Recap

Peter Williams’ scouting notes:

Geelong Falcons: 

#3 Lockey McCartney – Outside mid – McCartney did quite well outside the contest, having no trouble finding the ball, picking up 36 disposals. He has good acceleration, but there looked to be some question marks over his decision making and kick penetration. He would burst out of a pack or shake of a tackler, but then kick a floating ball inside forward and often gave the opposition defenders time to spoil.

#8 Max Augerinos – Inside Midfielder/forward – Augerinos is coming off that knee injury having only played a handful of games last year and could well have put his hand up to be drafted if he had of had the full season. He has not lost his strength or ability to find the ball in close. He clearly has a high work rate with his ability to chase from one contest to another and look for a chain of possessions when moving. There are some question marks over his hurt factor and kick penetration however. Is a chance to be drafted based on his inside game, but will need to continue to work on making every possession count.

#38 James Worpel – Mid/forward – It was the first time I’d seen James play live and I must say I was impressed. He made an impact up forward early, snapping a goal, then he moved into the midfield and won plenty of the football. He seems to have a good base to work with, but he’s another one who tends to rush his disposal. Often he would throw it on the boot in traffic without working out the best method of disposal. When in space he works well, but when in a contest, he does tend to just get it out of there. This can of course change from game to game or contest from contest, but there were a number of contests where he did this. Still, he has enough to work with on this viewing and I’d like to see more before reserving judgement on disposal or decision making.

#41 Brett Blair –Medium forward – It’s amazing to think this guy is sub 190cm and sub 90kg because he is a beast. He is a key forward in a medium forward’s body. He loves a contested grab and is strong in the air and ground. He has a presence that even some key forwards don’t have. The biggest question mark coming into the season is whether he could play that inside midfield role if required and he found more than 20 disposals in this game and was a presence when playing as a high half forward. His weaknesses are similar to that of Charlie Curnow, he doesn’t have great ability or speed and when leading does give the defender and oppotunity to spoil due to his lack of speed.

#48 Zachary Zdybel – Ruck/forward – Zach is one player who could very well shoot up the draft order if he continues his form from this match. He’s strong in the air, has a huge vertical leap, good hands and knows where and when to lead. He also has a good work rate, doubling back and making leads when required. To explain his vertical leap, he managed to get a foot on the opposition ruckman’s shoulder from a standing jump. The only question mark will be over his height and speed. He’s perfect height for a key forward but does seem to play more in the ruck and as a 193cm player, he isn’t tall enough to develop into a number one ruck role.

Gippsland Power:

#1 Tyrone Hayes – Mid/forward – Bottom age player, but boy was I impressed with some of his work. Yes, he rushed at times and kicked one ball out on the full, but when he broke through traffic, he looked superb. Reminded me of a young Connor Menadue a few years ago. He’s got 18 months till he’s eligible at the draft, so if he can lower his eyes and not rush his kicks, I think he’ll be a player. The way he burst through a pack of players to kick a running goal from 50 was something to behold.