, seven inside 50s and five score involvements, while James Artemis had it 21 times including a game-high 10 score involvements and two goals. Lucas Robison contributed 25 touches (22 handballs) and five tackles, and Harper Banfield had 24 possessions. For SA, Memphis Webb had 24 touches, seven rebound 50s and six clearances, Harvey Croker had the ball 22 times, Adelaide NGA talent Anthony Long kicked 3.3, and Gabriel Patterson also kicked three majors.

Vic Country led at every change to beat the Allies by 13 points at Blacktown. Richmond NGA prospect Tanner Armstrong was Country’s most prolific player with 29 possessions, seven rebound 50s and five score involvements. The Shepparton United product, who plays in the Talent League with the Murray Bushrangers, has been impressive in every game he has played in 2026. Also good for Country was Hawthorn NGA prospect Keenan Boi who kicked two goals from 16 possessions with six score involvements, five inside 50s and four tackles. He notched up 13kms which is a pretty good effort for a small forward. GWV Rebels star Ethan Drever had it 22 times with nine score involvements, seven inside 50s but finished with 0.4. Wil Malady kicked 2.3 from 13 touches, and Jackson Phillips booted two majors from his 17 disposals. Potential No.1 draft pick Cody Walker had 16 touches before a shoulder injury ended his day in the third term. Standout GWS Academy star Ethan Matthews was yet again enormous with a game-high 35 disposals. The Giants may have to come up with draft points as he is headed to the very pointy end of the draft. Henry Meaney had 28 disposals while fellow Swans Academy guns Lachlan Price (21 disposals) and Guy Jenkin (16 touches, one goal) both impressed. Another Swan, Ben Pignatelli, made the most of his opportunities to kick 3.1 from eight touches, and took some strong grabs deep forward. Brisbane Lions NGA-tied Caylen Murray contributed 22 disposals.

The dominant Knights beat the Cannons by 35 points in Craigieburn. They are unbeaten from nine games with a massive percentage of 222. Inside mid Chas Woodward was one of the winning side’s very best with 26 disposals, five rebounds 50s, three inside 50s, four tackles and a goal. Toby Krasna was busy with 27 touches, Kai Parker had it 23 times with five rebound 50s, and Harrison Leeder booted 3.4 from 16 disposals and six marks. He looked the most dangerous forward on the ground. Essendon NGA prospect for 2027, Moustafa Darwish, was excellent for Calder with 27 disposals, a game-high 12 tackles, a team-high seven inside 50s and a goal. Charlie Robbins was good again with a game-best 30 touches, five tackles, five inside 50s and a lovely long bomb goal. Father/son prospects Sam Harris and Tevita Rodan each had 22 possessions and Blake Justice impressed with 18 touches.

The Ranges crushed the Dragons by 66 points in Dingley. Max Bartlett was on fire for Eastern with 31 disposals, nine marks, seven inside 50s and 4.2 in a stunning individual performance. He had help from Mitchell Gillan who had it 32 times with five rebound 50s and four inside 50s while Brodie Wilson had 22 touches and a goal. Riley Hoffman also booted 4.2 for the winning team. The best three for Sandy were Max Matthews with 23 possessions, Hudson Wright and Jasper Noorbergen each with 22, while Lachlan Browne kicked three majors.

The Jets were far too good for the Chargers, winning by 40 points in Werribee. The stellar season of Lachlan Hicks continued with a massive game-high 36 disposals, 11 marks, seven inside 50s and a goal. Joining him was Josh Djatschenko who had it 25 times and kicked two goals, while Angus Tippett had 33 touches, Billy Wigmore had 25 possessions and nine marks, and Griffin Barker had 25 disposals. Kobe Williams, the son of premiership Hawk Mark, kicked three goals from 16 touches. For Oakleigh it was Eli Kravic who stood out with 24 disposals, Elijah Smith had 18 touches and five tackles, Sam Papas had 21, eight tackles and six inside 50s, and Noah Bibile had 22 touches and kicked a goal.