AFL Draft 2023: Scouting notes from Eastern Ranges v Geelong Falcons

With Vic Country and Metro in action, a number of overlooked and bottom-age prospects pressed their draft claims. All the scouting notes and SuperCoach points.

Goalkicking inaccuracy plagued both sides but there was plenty of promising performances the tight Eastern Ranges-Geelong Falcons contest at Dandenong’s Shepley Oval on Sunday.

The Ranges held on to record a 14-point win Falcons with a bunch of bottom-agers and new faces getting exposed for both sides with Vic Metro and Vic Country both in action over the weekend.

See the top performers and all the SuperCoach scorers below.

EASTERN RANGES

Christian Moraes (Glen Waverley)

182cm midfielder, 11/08/2006

29 disposals, 19 contested possessions, 11 inside 50s, six tackles, 158 SuperCoach points

This was some performance from a player just 16 years of age. Moraes was constantly driving the ball inside 50 and setting up goals for the Ranges, pumping it in 11 times for the match and finishing with 10 score involvements. The bottom-ager won a whopping 19 contested possessions and some of his crafty ball-use under pressure was first class. He also showcased his speed and spring on a couple of occasions throughout the day. The future looks bright for Moraes.

Joshua Tovey was one of the Ranges’ best on the Sunday. Picture: Daniel Pockett/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

Josh Tovey (Park Orchards)

193cm defender, 22/07/2005

24 disposals, 10 marks, six rebound 50s, five inside 50s, three intercept marks, 136 SuperCoach points

Was a brick wall in defence, where his strong hands and reading of the play stood out. Was regularly tasked with delivering the ball outside defence 50 and generally used it well by foot, also working his way up the ground to be involved in attacking chains. Clunked three intercept marks in a performance that could put him back on recruiters’ radar.

Josh Smillie (Park Orchards)

194cm midfielder, 17/05/2006

30 disposals, 14 contested possessions, five inside 50s, 1.1, 113 SuperCoach points

Showed why he should have been in Vic Metro’s midfield against the Allies instead of running out for the Ranges on Sunday. Led the way in the engine room for the Ranges with his strong contested ball-winning and his overhead marking around the ground was impressive. But the real highlight was his classy goal under pressure from 40m out when the Falcons were coming in the third term.

Riley Weatherill (East Ringwood)

195cm forward, 21/11/2005

12 disposals, five marks, two goals, 113 SuperCoach points

Started hot with two first quarter goals but it was his switch to defence that was the biggest talking point. Weatherill was able to impact marking contests with thumping spoils and took a couple of nice marks in the role. The move is sure to pique the interest of recruiters and Vic Metro selectors, with Weatherill missing out on selection in Metro’s first two games of the national championships.

Tyson Sruk (Rowville)

180cm defender, 24/08/2005

28 disposals, 18 uncontested possessions, 123 SuperCoach points

The Ranges believe he has been arguably their most consistent performer for the season and his outing on Sunday was no exception. Sruk was strong defensively, used the ball well and provided his usual drive out of defence, with some nice streaming runs in the final term in particular. He also received some midfield time with other key players on Vic Metro duties.

Tyson Sruk has had a strong season to date. Picture: Daniel Pockett/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

Isaac Tanzimat (East Ringwood)

184cm forward, 12/07/2005

11 disposals, two tackles, 2.2, 94 SuperCoach points

Tanzimat showed he has some tricks as a dangerous small forward. His two goals came from a holding the ball and an errant kick-in in the last, which saw him coolly slot the sealer. But his two behind were arguably more exciting: a soccer off the ground - while outnumbered one-on-two - nearly resulting in a goal, and a quick follow-up gather and snap after a marking contest that highlighted his athleticism.

Liam George (Mooroolbark)

182cm forward/midfielder, 5/10/2005

11 disposals, seven score involvements, 57 SuperCoach points

George had some exciting moments, headlined by a massive hanger late in the final quarter, landing like a cat to then spot up an option in an instant. The diminutive George showcased his strong hands overhead, agility in traffic and crafty ball-use. George faded late but his specky was certainly worth the wait.

