AFL Draft 2024: Scouting notes from APS v AGSV clash as Tom Gross, Charlie Richardson impress
The best from Victoria’s two premier school footy competitions clashed in front of a host of AFL recruiters —and an AFL coach. See who impressed, including some Vic Metro talents.
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The APS and AGSV competitions locked horns in the private school representative game at Caulfield Grammar as draft prospects staked their claim to recruiters.
Vic Metro midfielder Tom Gross was the most highly touted in action but there was a number of talents on AFL radars out there.
There was a couple of father-sons as well in River Stevens – son of North Melbourne great Anthony – and Noah Yze, the son of Melbourne great and Richmond coach Adem, who was there watching on.
See who impressed on the private school footy stage as APS ran out comfortable victors 13.13 (81) to 8.9 (57).
APS
Charlie Richardson (Brighton)
Left off the national and state combine lists despite playing two games for Vic Metro at the national champs, Richardson put in a strong statement to recruiters with a commanding display up forward. The 191 centimetre dominated the air with his sticky hands, many of those on the lead while running his opponent ragged. Finished with at least two goals, including a nice snap set shot from the boundary, and deserved a couple more but missed a couple of opportunities.
Charlie Rowe (Haileybury)
Rowe was the standout midfielder for the APS side, kicking two goals – one in the first and another in the last. He impressed with his work in tight, winning the ball on the inside and getting it to his teammates. The 178cm product has played in defence for the Dandenong Stingrays in the Talent League this season.
Tom Evans (Xavier)
Showed he is more than a ball-winner by taking a couple of big contested marks, using it well and hitting the scoreboard. The Bendigo Pioneers midfielder kicked a goal in the second term and won the ball at the contest.
Bailey McKenzie (Brighton)
Formed a formidable combination with his Brighton Grammar teammate Richardson, having a strong aerial presence throughout the match and working hard to present. The Sandringham Dragons prospect hit the scoreboard in the second quarter after taking one back with the flight inside 50. The 191 centimetre prospect was invited to the state combine off the back of a dominant APS campaign, where he kicked five goals, and some big games at Talent League level for the Sandringham Dragons.
Jackson Muscillo (Haileybury)
Had an impressive third quarter where he kicked a goal and set up a couple of other scoring opportunities. The Dandenong Stingrays forward also put one through the big sticks before quarter time.
Flynn Penry (Geelong Grammar)
Had a fascinating duel with Zach Harding in the ruck. Penry imposing 201cm frame allowed him to dominate the hitouts and win several free kicks at ruck contests. His kicking also impressed, setting up Richardson for a goal in the last quarter. The GWV Rebels product broke through for one game during the national championships.
Tadgh McCarthy (Carey)
McCarthy started the second quarter with two impressive intercept marks, one of those a big grab in a pack. The defender kept providing run from behind and used it well by foot.
Noah Yze (Caulfield)
Yze imposed himself on the contest in the first quarter with three marks that set up two goals. One was an intercept mark that led to a goal assist to teammate Charlie Rowe and another saw him slot through a major for himself from range. The 190cm Yze is linked to Melbourne through his father Adem, and has already played two games at VFL level, kicking a goal in one of those and laying seven tackles.
Ged Saunders (St Kevin’s)
Not on a Talent League list, but there is a bit to like about this kid with his evasiveness in traffic. Slotted a goal in the second quarter and could have had another from a relatively gettable chance in the last quarter.
AGSV
Tom Gross (Trinity)
The biggest name out there from an AFL Draft perspective. Gross was creative with his ball-use and won plenty of it on the inside. Didn’t absolutely dominate and looked to be spending time forward, where he dribbled one through for a goal in the third quarter and set up another with a desperate tackle. The AFL Academy member had a couple of big games at the national championships, including a 27-disposal effort against South Australia.
Hugh White (Marcellin)
Started the game with a bang, slotting one through from the 40 metres after a nice intercept mark. He chopped off another opposition kick shortly after and laid a rundown tackle in the opening term. His reading of the play stood out throughout the match and was arguably his side’s best midfielder. An accomplished display from a player not on a Talent League list.
Zach Harding (Ivanhoe)
Has had some big games for the Murray Bushrangers in the back-half of the season, earning him a state combine invite, and he continued that form in this contest. Gave up a few free kicks at ruck contests but his follow-up was first rate, regularly winning the ball off the deck and surging it forward. Was rewarded for his efforts with a goal in the dying seconds of the match.
Cooper Herbert (Assumption College)
Herbert did some nice things throughout the day both at the source and in the air, the highlight being a great mark in a one-on-one contest up forward. The Calder Cannons product used his strong 187cm frame to his advantage in the midfield.
Oliver Watt (Assumption)
Caught the eye with his marking, tackle pressure and footskills in a well-rounded display. The Calder Cannons prospect’s best moment came in the third quarter where he took a big pack mark
Hamish Pearce (PEGS)
Kept fighting until the end, booting a nice goal on the run to start the final quarter and taking a strong grab not long after. A bottom-ager who had 20 touches and nine intercepts on debut for the Calder Cannons in the back-end of the season.
Zac McGowan (Yarra Valley)
Took a strong contested mark inside 50 in the first term and kicked truly. Presented well throughout the day but had limited supply coming his way.
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