Category: Latest News

Photos: NAB League testing day

All images thanks to AFL Photos

Calder Cannons players take part in the yo-yo test.
Joshua Eyre runs in the 20m sprint.
Cody Brand runs in the 20m sprint.
Jack Newitt runs in the 20m sprint.
Jackson Cardillo runs in the 20m sprint.
Max Taylor runs in the 20m sprint.
Calder Cannons players watch on during the 2020 NAB League Testing Day.

Four Cannons join AFL clubs

Jones, Evans, Ramsay, Gollant await the big time

Four Calder Cannons earned their way onto AFL lists following the conclusion of the 2019 NAB AFL National and Rookie drafts.

First to go was tall key forward Harry Jones, before two-gamer Francis Evans, best and fairest-winner Sam Ramsay and late bloomer Lachie Gollant joined him in the AFL ranks.

Harrison Jones | Pick 30 | Essendon

“Quite simply, we rated Harry as a first-round draft selection and when he got there overnight and missed out in the first round, we decided that we wanted to target him and get him to our club,” Essendon Football Club List Manager Adrian Dodoro told essendonfc.com.au.

“He’s tall and a phenomenal athlete. He’s going to take a bit of time obviously, but I think long term he and Joey (Daniher) in our forward half will be pretty dynamic.

“It is nice, he’s an Essendon Grammar boy (from the) Calder Cannons, he lives down at Gisborne. He’s a great young fella and we’re looking forward to seeing what he can do in the future.”

Francis Evans | Pick 41 | Geelong

“I went to a game where Francis was playing at North Old Boys earlier in the year and soon after that he was recruited into the Calder Cannons before he got injured. If we hadn’t seen him play senior football early in the year it would’ve been hard to pick him,” Geelong Head of Recruiting Stephen Wells told afl.com.au.

Sam Ramsay | Pick 47 | Carlton

“Sam does a lot of things really well: he gets involved offensively, has good speed and gets his hands dirty,” General Manager of List Management and Strategy Stephen Silvagni told carltonfc.com.au.

“When it comes down to it, it was his form at the end of the year where he showed what he’s capable of. His performances as an inside midfielder were really encouraging. 

“He knows how to find the footy, he’s a competitor and he’s good in traffic. We think he’ll relish the chance to work with and learn off some of our experienced midfielders.”

Lachlan Gollant | Pick 48 | Adelaide

“Lachie’s probably a bit of a smoky, because not many people would know him, but that’s okay,” Adelaide National Recruiting Manager Hamish Ogilvie told afc.com.au.

“We knew him pretty well. He’s played on the wing for Calder. We just forecast if he played again for Calder as a 19-year-old next year, he could’ve been anything, so we’re happy to bite him off and take him now.”

The Calder Cannons Football Club would like to congratulate all four draftees and wish them all the best as they begin their AFL journeys.

Jones pinching himself over draft reality

Article created by nableague.com.au on November 13.

Harrison Jones didn’t expect to even be a 2019 NAB AFL Draft prospect earlier this year, but the Calder Cannons key forward knew everything had changed when he ran onto the MCG in June.

It wasn’t just that the 18-year-old had been catapulted into Vic Metro’s starting forward line for the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.

It was also because Jones felt almost instantly at home on the biggest stage in Australian football during Metro’s first match of the Championships, booting a goal and leading his Vic Country opponents up and down the ground with strong running for a 194cm target.

Having made his NAB League debut and played seven games for Calder in the back half of his bottom-age 2018 season, the Gisborne Rookies (Riddell District FL) product showed even more exciting glimpses in 2019.

Jones averaged 12 disposals, three marks and five hitouts per game in eight matches for the Cannons and saved some of his best form for the national-level Championships, announcing himself to AFL recruiters as a big-game player ahead of November 27-28’s draft.

“I didn’t even see myself getting drafted at the start of this year; I wasn’t really expecting any of this to happen,” Jones said at the recent NAB AFL Draft Combine, where he finished among the top five NAB League players for both the 20m sprint and the endurance-based Yo-Yo Test.

“I was thinking it’d just be a big year at school and that I’d hopefully play a couple of games for the Cannons, but I never expected to play four games for Metro and have my footy take off as it has.

“We got beaten (in the opening Championships match), but I thought to myself afterwards: ‘That was awesome. I really want to get drafted now, to play at the MCG again.’ That was probably the moment for me.

