St Kilda Development Coach and Sandringham Senior Coach Jake Batchelor runs through each AFL-listed player's performance following this weekend's clash against Gold Coast in the VFL.

On the game

We started well, which was a big focal point of ours heading into game. The first quarter we ended up booting 7.4, with our ball movement a main reason for that. We wanted to look at sharing the footy with our teammates and get some better looks instead of just trying to kick to a contest and hope for the best. It was a real team effort with our attack during the opening term.

They got a couple late which got them into the game, and then it was just a battle for the next three quarters. It was a hugely contested game and we got challenged in the last, even giving up the lead late but we fought so hard, especially from such a young side was extremely pleasing to see. We could’ve folded over and let them run over the top of us, but we scrapped and clawed in every contest to get up.

For an inexperienced side who have never really been in that situation before, it was awesome to see us work our backsides off to get the victory. Any win is a good win, but this one was pretty special and I’m really proud of the boys.

Zak Jones 

Jonesy was awesome, his attitude was great, and he looked happy, which was the main thing. He looked desperate to just get out there and play footy again.

Some of his first quarter actions of being competitive and having that team-first mentality were important for us. He brought his teammates into the game and he had a good impact throughout the day. He was a big part of us getting the footy forward and helped us score, especially in that opening term. 

Jack Bytel

Jack had an improved game from last week. There was a big focus for him to increase his open field running and get from contest to contest, which he did which was pleasing.

He ended up with 27 touches, six score involvements and two shots at goal, which is a good game. He can look to get a little more outside ball but his attitude is always impressive so now it is just about playing consistent footy and being ready when his opportunity comes. 

Mitch Owens 

Mitch is doing what Mitch does – wins the footy for us and goes in hard. He managed to get a few more uncontested possessions this week with a more open ground which was good to see.

He’s just a bull in there, but this week he went forward for us and actually started at full forward in the second half. He gave us a good option going inside-50 and is a tough match-up when he’s up there.

He had two scoring shots and found some good opportunities ahead of the ball, and the best thing was it gave him a little bit of a spell so when he did go back into the middle, he was powerful and explosive throughout the whole game. It will be something we will continue to explore with Mitchy. 

Leo Connolly

Leo had some decent stats, his influence on the game wasn’t enormous but his work-rate was fantastic and his desire to compete, get the ball or be an option for his teammates was pleasing because we want to the footy in his hands.

He had a couple of big moments late in the game, one of which was a big tackle near centre half-back, not letting the ball spill out which was important for us. Sometimes you can have okay game, but there will come a moment where you need to stand up, and Leo did just that.

Like Jack, Leo needs to keep playing consistent footy because when the opportunity comes at the AFL level, he’ll need to be ready. 

Max Heath

Max Heath was our best player for the day. He had 28 hit-outs, 16 touches, 12 contested possessions, eight ground-ball gets and three goals straight. Not a bad day for a ruckman.

In just his third game of VFL footy, he was outstanding. He competes like no tomorrow, when he goes forward, he’s a great target for us and he’s kicking them as straight as an arrow. The boys love playing with him, and I love coaching him. He’s improving quicker than we thought he was going to, which is great to see.

Dean Kent 

Kenty played as a high half-forward for us the whole game and fought hard all game. He had seven score involvements which is a good number, and six tackles as well, so his pressure was elite.

He can probably work on getting some more marks and be a bit cleaner with ground balls because he’s such a powerful player, but he had some good impact on the game, he’s a great leader for the forwards and his attitude is always fantastic. When his opportunity comes at the higher level, I’m sure he’ll be ready.  

Matthew Allison

Matty had another good game, he’s starting to find the balance between attack and defence as a winger.

He’s got a little bit to work on with his positioning during live play, but his set-ups are good and he uses his height and running ability well. He’s only a couple of weeks into this role so he’s progressing nicely. When Matty is playing well, we are a better team for it so we’ll look to keep him in that role and help him continue to grow.  

Cooper Sharman

Cooper had a better game, he had nine score involvements and put together some great team-first acts. He got up the ground and had a quarter and a half on the wing too, swapping with Matty Allison for a bit too. It helps to play him on the wing, it adds an extra string to his bow.

He kicked two behinds, so if he would’ve converted those two shots, he actually has had a strong game, but he looked good, he’s always wanting to learn and work on his craft, which we love to see.

Oscar Adams

Oscar had a bit of a slow-ish start, he got out-bodied and out-positoned a couple of times early in the game, but he worked his way into it.

In the last quarter especially, he was probably our most influential player. He had some simple moments, but they were incredibly important, such as getting a fist to the ball, laying a strong tackle or closing the space on an opponent to force a loopy handball.

He’s got a couple of Dustin Fletcher traits about him, he’s a bit gangly and tall, and kind of runs with his arms, but he just finds a way and works so hard. For a third-gamer, to be able to stand up and do the basics better than most under big pressure, it was impressive to see.

Darragh Joyce 

Unfortunately, Darragh suffered a concussion, so he won’t be available this weekend. He had his hands full with two big key forwards, but it was actually his own teammate who cleaned him up as he was going back with the flight.

It has been an unlucky season so far for Darragh, he’s had to deal with injuries and isolating due to COVID, and now a concussion. Hopefully he can get a little bit more luck once he comes back and can get some continuity into his game. We are a safer and better organised team when he’s in the side, so we are looking forward to getting him back once he’s available again.

Looking forward: Road trip to Blacktown

We’re looking forward to getting on the road with everyone. We had one trip last year to Aspley which connected the boys well, so it’ll be good to do so again.

We get to fly up the day before this time, so we’ll be able to watch the AFL boys on Friday at the hotel and train together on the Thursday night too.

Any chance you get to connect both AFL and VFL listed players is a positive, so we are keen to get up there and take on a strong Giants outfit, who haven’t dropped a game so far this year.