U18 National Championships: Full ranking points, scouting notes from Vic Metro vs. SA stars put up their hands
South Australians had their last chance to impress AFL recruiters at the Under 18 National Championships, while a new contender has thrown his hand up for pick one. See the full scouting notes and ranking points.
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Sandringham Dragons talents stole the show in Vic Metro’s 52-point win over South Australia and first-round midfielder Murphy Reid was the standout.
Reid kicked two goals in the third quarter as Vic Metro ran over the top of the Croweaters, with his Dragons teammates Harry Armstrong (three goals) and Levi Ashcroft.
But plenty more prospects impressed in what was South Australia’s final audition at the national championships.
Dyson Sharp scored 121 ranking points in his final outing in red and yellow, while Ben and Lucas Camporeale scored 119 and 88 respectively.
Reid’s stunning performance netted him a whopping 166 points, while Armstrong (115) and Ashcroft (118) were standouts alongside potential No. 1 picks Josh Smillie (110) and Jagga Smith (103).
Scroll to read all the scouting notes.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Ben Camporeale (Glenelg/Carlton father-son)
29 disposals, seven marks, five tackles
Camporeale was typically productive in the midfield, finishing as South Australia’s top-ballwinner for the match. The Carlton father-son prospect was arguably the best player on the ground in the first half with his ability to spin out of traffic and defensive pressure impressing. He set up a goal for Dodson with a nice kick forward but his footskills are an area for improvement. Still, the Blues look to be getting a quality addition for their midfield group.
Murphy Reid another elite display today, racking up 31 disposals and three goals for Vic Metro.
— Dylan Bolch (@DylanBolch) June 30, 2024
Father-son prospects Levi Ashcroft (BRIS) and Ben Camporeale (CARL) also standout performers with 33 and 29 touches respectively. @FOXFOOTY
Alex Dodson (Sturt)
18 hit-outs, 14 disposals, four clearances, one goal
The rise of the draft’s biggest mid-season bolter continues. Dodson was everywhere in the first half kickstarting South Australia’s first goal of the game with a deft hitout and acting as his side’s fourth midfielder throughout the match. The former Australian junior basketball representative led all comers for disposals midway through the second quarter before moving forward, where he plucked a strong grab and kicked truly from 40m out. Faded out of the game a touch in the second half but looks to be the best ruckman in the pool at this stage.
Dyson Sharp (Central District)
14 disposals, seven tackles, five clearances, a goal
It has been suggested Gold Coast Academy talent Zeke Uwland may be the No. 1 pick next year. Sharp will likely have something to say about that. The 188 centimetre midfielder was strong at the contest and even stronger in the air, taking a number of key marks, one of which led to a goal in the second term. He was also impressive with his defensive pressure, laying six tackles in the first half alone. The 2023 U16 championships MVP was sidelined for most of the second half with a knee injury but he did enough to whet the appetite of recruiters.
AFL draft 2024 indicative order: Every club’s picks revealed
Sid Draper (South Adelaide)
19 disposals, four clearances
Returning from a serious injury, Draper hasn’t been able to reach the heights of his stunning bottom-age national championships campaign. But he showed some of his high-end traits in the loss to Vic Metro. Draper’s desperate second effort in the third quarter ended in a goal to a teammate and he wowed onlookers with a spin away from two tacklers in the second term. Still remains the top draft hope from South Australia but it will be interesting to see if he slides in estimations in the eyes of recruiters.
Benny Barrett (South Adelaide/Port Adelaide NGA)
10 disposals, four clearances, one goal
With a name like that you’ve got have x-factor, and Barrett has that in spades. He was the standout in the first quarter where everything he touched turned to gold. The lively small forward set the Croweaters alight by gathering on a crumb and snapping through a goal in a flash inside the first 30 seconds. An intercept mark and deft pass set up Tyler Welsh for a scoring opportunity shortly after, and then he showed his speed once again by swooping on a dropped mark to kickstart another attacking foray. The Power Next Generation Academy prospect didn’t have a great deal of influence from that point on until he was moved into the midfield in the last quarter.
Phoenix Hargrave (South Adelaide)
21 disposals, five marks, four tackles, four clearances
Continued the strong form he showed against Western Australia with another promising outing where his inside toughness was a highlight. Hargrave missed a couple of opportunities in front of goal Finished the game with a big fend off to get clear of a Vic Metro tackler and a great rundown tackle on the wing which earned him a free kick for holding the ball.
Angus Clarke (Glenelg)
21 disposals, 19 kicks, 580 metres gained
Provided plenty of dash off halfback and used the ball well by foot. On one occasion in the first quarter he spotted up a target from the kick in, got the handball back and burst through a tackler with speed. His numbers were inflated as South Australia’s designated kick-in taker but he was able to zone off an intercept as well, as he done throughout the championships. May well be SA’s second biggest riser of the champs behind Dodson.
Kade Herbert (Woodville-West Torrens)
19 disposals, seven marks, five tackles
Herbert had his best game of the championships to date, presenting well up and down the ground and applying good defensive pressure. The Eagles product set up a goal for Ned Atkinson and mowed down Tom Gross with a great tackle in the final term. Herbert has held his own at SANFL level for Woodville-West Torrens this year but hadn’t eclipsed 13 disposals in his first three games of the carnival, so this performance should help his draft stocks.