“I don’t think I’m arrogant, but I do like playing in big games and competitive games. I thrive off that and try to play the best I can.”

Much of Jones’ appeal to AFL clubs likely lies in the upside to his game should he become part of an elite-level environment. While his remarkable athletic traits for a tall player have stood out in patches, Jones came into his top-age year still balancing the demands of football with playing cricket.

That clash of priorities as well as some late-season injury niggles meant his body didn’t allow him to find top form as Calder won two NAB League finals, but Jones was soon focused on a new goal that had only crystallised in the previous months.

“I tried to get really fit during the summer holidays, but apart from that it’s just all seemed to happen this year,” he said.

“I had a pretty busy pre-season with cricket on as well and I didn’t play a match for footy until the first (NAB League) round, because I was focused on cricket and my body was just sore.

“I then worked a lot on my kicking and my target-hitting in the early half of the season, with a lot of running to keep my fitness and endurance up.

“My main goal became to make the Vic Metro squad. When I made that, I realised maybe I did have a chance of getting drafted, so that’s become the priority since.”

NAB LEAGUE ‘FAST FIVE’ QUESTIONS

Most influential person on your football at Calder:

“There’s a volunteer named ‘Pops’ and he’s been there for ages. Everyone loves him. I think he’s a real culture-builder for the Cannons and he inspires everyone. He’s always working hard and helping others and he’s just an awesome person to be around.”

Most valuable lesson learned in the NAB League:

“Just don’t get complacent and don’t think things are going to happen. Keep working hard and always try to be better.”

Teammate you’ve most enjoyed sharing the NAB League journey with:

“Jake Sutton is my best mate from high school and Sam Ramsay has been my mate since we were really young. It’s been good to experience it with those two.”

Most difficult NAB League opponent:

“I played against Fischer McAsey (Sandringham Dragons) in the first round this year and he took it to me a bit. He played really well that game running off half-back. He’s probably the most influential player I’ve played on.”

Most memorable NAB League moment:

“My first game as a bottom-ager (Round 9, 2018). I wasn’t really expecting it to happen, but an opportunity came up in the ruck. It was a draw with the Gippsland Power and that was probably the most memorable game I’ve played in.”

O’Neill named in U19 Cricket Victoria Metro squad

Calder Cannon Fergus O’Neill has been named in the final 14-player Metro squad that will represent Victoria at the Cricket Australia U19 National Championships, to be held in Perth.

In preparation for the National tournament, each squad has undertaken pre-season activities both at the CitiPower Centre in St Kilda and across regional ‘Cricket Area’ sessions, as well as playing club cricket throughout October and U19 trial matches last Sunday.

The pre-season program covered a wide range of disciplines, including skills, scenario focuses, strength and conditioning, nutrition and sports psychology workshops.

The squads will now complete tournament-build preparations throughout November, before departing for Perth on Saturday 30 November.

The CA U19 National Championships will run from Monday 2 December to Thursday 12 December 2019.

Follow live score updates on the MyCricket App or the CA National Championships website.

The Calder Cannons Football Club wishes Fergus all the best in the upcoming championships.

Patrikios, Petrevski realise AFLW dream

Calder Cannons captain Georgia Patrikios and midfield counterpart Krstel Petrevski are ready for the next challenge.

The talented duo were selected at yesterday’s NAB AFLW Draft – Patrikios with pick No. 5 (St Kilda) and Petrevski with pick No. 78 (Melbourne).

It caps off an exciting year for the budding AFLW stars, who were both instrumental in leading the Under 18 girls program to the 2019 NAB League grand final.

Patrikios was long touted as a top prospect at this year’s draft after averaging nearly 23 touches, three clearances and five tackles per game in the 2019 NAB League Girls competition.

The classy mid was this year named Vic Metro and AFLW Under-18 Championships MVP and was also selected in the NAB AFL Women’s Under-18 All Australian team.

Patrikios went on to play four matches for Essendon’s VFLW side following her NAB League success and was named in the best players on all four occasions, averaging 19 disposals and five tackles per outing.

The 18-year-old will go down in history as the Saints’ first ever female draftee, with the club entering into its inaugural AFLW season in 2020.

“Georgia’s speed, agility and natural skillset is going to hold the Saints in good stead,” Female Talent Coordinator Russell Humphrey said.

Petrevski is a talented on-baller who plays with an exciting, innate ability to make something from nothing.

