Several top AFL Draft prospects enhanced their stocks on the biggest stage on Saturday as Gippsland defeated Dandenong in the Talent League grand final.
After an up-and-down season, Gippsland co-captain Cody Templeton showed AFL attributes in a best-on-field performance, while top-10 prospect Wil Malady had his best outing for Gippsland since returning from school footy.
For Dandenong, in-form pair Kaie Sullivan and Marcus Prasad continued a strong finals series, while Mitch Toner was arguably the best in a losing cause.
Full notes
Cody Templeton
A compelling and important reminder of what Templeton is capable of. Finished with a bag of five, all of which came at important times, none more so than the first major of the last quarter when he stepped around his opponent and finished on the run from 40. With his running having been questioned throughout the year, he played a four-quarter performance at his best as a half-forward who was capable of playing as a link player and getting to the fall of the ball inside 50, with his forward craft also strong. Spent time in the midfield where he was typically able to get his hands on it and win clearances.
Wil Malady
Took the game away from Dandenong with three goals in three minutes in the third quarter. Finished with a bag of five, all of which came in the second half. Took a strong grab just before halftime but missed the ensuing shot; competed hard and got involved at ground level high up the ground in the first half and was lively, and it started going his way after the main break when Gippsland got it in deeper and more directly. Probably thrived from being the main target with teammate Ash Mounsey injured, with his contested marking and leading patterns exemplary, which underpinned why many have him on the edge of the top 10.
Keenan Boi
Changed the dynamic of the game when he went into the midfield in the third quarter, with his speed on offence and defensive tenacity helping his side stretch away from Gippsland. Kicked the first goal of the game as he got to the goal side of his direct opponent, and got another on the run from 40 in the last quarter and should have had a third via a free kick mistakenly awarded to a teammate. Was typically clean and powerful around the contest.
Oscar Henwood
The star bottom-ager played with an air of class in his first game for a month as a midfielder/forward. Two direct goal assists to teammates' advantage in the third quarter showed off his effective left foot, able to kick penetratingly and with deft touch. Played with his typical courage and was influential when he pushed up to stoppage.
Henry Allsop
The Hawthorn Next Generation Academy defender had the matchup on Dylan Linden, who has had a strong finish to the season for Dandenong and did well to nullify his aerial impact. Read the ball coming inside 50 well and took several strong intercept marks when the ball was at its highest point.
Xavier Ladbrook
The prototype player who benefits from his side's team success, Ladbrook's last two games were a compelling advertisement of his attributes as a key defender. An intercept mark from Dandenong's first inside 50 of the game laid the foundation for another strong game from the raw key-position prospect who had composure when he found the footy and was willing to run forward when given space. His aerial aggression and willingness to come forward to defend were a feature, as he has benefitted from the positional stability in his favoured backline role after playing across the ground by necessity.
Charlie Fischer
The Hawthorn Next Generation Academy prospect played an electric first half, taking the game on and playing with confidence as Dandenong was forced to absorb plenty of inside 50 entries. Generated counterattacks and played with calmness in open play.
Judd Burgiel
A key cog of Gippsland's midfield, he was at his best early in the third quarter to help the Power get on top. Navigates his way through traffic expertly and was hard to tackle, with his burst of speed and agility helping Gippsland surge the footy forward from centre stoppage.
Levi Macumber
Set up Keenan Boi for the first goal of the game with a perfect kick to his advantage and, despite low stats, proved a dynamic front-half threat. His clean hands and composure on the big stage were both factors in both of his goals, one of which was the first of the third term when Gippsland broke away.
Mitch Toner
Was involved in everything when Dandenong were at their most dangerous. Kicked two goals and had power and presence both in the air and at ground level as he proved difficult to tackle or beat one-on-one. Toner's decision-making was another feature of his game, directly setting up three goals as he looked to bring teammates into the game and set up teammates in dangerous spots inside 50. Ran hard, got high and was always dangerous when he got the footy.
Kaie Sullivan
A crunching one-on-one aerial contest against Gippsland's Thomas MacMillan in the last quarter once the result was sealed typified the fearlessness with which Sullivan always plays. His ruthless aggression was matched with hurt factor when given time and space, and he kicked two goals, including a classy finish running inside 50 in the first quarter.
Gus Kennedy
Was matched up on Cody Templeton for much of the game, who was awarded best on ground, but that's not to say Kennedy played a poor game. His effort, competitiveness and intensity were impressive, and he took some strong intercept marks and played with dare. A strong grab on the taller Wil Malady in the third quarter was a highlight.
Andrio Sousa
Arguably his most impressive moment, a bullet 40-metre dart through the corridor to advantage inside 50 burst through a teammate's hands but underpinned his quick ball movement with his effective kicking and blazing speed. Kicked a goal on the quarter-time siren after pushing forward and finding space in dangerous territory inside 50. Also showed the confidence and composure to stand up in a tackle and distribute, and was prominent in the second quarter when Dandenong was at its best.
Marcus Prasad
The star small forward played with intensity defensively, with his tackling pressure giving Dandenong repeat looks inside 50 and preventing Gippsland from bursting off half-back. Kicked a big-time stabilising goal in the third quarter from 45 and found ways to look lively and remain influential when the ball was forward despite being matched up on dangerous pair Charlie Fischer and Jimmy Little.
