AT LAST!
Football returns to Melbourne this weekend with seven of the nine VFL matches being played in Victoria – and we can’t wait.
Unfortunately no crowd will be permitted at any of the six games in Melbourne, but all matches will be available on at least one of Channel 7, Kayo, Casey Radio, WBC Radio, RPPFM and internet live streaming, so you will still be able to watch or listen to your team as it gets back into action.
But beforehand … earlier this round we looked at who might be leading your club’s best-and-fairest after nine rounds, and today we turn our attention to the Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal, which is awarded to the most promising talent in the VFL – with the criteria being they must be no older than turning 24 this season and must never have been on an AFL list.
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The Medal is seen as a strong indicator for AFL clubs, with the past 14 winners going on to be drafted.
Here is what the same points system we used to determine the B and F leaders threw up as the leading Fothergill-Round-Mitchell contenders at each club – with a couple of surprises.
WILLIAM GOWERS (ASPLEY) – 10 points
Age 23; Matches 7; Disposals 21.4; Marks 5.0; Tackles 3.1; Score: 4.3
The Swans Academy graduate has been a shining light for the Hornets this season, starting with a strong performance against Port Melbourne in Round 1 and remaining consistent throughout.
Other scorers: Jordan Hayden 10, Jack Rolls 9, Connor Stackelberg 8, Isaac Corvo 1, Jasper Craven 1
VINCENT ADDUCI (BOX HILL HAWKS) – 28 points
Age 23; Matches 5; Disposals 17.2; Marks 3.0; Tackles 2.6; Score: 10.3
One of the early favourites for the award after Jai Newcombe became ineligible when drafted two weeks ago. Kicked five goals against Carlton and four against Sandringham to put his name in lights.
Other scorers: Brayden Kilpatrick 17
WILL TASKER (BRISBANE LIONS) – 13 points
Age 19; Matches 5; Disposals 19.0; Marks 4.4; Tackles 2.0; Score: 9.4
A lively forward, the Lions Academy graduate has become a dangerous commodity in his debut season, headlined by 21 disposals and five goals against Gold Coast and 24 touches and two goals against Essendon.
Other scorers: Bruce Reville 10, Tahj Abberley 2
STEFAN RADOVANOVIC (CARLTON) – 18 points
Age 20; Matches 4; Disposals 16.3; Marks 6.3; Tackles 1.3; Score: 0.0
Leading the Blues overall, the intercept defender was close to best-on-ground against Southport in Round 1 and has continued to impress after being unable to break into the Williamstown team in 2019.
Other scorers: Cooper Stephens 1
CORY STOCKDALE (CASEY DEMONS) – 8 points
Age 24; Matches 3; Disposals 9.7; Marks 2.0; Tackles 4.0; Score: 0.0
Slim pickings with the Demons on fire and not many young players getting an opportunity, but Stockdale was crucial in the thrilling win over Geelong by quelling Charlie Constable after half-time.
Other scorers: Nil
MARCUS LENTINI (COBURG) – 25 points
Age 22; Matches 5; Disposals 38.0; Marks 1.0; Tackles 4.4; Score: 1.5
The biggest surprise is he is still young enough to be eligible until next season, given how he knocks up winning the football. His worst game this year was 30 disposals against Geelong – he’ll take a power of beating. Plenty of talent behind him too.
Other scorers: Charlie Thompson 15, Luke Bunker 10, Harry Nolan 10, Josh D’Intinosante 5, Ryan Sturgess 4, Nathan Boucher 3, Luke Nelson 2, Mitch Podhajski 2
LACHIE TARDREW (COLLINGWOOD) – 13 points
Age 23; Matches 5; Disposals 18.0; Marks 4.2; Tackles 2.2; Score: 1.0
A consistently improving member of the Magpies’ line-up across 59 VFL matches, Tardrew shone with 21, 21 and 27 disposals in the last three games before the lockdown.