Her clean hands at ground level, precise kicking and poise with the ball in hand stuck out to the Demons when their final selection came around.

Petrevski also featured for the VFLW Bombers this season and led the club for total 2019 goal assists despite playing just three matches.

“The club was thrilled to learn of Krstel’s drafting by the Demons,” Humphrey said.

“It’s a testament to the constant hard work and commitment she showed throughout the season.”

Humphrey said the club was proud to see both girls realise their AFLW dreams.

“Congratulations to both girls, we are immensely proud to have two girls drafted,” he said.

“It’s a great effort by the coaching staff this season and it’s finished off what’s been a very successful year for us.

“Both girls have the qualities to make an impact at AFLW level and will be handy additions to their respective lists.”

Cannons fire at combines

While the 2019 NAB League seasons have well and truly concluded for our boys and girls, the hard work continued for several draft hopefuls.

Calder had 12 players attend last week’s NAB AFLW, AFL and state combines, putting their mental and physical skills to the test in front of on-looking recruiters.

The high performance team had been working with all combine-bound Cannons post season, to best prepare them for the testing days.

It started with the AFL Women’s Draft Combine where Cannons graduates Georgia Patrikios, Alana Barba and Felicity Theodore spent two days at the MCG, Margaret Court Arena and Collingwood’s Holden Centre to undertake several tests and interviews.

The four-day AFL Draft Combine – attended by midfielder Daniel Mott and key forward Harrison Jones – was also split across several venues.

Club interviews were held at the super boxes at Rod Laver Arena, medical screenings took place at the MCG and Margaret Court Arena housed the athletic tests, such as the agility, speed, yo-yo and jump tests.

The 2km time trial was held at the Holden Centre.

Mott recorded the equal-third highest standing vertical jump (70cm), while Jones registered a top 10 finish in the running vertical jump (83cm), 20-metre sprint (2.963 seconds) and yo-yo test (21.4).

On Saturday, seven Cannons – Curtis Brown, Brodie Newman, Sam Ramsay, Jeremy O’Sullivan, Nathan Stewart, Lachlan Gollant and Francis Evans – attended the Sate Combine at Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre, with three of them recording top-five numbers for the running vertical jump.

See some of the results from the AFL and State combines below:

