FOOTBALL

BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

 

MAKING the most of his moments, Traralgon youngster Marlon Neocleous impressed when elevated into the Marsh AFL Academy.

The premier junior program, which selects many of the top under 18 performers across the country, did battle against VFL sides North Melbourne and Richmond in recent weeks.

Neocleous was only added to the squad in the day’s leading into the AFL Academy’s initial match against the Kangaroos at Arden Street Oval on April 12.

The development side lost to North Melbourne by 71 points, with Bairnsdale’s Wil Malady booting two goals.

While the final result wasn’t much better in the second matchup, as the AFL Academy succumbed by 49 points to Richmond at IKON Park, the young squad took it to a more experienced group through most stages of the game.

The AFL Academy led by three points at halftime and trailed by less than a goal heading into the last quarter, before the Tigers piled on eight majors to one through to the final siren.

Richmond featured Moe and Trafalgar export Leo Connolly in the VFL side that has won two of its first three matches of the season.

Neocleous was as mercurial as ever, compiling 18 disposals, nine marks and booted the opening goal of the contest.

AFL Draft guru Callum Twomey has lauded the Gippsland Power vice skipper a few times in the last 12 months, and again noted the damaging small forward following his Richmond performance.

“The Gippsland Power small is tidy with his ball use, smart with positioning and good overhead for his size and booted the first goal of the game with a clever mark – then snap – close to goal,” he penned in an article on afl.com.au.

Fellow Power vice captain and Pakenham’s Xavier Ladbrook stood out down back for the AFL Academy, awarded the best-on-ground medal against the Tigers.

The Lowanna College, Newborough student finished with 13 touches (on 92 per cent disposal efficiency) and six marks as a key defender.

Malady also continued a strong performance in two VFL matchups, booting another pair of goals in the second match against Richmond.

Because of these duties, which will undoubtably set them up ahead of next year’s draft aspirations, the trio did not suit up for Gippsland Power in its win over Bendigo Pioneers in Round 4 of the AFL Talent League on April 10.

A bye in Round 5 followed for Power, who next played on Anzac Day against GWV Rebels at Shepley Oval, Dandenong.