Charlie Nicholls (Central District)
10 disposals, six marks
Nicholls spent most of his time forward in the first few championships games and managed to have an impact in defence against Vic Metro. The 197cm prospect took several intercept marks for the match, showing his versatility as a tall.
VIC METRO
Murphy Reid (Sandringham Dragons)
31 disposals, eight clearances, six marks, three goals, 443 metres gained
Reid isn’t the kind of player who needs to have 30 disposals to have a huge say on a game, but went and did it anyway. Playing primarily on-ball, Reid’s decision-making and footskills were sublime and along with Tom Gross he powered Vic Metro third-quarter assault, kicking two of his three goals in that term. One of those was the highlight of his day, bending through a snap under pressure. Reid has be in the conversation as a top-10 pick now, if he wasn’t already, after impressive showings against the Allies and Western Australia.
Tom Gross (Oakleigh Chargers)
26 disposals, 17 kicks, nine marks, 456 metres gained
When the game was there to be won, Gross stepped up to the plate with an enormous third term. The combative midfielder racked up 11 disposals in the premiership quarter, winning the ball in tight and consistently presenting options on the outside around the ground. He continued to up the ante in the last quarter with plenty of the ball and a blistering run up the middle that set up Archie Ludowyke. A late goal would have been the icing on the cake but he just missed a snap on goal.
Isaac Kako (Calder Cannons/Essendon NGA)
17 disposals, five marks, 2.1
After Barrett kicked a stunner to start the game, Kako responded in kind with an almost identical crumbing goal in an electric first half for the Cannons small forward. He nearly had another major moments later but he was pushed as he kicked after cleverly roving a pack close to goal. Kako also set up three other scoring opportunities in the first half, with a dashing run, clean pick-up at speed and snap across his body under pressure leading to a goal for Tom Sims. Looked to have faded out of the contest until he kicked another miraculous goal, receiving a handball and throwing a checkside on his boot from a tight angle. There is no doubt the Essendon Next Generation Academy prospect is going to be a fan favourite, but your chances are slim Bombers fans – even if the NGA cut-off is moved to top 20.
Jagga Smith (Oakleigh Chargers)
23 disposals, five clearances, 241 metres gained
Was handball happy but he just always seemed to pick the right option, bringing his teammates into the game and setting them up in space on a platter. Smith’s relentless running around the ground was there for all to see, regularly linking up for one-twos – including a couple where he ran 50 metres for the next effort. The Chargers ball-magnet’s elusiveness in traffic was also impressive, with his elite agility allowing him to make space when there was none. Set up a late goal for Christian Moraes with a sizzling pass.
Harry Armstrong (Sandringham Dragons)
10 disposals, seven marks, 3.2
In the words of draft guru Kevin Sheehan on Fox Footy, Armstrong has “a touch of Jeremy Cameron” about him. Armstrong has had limited opportunities to prove himself this year but he certainly left a lasting impression on recruiters in his three-goal outing. The mobile key forward could have had more had he kicked straight, also giving off a goal to Bailey McKenzie in the second term. Armstrong presented well throughout the day and took some great marks, highlighting his strong hands overhead. The 195cm prospect sure to bolt up draft boards after this performance, also kicking four goals against Oakleigh Chargers in his most recent Coates League game.
Levi Ashcroft (Sandringham Dragons/Brisbane father-son)
33 disposals, 22 kicks, eight marks, 585 metres gained
There are three certainties in life – death, taxes and Ashcrofts winning the Sherrin for fun at under-18 level. The Brisbane father-son gun finished as the top disposal winner on the ground and kicked a was rewarded for his tireless efforts throughout the day with a classy goal off a step late in the piece. Worked back into defence to mark a snap on goal deep in the pocket and accumulated the ball all over the ground and used it with his typical polish.
Christian Moraes (Eastern Ranges)
22 disposals, 15 kicks, 12 marks, 433 metres gained
Has been forced to play somewhat out of position during these national championships due to the depth of Vic Metro’s supreme midfield group, but Moraes’ barnstorming finish highlighted his exciting forward-half impact. The Eastern Ranges product kicked two goals in the final term and had a stack of the footy. Some might call it junk time, but every minute counts in these representative matches and it showed his capacity to run out games.
Luke Trainor (Sandringham Dragons)
17 disposals, six marks
Had the assignment on Tyler Welsh and kept him quiet for most of the match. Trainor competed well in one-on-one contests and was able to impact offensively, hitting up targets out of defence with his elite right boot. Welsh was able to get on top of him late with a couple of big contested marks, but to keep him to eight touches and a goal was an impressive effort.
Josh Smillie (Eastern Ranges)
20 disposals, five tackles, four clearances, 379 metres gained
The potential number one pick was outshone by the other star Vic Metro midfielders today, but that was partly because he was used up forward at stages. Smillie showed off his brute strength with a crunching tackle on Ned Bowman where he practically picked him up off the ground. Combined with his Ranges partner in crime Moraes to set up a goal in the last quarter and hit him up lace out minutes later.
SCOREBOARD
SA 3.2 5.5 7.6 7.7 (49)
VM 3.2 6.7 1.8 15.11 (101)
GOALS
SA: Sharp, Bowman, Barrett, Dodson, Atkinson, West, Welsh
VM: Armstrong 3, Reid 3, Kako 2, Moraes 2, Dattoli, Sims, McKenzie, Ludowyke
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Originally published as U18 National Championships: Full ranking points, scouting notes from Vic Metro vs. SA stars put up their hands
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