Northern Knights draft hopes feast in big win over Gippsland Power
Northern Knights’ AFL Draft prospects had a day out against Gippsland Power and will now look to VFL and school football to showcase their skills to recruiters.
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Like a pack of hungry Lions, the Northern Knights’ midfield feasted on the Gippsland Power.
Five of the Knights’ best draft prospects combined for 143 disposals, 26 tackles and eight goals in the 68-point win at Morwell.
Josh Ward collected a game-high 33 touches and had five tackles, while exciting half-back flanker Joel Fitzgerald picked up 30 to take his season average to 29, second to only Nick Daicos.
Western Bulldogs father-son prospect Ewen Macpherson finished with 26 possessions, two goals and eight tackles in a best-on-ground performance.
While Knights captain Joel Trudgeon had 29 disposals, eight tackles and three goals rotating through midfield and full-forward with Ned Long, equally impressive with 25 touches five tackles and three goals.
The NAB League competition now breaks for several weeks with players set to disperse to VFL and school football.
Macpherson will look to earn selection at Footscray after training with the Bulldogs over summer.
Knights coach Leigh Clarke said the 19-year-old son of Steve Macpherson had the game to step straight into the VFL.
“He’s playing a really mature brand of footy at the moment and his ability to play both sides of the ball is really strong,” he said.
“He’s physical, he can impact offensively, he’s set himself up to go off to the Bulldogs and get an opportunity there to show his best against more mature bodies.
“His game is one of the most developed that I’ve seen in terms of what will transfer into adult footy.”
Macpherson has improved with each game, starting with 22 disposals against Western Jets before an outstanding 25-possession, nine-tackle performance against Sandringham.
Clarke hoped fellow 19-year-olds such as Trudgeon, Liam Kolar and Josh Watson would also make the switch to VFL to continue their development.
“We’ve got a conduit to Carlton and also links to the Northern Bullants,” Clarke said.
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“There’ll be a couple go and train and if they earn a spot on the team then they earn a spot.
“It’s important they keep pursuing their best and going back to club footy might not be in line with development plans for them.”
Ward and Long will play school football for Melbourne Grammar, Fitzgerald is at Parade College and Patrick Dozzi at Marcellin.
The Knights will return to action on May 22 against the Brisbane Lions Academy at Preston City Oval.
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