The 2014 draft looms as a bonanza for talls as Vic Country beats Vic Metro in championships opener

FINALLY, the 2014 draft is taking shape. And for clubs crying out for tall forwards, Sunday’s opening match of the Under-18 carnival would have excited scouts.

Vic Country v Vic Metro Trevor Barker Oval Sandringham . Darcy Moore in action for Vic Metro. May 18th 2014. Picture : Colleen Petch

FINALLY, the 2014 draft is taking shape.

Future top-10 pick Peter Wright takes a one-handed mark in front of Vic Country's Rowan Marshall. Picture: Colleen Petch

And for clubs crying out for tall forwards, yesterday’s opening match of the Under-18 carnival would have excited scouts.

Five players standing at least 189cm slotted multiple goals as Vic Country upstaged Vic Metro by 15 points, confirming the pointy end of November’s draft will be a big-man bonanza.

AFL recruiters last night confirmed 199cm goalkicker Darcy Moore — who finished with one major from six disposals — was “locked in” as Collingwood’s first-round selection.

In another draft bargain, clubs are also certain Sydney’s first pick will be used to grab zone academy player Isaac Heeney, a blond midfielder who idolises Kieren Jack.

Recruiters believe 203cm Peter Wright is leading the race to go No. 1, most likely to Brisbane Lions to help replace legend Jonathan Brown.

Wright bagged two goals and spent the second half in the ruck, tapping to Angus Brayshaw who collected 32 disposals and drew comparisons to Sam Mitchell for his super skills on both sides.

Brayshaw is tipped to be the first midfielder snared in a talent pool heavy on big blokes, with Geelong pair Paddy McCartin and Hugh Goddard — cousin of Brendon — top-10 chances.

They shared five goals, with McCartin’s raw power impressing AFL talent academies manager Mick Ablett.

“It’s like tenpin bowling when he crashes packs,” Ablett said of the man some clubs rate as the best spearhead in the draft.

Bottom-agers Darcy Tucker and Darcy Parish starred for Vic Country, sharing 40 disposals as their side trailed at every break before storming home with six last-quarter goals at Sandringham.

Vic Country 2.0 5.2 8.4 14.5 (89)

Vic Metro 3.4 5.5 9.5 11.8 (74)

GOALS

Vic Country: McCartin 3, Goddard 2, Lamb 2, Drummond 2, Webb, Parish, Lonie, Butler, Dunkley

Vic Metro: Sheridan-Ferrie 4, Wright 2, Langdon, Ahern, Ellis, Moore, Pittonet

BEST

Vic Country: Drummond, Marchbank, Marshall, Skinner, Tucker, Lonie

Vic Metro: McLaren, McLaren, De Goey, Castagna, Duggan, Pittonet

Former Collingwood champ Peter Moore was on hand to watch son Darcy in action for Vic Metro. Picture: Colleen Petch