Geelong Falcons

Reef Page (Torquay)

Key forward, 190cm, 3/02/2005

12 disposals, eight score involvements, three marks, 3.3, 112 SuperCoach points

A seriously impressive display from Page, who could have easily had a bag if he kicked straight. In his first Falcons game since round four, Page kept his side in the match with 3.3, presenting strongly on the lead and winning it in the air and at ground level. His last goal put the Falcons within six points in the last quarter after another clean mark in front of his opponent. The Torquay product was playing in the Bellarine Football League last month but he’s unlikely to be going back there anytime soon.

Reef Page lays a tackle for Torquay. Picture: Mark Wilson

Patrick Hughes (Torquay)

Midfielder, 175cm, 20/03/2005

25 disposals, 12 contested possessions, five tackles, four clearances 50s, 96 SuperCoach points

With concerns over his outside game, Hughes had his most productive game of the year on that front, tallying 12 uncontested possessions. It was an encouraging sign for Hughes, who was also a workhorse on the inside with four clearances. At one stage he dodged a tackler with a nice spin move to get free and he showed some burst from stoppage throughout the contest.

Noah Tullio (Newtown & Chillwell)

Defender, 167cm, 23/03/2006

19 disposals, six intercepts, 66 SuperCoach points

A glimpse into the future with Tullio showing good signs in his Coates Talent League debut. Tullio read the play well in defence to take two intercept marks and the 167cm prospect certainly didn’t lack for confidence, selling candy at one stage before dishing off a handball on the wing. Looks to have nice speed and agility.

Malachi White (St Joseph’s)

183cm midfielder, 6/01/2005

22 disposals, 14 contested possessions, six score involvements, 105 SuperCoach points

White won plenty of the ball in tight and was polished with his ball-use, winning 12 ground-ball gets and going at 77 per cent efficiency for the match. Like Hughes, it was White’s first Falcons game for three months and this display should ensure he continues to press his claims.

Tom Anastasopoulos (Newtown & Chillwell)

176cm forward, 31/05/2005

10 disposals, five score involvements, 47 SuperCoach points

Anastasopoulos was managed from Vic Country duties but may struggle to slot back in after being held goalless for his third-straight game. The small forward showed off his dash on a couple of occasions with some nice runs up the wing but was quiet against an inexperienced Ranges side.

Tom Anastasopoulos in action earlier in the year. Picture: Getty Images

Zac McInnes (Bell Park)

196cm forward, 13/01/2006

8 disposals, three score assists, two contested marks, 1.1, 82 SuperCoach points

Had maximum impact from his eight disposals, clunking two big grabs, having three direct score assists and slotting a goal himself. The 196cm forward also spent some time in the ruck and three of his seven hit-outs were to advantage. McInnes has kicked a goal in all seven of his Coates Talent League games in what has been an impressive bottom-age season to date.

SUPERCOACH POINTS

RANGES

Christian Moraes 158

Josh Tovey 136

Tyson Sruk 123

Josh Smillie 113

Riley Weatherill 113

Isaac Tanzimat 94

Seth McDonald 87

Joshua Galstians 87

Jordan Hider 77

Lachlan Monteath 71

Jackson Mooney 70

Jack Baldwin 67

Cody Anderson 63

Joshua Davies 63

Zac McGown 63

Baylin Spencer 63

Liam George 57

Ry Cantwell 50

Zach Tulloch 42

Cameron West 34

Jak Ryan 32

Lincoln Wright 30

Remy MacLean 30

FALCONS

Reef Page 112

Thomas Burke 109

Malachi White 105

Patrick Hughes 96

Tom Bartlett 95

Mackenzie Butcher 85

Tobyn Murray 82

Zac McInnes 82

Kobe George 78

Liam Kershaw 72

Xavier Ivisic 71

Noah Tullio 66

Hamish Pierson 62

Josh Sanders 61

Will Mclachlan 55

Tom Peirce 48

Tom Anastasopoulos 47

Zekiah Davey 47

Ethan Borys 40

Matthew Jones 39

Archie Sinnott 38

Brady Hall 24

Originally published as AFL Draft 2023: Scouting notes from Eastern Ranges v Geelong Falcons