By Marc McGowan
Credit:
Murphy’s law doesn’t apply to Reid
A 17-year-old with Scott Pendlebury-like qualities has emerged as one of the early stories in Victoria Metro’s national under-18 championships title bid.
The Sandringham Dragons’ Murphy Reid is just one of Metro’s deep group of midfielders, but made sure he stood out in Sunday’s wet-weather win over the Allies at Ikon Park.
Reid played a starring role with 24 disposals and 12 contested possessions, earning coach Rob Harding’s praise as “the cleanest player on the ground” and heightening his chances of being a first-round selection.
Murphy Reid in action during a Coates Talent League testing day in March.Credit: AFL Photos
“His calmness and composure in the contest is Pendlebury-like – and I don’t say that lightly,” Harding told this masthead. “Everyone gets compared to Pendlebury, but Murphy is the most composed player I’ve seen in the Coates League.”
There are recruiters who share Harding’s view on the Pendlebury similarities, particularly given Reid’s elite decision-making and kicking, but (at 181cm) he is 10 centimetres shorter than the Collingwood champion. Reid is a good runner but not overly quick.
Harding must balance the midfield minutes for an on-ball brigade that includes No.1 pick-elect Josh Smillie, Brisbane Lions father-son prospect Levi Ashcroft, Jagga Smith, Christian Moraes, Tom Gross, Reid and more.
Ashcroft did his Larke Medal hopes no harm with 24 touches, six clearances and two excellent goals – one a slick left-foot finish out of a forward-50 stoppage, and the other a wonderful set shot from deep in the pocket.
Smith’s ball-winning binge continued with game-highs of 32 disposals, 18 contested possessions and nine clearances, while Smillie (17 disposals, one goal) spent extended time forward after sustaining a corked thigh in the third term and Moraes (24) was stationed at half-back.
Others to excel in different roles were Patrick Retschko, who had 24 touches on the wing after playing at half-back in the trial match, and Western Jets midfielder Lucca Grego (17), who joined Moraes in defence.
“Patty is a fantastic athlete, a sub six-minute two-kayer, and his ability to transition up and down the ground and get back and support defensively was outstanding,” Harding said.
Rebounding defender Harry Oliver (25), who Harding described as an “aggressive and combative player”, was arguably best afield.
‘His calmness and composure in the contest is Pendlebury-like – and I don’t say that lightly.’
Vic Metro coach Rob Harding on Murphy Reid
Harding told his players they would perform various roles as part of a team-first approach.
He used North Melbourne key defender Wil Dawson as an example, pointing out how the Gippsland Power product switched down back in last year’s championships and surged up the draft order by prioritising his role, rather than winning a heap of the Sherrin.
“I think every state goes into the champs wanting to win [the overall title], but you have to balance that with making sure you’re showcasing all your talent,” Harding said.
“What we’ve seen is the team that wins the champs gets more players drafted, so winning the champs is a big part of what we’re trying to achieve. The Allies made us work for it, and that’s what we needed.”
In the other game, father-son duo Ben Camporeale (game-high 28 disposals) and Tyler Welsh (four goals) and top-five chance Sid Draper (26) stole the show despite South Australia losing by eight points to Vic Country.
Harvey Langford (25) and Tobie Travaglia (24), both considered potential top-30 picks, were among Country’s best.
Tagger sticking around
Alex Cincotta’s stopping job on Essendon captain Zach Merrett not only helped Carlton’s cause but his own as well.
Cincotta, who became a Blue via the pre-season supplemental selection period ahead of last season, was due to be out of contract at season’s end, but the one-year deal he signed in July last year had a games trigger – and Sunday night’s match locked in his spot for 2025.
Carlton’s Alex Cincotta (right) is tagging on a weekly basis these days, including his role on Power star Zak Butters two weeks ago.Credit: Getty Images
The 27-year-old has played the past six games for Carlton and become a valuable contributor as a run-with player capable of dulling the influence of opposition stars.
