Three days before they are set to be officially unveiled as Tasmania's first ever AFL signings, six of the seven 17-year-olds the club will select lined up in the annual Under-17s Futures match on Saturday morning.
But it was another player linked to the club who caught the eye, with Jake Beams taking out team Mitchell's best afield honours.
He finished with a game-high 24 disposals and took the game on with his drive and dare by foot.
As a local Tasmanian in next year's crop, the Devils will get priority access to Beams, who also performed well throughout the Under-18s National Championships for the Allies.
Unbelievably, if he was just 10 days younger, he would not be eligible until the 2028 AFL National Draft.
Beams' fellow Tasmanian, Max Gulliver, a late inclusion, played a handy second half generating transition.
Usually played at the MCG to raise the curtain for the AFL Grand Final, this year's decider was played at Whitten Oval due to the MCG wanting to preserve the surface on a wet day.
Team Mitchell took out the win by seven points over Team Melksham.
Team Melksham's best player was Jett Flower, who finished with 16 damaging disposals, getting involved in possession chains and playing particularly well through the middle of the game where he had composure and effective skills despite the conditions.
He looms as a top 10 prospect in next year's compromised intake, with Saturday's game, unbelievably, his first outing in 56 days due to a syndesmosis injury.
Also among the best players were Essendon father-son prospect Koby Bewick, who kicked two goals from outside 50, Hawthorn and Port Adelaide father-son Percy Burgoyne, who kicked two goals and presented well inside 50, Western Australian Campbell Creyk who played with power in the midfield, and Eddie Betts Foundation member Gary Lawford, who kicked four goals.
How each prospective Tasmanian player performed:
Jake Miller (Western Jets)
A dribbling soccer shot on goal from the boundary line and attempted nifty short pass inside 50 very early underlined the creative thinking and dexterity Miller has. He kicked a first quarter goal from a 50-metre penalty and in soggy conditions hit packs hard and looked dangerous when targeted. Snapped a goal in the third quarter and then was hit up in the last quarter where he escaped his direct opponent and then found a teammate who converted. Also took some marks high up the ground throughout the day as he looked too strong and classy for his direct opponent.
Riley Stratford (Sandringham Dragons)
The big-bodied midfielder's day started and ended with a bang, as he kicked a goal from outside 50 to get his day started and his second goal was the last kick of the game in a losing cause. Also put his body on the line to take a courageous mark on the last line of defence in the last quarter and won some clearances. Combined clean skill in the wet with a competitive edge.
Baxter Sruk (Eastern Ranges)
The Eastern Ranges on-baller got his hands on it regularly at stoppage and thrived in the hardy conditions as his clean skill execution came to the fore. Was also willing to do the hard stuff, with a run down tackle on Eastern Ranges teammate Jett Flower a highlight which typified his work rate. A step below his absolute best but found ways to impact for the full four quarters.
Axel Walsh (East Perth)
Took some strong intercept marks in the backline and can be forgiven for not taking the grab every time he got hands on the footy. Was good in the ruck getting the better of his direct opponent and waxing well with Campbell Creyk, in particular, and at times took the liberty to grab it out of the ruck and take metres on a wet day.
Griffin Barker (Western Jets)
More of a moments game than a complete performance from Barker, who showed his power in spurts. Zigged and zagged through traffic in the second quarter and hit up Jake Miller supberbly who kicked the goal, which was probably the highlight of Barker's day.
Angus Brown (Sandringham Dragons)
Even in the wet conditions, Brown was reasonably clean and lively, able to swoop on loose balls and dish out some handballs and was unfazed by pressure. Had moments of dynamism forward of centre.
Nate Jenkins (Calder Cannons)
Jenkins missed the game due to illness. He is a mobile key forward who has kicked bags of goals this year.
