By Jonty Ralphsmith
Vic Country took out the Under 16 Boys National Championships on the Gold Coast capping off a fine carnival of development for a host of 2026 draft prospects.
The carnival finished with a week on the Gold Coast, where Vic Country won the decider 9.11 65 to 9.10 64 against South Australia with a behind to Gippsland forward Will Malady in overtime.
Malady earlier kicked a crucial goal to level the scores for Vic Country after they trailed by 21 points at the last break, with the final match a thrilling climax after a scrappy 9.6 60 to 13.9 87 loss to Western Australia earlier in the week.
Earlier in the year, Vic Country proved too strong for Vic Metro, winning 8.17 65 to 7.7 49 at Trevor Barker Beach Oval in Sandringham.
Several players will be given the opportunity to play Coates League U18 football in the back end of the season, with Dandenong’s Marcus Prasad and Gippy’s Malady debuting on the weekend.
Vic Country coach David Loader gave an insight into the locals at the carnival.
Marlon Neocleous, Gippsland: “He had an awesome carnival. He was really good with his pressure against Vic Metro, he played deeper in the second game and hit the scoreboard and finished really strongly through the middle of the ground. He had some really important moments.”
Cody Templeton, Gippsland: “He played a few different roles. He played off halfback against Metro and WA and we put him into the midfield for the last game against South Australia on a big ground. He went forward late and was able to help us lock it in our front half.”
Mitch Toner, Dandenong: “Went into the midfield for the last game after playing a few different roles for us. He really loves a contest, Mitch, he’s a contested sort of player and he’s quite big. His best attribute is probably his power when he’s playing forward. He’s pretty good overhead and had some shots on goal through sheer power, outbodying his opponent.”
Marcus Prasad, Dandenong: “Outstanding. He’s small in stature but massive in heart. He played every role he could play. He’s an elite pressure small forward, he’s got real speed, great timing of when to come in and apply pressure, he’s a good tackler and hits the scoreboard. He kicked some important goals and he’s an impact player: when he’s around the footy, stuff happens.”
Xavier Ladbrook, Gippsland: “Will be a young one who grows into his enormous frame. He had some great moments intercepting off halfback in the first two games and then we started him forward against SA and he took marks and got shots on goal. In the second half we put him back to half back and he took an incredibly important one-on-three mark in the last quarter (which was essentially a 12-point play). When young players get moments like that, it’s important they stand up and he certainly did.”
Noah and Xavier Bevis, Dandenong: “Tall developing ruckmen. They both played two games in the carnival. Noah played against Metro, Xavier played the last one against South Australia and they both played against WA. It was great to get two games into both the boys because as much as they’re identical twins, they need the opportunity to make their own way in footy. They predominantly played ruck.”
Will Malady, Gippsland: “What a player this boy is going to be. He had five shots on goal for 1.4 in the Metro game. Had a good day against WA, was super threatening and looked like he was going to win the match for us at stages but we literally didn’t get the ball forward enough. He took a mark and kicked a goal early in the last quarter to keep us in the contest, he takes a mark to put us in front and he takes a mark and kicks the most important point of his life in overtime. He’ll have very fond memories of how that played out.”
Kyle Harrison: “Played off halfback. A tough, hard-nosed defender, did jobs on good forwards and he’s one of those guys that you know if you kick it to a contest, you’ll get everything out of him. He was really good with his strength in the contest. Comes forward a lot to mark the ball and use his ball movement out of defence – really solid across the three games.”
Darcy Szerszyn: “Another one with great scope, had some really good moments. His best game was the middle one against WA. He finished full of run and had great moments against SA. He can play on a tall and a small because he’s so athletic so that was great to see. He has flexibility and was terrific.”
Hamish Gill: Kidney injury kept him out of the carnival.
Angus Kennedy: The skipper of Vic Country showed great traits, neat on the outside and able to burst away when he won the ball in close.
