AFL Draft 2023: Scouting notes from Eastern Ranges v Geelong Falcons
With Vic Country and Metro in action, a number of overlooked and bottom-age prospects pressed their draft claims. All the scouting notes and SuperCoach points.
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Goalkicking inaccuracy plagued both sides but there was plenty of promising performances the tight Eastern Ranges-Geelong Falcons contest at Dandenong’s Shepley Oval on Sunday.
The Ranges held on to record a 14-point win Falcons with a bunch of bottom-agers and new faces getting exposed for both sides with Vic Metro and Vic Country both in action over the weekend.
See the top performers and all the SuperCoach scorers below.
EASTERN RANGES
Christian Moraes (Glen Waverley)
182cm midfielder, 11/08/2006
29 disposals, 19 contested possessions, 11 inside 50s, six tackles, 158 SuperCoach points
This was some performance from a player just 16 years of age. Moraes was constantly driving the ball inside 50 and setting up goals for the Ranges, pumping it in 11 times for the match and finishing with 10 score involvements. The bottom-ager won a whopping 19 contested possessions and some of his crafty ball-use under pressure was first class. He also showcased his speed and spring on a couple of occasions throughout the day. The future looks bright for Moraes.
Josh Tovey (Park Orchards)
193cm defender, 22/07/2005
24 disposals, 10 marks, six rebound 50s, five inside 50s, three intercept marks, 136 SuperCoach points
Was a brick wall in defence, where his strong hands and reading of the play stood out. Was regularly tasked with delivering the ball outside defence 50 and generally used it well by foot, also working his way up the ground to be involved in attacking chains. Clunked three intercept marks in a performance that could put him back on recruiters’ radar.
Josh Smillie (Park Orchards)
194cm midfielder, 17/05/2006
30 disposals, 14 contested possessions, five inside 50s, 1.1, 113 SuperCoach points
Showed why he should have been in Vic Metro’s midfield against the Allies instead of running out for the Ranges on Sunday. Led the way in the engine room for the Ranges with his strong contested ball-winning and his overhead marking around the ground was impressive. But the real highlight was his classy goal under pressure from 40m out when the Falcons were coming in the third term.
Riley Weatherill (East Ringwood)
195cm forward, 21/11/2005
12 disposals, five marks, two goals, 113 SuperCoach points
Started hot with two first quarter goals but it was his switch to defence that was the biggest talking point. Weatherill was able to impact marking contests with thumping spoils and took a couple of nice marks in the role. The move is sure to pique the interest of recruiters and Vic Metro selectors, with Weatherill missing out on selection in Metro’s first two games of the national championships.
Tyson Sruk (Rowville)
180cm defender, 24/08/2005
28 disposals, 18 uncontested possessions, 123 SuperCoach points
The Ranges believe he has been arguably their most consistent performer for the season and his outing on Sunday was no exception. Sruk was strong defensively, used the ball well and provided his usual drive out of defence, with some nice streaming runs in the final term in particular. He also received some midfield time with other key players on Vic Metro duties.
Isaac Tanzimat (East Ringwood)
184cm forward, 12/07/2005
11 disposals, two tackles, 2.2, 94 SuperCoach points
Tanzimat showed he has some tricks as a dangerous small forward. His two goals came from a holding the ball and an errant kick-in in the last, which saw him coolly slot the sealer. But his two behind were arguably more exciting: a soccer off the ground - while outnumbered one-on-two - nearly resulting in a goal, and a quick follow-up gather and snap after a marking contest that highlighted his athleticism.
Liam George (Mooroolbark)
182cm forward/midfielder, 5/10/2005
11 disposals, seven score involvements, 57 SuperCoach points
George had some exciting moments, headlined by a massive hanger late in the final quarter, landing like a cat to then spot up an option in an instant. The diminutive George showcased his strong hands overhead, agility in traffic and crafty ball-use. George faded late but his specky was certainly worth the wait.
