Top performers, father-son guns, NGA prospects and more from Haileybury v Scotch
With Matthew Lloyd making the calls and AFL club officials in attendance, a number of future draft prospects put on a show as Haileybury took on Scotch. Get the latest from the APS Insider.
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Haileybury sent another message to the rest of the APS competition with their win over Scotch College keeping their perfect record in tact.
In front of Pie superstar Nick Daicos, there were exciting players in action including father-son prospects, academy-linked players, 2026 draft prospects, as well as some players who were recently selected to compete in the U18 champs.
Haileybury coach Matthew Lloyd led his side to victory for the sixth time this season, to maintain its undefeated status.
Co-captains Louis Hodder and Jack Lawrence led from the front and did a lot of the grunt work in the engine room, while bottom-age midfielder George Dimer, who is linked to the Sandringham Dragons, had the ball on a string.
Dimer was “outstanding” with his cleanliness and ability to win the football impressing recruiters, definitely one to watch in 2026.
Jonty Israel, who is a bottom-ager and not currently on a Coates League list, kicked three goals in what Lloyd described as “his best game for the season”.
While Haileybury forward Keegan Mountford continued his form, to kick three goals in the opening quarter, and finish with 4.2 as he troubled the Scotch defenders.
Ruckman Tairon Ah-Mu, who will line-up for Vic Country next weekend in the U18 Champs, was somewhat nullified by the likes of Max Nicol and Remy Spalding, who competed well for Scotch.
However, despite their efforts and strong performances from Carlton Academy prospect Mingara Clark and AFL Academy midfielder Riley Onley – who stands at 194cm – they were outworked in the midfield.
All eyes have been on Western Bulldogs father-son prospect Will Darcy this season, as the son of Luke Darcy continues to shoot up draft boards.
The young star didn’t take long to make an impact, pulling down a big pack mark on the last line of defence in the opening minutes of the match.
He was thrown forward in the second half and while he looked dangerous in the air at times, he was unable to impact the scoreboard.
Hawthorn father-son prospect Kobe Williams had plenty of the ball in defence and made good decisions by foot.
The 186cm defender is the son of Hawks’ premiership player Mark Williams and is also a member of the Western Bulldogs’ Next Generation Academy.
Another Carlton Academy prospect to impress was 190cm Scotch midfielder Jack Ison.
The big-bodied mid, who plays as a key forward for Oakleigh Chargers, contributed at both ends of the ground.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES
George Dimer (Haileybury) 171cm – Midfielder
Dimer has been one of the most exciting bottom-age prospects in the APS this season. The 171cm midfielder, who is linked with Sandringham Dragons, knows how to find the ball. He led the way for the Bloods in the midfield, winning the ball on the inside and outside, and giving the forwards great opportunity. Dimer was given a role last week and executed it well, but this week he was free to hunt the ball, and he did that exceptionally. At 16-years-old, he is a future leader and exciting 2026 prospect, he is also the vice-captain of the side for a reason. His work rate, tackling pressure and clearance work were ultra-impressive.
Jonty Israel (Haileybury) – Forward
Another bottom-age player, who is not currently on a Coates Talent League list, but is a dynamic forward who is clean in congestion, powerful and has a brilliant goal sense. Israel kicked three goals and was involved in every attacking chain. He started well to kick the second goal of the game, a snap goal out of heavy traffic. The performance will be big for his confidence, and you can look for him to bag more goals in coming weeks.
Keegan Mountford (Haileybury) – Key Forward
Keegan has gone and done it again, a four-goal performance is fast becoming Mountford’s regular performance, now with three consecutive four-goal performances under his belt. The strong forward kicked four goals from seven shots, while also giving off a goal assist. He kicked three goals in the first quarter with his contested marking first-class.
