Coates Talent League 2023: Scouting notes from Geelong Falcons v GWV Rebels
The Coates Talent League was back and a host of draft prospects impressed as the Geelong Falcons and GWV Rebels clashed — including the brother of a Pie. Full scouting notes.
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Geelong Falcons were completely outplayed by a dominant GWV Rebels side, going down by 76-points as a host of draft prospects stood tall for both sides.
We take a closer look at who impressed.
SCOUTING NOTES
Joe Pike (Barwon Heads)
Pike was strong across the day at stoppages and around the ground, dominating the hit-outs with 35 of his own to the Rebels’ 17. Nine of those hit-outs went to advantage – gaining metreage with some big slaps forward – and it would have been more if the Rebels midfield wasn’t so dominant. Perhaps the most impressive part of Pike’s game was his work away from the contest, including a nice spinning move to find an option and a towering pack mark and goal late in the piece. The 203cm prospect also tallied 13 disposals, three clearances and 125 SuperCoach points.
Michael Rudd (St Mary’s)
Rudd was one of the Falcons’ best on the day despite an intriguing battle with bottom-age Rebel Will Rantall. Rudd clunked four contested marks – including two strong grabs in the space of a couple of minutes at the end of the second term – and kicked two of the Falcons’ six goals for the match. Entries were few and far between for the Falcons but Rudd managed to have an impact on the contest and continue his impressive season.
Mal White (St Joseph’s)
The Falcons felt White was one of their better midfielders on a day where they were beat up on the inside. White won 23 disposals, 13 contested possessions and laid six tackles to go with 108 SuperCoach points with his intensity and inside ball-winning standing out. Probably his best performance yet since returning from a broken hand earlier this month.
Pat Hughes (Torquay)
Fought hard going head to head with AFL Academy member George Stevens but was well beaten in the duel. Hughes can still hold his head up high, though, after finishing as the top-ranked Falcon on the ground with 130 SuperCoach points, 23 disposals, 14 contested possessions and five clearances. A strong contested mark in a pack was one of his highlights, but his kicking let him down at times.
Tobyn Murray (Colac)
Was moved up forward in the second half and created opportunities for himself in the air and at ground level from limited supply. Took a clever juggling mark in a 1-on-1 contest in the final term but failed to convert from directly in front, also missing another scoring opportunity from a tougher angle in the final term. Had the 19 disposals, 10 contested possessions and five marks but went at 36 per cent by foot.
Angus Hastie (Geelong West)
Hastie hadn’t fallen below 110 SuperCoach ranking points in his first six games in the Coates Talent League this season, but the Vic Country representative managed just 36 points and 12 touches on Sunday in an inconsistent performance. He certainly wasn’t alone, though, with the Falcons struggling down at Warnambool. Hastie took a couple of intercept marks and was given exposure on the ball and on a wing in the second half. Showcased his leap by nearly taking a screamer in the third quarter, but he just couldn’t quite bring it down.
GWV REBELS
George Stevens (South Warnambool)
Another immense Talent League statline for Stevens: 36 disposals, 18 contested possessions, 12 clearances, 11 score involvements, seven tackles, a goal and 191 SuperCoach points. Stevens has polarised recruiters across the country due to concerns over his speed but he proved once again that he is one of the best inside midfielders in the draft crop, with his clean hands, strong frame and competitiveness.
Connor Byrne (Koroit)
Byrne is making a late charge with eight goals in the last fortnight – including a stunning haul of 5.3 to go with 18 disposals and 155 SuperCoach points against the Falcons – where he has showed he has plenty of tricks around goal. Byrne wasn’t playing his best footy for the Rebels earlier in the year, with the mix of school football and commuting from Koroit taking its toll. Now managing his workload better, Byrne has been able to put his talent on display, and if he keeps up this form in the run home he’s sure to grab the attention of recruiters.
Lachie Charleson (East Point)
25 disposals, nine clearances, five score assists, five tackles, 14 contested, nine inside 50s
Charleson played through the midfield for the Rebels and was dynamic forward of centre with five nine inside 50s and five score assists among his 25 disposals. He also did plenty of grunt work inside, finishing with 14 contested possessions, nine clearances and five tackles. Charleson missed the final national championships game and will be looking to continue this kind of form in the run home to boost his draft stocks.
Luamon Lual (South Warnambool)
Lual has rocketed up draft boards after an impressive national carnival as a small backman with flare and great defensive attributes, and he showed he has another string to his bow. Playing closer to home against the Falcons, the South Warnambool product looked at home when he was swung into the midfield in the second half, where his creative link-up play, clean hands and ball-use stood out. Lual also shone in his traditional role in defence in the first half, finishing with 23 disposals at 87 per cent efficiency and 92 SuperCoach points.
Rhys Unwin (Cobden)
Unwin was extremely lively for the Rebels up forward, finishing with three goals, four score assists, 17 possessions and 129 SuperCoach points. Kicked one of the goals of the day with a cracking snap under pressure on the left which bounced through, and he should have had a fourth goal after a speedy intercept was marred by a comical miss running into an open goal. But that took nothing away from his exciting display from the bottom-ager, which showed he is a player to keep tabs on next year.
Joel Freijah (Horsham)
It was business as usual for the workmanlike Freijah, who just continues to get the job done on the wing. Freijah put the jets on in the final quarter for a blistering run on the wing with his Vic Country teammate Angus Hastie unable to keep up. Used the ball well throughout the day and was clean at ground level, finishing with 18 touches, a goal and 118 SuperCoach points.
Jonty Faull (Redan)
The Rebels are excited about what Faull can bring as a key forward and the bottom ager’s presence against the Falcons was impressive. Faull clunked six marks, two of those contested and could have kicked a bag, finishing with an inaccurate 2.4.
Will Rantall (South Warnambool)
A key defender Rantall is a much different player to his brother, former Collingwood running machine Jay. But he does share similar athleticism, with the bottom-age big man holding his own up against Vic Country representative Michael Rudd. The 16-year-old was able to keep up with the strong endurance of Rudd around the ground and read the play well to intercept while matched up on him. He finished with 11 disposals, 10 of which hit the target, and six marks in a promising showing.
SUPERCOACH POINTS
FALCONS
Patrick Hughes 130
Ethan Borys 126
Joe Pike 125
Michael Rudd 116
Mal White 108
Tobyn Murray 96
Kobe George 76
Zekiah Davey 70
Noah Tullio 62
Josh Sanders 59
Caleb Foster 53
Hamish Pierson 51
Rhys McWaters 45
Tom Peirce 34
Mackenzie Butcher 40
Angus Hastie 36
Lachie Jaques 28
Will Montebello 59
Gus Morrison 16
Liam Kershaw 14
Archie Sinnott 13
Brady Hall 10
Max Jones -12
REBELS
George Stevens 191
Connor Byrne 155
Lachie Charleson 132
Rhys Unwin 129
Joel Freijah 118
Mitchell Lloyd 111
Jonty Faull 101
Luamon Lual 92
Will Rantall 89
Oliver Hannaford 85
Alex Molan 77
Oscar Gawith 72
Harry Lawson 71
Jack Ough 69
Fred Valpied 66
Khy Jess 64
Connor Weidemann 59
Harry Charleson 59
Ned Renfree 57
Mac Scoullar 56
Reggie Mast 53
Amon Radley 40
Brady Wright 23
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Originally published as Coates Talent League 2023: Scouting notes from Geelong Falcons v GWV Rebels
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