Eagles v Adelaide 23 July Maughan Thiem Kia oval

A few new boys in the A's. Good to see form being rewarded.

No Weckert in the B's . Anyone know why?


Harrison Dawkins. I knew a Phil Dawkins who was a WT junior premiership player. Any relation?

NO BEATTIE-ING AROUND THE BUSH
ANDREW CAPEL
MIDWAY through last season, Victorian country kid Max Beattie started
dreaming big.
His football began taking off and the calls flowed from state league clubs.
At the time, the self-confessed “mad Carlton supporter’’ was thinking of
moving to Melbourne to play in the VFL.
But with so much interest from the SANFL and its reputation as being a
strong AFL breeding ground, Beattie decided to move further south.
After training with Woodville-West Torrens and South Adelaide and
speaking briefly to Glenelg, Beattie joined Jade Sheedy’s Eagles.
Thirteen rounds into the season, the 19-year-old has been so impressive
that he has etched his name into AFL scouts’ recruiting files.
Eagles chief executive Luke Powell described Beattie - a skilful small
forward/midfielder with blistering pace and an eye for goal - as “one of
those guys who has been missed (by AFL clubs)’’.
“He’s been outstanding for us and I'm sure he would have a lot of (AFL)
clubs looking closely at him now,’’ Powell said. “His best footy is still in
front of him but he has great pace and skills, agility and for his size he is a
really good overhead mark. He has a very bright future.’’
Beattie, 177cm and 72kg, was born in Wodonga - a city on the Victorian
side of the border with New South Wales, 300km north-east of Melbourne.
His dad, Jamie, was a long-time country footballer and Max began his
career with the Wodonga Raiders juniors before progressing to senior
ranks two years ago.
He starred for the Raiders in the Ovens and Murray league - one of the
best country leagues in Victoria - last season, averaging 29 disposals, to
have SANFL clubs clamouring for his signature.
Beattie has not missed a beat for the Eagles, playing all 13 league games
for the club this season and kicking 13 goals.
He has averaged 15 disposals and four tackles but has blossomed with
more midfield time in recent weeks. In his past four matches, Beattie has
averaged 19 disposals, with a season’s best tally of 26 against Port Adelaide in Round 12.
“My form’s improved as the season has gone on,’’ Beattie said.
“I was hitting the scoreboard early in the year but not having the impact
that I wanted.
“I’ve had a bit more midfield time in recent weeks and have been getting
my hands on the ball more and starting to feel more comfortable at the
level.
“It’s definitely a big step up in standard from country footy but I’m loving
it and know it will make me a better player.’’
Beattie models his “gut-running’’ on Carlton star Sam Walsh and his
forward craft on two of the AFL's most dangerous goalsneaks - GWS’s
Toby Greene and Brisbane’s Charlie Cameron.
“Obviously I would love to play AFL eventually, that would be a dream
come true and something I’ve been thinking about for as long as I can
remember, but my immediate goal is to keep improving and help the
Eagles climb the ladder,’’ he said.
“I love the club and think we can still have a big role to play in the makeup of the finals.’’