AFL Draft: Every Geelong Falcon’s U18 national championships rated

The U18 championships are done and fusted, and a couple of Falcons boosted their draft claims with a strong carnival. See the full stats and analysis.

The U18 national championships are done and dusted, and several Geelong Falcons prospects improved their draft chances with strong performances for Vic Country across the carnival.

We rank and rate every Falcon’s carnival.

1. Michael Rudd (St Mary’s)

Forward, 192cm, 15/5/2005

U18 champs stats average (3 games): 14 disposals, five marks, 1.7 contested marks, 2.3 goals, 100 SuperCoach ranking points

Rudd enhanced his draft stocks more than any other of his Falcons teammates at the national championships, proving to be a strong presence in the air and around the ground against the best defenders in the country. The St Mary’s forward kicked multiple goals in all three of his matches across the carnival – two of those being losses - and was ranked fifth in the competition for goals per game. He missed the final game against Vic Metro with a hip injury he suffered the previous week in their loss to the Allies, but he had already done enough before then, the highlight being his three-goal haul in their nailbiting win over WA. A third tall forward, Rudd’s huge engine allows him to cover the ground with ease and his overhead marking was impressive throughout the championships, where he was the top performing Falcon.

Michael Rudd was the top performer from the Falcons rank at the champs. Picture: Paul Kane/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

2. Angus Hastie (Geelong West)

Defender, 189cm, 19/9/2005

U18 champs stats (4 games): 12.5 disposals, 4.2 intercepts, 76 per cent kicking efficiency, 60 SuperCoach ranking points

Looks to be the top Falcons prospect after the championships after a promising championships where he showcased his balanced game as a defender. After showing off his intercepting and attacking flare earlier in the carnival – including a standout first quarter against Western Australia – Hastie was given the difficult assignment of potential top-10 pick Nate Caddy in the final game. The 189cm defender handled himself well, restricting Caddy to his lowest-ranked performance of the championships. Hastie didn’t win as much of the footy as he had for the Falcons, but his size, rebounding ability and defensive traits have put him in the second round mix.

3. Tom Anastasopoulos (Newtown & Chillwell)

Forward, 176cm, 31/5/2005

U18 champs stats average (3 games): 7.7 disposals, 4.0 tackles., 3.7 marks, 0.7 goals

Anastasopoulos finished with just four touches in his first match but got better as the championships went on, culminating in a stellar display in Vic Country’s win over Vic Metro on Sunday. The speedy small forward showed off his fierce pressure – laying six tackles, including a couple of ripping rundown chases – and goalkicking nous to finish with two goals, 12 disposals, eight marks and 102 SuperCoach points. The eye-catching performance was a stern reminder to recruiters of his talent, which he showcased in his standout start to the year. Anastasopoulos put himself on the draft map with 12 goals in his first four games for the Falcons. He has had a lack of continuity since then, mixing school football with Falcons and Vic Country duties, but is one who can continue to boost his draft claims with a strong finish to the season.

Tom Anastasopoulos was at his best on the weekend. Picture: Getty Images

4. Joe Pike (Barwon Heads)

Ruck, 203cm, 17/5/2005

U18 champs stats average (3 games): 3.7 disposals, 14.3 hitouts, 4.7 hitouts to advantage, 46 SuperCoach ranking points

Pike’s best game came against Western Australia in Vic Country’s second game, where he went toe to toe with potential first-round pick Mitch Edwards. The ruckman was super competitive in the air and on the ground in that clash, but the rise of fellow Vic Country ruck Lachlan Smith saw him share the ruck more as the carnival went on. He was left out in favour of a bottom-age option for the final game but he showed enough to keep himself in the draft mix.

Joe Pike competes against Mitch Edwards. Picture: Getty Images

5. Hamish Pierson (Grovedale)

Defender, 195cm, 3/11/2004

U18 champs stats average (1 game): 8 disposals, 6 intercepts, 52 SuperCoach ranking points

It’s tough for any over-age prospect to get a game at representative level with recruiters’ focus firmly on this year’s draftees – a credit to his strong performances for the Young Guns. And while he wasn’t at his best in his sole Vic Country appearance, Pierson has put it behind him and come back a better player for the Falcons, named among their best few players in his three matches since. This included a standout performance against Tasmania Devils, tallying 16 disposals, nine intercepts, five intercept marks and 145 SuperCoach points.

6. Tom Peirce (South Barwon)

Defender, 195cm, 1/11/2005

U18 champs stats average (1 game): 5 disposals, 3 intercepts, 39 SuperCoach points

Like Pierson he wasn’t at his best in his Vic Country debut, but the Falcons regard his rise as remarkable given he only started playing as a key defender in the pre-season. Peirce is a raw prospect who should only benefit from his Vic Country exposure – both in the trial games and at national champs level.

Originally published as AFL Draft: Every Geelong Falcon’s U18 national championships rated