AFL DRAFT COMBINE

STANDING VERTICAL JUMP

Miles Bergman (Sandringham Dragons): 77cm

Brady Rowles (Bendigo Pioneers): 73

Ben Johnson: 70

Daniel Mott (Calder Cannons): 70

Cody Weightman (Dandenong Stingrays): 69

Sam Flanders (Gippsland Power): 69

Lachlan Williams (Dandenong Stingrays): 69

Sam Philp (Northern Knights): 69

Nick Bryan (Oakleigh Chargers): 69

RUNNING VERTICAL JUMP

Brady Rowles (Bendigo Pioneers): 98cm

Miles Bergman (Sandringham Dragons): 90

Sam Flanders (Gippsland Power): 88

Cian McBride: 87

Lachlan Williams (Dandenong Stingrays): 86

Hugo Ralphsmith (Sandringham Dragons): 86

Jaxon Prior: 85

Nick Bryan (Oakleigh Chargers): 85

Oscar Lewis (Sandringham Dragons): 83

Kysaiah Pickett: 83

Cody Weightman (Dandenong Stingrays): 83

Will Day: 83

Brady Rowles (Bendigo Pioneers): 83

Cooper Stephens (Geelong Falcons): 83

Harrison Jones (Calder Cannons): 83

20-METRE SPRINT

Sam Philp (Northern Knights): 2.867 seconds

Ben Johnson: 2.885

Malcolm Rosas: 2.924

Mitch Georgiades: 2.925

Noah Cumberland: 2.931

Finn Maginness (Sandringham Dragons): 2.957

Harrison Jones (Calder Cannons): 2.963

Jeremy Sharp: 2.966

Brady Rowles (Bendigo Pioneers): 2.968

Dylan Stephens: 2.972

YO-YO TEST

Jay Rantall (GWV Rebels): level 21.8 

Cooper Stephens (Geelong Falcons): 21.8

Connor Budarick: 21.6

Chad Warner: 21.6

Oscar Lewis (Sandringham Dragons): 21.5

Sam Philp (Northern Knights): 21.5

Lachlan Ash (Murray Bushrangers): 21.4

Harrison Jones (Calder Cannons): 21.4

Finn Maginness (Sandringham Dragons): 21.4

Trey Ruscoe: 21.4

Riley Baldi (Gippsland Power): 21.3

Sam Flanders (Gippsland Power): 21.3

Matthew Rowell (Oakleigh Chargers): 21.3

Jeremy Sharp: 21.3

STATE COMBINE

RUNNING VERTICAL JUMP

Jeremy O’Sullivan (Calder Cannons): 96cm

Andrew Courtney (Sandringham Dragons): 94cm

Jake Riccardi (Werribee): 92cm

Bigoa Nyuon (Dandenong Stingrays): 92cm

Brodie Newman (Calder Cannons): 92cm

Nathan Stewart (Calder Cannons): 92cm

The AFLW Draft will be held on Tuesday October 22, while the AFL Draft is on Wednesday and Thursday, November 27 and 28.

The Calder Cannons Football Club wishes all aspiring draftees the best in the upcoming drafts.

Cannons rapt with “deserving” duo

Gentile, Ramsay share spoils

By Jarryd Barca

For the first time in the club’s history, the Calder Cannons have celebrated two joint Robert Hyde Medal winners as 2019’s best and fairest players.

Both Ned Gentile and Sam Ramsay rightfully couldn’t be separated following two stellar campaigns, polling in 14 and 12 games respectively.

Gentile led the count for much of the night, before a fast-finishing Ramsay ensured the honour was eventually shared with 99 votes.

Eighteen-year-old Gentile, who averaged more than 19 touches and nearly four tackles and inside 50s per game, also took home the club’s Most Courageous award.

“It’s an extremely fair result that they shared the honours together,” football operations and admin coordinator Matthew Burton said.

“The word I use to describe Ned’s year is consistent.

“His ability to continually perform week in week out both on and off the field is a true credit to the hard work he put in. He’s definitely a deserving winner.”

Ramsay took his game to a new level in the later stages of the season, averaging a mammoth 31.4 disposals in his final eight matches.

“Sam faced some adversity – missing Vic Metro selection and missing games due to concussion – (he) probably didn’t have the front half to the year he would’ve liked, but he really knuckled down in the second half of the season and had an outstanding back end to the year,” Burton said.

Also finishing on the podium was gun midfielder Daniel Mott after another impressive NAB League season, complimenting his 2018 where he finished runner-up to Mitch Podhajski.

“For Daniel to back up a really solid 17-year-old year where he finished second and step into the role of being our premier midfielder – and missed some games through Vic Metro – to be able to finish in the top three again is a credit to the body of work he has put in over two years with us,” Burton said.

“We’re hoping he is able to reap the ultimate reward for it, like all our players.”

Mott averaged 26 disposals, 12 contested possessions and six clearances per outing in 2019. Captain Brodie Newman (58 votes) and Harrison Minton-Connell (56) rounded out the top five.

Among the other award winners were Newman (coaches award), Ben Overman (Neil Wood Most Improved) and Ben Bozinovski (Phil Dunk Best on Track).

“All award winners on the night were all thoroughly deserving. I’d like to congratulate them all and everyone from players to staff and parents for creating a terrific environment in season 2019,” Burton said.

“It was also great to acknowledge Ann steel as our club person of the year for all the amazing selfless and hard work she puts in to not only the girls program but the boys program. She does a lot of work that isn’t seen or heard but we’ve thoroughly appreciated having her around in 2019.

“Obviously we’re going through our exit review period at the moment and we wish our 18 and 19 year olds the very best in the next phase of their footballing pathway. Hopefully they’ve enjoyed their time at the Cannons as much as we’ve enjoyed having them here,” he added.

Both Mott and Harry Jones are this week undertaking a trial under the watchful eye of recruiters at the NAB AFL Draft Combine which runs until Friday.

On Saturday the club will have a further seven Cannons – Curtis Brown, Brodie Newman, Sam Ramsay, Jeremy O’Sullivan, Nathan Stewart, Lachlan Gollant and Francis Evans – showcase their mental and physical abilities at the State Combine.

“Hopefully the boys headed to the combines are able to put their best foot forward and enjoy the experience,” Burton said.

Inaccurate Cannons bow out of finals

Calder’s 2019 NAB League campaign has drawn to a close at the hands of the Sandringham Dragons in a rainy semi final played on Saturday.

The Cannons were within arm’s length for the majority of the contest but were in patches outclassed by the Dragons who were coming off a qualifying final defeat of their own.

