Raw defender Xavier Ladbrook and forward trio Marlon Neocleous, Koby Lecras and Arki Butler all shone in a competitive showing by the AFL Academy on Saturday at Ikon Park.
It was a significant improvement on the squad's heavy loss to North Melbourne last week, with the Tarkyn Lockyer coached side staying with the Tigers until three-quarter time.
An early fourth quarter onslaught got Richmond over the line.
Richmond Next Generation Academy prospect Tanner Armstrong and South Australian defender Kale Matthews-Hampton were others to raise their stocks.
Richmond first year player Sam Cumming took out the best afield medal for Richmond as he presses for an AFL debut, while Mid-Season Draft prospect Sam Toner marked everything that came his way and kicked 3.3.
AFL Academy player-by-player notes
Arki Butler: The top 10 prospect's second quarter in particular was impressive, finding different ways to get involved and getting his hands on the footy at will. Was unrushed and not flustered with the footy in his hand which enabled him to make effective decisions. Burst through traffic and shrugged off tackles on several occasions, and had a moment in the fourth quarter where his potency inside 50 was on show, as he sold candy twice and was probably within his rights to have a shot but handed off.
Garrison Kenh: Was always there to mop up in defensive 50 as Xavier Ladbrook and Kale Matthews-Hampton in particular neutralised the aerial contests all day. Looked to create with his trademark kicking and energy exiting defensive 50 and although was a little too adventurous a couple of times, always looked likely with the ball in his hands. He also had three separate moments where his pressure or tackling proved important deep in defence, including a goal-saving tackle in the square on a bigger-bodied opponent.
Gabe Patterson: The highlight of his day was a creative snap goal through traffic from 20 metres out just before the halftime siren. As always with Patterson, he was always on the move and one step ahead trying to create. After a quiet first quarter, he got involved in the second, neutralising a one-on-two contest, and, separately, setting the ball up to a dangerous spot inside 50 where most players would have lined up a set shot. Provided an option all day and when the ball came his way, protected the drop zone well.
Noah Williams: Didn't have the four quarter consistency of game one when he took out the best afield medal, but when he did get the ball, looked a class above. Found a target in attack with a beautiful inside 50 kick in the first quarter, and also burst away from a centre stoppage early which got him humming, Laid a strong tackle in defensive 50 in the third quarter which further illustrated the defensive intent which was on show last week, and continued putting his head over the footy all day. His highlight was when he sent it forward from a centre stoppage in the second quarter, followed the high ball forward, got it back and drifted it through from 40 metres, giving him deserved reward for a great carnival.
Harrison Chapman: Showcased his ability to get himself in and out of traffic well and got involved in passages of play and possession chains consistently across the course of the day. Spent a lot of time on the wing and made the right decisions when he got the ball.
Heath Mellody: After missing game one, he got two very early kicks on the wing which laced out their target and gave him confidence for the strong day to follow. Always backed himself by foot, looking to transition the ball with speed. That was most clearly on show when he went through the corridor in the last corridor and hit a leading Wil Malady to open up a scoring chance. He also did a series of defensive acts which did not go unnoticed. Laid a smother inside attacking 50 which gave his side a repeat look at goals; earned himself a free kick and shot on goal - which he sprayed - by putting his head over the footy; won himself a holding the ball free kick in the second quarter; and ran well defensively to provide an extra number in defensive 50 where needed.
Archie Hill: A lace-out kick to Lewis Houndsome in the first quarter was a sight to behold. Continued to get involved in attacking chains and spread the ground when he needed to throughout the day. Played his role well throughout without necessarily getting too many moments to show his individual brilliance.
Caylen Murray: The Brisbane Academy prospect worked hard all day providing his daring run off half-back when he got the footy and executing with calmness and precision. Took an important intercept mark early, and won a centre clearance and had the vision to kick it to teammate Ethan Herbert's advantage where most would've dump kicked it in the last quarter.
Tanner Armstrong: Has been one of the most consistent players across the early part of the talent pathway year. Playing against the side he will likely play for next year, the Next Generation Academy prospect got first hands on the footy consistently underlining his clean hands and read of the rucks taps and won seven clearances - more than double anyone else on his team. Despite his small stature, competed hard and was strong in the contest, and linked up well as the AFL Academy looked to build some ball movement. His kicking when he did get some uncontested marks and afford time and space was punchy and purposeful, marking strong improvement from last season. Pushed forward to take a mark inside 50 at one stage, but his shot fell short.
Marlon Neocleous: Made a mockery of his initial non-selection in the squad. Was called to the bench for his first rotation after just 200 seconds, but had already leaped, marked and goaled to get his side off to the perfect start. His first quarter was his strongest, with his vision and poise excellent as he was the link player between the midfield and forward line on several occasions. Crumbed cleanly at the foot of a marking contest in the first quarter which showcased his forward craft, as did his niftiness around the boundary line as he desperately attempted to keep the ball in, which ultimately led to a shot on goal. Pushed high up the ground regularly to provide a bailout option out of defence, overworking his direct opponent and his ball security was excellent.
Cody Walker: As per usual, put himself in dangerous spots and always wanted the ball, but was more clumsy by foot on occasion than what we're accustomed to from the star Bendigo Pioneer - granted, he's a victim of his own lofty standards. Regardless, he was always poised when he got the footy and continued to back his skills as one of his team's leading midfielders who kept showing up and showed great ball handling skills. Did well in the third quarter to spoil a corridor kick, going back with the flight without giving away a free kick.
