Top 50 Coates Talent League draft rankings after round 1

The Victorian under-18 competition is back and a host of stars staked their claim to recruiters. See who starred and all the SuperCoach scores here.

Some of the country’s top AFL draft prospects started the season with a bang in the Coates Talent League as their top-age campaigns kicked off over the weekend.

Eastern Ranges midfield duo Josh Smillie and Christian Moraes were both influential in helping their side snag a 28-point win against an inaccurate Oakleigh Charges on Sunday.

Big-bodied midfielder Smillie – who measures 194cm and looks up to Carlton’s Patrick Cripps – racked up 24 disposals, five clearances, two goals and two score assists to be named as his side’s best.

Fellow AFL Academy member and onballer Christian Moraes also caught the eye for the Ranges with 25 disposals, seven marks, three clearances and two goals.

Despite their side losing, some of Oakleigh Chargers’ brightest stars also shone.

Powerful midfielder-forward Tom Gross collected 26 disposals, five clearances and eight tackles.

Gross’ day – which saw him accumulate a bumper 181 SuperCoach ranking points – could have been bigger if not for some inaccuracy which saw him register only 1.2 from four shots on goal.

Tom Gross registered 181 SuperCoach ranking points for Oakleigh Chargers in round 1. Picture: Getty Images

Chargers captain Jagga Smith – who had flagged plans to start the season forward – was primarily used through the midfield and collected 30 disposals, five clearances and eight inside-50s.

Elsewhere, Northern Knights tall forward Thomas Sims booted five goals from 14 disposals and seven marks in attack on his way to posting a whopping 209 ranking points.

Hailing from Montmorency, Sims measured 198.8cm at the recent pre-season testing day.

Mid-season draft prospects Joe Pike and Cooper Trembath also featured prominently in round 1.

Geelong Falcons ruckman Pike – who measures 203cm – had 14 disposals, 27 hitouts, six clearances, six tackles and kicked a goal against Dandenong Stingrays, while 193cm Eastern Ranges key defender Cooper Trembath logged 22 disposals, seven marks (four intercepts), five spoils and five rebound 50s against Oakleigh Chargers.

ROUND 1 RESULTS

Northern Knights 19.9 (123) d Western Jets 12.8 (80)

Murray Bushrangers 15.10 (100) d Tasmania Devils 11.7 (73)

Sandringham Dragons 16.14 (110) d Calder Cannons 9.6 (60)

Oakleigh Chargers 7.12 (54) def. by Eastern Ranges 13.4 (82)

GWV Rebels 7.13 (55) def. by Bendigo Pioneers 10.13 (73)

Geelong Falcons 9.6 (60) d Dandenong Stingrays 8.9 (57)

Eastern Ranges midfielder Josh Smillie made a big start to the season. Picture: Getty Images