STRONG performances were aplenty from the Hampden League’s AFL exports, with numerous players enjoying dominant matches, while one emerging star earned the NAB Rising Star nomination for a breakout display in round 19 of the home and away season.
Willem Drew
Home Club: Koroit Saints
AFL Club: Port Adelaide Power
Stats: 4 kicks, 7 handballs, 0 marks
A quieter game in terms of possessions for the Koroit product, but eight tackles and three clearances showed he still had an impact in the Power’s loss to Geelong.
Sam Walsh
Home Club: Cobden Bombers
AFL Club: Carlton Blues
Stats: 14 kicks, 17 handballs, 4 marks
Sustained another knock to his ankle but was able to push on and collect 31 touches and seven clearances in the Blues win over Greater Western Sydney.
Zach Merrett
Home Club: Cobden Bombers
AFL Club: Essendon Bombers
Stats: 23 kicks, 15 handballs, 4 marks
Easily the best player on the ground with 38 disposals, nine clearances and seven inside 50s but his Bombers were left shattered following a goal after the siren loss to Collingwood.
Rowan Marshall
Home Club: Portland Tigers
AFL Club: St Kilda Saints
Stats: 9 kicks, 6 handballs, 3 marks
Monster game in the ruck (49 hitouts) from the Portland product, with his contribution helping the Saints to a victory over the West Coast Eagles.
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan
Home Club: South Warrnambool Roosters
AFL Club: Western Bulldogs
Stats: 10 kicks, 0 handballs, 6 marks
A statement game from the former number 1 pick as he earned the NAB Rising Star nomination with a five goal haul in the Bulldogs triumph over Melbourne.
Jamaine Jones
Home Club: Portland Tigers
AFL Club: West Coast Eagles
Stats: 11 kicks, 8 handballs, 6 marks
Is stringing together some strong form of late, with his latest outing being 19 disposals and four tackles in the Eagles loss to St Kilda.
Hugh McCluggage
Home Club: South Warrnambool Roosters
AFL Club: Brisbane Lions
Stats: 15 kicks, 10 handballs, 8 marks
Another strong outing from the South product, with a goal going alongside another 25 possession haul in the Lions victory over Gold Coast Suns.
Sean Darcy
Home Club: Cobden Bombers
AFL Club: Fremantle Dockers
Stats: 5 kicks, 6 handballs, 1 mark
Enjoyed a good battle in the ruck against Ivan Solda and Toby Nankervis to finish with 28 hit outs along with four clearances as the Dockers and Richmond played out a draw.
Gary Rohan
Home Club: Cobden Bombers
AFL Club: Geelong Cats
Stats: 7 kicks, 3 handball, 4 marks
Two goals from 10 touches was a good return from the Cobden export in the Cats 12 point win over Port Adelaide.
STATE LEAGUE DUTIES:
Josh Corbett
Home Club: North Warrnambool Eagles
AFL Club: Gold Coast Suns
Kicked two behinds from eight possessions in the Suns thrilling VFL win over Brisbane Lions.
Lewis Taylor
Home Club: Terang Mortlake Bloods
AFL Club: Sydney Swans
Collected 32 touches and kicked a goal in the Swans VFL win over Frankston.
DID NOT PLAY:
Ben Cunnington
Home Club: Cobden Bombers
AFL Club: North Melbourne Kangaroos