Other scorers: Sam Fowler 11, Jacob Booth 6, Kaden Schreiber 5, Campbell Hustwaite 4, Callan Wellings 2, Yousseph Dib 1
SAM CONFORTI (ESSENDON) – 10 points
Age 19; Matches 4; Disposals 17.0; Marks 3.5; Tackles 1.3; Score: 2.0
Has pace, a huge leap and uses the ball well, all shown in a terrific display against Frankston in just his third game. The former Bendigo Pioneer took a screamer and had 22 touches to play a key role in a head-turning victory.
Other scorers: Jack Evans 2, James Harrold 1, Jake Hobbs 1
CHARLIE CORMACK (FOOTSCRAY) – 9 points
Age 22; Matches 5; Disposals 16.8; Marks 6.4; Tackles 2.2; Score: 0.0
Playing his first season in the VFL, Cormack has had his moments in each game, but was at his best in game No.4, having 24 disposals and nine marks against Carlton.
Other scorers: Lachie Sullivan 6
JAMES RENDELL (FRANKSTON) – 19 points
Age 21; Matches 5; Disposals 11.0; Marks 4.4; Tackles 3.2; Hitouts: 6.0; Score: 3.4
The son of former Fitzroy and Brisbane ruckman and AFL recruiter Matthew, is starting to show his dad’s talents and will only get better with experience, having played just 14 matches so far. Bailey Lambert is one of the award favourites and should take over if he can stay fit, but Rendell and Connor Riley have been important in the Dolphins’ rejuvenation.
Other scorers: Connor Riley 15, Bailey Lambert 13, Callum Jones 11, Taine Barlow 8, William Arthurson 7, Mitch Cox 7, Jeremy Goddard 1, Billy McCormack 1, Nathan Scagliarini 1
JACKSON McLACHLAN (GEELONG) – 8 points
Age 23; Matches 5; Disposals 17.5; Marks 2.8; Tackles 3.4; Score: 4.3
The small forward has been a constant threat for the past three seasons, enjoying his best game of the season with 21 disposals and two goals against North Melbourne in Round 1.
Other scorers: Jye Chalcraft 3, James Gow 1, Trent McMullan 1
JACK JOHNSTON (GOLD COAST) – 10 points
Age 18; Matches 5; Disposals 9.2; Marks 3.6; Tackles 1.4; Score: 0.0
The 195cm key defender from the Suns Academy came to attention when he blanketed prized Sydney draftee Logan McDonald in Round 2, having 12 disposals and six marks while keeping the prodigious Swan to five touches, one mark and one goal.
Other scorers: Bodhi Uwland 10, Bailey Reeves 6, Max Pescud 1
JOSH GREEN (GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY) – 6 points
Age 18; Matches 5; Disposals 19.0; Marks 2.8; Tackles 2.6; Score: 2.2
The brother of Tom and grandson of four-time Richmond premiership player Michael is developing nicely as an inside distributor, having contributed strongly in all five games he has played.
Other scorers: Angus Baker (7 for Essendon), Billy Clark 5, Liam Ross 4, Leyton Chisholm 1
HARRISON GUNTHER (NORTH MELBOURNE) – 7 points
Age 22; Matches 5; Disposals 13.5; Marks 5.0; Tackles 2.5; Score: 1.0
The intercept defender from Glenorchy, Tasmania, was added to the Roos’ development list off the back of an ACL injury but has played four of their six games and been named in the best three times.
Other scorers: Jack Watkins 5, Mark Baker 2, Louis Cunningham 2, Connor Byrne 1, Tom Donnelly 1, Oliver Sanders 1, Cooper Smith 1
MATTHEW KING (NORTHERN BULLANTS) – 12 points
Age 21; Matches 5; Disposals 21.4; Marks 5.8; Tackles 1.2; Score: 0.0
Played six matches in two seasons for Port Melbourne before joining the Bullants and is in strong form, appearing in the best four times and collecting at least 20 disposals in each of his five matches.
