North Melbourne VFL defeated the AFL Academy by 71 points at Arden Street Oval on Sunday.
It's the first of two games for the AFL Academy, which will be back in action against Richmond on Saturday at Ikon Park.
After a fast start for North Melbourne shot the Roos to a 37-point lead, the AFL Academy stormed back to level the scores before the hosts again opened up a buffer going into half-time and kept the AFL Academy goalless in the third term to run away with it.
First year pair Lachy Dovaston and Hugo Mikunda were among the Roos' classiest, while VFL-listed Xavier Bamert also impressed after a strong outing last week.
But most eyes were more firmly focused on the AFL Academy side, with plenty of players impressing against seasoned bodies.
After being named the two best in the AFL U17s Futures game last year, Carlton father-son prospect Cody Walker and Geelong Falcons defender/midfielder Noah Williams again shone on Sunday.
South-Australian pair Gabe Patterson and Kodah Edwards, Richmond-tied prospect Tanner Armstrong and Brisbane Academy member Caylen Murray.
Player-by-player notes
Arki Butler: Was one of his side's starting midfielders at the first ball-up, while also spending plenty of time in his customary forward position. The Toby Greene-like player presented high up the ground on multiple occasions, particularly in the second quarter, to provide a bail-out option out of defence and showcase the work rate which has improved considerably in the past 12 months. A lace-out kick to Gabe Patterson in the third term highlighted his potency when given time and space, while he won the last centre clearance and hit his inside 50 kick after powering through a pair of tacklers.
Gabe Patterson: One of his side's most impressive, the South-Australian did not look like he had missed a beat despite being sidelined for the past fortnight with a shoulder injury. Played as a high forward and provided spark and energy in the front half. Was excellently clean both at the fall of the footy in marking contests and reading it off the ruck's hands, while his field kicking to find targets going forward was also trusty. Also worked hard to hassle opponents when he didn't have the ball, presented well and demonstrated high footy IQ in a number of ways.
Garrison Kenh: A quieter day for the West Coast Next Generation Academy prospect, but still had flashes of brilliance. Took the game on with a give and get before setting up Lewis Houndsome in the last quarter, which led to his side's only goal of the second half. Laid an important first quarter smother and cleared defence on multiple occasions. Was moved to the wing for the last term.
Noah Williams: Came to life in the second quarter, and showcased a mix of his attacking flair with his tenacious tackling. In a game which is always dominated by offence, his defensive acts through the midfield stood out. A goal assist - even if not by design - in the second term highlighted his potency inside 50, something that has hardly been on show throughout his talent pathway career to date given where he has played. Played in a tiring defence in the last quarter, and his effort and intensity did not waiver, winning a holding the ball free kick, pinpointing several kicks under pressure, neutralising marking contests and mopping up on the last line. Also impressive was his nous around the footy; his ability to draw opponents in before releasing a handball to release a teammate, and poise and ability to keep his hands free while being tackled. A super impressive outing from the Geelong Falcon.
Harrison Chapman: He burst away from a contest and hit his target with a dart in the third quarter, which showcased the talent that has many excited about the Eastern Ranges product. Showed calmness and linked up multiple times in defensive 50, playing the position where he established himself in the Talent League last year, on a relatively quiet day.
Archie Hill: The Gold Coast Academy prospect showed some good defensive instincts, coming off his man to win the footy back on multiple occasions. He laid some big tackles and showed he was unafraid to crack in, worked hard across the four quarters and showed a desire to bring the ball in board when the option presented.
Caylen Murray: One of the standouts on the day, the Brisbane Academy prospect started the game with some ultra-clean ground ball gets which bought him time to make the right decision. His vision going forward was excellent all day, and he had the execution to match, with Murray arguably his side's most consistent user in the front half.
Tanner Armstrong: The Richmond-tied player got his chance in the midfield after a blazing start to the season at Talent League level and took it with both hands. Laid a big tackle early and continued to crack in with some tenacious efforts that highlighted his willingness to put his head over the footy. His hands were quick, and he was one of his side's leading ball-winners. An excellent kick to find Harry Van Hattum inside 50 after exploding from stoppage capped off his day.
Sonny Smiler: A mixed day for the late inclusion to the side from the Northern Territory. Playing on a wing, he had some moments of near magic, showcasing his electric skillset and pace which caught the eye of recruiters and led to his call-up. A kick across his body to hit up Lewis Houndsome in the first quarter proved that x-factor and he looked to be bold and make things happen at every turn. While lively, he was unclean at times at ground level which invited pressure and was unable to finish any of his shots. Regardless, proved he has all the attributes and looks capable of tearing a game apart.
Marlon Neocleous: Another one of the AFL Academy's late additions, it was his combination of pressure and poise which stood out on the day. Comparisons between Neocloeus and Hawthorn's Nick Watson have been drawn for 18 months, but there is no doubt that Neocleous' pressure is far advanced of where Watson's was at the same age, with that physicality and competitiveness helping lock the ball inside 50 several times and also on show at the contest. When he did find the footy, he made the right decisions, with his deep kick inside 50 in the second quarter leading to a goal for Gippsland teammate Wil Malady. His execution by foot was on-song from the start as he looked comfortable at the level, having experienced the rigours of senior country footy for Traralgon. The Gippslander was on his way to Bendigo to prepare for a Talent League match when he got the call-up and certainly made the most of his chance.
