HEAD of development Brett Allison reviews the Melbourne-listed players who played in the VFL and AFL Victoria Development League at Piranha Park on Sunday 

VFL: Coburg 11.8 (74) d Casey Scorpions 9.12 (66)

Dom Barry: Dom played wing and half-back. For the second week in a row, he was given a run-with role with a dangerous opposition player. He performed the role again really well. He was disciplined and very team-oriented, did what he was told, and used the ball well, often bringing teammates into the game with first give and first option. So it was another pleasing week for Dom.

Sam Blease: Sam played half-back flank and had 23 disposals. He came off a really pleasing performance the week before against the Northern Blues, but this week he was unable to play with the same consistency and intensity, certainly defensively. Sam knows exactly where he’s at and what he needs to do to win his place back in the side. The challenge is for him to do it.

Michael Evans: Evo played on-ball and half-forward. He had 26 possessions, but it was a game of two halves for Michael. I thought he was one of our more influential players in the first half. He won the ball well with his run and carry, but his second half was probably a different kettle of fish. His defensive transition was non-existent and he just went away from the team things in the second half of the game, which was disappointing.

Jack Fitzpatrick: Jack played full-forward and in the ruck. He had 18 possessions. After a really quiet and below par first quarter, Fitzy was given a rocket by Brad Miller, the forward line coach, and he responded really well. Fitzy had three quarters of acceptable football – in terms of his contest and effort around the ball – but he had one quarter, which was clearly unacceptable. That’s the area that Jack’s got to get out of his game, if he wants to make himself a regular senior player. He’s got to come with the right mindset and attitude each week and if he doesn’t – he won’t be selected in the senior side.

Alex Georgiou: Alex played as a key defender. He had 15 possessions and was unable to curtail his opponent on the day, which was disappointing. Alex should be under no illusion what he needs to work on to work his way back into the senior side. I’d love to see a far more consistent effort from Alex over the four quarters at VFL level.

James Harmes: James played half-forward, on-ball and half-back for a little bit. He had 16 possessions, but I didn’t really like how James went about it this week. I thought there were aspects of his team play that was very poor and his defensive transition hurt the team a lot at times. These are two areas of the game he needs to clean up, because when he does do those things well, he is an effective contributor at VFL level.

Jayden Hunt: Jayden played wing and half-forward. He had 12 possessions and started the game shakily, with a couple of early fumbles. But he managed to get past that and have some influence during the day. Consistency in his contests – in the air and at ground level – is the area he needs to work on the most. His defensive transition at times really hurts the team as well. 

Dean Kent: Dean played wing, half-forward and on-ball. He had 28 possessions and we saw some really explosive run and carry from Kenty at times. He was an influential player on the ground, but his laziness with his ball use really hurt the team at times. Defensively, it’s also an area, he can really tidy up too, like finding a man quickly when the opposition has the ball.

Jordie McKenzie: Jordie played on-ball and half-back. He had 30 disposals and Jordie was clearly our best player for the day over the four quarters. His effort and intensity to win the ball, and play his role and use the ball really well, was very good again. He’s in pretty good form at the moment, so he’s just waiting for his opportunity and a role to open up for him in the senior side.

Viv Michie: Viv played on-ball and half-forward. He had 31 disposals and used the ball really well, when he won it. He continues to come back from his broken jaw, fitness wise. Defensively, he was really poor this week, which was disappointing for Viv. His defensive transition is an area of his game that he really needs to focus on, if he wants to win his spot back in the side.

Daniel Nicholson: Daniel played wing and half-back. He had 26 disposals and I thought he was one of our more consistent performers over four quarters. His effort and intensity is always there week in, week out. His decision-making is improving, which is certainly the area that’s holding him back from senior football at the moment. But he was probably one of our best three on the weekend.

James Strauss: James played wing, half-forward and a little bit of half-back as well. He had 20 possessions and had a good game, numbers wise, but there are areas of James’ game that he knows he really needs to focus on. He’s got to get more consistent and competitive in one-on-one situations. Until he can start to turn that around, it’ll be hard for him to win his way back into the senior side.

Luke Tapscott: Luke played half-back and on-ball. He had 23 possessions and produced some strong, bullocking work. He was another one of our strong first half performers and poor second half performers that we had. Luke needs to tidy up his decision-making and ball use, because he’s a much better player in those situations than what he showed on the weekend.

AFL Victoria Development League: Coburg 13.9 (87) d Casey Scorpions 10.10 (70)

Maia Westrupp: After having little or no influence in the first half, Maia came out with a very different mindset in the second half of the game. It was pleasing to see him take marks, contest the ball, run and carry and look really comfortable at VFL Development League level in the second half. This is what he needs to do each week and if he can back himself in and play with that confidence, week in, week out over four quarters, then I’ve got no doubt that he can compete at senior level in the VFL. But that’s the challenge for Maia – to have the self-confidence to back himself in and get involved on a regular basis.