Coates Talent League: Top 50 rankings after round 6
There hasn’t been much to be excited about for North Melbourne fans yet this year – but a teenager’s dominant display on Saturday would’ve brought a smile to a few faces.
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Top prospect Josh Smillie continued to strengthen his claims for the coveted title of being the number one draft pick after another outstanding performance for the Eastern Ranges.
The 194cm midfielder, who will likely be one of the first three names read out on draft night in October, dominated in the Coates Talent League again on Sunday.
In the four point win over Brisbane’s Academy side, he had 34 disposals (17 contested), 10 inside 50s, nine clearances, five tackles and three goals for 209 ranking points in a matchwinning display.
Smillie was dominant, roaming through the middle and pushing forward, and was often involved in scoring chains for the Ranges.
Dandenong Stingrays duo Cooper Hynes and Harvey Langford were not far behind Smillie in the ranking points, scoring 190 and 188 respectively.
Hynes slotted five goals from 23 disposals, six marks, 12 score involvements and three goal assists in a 29-point victory over Gold Coast’s Academy side.
Meanwhile, Langford had 28 touches (17 contested), five clearances and three majors.
Archer Day-Wicks led Bendigo to a come-from-behind win, clinching a one-point victory to keep the Pioneers’ record perfect at 4-0.
Bendigo trailed by 29 points at half time, and while the Pioneers booted nine behinds in the second half, it was enough to overcome the deficit.
Day-Wicks had 21 disposals, six tackles, six inside 50s and a goal, earning 161 ranking points in the victory.
Despite his side getting belted around the ground by Northern Knights, Oakleigh’s Jagga Smith starred again and continues to push his case for a top-five selection.
The classy midfielder had 33 disposals, which led the game, 14 contested possessions, seven clearances and three score involvements, for a total of 121 ranking points.
Oakleigh ultimately lost by 98 points, kicking an inaccurate 3.12 (30) to the Knights’ 19.14 (128).
Gold Coast academy member Leonardo Lombard, who is already a premiership player with the Suns (2023 VFL), played his Coates Talent League game for the season in the loss to Dandenong.
He had 28 disposals, 17 contested possessions, seven clearances and 111 ranking points, following his 28 disposals, eight mark performance in the VFL against Richmond back in round 1.
Originally published as Coates Talent League: Top 50 rankings after round 6
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