Cody Walker: All eyes were on Walker, viewed by many as his side's best player with Dougie Cochrane missing, and the Carlton father-son prospect did not disappoint. He won four of his six clearances in the first quarter, looking cleaner and one step ahead of his teammates even as the Kangaroos looked to pressure him. Got first hands on the ball repeatedly and was composed in traffic and covered the ground well. Set up Harry Van Hattum for his side's first goal, which kick-started a brilliant match. His experience of playing senior footy at Echuca under Dad, Andrew, certainly came to the fore as he finished with a team-high 25 disposals and looked the most damaging with ball in hand.
Jack Gordon: The main feature of Gordon's game that was on show was his read of the play. Intercepted on several occasions throughout the day, one being a kick-in which helped lock the ball inside 50 and led to a repeat shot on goal. The South Australian also showed good turn of speed and is unrushed when he gets the footy.
Ethan Matthews: Spending time on the wing and in defence, it was in defensive 50 where he had his best moments. A holding the ball tackle on the last line of defence saved a goal, he intercepted well and was clean when he had his chances.
Kodah Edwards: One of few who played clearly a better second half than first, Edwards kicked his side's only goal after halftime, which was a reward for excellent effort as he finished with 23 disposals. Got midfield minutes and looked dangerous with his clean hands reading the ruck's tap, poise in traffic and offensive flair getting things started for his side. Had some involvement as a result of hard defensive running early and continued to cover the ground well throughout.
Wil Malady: The Gippsland forward popped up for two opportune goals in the space of a minute in the second quarter as his side came storming back but was otherwise quiet. Worked hard to provide an option inside 50 throughout.
Koby Lecras: Produced arguably the goal of the day for the AFL Academy, kicking a goal from 50 metres out on the boundary line, using the wind to his advantage. Was particularly busy in the third quarter where his ability to create an aerial contest, follow-up at ground level and speed all came to the fore. Spent time on the wing and worked hard.
Kale Matthews-Hampton: A late inclusion to the line-up, he reprised his usual defensive post having played in the midfield at SANFL U18s level last week, and had plenty of important moments. His day started with an intercept mark early, but just as impressive as his intercepting and clean skills was his reliability in one-on-one contests. Hardly lost a contest, able to neutralise either with a fist or smart body positioning.
Tate Hodgson: Indisputably the best of the tall defenders across the four quarters, Hodgson finished with four intercept marks - and probably dropped his easiest intercept mark attempt - and showed little difficulty lining up against the bigger bodies. Did not allow his opponents separation on the lead, positioned himself well to impact the long high balls while quelling the impact of his opponent and if he was not marking it, he was spoiling it. Stands at 197cm and was the linchpin of the backline.
Xavier Ladbrook: Was particularly important in the second half as his team started fatiguing and the defence had more to do. Neutralised an important one on two deep in defence, which saved a certain goal in the third term, and took a strong intercept mark on Matt Whitlock in the fourth. In between that were other impressive moments, such as applying pressure with his speed, looking assured with ball in hand, and looking to cut angles. Given his raw frame and the flurry of entries, he was beaten on occasion, but, having been exposed across the field in the last two years, showed good instinct as a defender which underpinned the glimpses he showed.
Ethan Herbert: A contested mark from deep in a big pack was the highlight of the South Australian's day, which was promising as he opposed bigger bodies. Unfortunately, he missed that ensuing set shot, with his set shot goal kicking the main thing which let him down, but he kicked a major at ground level, and showed the strength to move his direct opponent in the ruck contest to access the footy on multiple occasions. His blend of strength and skill which has propelled his stocks early in the SANFL U18s season was again a standout feature.
Lewis Houndsome: Commanded the footy in the forward line but seemed to have a lot of balls that fell just short, went through hands or just missed the target which limited his output. Regardless, his hulking presence always looked potent, particularly after he was given a run and jump at the footy in the first quarter, took a big mark and opened the AFL Academy's account. That came minutes after he found separation on the lead and got himself a separate shot. An almost day for the Northern Knights prospect.
Benji Van Rooyen: Started as the deepest forward for the AFL Academy, which is where he spent much of the day, presenting long down the line and making a contest, without much reward. Had quick hands which helped his team on a couple of occasions, and had a set shot which fell just short.
Harry Van Hattum: The starting ruck competed well both in the ruck and as a forward throughout the day. Usually the ruck contests in where the AFL Academy gets shown up, so it's a credit to Herbert and Van Hattum that North didn't rule the air on the day, even if there were no stunning moments of aerial impact. A kick inside 50 in the second quarter highlighted the skill he's got that is usually associated with 180cm runners, while he got back and took an intercept mark late, which showcased his work rate after a long and taxing day against Taylor Goad.