Mingara Clark (Scotch) 183cm – Midfielder
Carlton-tied prospect Clark was among Scotch’s best players on the day, with two goals to his name and plenty of touches. One of those goals saw him burst out the front of a stoppage and put it through the big sticks, while the other was a set shot tucked away on the right-side boundary. He has X-Factor and glides across the ground. The left footer plays for the Oakleigh Chargers as a medium forward and has hit the scoreboard in all four Coates League games he’s played this year.
Riley Onley (Scotch) 194cm – Midfielder
The AFL Academy midfielder gathered plenty of the ball in the team’s loss and as you can imagine, his sheer size made things difficult for the smaller Bloods’ midfielders. Onley takes the game on with his talent evident. His endurance allowed him to get to plenty of contests, while his speed and power from stoppage made him a really tough match-up for Haileybury.
SPECIAL MENTIONS
Jack Ison (Scotch) – The 190cm Carlton Academy prospect did some brilliant things. The most exciting was a big grab over a Haileybury defender in the second term, before staring him down and slotting the goal. He also worked back to provide aerial assistance in defence.
Kobe Williams (Scotch) – A solid player in defence, gathers plenty of the ball and uses it well. He moved to play on Mountford after he had kicked three goals in the first quarter and did a good job on him for the remainder of the game.
Louis Hodder (Haileybury) – The 176cm co-captain led from the front in the middle, he stood up and had a big second half to help see his side home – he loves the contest.
Dylan Linden (Haileybury) – Took the mark of the day with a big leap from deep inside the pack at full forward. He provides a spark each week for the side and is mobile at ground level.
LLOYD LEADS HAILEYBURY TO 6-0
With a perfect 6-0 record and a star-studded coaching panel, Haileybury continues to set the standard in this year’s APS competition.
Coach Matthew Lloyd was “ecstatic” with the team’s start to the season and said there was no sense of complacency creeping in.
“It’s been really challenging, but really pleasing … we understand that our next four games are going to be just as difficult,” he said.
“We don’t look any further than the one in front of us which is Carey, they’ve had a great season and are a really strong side.”
Lloyd said his team had been looking forward to challenging themselves against the best sides in the competition.
“We’ve got a great respect for Scotch … we saw in the second quarter just how dangerous they are and what a dynamic and powerful running team they are,” he said.
“We dropped slightly in pressure, and they punished us.”
Haileybury had contributors all over the field, in a similar fashion to last week’s win over Caulfield Grammar.
“We are big on the aspect of team-first footy … the two-way running and working as hard back as you do forward,” Lloyd said.
“The competition is incredibly even this season, and all of the games are as big as the next.”
PIES STAR HEADLINES BIG NAMES IN ATTENDANCE
Collingwood star Nick Daicos was spotted roaming around the oval with manager, Robbie D’Orazio (Connors Sports Management) on Saturday.
The Magpies’ vice-captain was instrumental in his team’s victory over the Hawks the night before, with 31 disposals and one goal … as well as the elusive contested mark.
Daicos represented Carey Grammar in the APS before being drafted in 2021 and was a key part of the school’s 2019 premiership.
The young gun may have been there watching his premiership teammate Scott Pendlebury, who was in action as assistant coach for Haileybury.
Pendlebury has been at the school’s games whenever his playing commitments have allowed him.
Luke Darcy, who played 226 games for the Western Bulldogs, was in attendance watching his son Will Darcy play for Scotch.
While Essendon Hall of Famer Lloyd and Cale Hooker rounded out the star-studded Haileybury coaching panel.
CROWD, CHEERS AND FOOD
As well as D’Orazio, other notable attendees included North Melbourne list boss Brady Rawlings, Ross Hill (Geelong Cats) and Simon Dalrymple (St Kilda).
Scotch College had some good numbers show up in support, but they didn’t have much to cheer about in the opening quarter.
It wasn’t until Jack Ison took a big mark in the second quarter, and kicked truly, that the Scotch cheer squad really came alive.
There was fresh fruit on offer at halftime, along with delicious slices, assorted sandwiches and hot food.
Originally published as Top performers, father-son guns, NGA prospects and more from Haileybury v Scotch
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