Young guns: 37 leading FDJFL players from AFL Victoria Metro Junior Development Series
Here’s a list of 37 outstanding Frankston and District league performers at the AFL Victoria Metro Junior Development Series.
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The best young football talent was on display at the AFL Victoria Metro Junior Development Series that wrapped up on King’s Birthday Monday.
Frankston and District Junior Football League (FDJFL) had five teams compete — two sides in U14 Boys, one in U14 Girls and two in U15 Boys.
The U14 Division 1 sides went 3-0 by hefty margins.
A highlight came when FDJFL founder Alan Wickes talked to the under-14 side pre game, speaking about his pathway to league football and urging the boys to never let an opportunity pass and always try 100 percent.
Here are 37 of the leading FDJFL performers from the series.
Tait White
Had an outstanding carnival in U14 Boys Division 1. Has X-factor, oozes skill and is a great decision maker. A very talented footballer.
Oscar Marsden
Strong with a good turn of speed and a booming kick. Can kick 50m off one step. Loves the contest.
Harper Murray
Key position back, intercept mark and reads the ball well. Was dominant in game two with more than 10 intercept marks. Composed and skilful.
Nevon Eshwara
Aggressive midfielder/half back flanker who has a touch of class. Attacks the contest and doesn’t back down.
Ashton Harrison
Reads the play well and has loads of X-factor and speed. He can run out games strongly. Skilful with a great attitude; prepared to listen and learn.
Kayden Anderson
First year in the academy. Was named FDJFL vice captain. Strong competitor, loves the contest and cracks in, always with his head his over the ball. Ferocious runner, good decision maker and great skill.
Cooper Watson
Classy outside mid who runs all day. Vocal on the field and has great leadership qualities. Good skills and classy.
Elijah Merchan
Composed and classy. Great skills and reads the play well. Kicked four goals and was named in the best on two occasions in the U14 Boys Division 2 campaign.
Marley Garel
Hasn’t played a lot of footy but the defensive aspect to his game is strong. Loves the contest and has big upside. Excellent attitude.
Tyrone Nesbitt
Only in his second year of football but shows great potential. A national-level sprinter. Super quick, explosive, tall, strong and versatile.
Hamish Willemsen
Strong midfielder who has class, skills and good decision making qualities.
Matilda Laughlin
Given a new role on the wing and played the role to perfection. A speedy addition with clean skills in the wet.
Annie Holloway
A handy goal kicker that provides intensive inside 50 pressure.
Abbey Oliver
A dominant ruck with terrific endurance. Her athletic ability helps her to shine on the field.
Lucy Malcomson
Super skilfull. Fundamentally solid and her speed makes it noticeable when she breaks from a pack. Silky.
Ruby Gard
An old-school key forward. Not many can out-muscle or out-mark her. Was great to see Ruby get reward for effort in the last game.
Remi Sneddon
One of Frankston’s skippers. Her ability to mark the ball and get the ball moving forward was key in her side’s game style.
Misha Simmons
A competitive beast who gives 100 percent, nothing less. Is expertly clean below her knees which helps her power through opposition lines.
Mali Roberts
A tackling and defensive machine. Courageous in the contest and a fantastic kick to go with it.
Bridie Campbell
One of the smartest footballers for her age. Her footy IQ allows her to impact every clearance.
Sophie Hussey
Nicknamed “Bulldog’’ for a reason. She helps to provide protection for her teammates in the midfield, and is also a fantastic rebound defender.
Zac Hamer
Loads of speed, with a big leap — he took a huge hanger on Monday. Has a lot of talent. Dynamic.
Archer McCarthy
Named in the best players in all three games in U15 Boys Division 1. Very strong, uses the ball well. Can play mid, forward or back and is strong overhead.
Hayden Lane
Was voted captain by his teammates and did it well, very vocal. Versatile, strong overhead and can play back, forward or on a wing. Big tank.
Baylin Wilcox
Versatile, reads the play well, uses the ball well and a good decision maker.
Ethan Wood
The boy from Devon Meadows was consistent throughout the carnival, playing predominantly back but also went into the midfield on Monday and did well. Reads the play well and tackles strongly.
River Lonie
Very strong overhead, a good shot for goal. A mobile player who can play multiple positions.
Evan Dennis
Topped the goal chart in U15 Boys Division 2 with nine majors, including a bag of seven on Monday. A high IQ player in front of the ball which is rare in junior footy.
Will Setford
Showed great character and resilience. A small forward/midfielder who impressed with his work rate and attitude and was in the best players in all three games.
Nicholas Langdon
The talented basketballer reads the game well and is a strong one-on-one competitor who will flourish in the midfield long term.
Max Ritchie
Has worked hard on his football and it shows. Good skills on both sides of his body, his overhead marking is excellent and has genuine footy smarts.
Jock Claringbold
An emerging talent. Plays undersized as a ruckman, good follow-up work, strong player who can also kick a goal. Lots of upside.
Chase Nagy
Played back and forward and impressed with his desire to defend, highlighted by a 20m chase down tackle in the forward fifty in game two that earned him a shot at goal.
Jai Kitchin
Super one-on-one competitor down back.
Kade Ashton
Composed under pressure, good decision maker with a bright future.
Sam Carmichael
The rangy midfielder also has the foty IQ to play forward, understanding how to impact and connect up forward for the team.
Rhys Bicknell
The Langwarrin youngster won the medal in game two; a contested beast in the middle, good overhead and a powerful two-way runner.
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