These guns are cream of the crop
We asked the coaches. We looked at the TAC Stats Tracker. And here are 10 of the best young talents in the Geelong Football League.
NOAH GRIBBLE (Newtown & Chilwell)
IN his two senior GFL games, the rising Geelong Falcon has been one of Newtown & Chilwell’s best players.
The AFL mid-season draft hopeful collected 21 disposals on debut against North Shore and stuffed the stat sheet against St Joseph’s with a game-high 30 touches, six clearances and 136 ranking points. He was also in the Falcons’ best players in their opening three games.
Gennaro Bove and Cameron Wilkinson have also been given senior opportunities at the Eagles in the opening rounds.
NOAH LEVER (North Shore)
NORTH Shore knew it gained a quality recruit when it signed Lever earlier this year.
And in the first four games, he has emerged as one of the GFL’s best young talents.
Has averaged 23.5 disposals on the TAC Stats Tracker and has been named in the Seagulls’ best in three of their four games. The former Geelong College captain is without a VFL deal this year but has gained interest from state league clubs.
HENRY WALSH (St Joseph’s)
DECIDED against returning to Geelong Falcons this year and committed to St Joseph’s full-time.
The 201cm ruckman has been named in Joeys’ best in three of their four matches and is the league’s best up-and-coming big man.
Walsh has been credited by TAC Stats Tracker with 25.3 hitouts a game, developing his craft against seasoned GFL bodies.
St Joseph’s also holds a high opinion of Lewis Antonac and Oscar Morrison. Emerging forward Jack Mullen is another to watch.
DARCY CHIRGWIN (St Mary’s)
SANDRINGHAM Dragons, where Chirgwin played
NAB League football in 2019, believed he was unlucky to be overlooked in the draft two years ago.
Has returned to St Mary’s, where he played junior footy, this season and has established himself in a strong side. The big-bodied midfielder is on Werribee’s VFL development list and has enjoyed a strong start at GFL level.
Ranks top five at St Mary’s in disposals (22.8), contested possessions (9), marks (5.5) and score involvements (4.8), according to the TAC Stats Tracker.
BAILEY SCOTT (Colac Tigers)
SCOTT has stamped his credentials as a ball magnet in the early rounds of the GFL season.
The young midfielder had 27 touches on the TAC Stat Tracker on debut against St Albans in Round 1 and backed that up with a return of 34 against South Barwon in Round 3. Scott has played all five games this year and is ranked in Colac’s top five for disposals (22.6).
“We’re really excited for him to come in and see what he can do,” Colac coach Rowan McSparron said in the pre-season. “He has trained really well and set some high standards.”
LACHLAN NOBLE (South Barwon)
NOBLE remains one of the league’s most promising small forwards.
The Modewarre junior kicked five goals on senior debut in 2018, captained Vic Country against the VAFA in an under-19s match and spent time on Geelong’s VFL list. Turns 22 later this year. “His body has developed and his game sense has really matured,” Swans coach David Farrell said.
“He would be one of the more difficult small forwards to match up on, I suspect.”
Doyle Madigan has also emerged as one of South Barwon’s up-and-coming midfielders and Josh O’Dwyer is another to keep an eye on.
HARRIS JENNINGS (Leopold)
JENNINGS joined Leopold off the back of winning Portland Tigers’ best-and-fairest in his first full season of senior football in 2019.
Was rewarded with an opportunity to represent Vic Country in a Young Guns match two years ago and spent a full season with Greater Western Victoria in 2018.
Has averaged 19.3 disposals, four marks, 5.3 clearances, 4.7 inside-50s and six score involvements on the TAC
Stats Tracker in his first season at the Lions.
Liam Herbert has also made two VFL appearances with the Cats this season and Mitch Burgess is also state league-listed.
ISAAC WAREHAM (Bell Park)
THE Dragons recruit is one to watch at Hamlyn Park.
Wareham was recruited to Bell Park from Greater Western Victoria and was an AFL draft smokey in 2019.
Gained a spot on Geelong’s VFL list this year and represented Vic Country in an exhibition match last weekend.
Is capable either through the midfield or off half-back.
“(Wareham) is a fit, hard running guy and a good decision maker,” Bell Park coach Shane Jack said in February.