JUST 24 hours after Geelong's Daniel Menzel tore his ACL in his return from a serious injury in the VFL, younger brother Troy shone with nine goals for South Australia at under-18 level.
South Australia recorded a gigantic 144-point win over Tasmania in their NAB AFL Under-18 clash at Blundstone Arena in Hobart on Sunday, winning 30.14 (194) to 7.8 (50).
Troy Menzel, who had LARS surgery as a 16-year-old almost two years ago on his own knee, is considered a possible top 20 draft pick this year.
Like his brother, Troy is an exciting prospect who is elusive in the forward line but also has the ability to push through the midfield at certain stages.
He has played a number of games at senior SANFL level for Central District this season and has held his own.
South Australia dominated the clash with Tassie from the outset, ticking over the 500-possession mark and going inside its forward 50 on a staggering 73 occasions.
Boasting nine AIS/AFL Academy players, South Australia's crisp ball movement, hard spread and overlap run, and overall polish emphasised the difference in class between the two states.
Highly rated draft prospects Ben Kennedy (37 touches and four goals), Jimmy Toumpas (34) and Brody Grundy (20 possessions, 26 hit-outs and three goals) were all outstanding.
Despite being undermanned, Calen Jeffery (28 disposals) and Jackson Thurlow (25) fought hard for Tasmania, while the 201cm Ben Webster showed some promising signs, including a big grab in the last quarter that caught recruiters' eyes.
Webster, a talented fast bowler in Tasmanian cricket, displayed some strong athletic traits in his 12 touches.
Ultimately, though, the Croweaters enhanced their credentials and showed exactly why they are considered favourites to take out the under-18 title.
TASMANIA 1.3 3.4 4.7 7.8 (50)
SOUTH AUSTRALIA 8.0 13.3 25.10 30.14 (194)
GOALS
Tasmania: Walsh 2, Hanson 2, Linnane, Ling, K. Kolodjashnij
South Australia: Menzel 9, O'Brien 6, Kennedy 4, Grundy 3, Toumpas, Amato, Stark, Dumont, McDonough, Broomhead, Mayes, Scharenberg
BEST
Tasmania: Jeffery, Thurlow, Blight, Webster, Grant, Van Den Berg
South Australia: Colquhoun, Menzel, Toumpas, Kennedy, Broomhead, Scharenberg, Montgomery, Grundy
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs.
