Coates Talent League: Harry Tatterson, Mitch Stevens flying for Gippsland Power

An Adelaide father-son prospect and a under the radar defender with “AFL attributes” are enjoying fine seasons for the Gippsland Power. See what has the club excited.

Harry Tatterson. Photo: Craig Dooley/AFL Photos.

An under-the-radar defender showcasing “AFL attributes”, an Adelaide father-son prospect, and a “tackling machine” will be among those to keep an eye on in the Gippsland Power boys’ round 15 Coates Talent League clash.

Harry Tatterson has been among the defenders in fine form for the Gippsland Power boys.

“His closing speed and athleticism and ability to play a lockdown role and explode out of defence can be underrated, but it’s never underrated by us,” said Power talent lead Scott McDougal of Tatterson.

“We think he’s got AFL attributes in that space.”

Adelaide father-son prospect Mitch Stevens, who is the son of Mark, and Finn O’Brien have also been tracking well.

“(Mitch) plays a lot of wing at the moment, his ability to get back and defend and then exit the ball with speed, that really sets us up,” McDougal said.

“Finn has to play as our tall and deepest defender even though he’s a bit undersized, he’s got a high IQ, his ability to read the ball early and use good bodywork and technique and win the ball back for us has been really important all year.”

The “inspirational” Liam Masters and Luke Cheffers, who is a “tackling machine” will be key cogs in the middle, particularly with both Brodie Atkins and Willem Duursma set to be rested.

“Liam’s a very competitive kid that leaves no stone unturned to prepare well and play well, he’s been really inspirational in the way he’s attacked the footy this year,” McDougal said.

“Luke Cheffers is a tackling machine, we just look at his tackle (numbers) and go ‘what?’

“He’s a born inside midfielder and high half forward and likes that aggressive style of footy. He gives us speed around the ball as well.”

Forward of the ball, small forwards Sam Grummisch and Jesse Bills have impressed.

“They’ve been applying lots of pressure and just being very good small little nifty forwards which is always good,” McDougal added of the pair.

“They’re playing well, they’re playing for each other and getting their fingernails in, they’re a really competitive group that want to get the best out of themselves and that’s transferring onto the ground each week.”

The Power are sitting pretty with a 9-1 record this season, but McDougal noted how the draw can be “deceiving”.

“What’s really important is the consistency of effort that you put out there, that’s the main factor at the moment that we look at to see whether we’re going well,” he said.

Originally published as Coates Talent League: Harry Tatterson, Mitch Stevens flying for Gippsland Power