Other scorers: Tim Jones 7, Jack Boyd 5, Jean-Luc Velissaris 3, Daniel Hughes 2, Ben Hurley 2, Mutaz El Nour 1, Zac Hart 1, Harrison Kennedy 1, Tynan Smith 1
HARVEY HOOPER (PORT MELBOURNE) – 15 points
Age 24; Matches 5; Disposals 24.4; Marks 3.8; Tackles 2.6; Score: 3.0
Marked his 50th VFL match in the last game before lockdown with 30 disposals and six marks and celebrated his 24th birthday last week. Has relished a move into the midfield and is playing career-best football.
Other scorers: Campbell Walker 11, Dirk Koenen 7, Ethan Phillips 4, Jeromy Lucas 1, Nash Holmes 1
LACHLAN STREET (RICHMOND) – 9 points
Age 23; Matches 5; Disposals 13.4; Marks 3.0; Tackles 1.8; Score: 1.3
Enjoyed a breakout game in the Tigers’ big win over the Lions in Brisbane in Round 6 with 23 disposals and six marks and should continue to improve.
Other scorers: Joel Nathan 1
GOY LOK (SANDRINGHAM) – 11 points
Age 23; Matches 5; Disposals 19.8; Marks 4.8; Tackles 4.0; Score: 6.2
Another at his third club after stints at Casey Demons – where he won the last Development League best-and-fairest – and Frankston and is a Zebras’ vice-captain. In the best three times in five games, including a three-goal effort against Aspley in Round 6.
Other scorers: Darby Hipwell 7, Anthony Seaton 3, Finlay Bayne 1
KWABE BOAKYE (SOUTHPORT) – 11 points
Age 22; Matches 7; Disposals 15.0; Marks 1.1; Tackles 2.6; Score: 2.1
The running defender has been playing an important role all season for the Sharks and has snuck forward to kick a couple of goals as well. One to keep an eye on for the future.
Other scorers: Rhys King 7, Matt Gahan 5
HARRY MORRISON (SYDNEY) – 7 points
Age 22; Matches 7; Disposals 9.9; Marks 3.1; Tackles 1.4; Score: 9.4
Made himself a regular in the Swans’ forward line after 29 games for Sydney University and impressed with three goals against GWS and Gold Coast while also causing problems against Casey.
Other scorers: Nil
SHAUN MANNAGH (WERRIBEE) – 18 points
Age 23; Matches 4; Disposals 22.5; Marks 3.5; Tackles 4.0; Score: 8.5
A potential matchwinner who was named best-on-ground for his 21 disposals and five goals in Round 6 and third best for 27 touches and two goals in Round 2. Fellow Ovens and Murray product Hudson Garoni (20, five matches, 11 goals) is also right up with the contenders for this award.
Other scorers: Hudson Garoni 16, Nathan Cooper 14, Louis Pinnuck 6, Harry Stubbings 5, Jesse Clark 1, Jack Henderson 1, Dom Brew 4
CHARLIE DEAN (WILLIAMSTOWN) – 19 points
Age 20; Matches 5; Disposals 14.2; Marks 7.0; Tackles 1.6; Score: 0.0
The key defender, who turns 20 on Saturday, has been a revelation down back for the Seagulls, particularly turning heads with his reading of the play and intercept marking ability. Had 20 touches and eight marks against Sandringham in Round 5, just his fifth VFL game.
Other scorers: Jack Toner 14, Darby Henderson 2, Corey Rich 1
THE TOP 10
28: Vincent Adduci (Box Hill Hawks)
25: Marcus Lentini (Coburg)
19: Charlie Dean (Williamstown)
19: James Rendell (Frankston)
18: Shaun Mannagh (Werribee)
18: Stefan Radovanovic (Carlton)
17: Brayden Kilpatrick (Box Hill Hawks)
16: Hudson Garoni (Werribee)
15: Harvey Hooper (Port Melbourne)
15: Connor Riley (Frankston)
15: Charlie Thompson (Coburg)
Twitter: @BRhodesVFL
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