Players who caught the eye as Carlton, Essendon, Hawthorn, Melbourne, North Melbourne and St Kilda play AFLX
MELBOURNE reigned supreme on night two of AFLX as players including new Blue Paddy Dow, maligned Majak Daw and luckless Dee Angus Brayshaw caught the eye. HOW THE BLUES, BOMBERS, HAWKS, ROOS, DEMONS AND SAINTS FARED
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MELBOURNE reigned supreme on the second night of AFLX in group two as Carlton, Essendon, Hawthorn, North Melbourne and St Kilda were all in action at Etihad Stadium.
The Demons defeated the Hawks by 10 points in the grand final on Friday night after Adelaide won the first ever AFLX tournament at Hindmarsh Stadium on Thursday night.
SAM EDMUND, GLENN McFARLANE, LAUREN WOOD, JON RALPH and SAM LANDSBERGER analyse every club’s outing.
CARLTON
X-FACTOR: ZAC FISHER
They’ve been excited about this kid behind closed doors and now we know why. Slippery as an eel with a rapid turn of speed and a laser-like left foot, Fisher looks to have picked up where he left off. Bombed a huge Zooper goal against North Melbourne and his line-breaking could be a real asset for the Blues.
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NEWBIE: PADDY DOW
Gee, he looked good. There were signs of that explosive line-breaking ability with a goal against Melbourne. The No.3 draft pick just looks a player. Read it well, looks superbly-balanced and regularly found space. Looks to also have an appetite for the contest, too. When it was his turn he crashed in.
TIME TO SHINE: JACK SILVAGNI
Might be bit harsh given this is only his third year in the system. But he’s a curious case, Jack. Does some instinctively brilliant things, but then makes some elementary mistakes. Played forward and while the hands were clean overhead, his lack of pace makes it hard for him to get separation on defenders.
NEW COLOURS: MATTHEW KENNEDY
Not the sort of game suited to the former GWS draftee given the lack of contested action, but he made an immediate impression. Without the ball his physicality was an asset and he tackled well. With the ball he looks composed and while not appearing brilliant by foot, he’s not terrible either. Not quick, but spreads to space well. The contested ball is this bloke’s go and with Patrick Cripps beside him come the real stuff, could be a valuable addition.
SUPERCOACH: LOCHIE O’BRIEN $162,300 DEF/MID
One to watch. The two big ticks are he’s dual position and already looks a designated — and highly-capable — kicker. Well-balanced with ball in hand and if he gets early games he could score well.
— BY SAM EDMUND
ESSENDON
X-FACTOR: ANTHONY McDONALD-TIPUNGWUTI
As if this bloke didn’t have enough x-factor already, he’s now got a new game to showcase it in. AFLX is just made for Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti. His explosive pace and ability to find space — even in a reduced forwardline — is second to none and his exciting style of play suited the format to a tee in the first game. Crowds just love him.
NEWBIE: MATT GUELFI
The Essendon youngsters got the Etihad Stadium grass under their feet for the first time last night — literally. A couple of draftees appeared to complete the early part of their warm up on Friday night with no shoes on, and their relaxed approach translated to the game. There was one sign of nerves when Matt Guelfi passed off a shot on goal, but the man dubbed “Mr Fix It” certainly did his bit and showed some good signs. Ben McNiece’s initiation to AFLX was tough, hit with a nasty falcon in game two.
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STEPPING UP: ANDREW McGRATH
Andrew McGrath has turned his hand back to being a midfielder, and showed exactly why it suited him so well throughout his junior years. The 19-year-old Rising Star looked right at home in the middle of the action and played with plenty of freedom in a positive sign of what is to come this year. That stream down the wing against the Hawks was special. Class well beyond his years. “He had a super first year and he’ll go up a notch this year,” skipper Dyson Heppell said on Channel 7. “He’s had a super pre-season.” Darcy Parish’s body even bigger with another preseason under his belt.
OLD HANDS: DAVID ZAHARAKIS
David Zaharakis just continues to serve. Slick and quick in the midfield as the Bombers’ skipper on Friday night and delivered a Zooper goal, too. Always such a solid performer. Shaun McKernan took some nice grabs to finish the second game with 16 disposals and a Zooper goal.
