Pietsch is strong one-on-one and also has the ability to play forward. R1: defeated Geelong College by 64 pointsR2: ByeR3: defeated Wesley by 69 pointsR4: defeated Caulfield by 81 pointsR5: defeated Scotch by 13 pointsR6: lost to Carey by one point. While many of the above are also in the Vic Metro Academy Hub, there were a few more names that Bond raised who also have earned a spot in the hub with great signs during their time at the club. There are plenty of top-agers who will fancy their chances of cracking into the final squad, but there will always be the unlucky few who don’t.
Aidan Fyfe Will Phillips “We were probably a bit bottom-age dominant last year but that’s what you get when you’ve got such talented kids that pushed for selection throughout the year and it means we’ve got a strong top-aged group this year – which is obvious because the kids are a year older. Samuel Tucker, Jake Bowey Bond said whilst many top-agers will be available, it was still important to give the bottom-agers chances for sustained development, though the ability to pick between a larger number of players will be a welcome change.
Western Australia “Clarkey (Oakleigh coach, Leigh Clarke) emphasises on just being really sharp and utilising every minute. Max Heath is the chosen ruck, one of the few pure talls among the ranks at the moment.
Sunday, December 15 – Thursday, December 19. Not only will the list now be top-age dominated again, but a number of top talents are finished school or not having to juggle their on-field commitments between NAB League and school football. Charlie Lazzaro I enjoyed Carey (Grammar) footy last year, we had a good year as a team and the training was quite advanced so it’s been a bit of a smooth transition. He is a natural footballer with elite use of the footy on his left and right foot and plenty of X-factor. Morningside has won their tenth club premiership with a thrilling nine-point victory over the previously undefeated Broadbeach.
There were plenty of fellow Oakleigh boys as well, did that make the connection easier? Potentially filling out the flanks is Nick Daicos, whose selection in the Academy Hub in his first year through the pathways speaking volume of his talent. While with the enviable talent at Oakleigh’s disposal the Chargers are tipped to be one of the team’s to beat again, Bond said it was still about development and getting them to where they need to be in their career progression. Eastern’s Jack Diedrich and Calder’s Josh Eyre can play in key position posts, with Diedrich adding ruck depth and Eyre a more dynamic option around the ground.
Darcy Chirgwin has also been impressive, with his solid work rate throughout games and hitting contest after contest with 110 percent. “I sound like I’m banging on a bit about them but we can’t fault them. “When you think of last year, you couldn’t get a much stronger midfield than what we had last year with Ando (Anderson), Rowell, Will Phillips, Lochie Jenkins, Fraser Elliot, (and) Finlay Macrae,” Bond said. Ryan Pietsch is a defender who got the better of Ben Silvagni when the Carlton father-son prospect had plenty of opportunities in Xavier’s 81-point win. Following on with the NGA theme too is Collingwood academy member Reef McInnes, who takes up a spot in the centre with eyes on fulfilling a more midfield-oriented role in 2020.
Potential Carlton father-son Ben Silvagni is yet to tear a game apart, but does have impact within games.
“But we’re happy with where they’re at and it gives the bottom-age kids from this year a chance to come and learn from those kids so it’s a good situation to be in.”. “But you’ve also got to realise that you’ve just got to have your small group of people that you listen to and take their opinion – the good, the bad, and the indifferent.”. He has the ability to win the footy on the inside and outside and uses his pace to break away from stoppages and take the game on.