AFL Draft 2024: Geelong Falcons notch comeback win as mid-season draft hopefuls and Vic Country chance strengthen claims

A duo eyeing the mid-season draft impressed in Geelong Falcons’ win. But it was a Vic Country hopeful who shone the brightest. See the ranking points and top performers.

Dan Batten

@danbatten_

2 min read

May 14, 2024 - 3:24PM

News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom

Noah Tullio starred for the Falcons. Picture: Mark Wilson

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The Geelong Falcons produced a thrilling comeback win over the Gold Coast Academy as two mid-season draft hopefuls and a playmaker strengthened their claims.

The Falcons trailed by 18 points at three-quarter-time but kicked five goals to one in the final term to bring up their fourth win from five matches.

SCROLL DOWN FOR THE RANKING POINTS

Newtown & Chillwell junior Noah Tullio led the way for the Falcons up on the Gold Coast with 23 disposals, eight inside 50s, three score assists, 178 SuperCoach points and two goals.

The second of those from the clean and crafty forward-midfielder was a booming set shot from outside 50 in the last five minutes of the final quarter.

Tullio also took part in Vic Country’s trial matches, with Geelong Falcons and Vic Country coach Paul Corrigan saying he couldn’t be doing much more to contend for a spot at the national championships next month.

Defender Lachie Jaques, ball-winner Xavier Ivisic, North Melbourne father-son prospect River Stevens and midfielder Edan Ibbetson are among the 2024 Falcons talents vying for the Vic Country squad.

“He is doing everything right, he has had those trial matches and he has obviously gone back now and put two good games together from those trial matches,” Corrigan said.

“As players we talk about being really clean with their possessions and ground balls and he is one of the cleanest players I’ve seen come through.”

Mid-season draft hopeful Joe Pike produced another big display in the ruck, finishing with 23 hit-outs (nine of those to advantage), six clearances, three intercept marks and 140 SuperCoach points.

Joe Pike in action for the Young Guns Picture: Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos

Colac product Will McLachlan wasn’t able to produce another bag of goals – kicking 16 in his last three Coates League matches – but his 12 disposals, seven score involvements and 2.2 stood out to Corrigan.

He believes the powerful forward deserves to be at an AFL club after lighting up the Coates League as an over-age player.

“I thought this was one of his better games in the sense that they defended him pretty hard but he kept attacking the ball, bringing it to ground,” Corrigan said.

“He would have had six or seven shots on goal, he kicked two, but he was just a real presence for us up forward.

“I think his form warrants being on an AFL list in what he has been able to do and more so the consistency of how he’s done it has been a real positive.”

Lara key forward Dan Lowther (17 disposals, four marks, two goals and 96 points) and Geelong Next Generation Academy prospect Jesse Mellor (15 disposals, 10 contested possessions, five clearances and five tackles), eligible for the 2025 draft, were also prominent.

Mellor’s performance came in just his second Coates League game.

In APS football, Ivisic produced another dominant display for Geelong Grammar in their 52-point loss to Caulfield Grammar on Saturday.

Without top GWV Rebels prospect Sam Lalor, who missed with a foot/ankle issue, Ivisic played a lone hand in the midfield, tallying 32 disposals, 13 contested possessions, eight clearances, eight tackles and 152 Premier Data ranking points.

Xavier Ivisic has shone for Geelong Grammar this season. Picture: Alan Barber

Rebels ruckman Flynn Penry shone again with his follow up work, racking up 42 hit-outs, 18 disposals (15 of those won in a contest), nine clearances and 110 ranking points.

Geelong Grammar remain winless in the APS competition while rivals Geelong College notched their second win in a row, defeating Melbourne Grammar by 20 points.