SUPERCOACH: ADAM SAAD
The $399,800 defender is value. Played very offensively from defence for the Bombers in Essendon’s AFLX loss to Hawthorn in the first game before tearing things up in the second against St Kilda. He looked right at home in red and black when he booted a second-game Zooper and set the ground alight with blistering pace. Looks a great get.
— BY LAUREN WOOD
HAWTHORN
TIME TO SHINE: RYAN SCHOENMAKERS
The Hawks fans in the outer needed to take a deep breath. “Give it up, Schoenmakers!” they screamed after a clumsy turnover on the wing. It was crazy criticism less than a half into an AFLX game, but a summer reminder that the long-time whipping boy still has work to do to shake that tag. Schoenmakers, 27, signed a one-year contract last year and you feel it might be now or over. He finished the first win with a team-high 11 disposals (five contested).
BACK TO ATTACK: JACK GUNSTON
Gunston was reprogrammed into an aerial specialist across halfback last year — and with great effect. The triple-premiership forward replaced good mate Grant Birchall in the back half, but on Friday night he was impressive in attack. Gunston was the go-to man for the first two Zooper Goal attempts and while both faded, he finished with 14 points in the first game and looked a class above.
X-FACTOR: JAMES SICILY
Sicily walked out as captain in the second game and his strut sparked the Hawks into a scoring feast against St Kilda. Trailing 30-3, Sicily kicked Hawthorn’s first goal and finished with 18 points to set Etihad Stadium alight. There was even a rare contested mark at full-forward, although with shoelaces untied Sicily dished it off. The kid will wear Josh Gibson’s No.6 this year and has the hallmarks of a cult hero. Thank heavens he wasn’t traded two years ago.
NUMBERS UP: BLAKE HARDWICK
Aside from Sicily in the No.6, Blake Hardwick looked at home in Luke Hodge’s No.15. Sporting a Joe Dirt haircut, Hardwick patrolled all parts of the ground with composure, got on the end of a 10-pointer and in a tussle with Nev Jetta. Ryan Burton bombed the night’s longest Zooper goal and simply moves like a special player. Burton is in Sam Mitchell’s No.5 for the second season.
SUPERCOACH: JAMES WORPEL
Recruiter Graham Wright must’ve worn a smile as he sat in the Etihad stands. We all know about Burton, Sicily and Hardwick, but the likes of James Worpel, Jackson Ross, Dylan Moore and rookie Dallas Willsmore all had their moments. Ross was plucked from the tennis court and brilliant runner Moore plays a bit like premiership Tiger Kane Kambert. Draft slider Worpel appeared physically ready for Round 1 as he thumped a Zooper goal from 60m and costs just $117,300 as a SuperCoach midfielder.
— BY SAM LANDSBERGER
MELBOURNE
X-FACTOR: JAKE MELKSHAM
Jake Melksham was born for AFLX. The 26-year-old might even be a contender for the ‘Zooper Coleman Medal’ if there was such a thing. He scored the first three 10-pointers in the Dees’ first game, slotted home another in the second and another in the grand final win. Maybe it was enough to convince Simon Goodwin a permanent small forward role is on the cards this season.
TIME TO SHINE: ANGUS BRAYSHAW
If anyone deserves a change of luck, it’s Angus Brayshaw. After a battle against the ongoing effects of concussion, hopefully the wheel of fortune spins in his favour this year. The 22-year-old looked sharp, attacking the ball with relish and was composed with the ball in his hands. If he keeps that up, Brayshaw will play a significant role for the Demons this year.
NEWBIE: BAYLEY FRITSCH
Demons insiders have quietly been talking up the early-season prospects of draftee Bayley Fritsch and Friday night wouldn’t have curbed their enthusiasm. The one-time Casey forward bagged three regular goals in the club’s second game, showing composure in attack. Looks a likely type.
