YOUNG FALCONS IN THE SPOTLIGHT

THE brightest young talent from Geelong showed their skills on the biggest stage in an attempt to catch the eye of recruiters.

Four under-17 Geelong Falcons players — Henry Walsh, Noah Gribble, Tanner Bruhn and Oliver Henry — took to the MCG on Grand Final day in an exhibition curtain-raiser.

Gribble’s side Team Brown, which was named for former Brisbane Lion Jonathan, defeated a side named after Nick Dal Santo by 41 points.

The brother of Carlton young star Sam, Walsh was strong in the ruck, while Bruhn and Gribble rotated through the midfield.

Team Dal Santo coach Leigh Brown said he was impressed by Henry’s game, which was split between the wing and forward line.

Brown said Henry — the younger brother of Geelong defender Jack — has the ability to play all over the field and is capable of taking contested marks.

“(Henry) hasn’t played a lot of midfield stuff before, he’s more of a leading forward and half-back,” Brown said.

“He’s a really strong contested mark and he’s got that versatility.”

Walsh, Gribble and Henry each kicked one goal in the match. The group of the game’s 50 best prospects were first brought together on Thursday for a camp before the game and will prepare to put their name up for next year’s draft.

Sydney academy prospect Braeden Campbell was awarded the best player on the ground.

“It gives them a really good launch pad to take that confidence into the pre-season and next season,” Brown said.

“The idea is to go out and showcase what your weapons are and all four of those boys did that. To play on the MCG and get that experience is super lucky from a playing point of view.”