Calder Cannons’ draft hopes impress in win over Western Jets
Calder Cannons coach Ross Smith believes Zac Taylor is one of the best kicks available in this year’s draft class as he showcased his talent against Western Jets.
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Calder Cannons youngster Zac Taylor has launched into AFL Draft calculations with a scintillating performance.
The 18-year-old midfielder was dominant in the Cannons’ 15-point NAB League win over Western Jets on Sunday with 32 disposals, 10 marks and six tackles – all season highs.
Taylor’s breakout game saw him finish with 26 kicks, setting up numerous scoring chances with nine inside 50s, earning him 183 SuperCoach points.
Cannons coach Ross Smith believes he’s one of the best kicks in this season’s draft class.
“He’s really come on, which is terrific, he’s got some special skills and one of them is to set us up by foot,” Smith said.
“Zac’s kicking skills are elite, he had 26 kicks on the weekend and I dare say most of them hit the target. He allows us to maintain possession really well.
“He’s worked on his inside work, it wasn’t too much of a weakness for him, he’s got a good balance.
“He had eight contested and 25 uncontested (possessions) but he had four clearances as well.”
Taylor is part of an extended Vic Metro squad that will be whittled down after a practice match against Vic Country.
Smith hopes Taylor can take the opportunity and showcase his skills to AFL recruiters.
“He’s certainly done his chances no harm but he’s still got some time to go this year as an 18-year-old,” he said.
“At the end of the day it’s going to be how he performs through the Metro carnival, if he makes it, that’s going to be the determining factor.”
Taylor led all comers in the 10.12 (72) to 8.9 (57) win at Highgate Reserve, while Josh Goater collected 28 disposals and nine marks, Sam Clohesy finished with 23 and 10 marks and Flynn Lakey had 20 and seven tackles.
Goater came into the season as arguably Calder’s best draft hope and has been consistent without being outstanding.
His 28 touches, 16 kicks and nine marks were all season-highs and the 190cm midfielder has impressed in three senior games with Sunbury in the Ballarat Football League.
“He’s been going nicely, we’ve been trying to work on his work-rate as a midfielder,” Smith said.
“At some stage we’ll try him across half-back but he had 10 contested possessions so he’s getting a better balance of inside and outside.
“The VFL and local footy seniors does expose you to men, which hardens you up a little bit, which is a good thing.”
Sam Paea was the leading forward on the ground with four majors, finding his range after an inaccurate start to the season.
The 194cm key forward has 6.9 this season but Smith said there was more to his game.
“What’s been really pleasing with Sam is he’s presenting really well and he’s providing a real contest,” he said.
“He’s been able to win plenty of the ball and get opportunities but he just hasn’t had his radar tuned in.
“He had another eight marks on the weekend, so we knew he’d eventually turn it around and it was nice to see him kick four goals.”
Calder debuted two players in the win, Dane Whitnall and Matt Foley.
Whitnall, the son of Carlton star Lance, has been playing senior football at EDFL outfit Craigieburn under his father and impressed as a key defender.
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“Dane was certainly effective across centre half-back, he didn’t win a lot of the ball but his primary role in being able to defend was great,” Smith said.
“His old man has been playing him at centre half-back at Craigieburn and if you’ve been following Craigieburn’s fortunes, they’ve been getting smacked every week.
“We figure Dane’s development has been fast-tracked at Craigieburn, so it’s added another string to his bow because he’d been seen as a forward.”
Calder travels to Preston City Oval on Saturday to take on the Northern Knights, while Western Jets host Eastern Ranges.
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