NSW/ACT
Dylan McNeil
Dylan had 26 disposals, 10 clearances and kicked two important goals. I thought he was super courageous on numerous occasions, especially when he backed into packs. There isn't a lot of him – he's 178cm – but the great thing about him is his clearance work. NSW/ACT wasn't getting first use of the ball from its ruckmen, so Dylan's ability to win the ball and feed it out was first rate. He's also improved his finishing skills.
Chaz Sargeant
I saw him play in the trials at Coffs Harbour and was really impressed with him. He's an old-fashioned third tall/half-forward. He's got a great set of hands, taking eight marks, including five contested. He kicked three goals and had six inside 50s, so he works and presents well up the ground. His finishing was better than what I've seen in the past.
James Lawton
James is an athletic type. He's 197cm, but only 82kg, so he has a bit of development there, although he had a growth spurt of 10cm in a 12-month period, so the weight hasn't caught up yet. His 18 disposals were predominantly handballs, but they were quite creative. I'm looking forward to watching him throughout the championships.
Queensland
Cheyne Hutchinson
He showed great presence and presented up to the football really well. He had 15 disposals and six marks. He had the better of the one-on-one duals with opponent James Lawton.
Rory Thompson
Although he didn't win much of the footy, his ruck work was really good. He had 29 of Queensland's 54 hit outs. What impressed me most was that he normally shares the load with Zac Smith, who didn't play. He's a developing young ruckman, but there is definitely a lot to like about the way he attacks it, in and around the centre bounce and stoppages.
Northern Territory 15.16 (106) d Tasmania 14.13 (97) at Visy Park
Northern Territory
Roland Ah Chee
Roland had 33 disposals, 11 marks, five clearances and six hard-ball gets. He pretty much did everything. I've seen Roland play at under 16s level and in last year's under 18 champs. He looks like he's got himself a lot fitter this year, as his work-rate against Tassie was outstanding. Roland really willed himself on to the contest. He has debuted this year in the SANFL and has been consistent at reserves level. Roland was also a very talented tennis player.
Troy Taylor
I was extremely impressed with Troy. He kicked 3.4 and although he was a bit lazy on his kick, some of his lateral movement and agility was outstanding. There was a little bit of Daniel Motlop about the way he played. He's a good size at 188cm – I reckon he's a shade taller than that – but he plays tall, because of his spring. He also took a brilliant mark running back with the flight – plucking it with one hand – it was quite phenomenal. He is one to watch.
Steven May
An AIS/AFL academy boy, Steven played as a key forward and gave a real strong contest. He only took five marks, but four were contested. He also kicked three goals and had 17 disposals. The thing I like about Steven at the moment is that he is nowhere near 100 per cent fit. He played last year with four stress fractures in his back, which he didn't realise, so he only played limited game-time on the tour to South Africa. It's been frustrating for him, but he's been diligent and is now back playing, although he is a long way off full match fitness. For him to contribute the way he did was pretty special.
Tasmania
Luke Russell
I thought he was best-on-ground by a streak. He had 29 disposals, eight marks, with three contested. Luke has a basketball background and has a fantastic vertical leap. He is also a fantastic mark overhead. His clearance work was good and he had six inside 50s and booted two goals. He's a very creative and dangerous midfielder, who can rest across half-forward. His all-round game was outstanding.
Ryan Harwood
Ryan played in the Under-18s last year. He was also an AIS/AFL academy member. He had 27 disposals and seven inside 50s, but I thought his clearance work was what stood out. He's still learning, but he's an outstanding competitor and he thrives in a contest. He lets himself down occasionally with his kicking, but I thought he was a bright light.
Jesse Crichton
Jesse is another AIS/AFL academy member. He was pretty much unsighted in the first half – he only had four or five possessions – and ended up with 18. But whatever he does with them is high quality. He's very good in close, tight situations and had a dominant second half.
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