Four un-answered goals to kick off proceedings helped set up the match for the Dragons who were kicking with an ominous breeze.

The 8.7 (55) to 1.12 (18) scoreline at Ikon Park is a far cry from the 109-point defeat the Cannons suffered at the hands of the Dragons back in Round 1.

Calder was able to outscore its highly-fancied opponent in two of the four quarters and won the contested possession (+8) and clearance (+5) counts.

But it was its inability to capitalise and find clear-cut chances that proved costly.

Sam Ramsay remained busy in the engine room and was the most prolific Cannon, registering 32 disposals and six clearances, while counterpart Daniel Mott also impressed with 23 and nine.

Seventeen-year-old Jackson Cardillo was the side’s only goal scorer, converting late in the third quarter.

Ben Overman and Giacomo Thomas were defensively sound in the 37-point loss, with Lachy Gollant, Josh Hotchkin and Harrison pair Minton-Connell and Andronaco also named in the best players.

The Oakleigh Chargers awaited in a preliminary final for the winner.

Calder came out with a vengeance but despite showing flashes of potential, Sandringham was able to punish any turnovers with clinical forward 50 entries.

The Dragons subsequently booted the first four goals of the game with 24 points separating the two sides on a damp deck at the first change of ends.

Large chunks of the second quarter were played on the Cannons’ terms, but they were left to rue their missed opportunities when, despite registering three more scoring shots (four sole behinds to one goal), the lead extended to 26 at the main break.

The low-scoring affair continued in the second half as the Dragons continued to stamp their authority.

But not giving up has been a trait that had steered the Cannons to its first semi final since 2014. And when Cardillo steadied through his set shot against the breeze, there was still a glimmer of hope.

The 35-point margin heading into the final stanza was going to be hard to reel in, but Calder’s confidence was sky-high knowing it booted six unanswered goals a week earlier to make it to this stage.

But the yips continued in front of the goal face and deja vu was experienced; more scoring shots – five for the quarter for five behinds as a return – but unfortunately no change of fortune.

Nine NAB League Boys players (Harrison Jones, Daniel Mott, Curtis Brown, Brodie Newman, Sam Ramsay, Jeremy O’Sullivan, Nathan Stewart, Lachlan Gollant and Francis Evans) will now begin preparations for AFL and state draft combines which will be held from October 1.

Simon Madden Squad – September 11

SIMON MADDEN SQUAD – WEDNESDAY 11th SEPTEMBER VS WESTERN 

Here is our squad for our SM Game vs Western Next Wednesday 11th September at Highgate Recreation Reserve. Game will start at 6pm. 

Please bring: Dark Shorts, Dark Socks, Mouthguard and Training Top. 

NOTE – Players who are not named are required to attend Wednesday Night. 

C. Bramble 

T. Craig 

M. Dean 

F. Dolan 

P. Doyle 

C. Flynn 

J. Gill 

H. Gillis 

B. Griffiths 

B. Haste 

J. Ladewig 

D. Lalor 

J. McKay 

D. Middleton 

V. Moffett 

T. Newman 

R. Nicol 

N. Owens 

W. Salt 

D. Scott 

C. Selvaggio 

R. Strachan 

M. Taylor 

B. Tirchett 

M. Weber

M. Wright

U15 Dick Reynolds Squads

See below the Under 15 Dick Reynolds squads for two matches to be played on Monday night.

Please note: players in Game 1 must be at the ground by 5pm and players in Game 2 must be at the ground by 7pm for 8pm start.

GAME 1

  • Making
  • Gaylard
  • Veneziano
  • Burquest
  • Cullen
  • Valensisi
  • Winchester
  • Rode
  • Wilmore
  • Phelan-Smith
  • Restuccia
  • M Johnson
  • L Johnson
  • Lockens
  • O’Sullivan
  • Smith
  • Foley
  • Hubik
  • Winkel
  • Sudano
  • Alessio
  • Kenos
  • Piescik
  • Jedwab

(Pascu, Egan, Penny all rested)

GAME 2

  • Forte
  • Figioli
  • Dawson
  • Tadd
  • Middleton
  • Lee
  • O/Richards
  • Saad
  • Murphy
  • Disipio
  • Jones
  • Taleb
  • Ivkovic
  • Banova
  • Hibble
  • Vendramini
  • Ryan
  • Balta
  • Fish
  • Fox
  • Phelan
  • Bullen