Draft Watch: Dons-tied duo, Tigers NGA & Hawks F/S all stand out

The last home and away round of the Talent League season took place over the weekend.

Most of the top draft prospects in Victoria were in action while there was a couple of New South Wales jets who played well in Sydney’s Wildcard VFL win over Frankston.

Swans Academy gun Henry Meaney contributed 17 disposals, five inside 50s, three score involvements, three clearances and three tackles in the 68-point triumph.

His Swans mate and fellow Allies representative Ben Pignatelli kicked two goals from nine touches on VFL debut and Will Morahan had 13 touches.

The best performances in the Talent League included Essendon NGA Moustafa Darwish’s 36-disposal display and Bombers father/son Koby Bewick's 26 and two goals for Calder Cannons. Hawthorn father/son prospect Kobe Williams produced a 29-touch, three-goal outing for the Jets and Richmond NGA-tied Tanner Armstrong amassed 39 touches game for Murray.

The Talent League Wildcard games take place this coming weekend with the fixture to be released shortly.

See all the numbers below:

Top 10 Talent League Fantasy Points

1 - Billy Wigmore (WJ) - 163
Eq.2 - Kobe Williams (WJ) - 142
Eq.2 - Jackson Hewitt (MB) - 142
4 - Moustafa Darwish (CC) - 135
5 - Lachlan Hicks (WJ) - 125
Eq.6 - Lincoln Brand (MB) - 121
Eq.6 - Tanner Armstrong (MB) - 121
8 - Ben Carroll (DS) - 119
9 - Griffin Barker (WJ) - 117
Eq.10 - Jack Vaughan (DS) - 111
Eq.10 - Jordan Knapp (ER) - 111

Western Jets (118) v (49) GWV Rebels

The Jets were dominant in their 69-point win over the Rebels at La Trobe Uni in Bundoora. Billy Wigmore was outstanding with a massive 36 disposals (23 kicks), a game-high 16 marks, six rebound 50s, five tackles. He was one of several Jets who filled up, including Hawthorn father/son prospect Kobe Williams who had 29 touches, 12 marks, five rebound 50s, three inside 50s and three goals in an all-round performance. Lachlan Hicks again impressed with 27 disposals, nine marks, four tackles, three inside 50s and three goals. He’s had 25 or more touches in his past nine Talent League outings. Also getting in on the act was Griffin Barker with 30 possessions, 11 marks and 11 inside 50s, Angus Tippett with 28 touches and a goal and key forward Jake Miller who booted 3.2 from 15 disposals and nine marks. Western Bulldogs NGA talent Khaled El Souki was again dangerous up forward, finishing with 20 disposals, five tackles, five inside 50s and three goals. He’s booted 40 goals in 12 outings to lead the league.

For the Rebels it was yet again Ethan Drever who starred with 27 disposals, seven inside 50s, six rebound 50s and six tackles, continuing his sublime form. He’s pushed himself firmly into the top-10 mix and could even be taken near the top five. Mitch Ward had it 23 times with eight inside 50s, while Klay Nicholls had 21 touches. Archie Elliott booted three majors to take his Talent League tally to 39, while Patrick McKenna also kicked three.

1 - Billy Wigmore (WJ) - 163
2 - Kobe Williams (WJ) - 140
3 - Lachlan Hicks (WJ) - 125
4 - Griffin Barker (WJ) - 117
5 - Khaled El Souki (WJ) - 105

Eastern Ranges (61) v (81) Dandenong Stingrays

The Stingrays beat the Ranges by 20 points at Dingley with a standout showing from Ben Carroll who had 30 disposals, five inside 50s and booted four goals in a masterful midfield outing. Jack Vaughan had 16 touches and a game-high nine tackles, Andrio Sousa was excellent again with 27 possessions and Mitch Toner bagged five goals in a clever forward display to take his season tally to 31 majors.

Jordan Knapp was Eastern’s best again with 30 disposals and five tackles, supported by Archie Spencer who had it 30 times with seven marks and six tackles, while Baxter Sruk had 31 possessions, five tackles and four inside 50s. Brodie Wilson contributed 22 touches and kicked two goals while Mitch Gillan and Ryan McConnell had 25 disposals each.

