AGSV footy: Cooper Duff-Tytler continues to impress at school level as PEGS topple Marcellin

It’s not uncommon to see him swamped by opponents, but possible no. 1 draft pick Cooper Duff-Tytler continues to dominate at school level. Inside the top-of-the-table AGSV clash.

Top draft prospect Cooper Duff-Tytler in action for Penleigh and Essendon Grammar. Picture: Penleigh and Essendon Grammar.

When Cooper Duff-Tytler takes the field for Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School (PEGS), it’s not uncommon to see “two or three blokes hanging off him”.

But that hasn’t stopped the potential number one draft pick from turning in eye-catching performances at Associated Grammar Schools of Victoria level week after week.

His latest inspired PEGS to a 15-point come-from-behind victory to hand Marcellin College its first loss of the senior football season.

“The hard part for Cooper is he’s always got two or three blokes hanging off him, everyone knows he’s a good player and they’re trying to stop him, he’s under plenty of duress from the opposition,” reflected PEGS coach Mark Williams of Duff-Tytler.

“He’s highly skilled, he’s got great speed, and clearly his height is a massive advantage because he’s got great leap as well.

“He just leads from the front, he wins his own ball, brings others into the play with his handballs, he’s a very good long kick.”

Cooper Duff-Tytler of the AFL National Academy is congratulated by teammates after kicking a goal. (Photo by Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Duff-Tytler kicked two goals himself but set up plenty of others and had an abundance of the footy.

He won commanding hit-outs to advantage, but acted like a midfielder as soon as the ball hit the deck - something he’s showcased all season. It’s far from an uncommon sight to see the smooth-mover streaming from the centre bounce and delivering a pinpoint kick inside 50 with the grace of an on-baller.

“His service at centre bounce and around the ground is fantastic. He’s just very smart and highly skilled and nice and quick, he finishes his work well,” Williams said.

“Several of his kicks from half back hit players on the chest inside 50 and we got goals from those.”

Back in round 3 against Mentone Grammar, Duff-Tytler had a sore knee so he avoided the ruck and simply played as a rover despite standing at 200cm.

“He looks very much at home whether he’s in the ruck or playing on-ball,” Williams added.

“The other really exciting thing is he brings others into the play, and clearly the players playing with him walk taller because they know his ability and know it’s a massive advantage for us.”

Cooper Duff-Tytler of Vic Metro over Aiden Schubert of South Australia during the Marsh AFL National Championships. (Photo by Mark Brake/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Thomas Lincoln, who is the grandson of Essendon great Ken Fletcher - one of three in PEGS’ footy system - also impressed in Saturday’s top-of-table AGSV clash and kicked two goals.

“He really gave us a target leading into space and finished off his work with some goals as well, took some good marks,” Williams said of Lincoln.

In the middle of the park, Jackson Watkins and Hamish Pearce were both dynamic and aided their side’s ball movement, while Hamish Pearce and Tristan Leeds were pivotal in the backline.

Marcellin had jumped PEGS early to take a four-goal lead into quarter-time and keep the visiting side goalless.

“(Marcellin) were nice and neat with their skills, they ran hard, and finished their work off really well,” Williams said.

“They passed really well inside 50 and took a couple of good marks, won a couple of free kicks because they put their head over the ball.”

From the second term, it was far more of an even contest however, with PEGS trailing by one point at half-time before taking a three-point lead into the final term.

“We finally got a goal … once we got on the scoreboard that settled us down a bit and we got some really good service from the centre bounce and good clearances,” Williams said.

“We were able to spread the defence with a bit of run and change of direction and some really good kicks inside 50 to our tall forwards.”

Round 9, the final round of the home and away season looms this weekend, and PEGS will face Yarra Valley Grammar in a crunch clash. Victory for PEGS would mean finishing on top of the ladder and securing a home final, but a loss could see the school drop to third.