APS Football 2023: Geelong Grammar v Xavier College scouting notes, ranking points

An under-16 MVP, a potential top five prospect and another Davey were among those to shine in APS Football. See the top performers, ranking points and stats.

Xavier College notched a convincing win over Geelong Grammar away from home, and a host of draft talents from both sides shone brightly.

An under-16 MVP, a potential top-five prospect for 2024 and another Davey were among those to impress.

Here is who stood out, including full stats and ranking points.

GEELONG GRAMMAR

Jack Headon

Had arguably his best game for the APS season, winning the ball on the inside, racking up seven clearances, and working hard on the outside with 21 uncontested possessions. Headon finished with 33 disposals, 26 kicks, eight marks, seven inside 50s and 136 points to be Grammar’s top-ranked player on the ground.

Xavier Ivisic

Ivisic led the way at the coalface as he did against Geelong College the previous week, finishing with a game-high 34 disposals at 82 per cent efficiency, 15 contested possessions, eight marks and 134 ranking points. The Year 11 looked extremely comfortable up against the bigger bodies and class of the Xavier midfield group. Ivisic is putting together quite the bottom-age season, having impressed for Geelong Falcons during the APS break.

Xavier Ivisic had another big game. Picture: Charlie Scott

Sam de Steiger

Had the tough assignment on potential draftee Miles Enders and held up strongly amid an offensive barrage from Xavier College. De Steiger clunked four intercept marks and finished with 13 disposals and 95 ranking points while his opponent kicked a 1.4.

Flynn Penry

Like de Steiger, Penry had a difficult match-up against likely draftee Vigo Visentini in the ruck but he managed to break even in the hitout counts, winning 28 to Visentini’s 25. Penry took a strong contested mark and was denied a juggling pack mark in defence, also winning 12 disposals along with three clearances. Overall it was an encouraging showing from the 2024 draft talent up against one of the leading ruck prospects in this year’s draft pool.

Josh Lindsay

Lindsay showcased his creativity and drive off half back in difficult conditions with the typically strong bay breeze blowing across the ground. The rebounding defender finished with 30 disposals, 21 kicks, 24 uncontested possessions, seven rebound 50s and 78 ranking points.

Ollie Peake is also a talented cricketer. Picture: Mark Wilson

Ollie Peake

Was dangerous inside 50 all day for Grammar, booting 3.2 to go with 15 disposals and 81 ranking points. A member of the Victorian state under-19s cricket squad, Peale’s main focus is on cricket but he is highly rated for his football ability.

Geelong Grammar stats v Xavier College.

XAVIER COLLEGE

Lucas McInerney

Three goals is a handy effort for any defender, and this performance from McInerney was immense. The best of them came after a leaping mark, with the powerful defender playing on and launching a bomb from beyond the 50m arc that went through comfortably. McInerney’s elite disposal by foot was a feature throughout the day, going at 92 per cent efficiency from his 25 disposals, finishing with three majors and 133 ranking points. The 2024 draft prospect has played a handful of games for the Northern Knights and there’s plenty to like.

Vigo Visentini

Xavier’s leading 2023 draft prospect, Visentini had a strong impact with his tapwork and around the ground, taking two contested marks and impressing with his follow-up work at stoppages. A ruckman like his brother, recent Port Adelaide debutant Dante, Visentini finished with 13 touches, four marks, 25 hit-outs and 103 ranking points.

Tom Hanily

The inside midfielder had his best game of the APS season, amassing a team-high 31 disposals, six inside 50s, six clearances and 123 ranking points against Geelong Grammar. Hanily thrived at the coalface but also had an impact with his ball-use, underlined by an elite left foot kick across his body while that set up a goal in the first term. The Leongatha product also plays for Gippsland Power in the Coates Talent League, racking up 35 disposals, 161 SuperCoach points and booting a goal against Dandenong Stingrays in round 12.

Miles Enders

Didn’t have his kicking boots on with an inaccurate 1.4 but Enders was a genuine threat whenever the ball was in his area. The athletic forward’s overhead marking stood out, taking five contested marks and also having 16 disposals and six inside 50s. His second game back from a groin issue, Enders is setting himself up for a big finish to the year for Sandringham Dragons as he looks to boost his draft claims.

Jack Dalton in action for Vic Metro. Picture: Getty Images

Jack Dalton

This year’s Vic Metro U16 MVP oozed class with ball in hand and led his side for contested possessions. Dalton finished with 21 touches, 12 of those contested, six inside 50s, five clearances and 83 ranking points. Going to be a serious player when his draft year comes around in 2025.

Finn O’Sullivan

After earning All-Australian honours for Vic Country at the U18 national carnival as a bottom-ager, O’Sullivan has performed strongly at school level for Xavier. The top-five contender for next year tallied 18 disposals, 11 contested possessions and a goal in an impressive showing against Geelong Grammar.

Archie Watt

Continued his exceptional back-end of the year with another strong display in the midfield, finishing with 23 disposals at 82 per cent efficiency, nine inside 50s and a goal. Watt has received greater midfield opportunity as the season has gone on, showcasing his ability to win clearances and his silky footskills. The Year 11 prospect, who hails from Kyabram, has featured for the Oakleigh Chargers this year as a bottom-ager.

Waylon Davey-Motlop

With strong football bloodlines on both sides of his family, Davey-Motlop showcased his raw talent with two goals, with all seven of his disposals hitting the target. The Year 10 prospect, who is the cousin of Essendon draftees and Xavier College graduates Alwyn and Jayden Davey, is a dangerous small forward with great goal sense. He is boarding at Xavier from the Northern Territory, having played alongside Eddie Betts for Palmerston Magpies as a 15-year-old.

Waylon Davey was named the round 10 Rising Star nominee. Picture: Felicity Elliott / AFLNT Media

Charlie Hall

One of his best games of the season, Hall was a brick wall in defence in the opening half, taking three intercept marks with his strong hands overhead. Hall finished with 15 disposals, seven marks, two of those contested, and 67 ranking points.

Xavier College stats v Geelong Grammar.

Geelong College v St Kevin’s notes

Archer Hanegraaf

Coming off a promising display in the Geelong Derby, Hanegraaf was Geelong College’s best player on the day, competing hard in the contest against the big bodies in St Kevin’s onball brigade. A member of the Falcons under-16s program, the strong inside midfielder has clean hands in congestion and will be one to keep an eye out for over the next two years.

Tom Anastasopoulos

Copped a knock to the ribs early but that only seemed to spur him on, booting three majors from there on as he excelled after quarter time. The lively small forward has one more opportunity at APS level, where he has been one the leading goalkickers this season, before rejoining the Falcons.

Tom Anastasopoulos kicked three goals. Picture: Charlie Scott

Jonny Pring

Prigg was College’s standout defender against St Kevin’s, playing against much bigger opponents throughout the match but still managing to provide a strong contest. Also gave his side run and drive out of defence.

Kane Reid

College’s skipper was once again a solid contributor through the midfield, named in the best for the second straight week.

Originally published as APS Football 2023: Geelong Grammar v Xavier College scouting notes, ranking points