AFL Under-18 National Championships: Nine Eastern Ranges players named for Vic Metro
A QUARTER of Vic Metro’s squad for this month’s AFL Under-18 National Championships will be made up of Eastern Ranges players.
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A QUARTER of Vic Metro’s squad for this month’s AFL Under-18 National Championships will be made up of Eastern Ranges players.
Nine Ranges players, the equal most of any TAC Cup club, have been included in the 39-player squad, with many touted as potential top selections in this year’s AFL draft.
Smooth-moving midfielder Joel Garner, exciting forward Jaidyn Stephenson and ruckman/forward Sam Hayes, who was the only bottom-age player to make the 2016 under-18 All-Australian team, have again been rewarded with Vic Metro honours.
Eastern Ranges coach Darren Bewick tipped Stephenson would showcase his freakish talents when the carnival starts later this month.
“He is a big game player, maybe he has, not been waiting, but really setting himself for a really big two or three weeks during the carnival games to remind people he is up there with the best of the crop coming through,” Bewick said.
“He enjoys playing on the big stage and I’m sure Jaidyn will perform to his best in all the games he plays.”
Bewick said the carnival would be an opportunity for Hayes (204cm) to stamp himself as the best big man in the country.
“He has shown in our games that he can go forward and kick goals so we’re really looking forward to seeing him and what he can do,” he said.
“I think they’ll allow him to showcase both areas of his game, he is raw but the talent is there.”
Garner will help form a dynamic midfield alongside Ranges teammates Adam Cerra, Tom North, Dylan Moore and Trent Mynott.
Cerra, a composed onballer, missed the bulk of 2016 with a meniscus injury in his right knee, while North, a strong-bodied midfielder, was unable to complete the pre-season after an ankle injury midway through last year.
However, both have started the season in top form to be considered among the best midfield prospects in this year’s draft crop.
Caulfield Grammar pair Mynott and Moore combined for 65 disposals, 20 tackles, 19 clearances and 10 inside 50s in their most recent outing for Eastern Ranges in Round 6.
Defenders Harrison Nolan and Ryley Stoddart have also been rewarded for early season form.
Bewick said Stoddart loomed as a potential draft bolter after only entering the TAC Cup program for the first time at the end of last year.
Bewick said Stoddart had impressed with his attack on the ball and ability to burst out of defence.
“His first two or three games with us at the start of the season were excellent and he has continued that form at Yarra Valley at school,” he said.
“He is gathering quite a little bit of interest from several (AFL) clubs.
“The second half of the year is going to be really important to him but this is a great opportunity to showcase his talents against the best going around.”
Vic Metro’s first game will be against Western Australia at Subiaco on June 18.
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