Coach Michael Voss has given him a specific match-up each week this season, starting down back against Bobby Hill then Kysaiah Pickett and Tom Papley, before switching into the midfield to lock horns with Touk Miller, Zak Butters and Merrett.
There is still a bit to do on the contract front at the Blues, with forwards Jack Martin and Matt Owies among the most intriguing. Martin, who is not a free agent because he delisted himself from Gold Coast rather than the Suns cutting him, has played just once this season due to injuries, while Owies has been a solid performer with Martin and Jesse Motlop out.
Patience is a virtue for this Magpie
Nathan Kreuger hopes his fairytale three-goal return in Collingwood’s 38-point defeat of Melbourne will kick-start a strong second half of the season that extends his AFL career.
Nathan Kreuger celebrates a goal against the Demons on Monday.Credit: Getty Images
The hard-luck Magpie ironically got his chance because of teammates’ injuries – as well as a three-goal, eight-mark effort against Footscray in the VFL two Fridays ago – after a horror period of his own left him in the wilderness, with 407 days between senior appearances.
Kreuger, who turns 25 this month, has undergone reconstructions on both shoulders in the past two years, while hamstring and calf setbacks sidelined him this season.
That history is why the Kreuger camp will wait at least another month before checking in with Collingwood’s stand-in football boss Brendon Bolton about a new deal, according to a source familiar with the situation who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
The swingman signed a one-year contract for 2024 in October.
“There was a bit of that [playing for my career] today,” Kreuger told reporters post-match on Monday. “But at the same time, I just want to enjoy my footy and hopefully, the contract stuff takes care of itself later in the year.”
Why the Gunston deal is paying off for the Hawks
Jack Gunston’s backflip to request a trade home to Hawthorn last year – one season after leaving to join Brisbane’s flag chase – raised eyebrows, particularly with the Hawks in rebuilding mode.
The 32-year-old triple premiership star’s form had waned, on top of some physical challenges, so Hawthorn giving up mid-season recruit Brandon Ryan, who was far less proven but six years his junior, as part of the deal did not sit well with everyone.
It was a no-brainer move for Ryan, who scored a two-year deal, with a games trigger for a third.
But every trade must be graded on the sum of its parts. The Hawks sent picks 39 and 54, a future fourth-round selection and Ryan to the Lions, for Gunston – on a one-year contract – picks 47 and 61, and a future second-round choice.
They flicked that future second-rounder to Gold Coast for Mabior Chol, then effectively selected defender Bodie Ryan and key forward Calsher Dear, who was father-son eligible, with the former Brisbane selections.
Resurgent Hawk Jack Gunston has kicked seven goals in the past fortnight.Credit: Getty Images
The Dear pick came after a separate deal with Sydney, where the Swans moved up slightly to nab Patrick Snell, while Hawthorn slid back and gained a future fourth-rounder for their trouble.
Brisbane used No.39 on tall forward Luke Lloyd before packaging 54 with picks 30, 51 and 65 to snare Gold Coast’s No.24, which ended up falling back to 31 and was spent on another forward, Logan Morris, who has kicked eight goals in five games.
Brandon Ryan’s played only once so far this season – a two-disposal, one-goal effort against the Hawks a fortnight ago – whereas Gunston’s stood up in Mitch Lewis’ absence to kick seven goals in the past fortnight.
Bodie Ryan is showing promise playing for Box Hill in the VFL, while the 195-centimetre Dear has looked increasingly comfortable at senior level. Dear’s kicked seven goals in six matches and is averaging 3.2 tackles, too. Chol’s been a good addition as well, kicking 14 goals in 10 outings.
Most importantly for the Hawks, they’ve won five of their past six clashes, even with spearhead Lewis, who is contracted until the end of 2026, making only three appearances, and none since round four, because of a knee injury.
Keep up to date with the best AFL coverage in the country. Sign up for the Real Footy newsletter.
