By Nick Creely
Luke Davies-Uniacke is a name that AFL supporters ought to get used to hearing about because he is arguably one of the finest draftees in a number of years.
He is 187cm, 85cm, powerful and wins mountains of the football – and he could step straight into an AFL club tomorrow and make an impact.
And in Sunday’s opening round victory for Vic Country in the National Championships, Davies-Uniacke stole the show with a vintage display that is likely to see him taken with the number one draft pick.
Although others who are vying for the coveted position also started their carnivals in strong fashion, but Davies-Uniacke was the stand out.
The Dandenong Stingray and Haileybury College product amassed a game high 34 disposals, all laced with class and precision.
What was most impressive was his ability to find the football in all parts of the ground and use his composure to use the ball efficiently by hand and foot, going at over 70 per cent efficiency.
Other Stingrays to play in the opening game were Hunter Clark, who was named among the best and continues to climb up the rankings after another impressive showing, tall forward Tom De Koning (1 goal) who competed hard and tall defender/co-captain Oscar Clavarino, who was steady in the back half to help his side keep the Allies to just the eight goals for the match.
In this particular game, played at Blacktown in Sydney, it was a seesawing affair with both sides placing a strong emphasis on defence.
After just six points separated them at half time, the Allies gained a 12-point three quarter time lead.
Country then slammed on four unanswered goals in the final term to run away 12-point winners.
Vic Country now has the bye, with their next match to be played at Punt Road Oval on 24 June at 2.30pm.
In the other matches from the Division 1, Western Australia defeated South Australia in an incredible match that needed to be decided by a golden point.
ALLIES 2.2 4.3 8.5 8.8(56)
VIC COUNTRY 2.2 5.3 6.5 10.8(68)
ALLIES
GOALS: Dixon 3, Simington 2, Hardman, Powell, Blakey.
BEST: Shipley, Brander, Thomas, Dixon, Spargo, Hardman.
VIC COUNTRY
GOALS: Barzen 2, Handley, Meek, McHenry, Dow, Daniels, Butts, Ling, De Koning.
BEST: Davies-Uniacke, Dow, Walsh, McHenry, Clark, Paton.