Jack Gordon: His series will probably be underrated and overshadowed among the exploits of others, but there were some moments to get excited about from the South Australian. Took two really strong intercept marks, had a goal-saving defensive effort and hassled defensively throughout the game. Others were better - or perhaps got more opportunity - to show their intercepting, pressure or tackling, but Gordon stuck to the task well, covered dangerous spots when he needed to and showed discipline off the ball. When he got the footy he regularly built up attacking chains.
Ethan Matthews: Played on the wing and in defence and had some good moments. Hit a nice inside 50 kick in the second quarter, in between some important defensive efforts, including some one-on-one wins/neutralisations, a spoil over the goal line on the last line of defence and holding the ball tackle.
Kodah Edwards: The starting midfielder got rolling with a strong tackle which won him a free kick and was always on the move at stoppage throughout the day which gave him a step of space when he found the footy. Won a couple of centre clearances courtesy of his clean hands, including one where he darted a kick to his target's advantage, and he showed his ability to stand up in a tackle and keep his hands free.
Wil Malady: Like in game one, kicked two easy goals, but had a few more moments of aerial impact against Richmond. Took two strong contested marks inside 50 and should have been given another one in the first quarter but the umpire did not pay it. Got separation off his direct opponent in the last quarter and took a mark out in front as he put himself at the top of 50.
Koby Lecras: The nephew of former West Coast Eagle Mark and son of former North Melbourne player Brent showed a bit of everything. Was busy in the first half, but had more moments of magic in the second; and throughout moved well for a player of his size. Was targeted in a one-on-one contest deep inside 50 late in the second quarter and brought it to ground, mopped up the ground ball and bent it home from the boundary line. Took a lead up mark and goal in the third term and in the fourth, got the ball just beyond his range, sold candy to the Richmond defender on the mark to buy himself an extra five metres and drilled it from 45. Each of his goals in a different way showed a strong element of his varied forward craft. Also got up the ground to impact around the contest throughout the game, proving adept below his knees and set up teammate Wil Malady with an excellent kick to his advantage as he battled a Richmond opponent in the goal square. After being quiet as others got the limited chances inside 50 last week, he took centre stage in game two.
Kale Matthews-Hampton: After a match of moments in game one, he put together closer to a full match this week. Stood under a high ball coming inside 50 in the third quarter and took a strong contested mark which was probably the highlight of his day. Had some important intercepts throughout, while a spoil in a one-on-two contest saved a scoring shot. Was tasked with taking some kick outs and hit his targets, including a bladecutting 50m dart in the first quarter. Positioned himself well and didn't ever allow his direct opponent easy access to the footy.
Tate Hodgson: Got a knee to the rib in the last quarter which ended his day slightly early, but had a couple of moments, including a smother and bump on the last line of defence in the third quarter which saved a shot on goal. Also took a strong intercept mark in the third quarter and showed a willingness to stand in the hole - which ultimately resulted in his injury.
Xavier Ladbrook: Wow. The achievement of best afield medal is always a coveted one in an AFL Academy game; to get it as a teenaged key defender when matched up against seasoned opponents while teammates are often looking to run off and attack is mighty impressive. Throw in his frame, rawer than most his age, and you get a sense of the excellence of the game. Worked hard for four quarters, with desperate defensive efforts and just proved impossible to outmark. Richmond forwards were never ever able to get any separation on the lead as his leg-speed showed through and he laid a fist into the ball on several occasions. Also took some strong intercept marks in the backline as he showed his strong pair of dukes and always made the right choice about whether to spoil or mark. Most impressively, did well to hold his own when opponents initiated physical contact, despite the massive weight difference. At one stage in the third quarter, the ball sailed over the head of s Richmond player in the corridor so he came off his man, cleanly gathered a loose ball and launched a counterattack. When the opportunity presented, he got himself involved in attacking chains which showcased his excellent ball-use. When the ball was kicked into Richmond's forward line with 90 seconds to go and he was one out, it felt for all money his direct opponent would get a shot on goal, but Ladbrook got his jumper, held on for dear life and was rewarded with a holding the ball effort. It was a fitting way to finish a capstone performance. As a sidenote: good luck to Talent League teams taking marks inside 50 against a Gippsland Power backline containing the two standout key defenders in the draft crop - Ladbrook and Clancy Snell.
Ethan Herbert: Earned an early free kick as he panicked his direct opponent in a marking contest and kicked it perfectly to teammate Marlon Neocleous' advantage. Led well inside 50 and took a strong mark out in front later in the first quarter and converted. Took a contested mark inside 50 later in the game and again looked dangerous in attack, anchoring the forward line well and competing even though those were his only two marks. Tougher day in the ruck, as with his teammates, but always looked to get involved in the follow-up.
Lewis Houndsome: Was a surprise to see him start in the ruck in the second quarter but spent much of his day inside 50. Took a good lead up mark in the first quarter but his shot fell short. Copped friendly fire in the third term, courageously putting himself in a vulnerable position in a marking contest, causing him to get helped from the field.
Benji Van Rooyen: Found a lot of the footy in general play and was safe with the footy in his hands. Laid a strong tackle after being beaten in the ruck contest early in the game which epitomised the effort he brought for four quarters, particularly getting busy when he was at stoppage. Took a strong contested mark in the second quarter and kicked it inboard, and got behind the play to take an intercept mark in the third.
Harry Van Hattum: On a day where the AFL Academy rucks were beaten, his deft hitout to Arki Butler's advantage to give the AFL Academy a centre clearance in the fourth quarter was a great sight. Competed the best in ruck contests of the fourt utilised in there, but as usual, it was what he did beyond that which was most impressive. Moved well, got the footy, took off and looked to lace out passes like an oversized midfielder on several occasions. Took a strong mark on the lead inside 50 but missed the shot, and took and also got behind the play to take an intercept mark.