1 - Ben Carroll (DS) - 119
Eq.2 - Jack Vaughan (DS) & Jordan Knapp (ER) - 111
4 - Archie Spencer (ER) - 110
5 - Baxter Sruk (ER) - 99

Tasmania Devils (77) v (95) Geelong Falcons

The Falcons beat the Devils by 18 points in Launceston. Darcy Harrington was one of Geelong’s very best with 23 touches, a game-high seven inside 50s and five tackles. He was helped by Archie Daffy who kicked three goals from 18 disposals with four tackles and four inside 50s. The Richmond father/son prospect has put together a handy block of form, averaging 20 touches and two goals across his past four. Nate Mensch put up decent ruck numbers with 27 hitouts, 13 disposals, seven marks and four inside 50s, Zach Stevens booted four goals from 17 touches, and Archer Chamberlain kicked three majors.

Among the best for the Devils was Jake Beams with 27 disposals (20 kicks) and seven rebound 50s, Tom Geappen with 14 disposals, seven tackles and a goal, Sam Husband with 16 touches and six tackles, Max Gulliver with 21 possessions, while Thomas Bearman kicked four goals.

1 - Jake Beams (TD) - 102
2 - Darcy Harrington (GF) - 90
3 - Archie Daffy (GF) - 87
4 - Nate Mensch (GF) - 85
5 - Tom Geappen (TD) - 84

Oakleigh Chargers (47) v (97) Sandringham Dragons

The Dragons were too strong for the Chargers, winning by 50 points at Dingley. Albert Macgowan stood out once again with 32 disposals, six tackles and six inside 50s in another elite midfield performance. Judd Lemon produced 26 touches, five inside 50s, four tackles and a goal, Jack Surkitt had it 21 times and booted three goals, Charlie Brookes had 20 and kicked two, while George Dimer was classy with 16 possessions and a pair of majors.

Best players for Oakleigh were Josh Destefanis with 27 disposals, five inside 50s and a goal, Will Stewart who had 14 possessions, nine tackles, eight marks and six inside 50s, Boyden George with 21 touches and nine rebound 50s and Noah Bibile who booted three goals from 15 touches, six marks and five inside 50s.

1 - Albert Macgowan (SD) - 117
2 - Judd Lemon (SD) - 108
3 - Joshua Destefanis (OC) - 102
4 - Will Stewart (OC) - 98
5 - Jack Surkitt (SD) - 91

Gippsland Power (53) v (79) Northern Knights

The Knights won once again, this time a 26-point result over the Power in Morwell. Toby Krasna continues to impress and picked up 24 disposals, five inside 50s and two goals in another accomplished performance. Rylee Ratkovic had 20 touches and a goal, Mitchell Moate also had it 20 times with eight marks, and Harvie Cooke amassed 25 possessions, six inside 50s and four tackles. Harrison Leeder booted four goals from 12 touches and five marks while gun ruckman Harry Van Hattum contributed 19 disposals and 24 hitouts in a strong display.

For Gippy it was Xavier Ladbrook who starred with 23 disposals, an equal game-high nine marks, five inside 50s and three rebound 50s. Marlon Neocleous provided a game-high 11 tackles and 16 disposals with outstanding pressure, while Judd Burgiel had 18 touches, eight tackles and six inside 50s and Will Burgiel had 21 touches.

1 - Marlon Neocleous (GP) - 108
2 - Toby Krasna (NK) - 102
3 - Xavier Ladbrook (GP) - 95
4 - Rylee Ratkovic (NK) - 89
Eq.5 - Judd Burgiel (GP) & Mitchell Moate (GF) - 87

Murray Bushrangers (67) v (111) Calder Cannons

The Cannons did the business by 44 points over the Bushrangers in Wangaratta. Essendon NGA prospect Moustafa Darwish was enormous with 36 disposals, six inside 50s, four tackles and three goals, producing another masterclass. Bombers father/son talent Koby Bewick produced 26 touches, five inside 50s, three rebound 50s and two goals, and Charlie Robbins - son of former Lion and Roo Ben - had it 21 times and booted three majors. Jackson Watkins had 18 disposals, a team-high 10 marks and kicked 2.2, and Isa Merhi had 22 touches. Port Adelaide father/son and Dons NGA talent Tevita Rodan, and Western Bulldogs father/son Levi West both had 18 disposals.

Jackson Hewitt was huge for Murray, continuing his elite ball-winning form with 37 disposals, a game-high 11 marks, five inside 50s and four tackles. Richmond NGA prospect Tanner Armstrong was prolific once again with a game-best 39 touches and eight inside 50s. Armstrong’s average of 35.3 disposals per game leads the league. Lincoln Brand contributed 35 possessions, while Jethro Snelling kicked 4.3 from 12 touches and eight marks.

1 - Jackson Hewitt (MB) - 142
2 - Moustafa Darwish (CC) - 135
Eq.3 - Lincoln Brand & Tanner Armstrong (MB) - 121
5 - Koby Bewick (CC) - 101