Carlton father-son prospect Cody Walker has starred in his comeback game in the Under-18s National Championships.
After missing Vic Country's second game with an AC shoulder injury, he won three of the first four centre clearances of the game to stamp his authority on his team's one-point loss with 35 disposals.
One of those clearances set up fellow top five prospect Ethan Drever for a trademark running goal from centre stoppage on his home ground at Mars Stadium, Ballarat.
An eye-catching groundball gather at the top of 50 and clean disposal inside 50 and bruising bump over the boundary line on a South Australian opponent were another couple of moments which highlighted his intensity and skill early.
His decision-making and willingness to bring his teammates into the game as co-captain were another couple of impressive parts of a strong four quarter performance.
Walker had some big moments late in the contest, winning an important one-on-one and setting up teammate Xavier Ladbrook deep in attack, but the Gippsland swingman was unable to convert.
A clean centre clearance to start the fourth quarter was decisive as the teams jostled for momentum was also critical as were some groundball gets and handball receives in defensive 50.
Walker is widely expected to attract a bid in the top three of this year's AFL Draft, having put together a strong campaign to date with Bendigo Pioneers, AFL Academy, Carlton VFL and now Vic Country.
Hometown boy Archie Elliott kicked three second quarter goals – two of those matched up on AFL Academy utility Jack Gordon - showcasing that his strong goal kicking form at Talent League level translates to the higher standard of the national championships.
He finished with four goals, while GWV teammates Drever and Klay Nicholls also enhanced their stocks.
Finn Callaghan-clone Drever is firmly in top 10 contention and kicked a goal from 50 bursting from centre stoppage, while his run through the corridor and ability to chain possession made him a transition threat.
Dandenong co-captain Gus Kennedy backed up a strong second game of the Under-18s National Championships with some important defensive actions and aggressive intent in a 17-disposal outing.
Noah Williams had some big moments off half-back, Darcy Harrington was impressive on the wing and Clancy Snell was a thorn in defence.
His Stingrays teammate Darcy Szerszyn also showed some impressive attributes, taking four intercept marks, getting involved in counter-attack and laying some important spoils, but will be frustrated that South Australia still got scoring opportunities from three of those spoils.
The Nick Cox-coached Vic Country will finish its Under-18s National Championships with a bout against Vic Metro at Mars Stadium, Ballarat, on Sunday 19 July.
The result confirms that Vic Metro will take out the Under-18s National Championships regardless of that result.