Geelong Falcons
Reef Page (Torquay)
Key forward, 190cm, 3/02/2005
12 disposals, eight score involvements, three marks, 3.3, 112 SuperCoach points
A seriously impressive display from Page, who could have easily had a bag if he kicked straight. In his first Falcons game since round four, Page kept his side in the match with 3.3, presenting strongly on the lead and winning it in the air and at ground level. His last goal put the Falcons within six points in the last quarter after another clean mark in front of his opponent. The Torquay product was playing in the Bellarine Football League last month but he’s unlikely to be going back there anytime soon.
Patrick Hughes (Torquay)
Midfielder, 175cm, 20/03/2005
25 disposals, 12 contested possessions, five tackles, four clearances 50s, 96 SuperCoach points
With concerns over his outside game, Hughes had his most productive game of the year on that front, tallying 12 uncontested possessions. It was an encouraging sign for Hughes, who was also a workhorse on the inside with four clearances. At one stage he dodged a tackler with a nice spin move to get free and he showed some burst from stoppage throughout the contest.
Noah Tullio (Newtown & Chillwell)
Defender, 167cm, 23/03/2006
19 disposals, six intercepts, 66 SuperCoach points
A glimpse into the future with Tullio showing good signs in his Coates Talent League debut. Tullio read the play well in defence to take two intercept marks and the 167cm prospect certainly didn’t lack for confidence, selling candy at one stage before dishing off a handball on the wing. Looks to have nice speed and agility.
Malachi White (St Joseph’s)
183cm midfielder, 6/01/2005
22 disposals, 14 contested possessions, six score involvements, 105 SuperCoach points
White won plenty of the ball in tight and was polished with his ball-use, winning 12 ground-ball gets and going at 77 per cent efficiency for the match. Like Hughes, it was White’s first Falcons game for three months and this display should ensure he continues to press his claims.
Tom Anastasopoulos (Newtown & Chillwell)
176cm forward, 31/05/2005
10 disposals, five score involvements, 47 SuperCoach points
Anastasopoulos was managed from Vic Country duties but may struggle to slot back in after being held goalless for his third-straight game. The small forward showed off his dash on a couple of occasions with some nice runs up the wing but was quiet against an inexperienced Ranges side.
Zac McInnes (Bell Park)
196cm forward, 13/01/2006
8 disposals, three score assists, two contested marks, 1.1, 82 SuperCoach points
Had maximum impact from his eight disposals, clunking two big grabs, having three direct score assists and slotting a goal himself. The 196cm forward also spent some time in the ruck and three of his seven hit-outs were to advantage. McInnes has kicked a goal in all seven of his Coates Talent League games in what has been an impressive bottom-age season to date.
SUPERCOACH POINTS
RANGES
Christian Moraes 158
Josh Tovey 136
Tyson Sruk 123
Josh Smillie 113
Riley Weatherill 113
Isaac Tanzimat 94
Seth McDonald 87
Joshua Galstians 87
Jordan Hider 77
Lachlan Monteath 71
Jackson Mooney 70
Jack Baldwin 67
Cody Anderson 63
Joshua Davies 63
Zac McGown 63
Baylin Spencer 63
Liam George 57
Ry Cantwell 50
Zach Tulloch 42
Cameron West 34
Jak Ryan 32
Lincoln Wright 30
Remy MacLean 30
FALCONS
Reef Page 112
Thomas Burke 109
Malachi White 105
Patrick Hughes 96
Tom Bartlett 95
Mackenzie Butcher 85
Tobyn Murray 82
Zac McInnes 82
Kobe George 78
Liam Kershaw 72
Xavier Ivisic 71
Noah Tullio 66
Hamish Pierson 62
Josh Sanders 61
Will Mclachlan 55
Tom Peirce 48
Tom Anastasopoulos 47
Zekiah Davey 47
Ethan Borys 40
Matthew Jones 39
Archie Sinnott 38
Brady Hall 24
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Originally published as AFL Draft 2023: Scouting notes from Eastern Ranges v Geelong Falcons
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