STEPPING UP: JAMES HARMES
Sporting Jack Watts’ former number, James Harmes was one of the standouts for the Demons. He wasn’t selected in five of the club’s first eight games, before rallying to play 17 matches. On last night’s form, pencil him in for Round 1 this year.
OLD HANDS: TOM BUGG
Bugg wore a Melbourne jumper in a “senior” match on Friday night for the first time since being suspended for six weeks last year. He never took a backward step, effecting the first smother of the night and later making Braydon Preuss earn a possession the hard way. Worked hard to make an impression and clearly has the desire to reward the patience the Demons have put in him.
SUPERCOACH: CHRISTIAN PETRACCA $433,300 MID/FWD
‘The Truck’ has been threatening to take this competition by the scruff of the neck for some time now, so we can’t miss out now. Looked imperious at times and while there were others who did more on the night, he gave Dees’ fans a hint of what is to come in the real season.
— BY GLENN McFARLANE
NORTH MELBOURNE
X-FACTOR: SHAUN HIGGINS
Class rises to the top in any form of the game. Case in point — Shaun Higgins. Last year’s best-and-fairest winner looked sharp and had the nuances of AFLX well and truly sorted. Take the moment he lurked outside the forward zone in the first game, urging Jarrad Waite to handball backwards for the first Zooper opportunity. He nailed it, of course, as he does most things.
TIME TO SHINE: MAJAK DAW
Majak Daw is going to hurt someone in defence this year, if Friday night is any guide. He still has plenty to learn in his new defensive role, but attacking the ball without fear or favour isn’t going to be an issue. Needs to clean up his disposal in clutch moments, but his evolution in the role this year will make for fascinating viewing.
STEPPING UP: PAUL AHERN
Paul Ahern’s wait is over. He’s finally worn a North Melbourne jumper in a match after a 12-month wait, following two knee reconstructions when he was with the Giants. Looks as if he is going to be worth the wait if he can cut an even break with injury.
NEWBIES: BILLY HARTUNG and GORDON NARRIER
It’s no surprise this game suits Billy Hartung, but the former Hawk showed positive signs in the Kangaroos’ second game. And we suspect we will see a bit more of speedy Perth rookie Gordon Narrier this season. He looks a wildcard, using the ball well on his left foot and nailing a nice goal in the first game against Carlton.
SUPERCOACH: JAMIE MACMILLAN $424,600 DEF
Leave this bloke out of your SuperCoach team at your peril. Jamie Macmillan is one of the better intercept players in the game when he is firing, and the Kangaroos missed that in the back end of last season when he was injured.
— BY GLENN McFARLANE
ST KILDA
OLD HANDS: SHANE SAVAGE
Been around long enough — 10 years — to take advantage of this sort of set-up. Pacy and with a booming kick in his trick bag, Savage might be the protype AFLX player. The former Hawk set up across halfback, where he was able to ghost forward into dangerous positions. Kicked two monstrous Zooper goals — the latter off one step — in the Saints’ first gam against Essendon.
TIME TO SHINE: BLAKE ACRES
Powerful, explosive and good overhead, Acres has all the attributes. Kicking has been the query until now, but entering his fifth year maybe that will be the last kink to be straightened out. Stationed forward in his one and only game, he physicality with and without the ball caused problems for Essendon. With 44 games under his belt, 2018 could be the year Acres really takes flight.
NEWBIE: NICK COFFIELD
The former Northern Knights captain was taken at No.8 in last year’s draft and it isn’t hard to see why. Coffield, a highly-rated halfback at TAC Cup level, looked more than capable playing in defence in the Saints’ AFLX opener against Essendon. At 190cm, Coffield is pretty quick, composed in possession and a good user by foot. Should play senior footy this year.
SUPERCOACH: JACK LONIE $356,000 FWD
He’s no cash cow and he’s certainly no premium. Which means Lonie sits in a super-awkward price band. But SuperCoach games are won and lost by points of difference and perhaps Lonie could be worth a crack as your fourth forward in fantasy land. Lonie featured in the Saints’ second game against Hawthorn and was lively across half forward. Played eight of St Kilda’s last nine matches last year and at 21 years of age, this could be his breakout year.
— BY SAM EDMUND
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