NSW/ACT weekly wrap: Flying Boomerangs, World Team and Youth Girls squads named
SIX NSW/ACT players will represent the World Team and Flying Boomerangs in July, while Canberra Demons scooped their first win in the NEAFL, and Sydney University continued their winning run with victory over Northern Territory Thunder.
Super Six make national sides
After a great experience at the 2018 AFL National Diversity Championships, six players from the NSW/ACT All Nations and Kickstart squads were selected to represent the World Team and Flying Boomerangs. NSW/ACT’s All Nations’ Most Valuable Player (MVP) Thomas Sase was selected to represent the World Team along with teammates Harry Wichman, Oliver Kozak and William Sabolch. NSW/ACT’s Kickstart MVP award winner Kai Watts made the Flying Boomerangs team with Hunter McAuliffe. The representatives will take part in two exhibition matches in July at the National Under 16s Championships.
The squads for the two exhibition matches were named last week. For all the information on the 2018 AFL National Diversity Championships, head to the AFL NSW/ACT website or Facebook page.
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NSW/ACT name Youth Girls squad
The NSW/ACT Youth Girls squad to take on Tasmania in two matches in June, was finalised yesterday with 23 players from across the state and territory.
The squad which was named on the NSW/ACT website, is highlighted by plenty of strong local talent. Female Football Pathway Manager Ash Moeller named AFLW Academy member Alyce Parker, Georgia Breward and Brianna McFarlane as three players to watch throughout the series. TAC Cup spectators will keep a close eye on how Eloise Ashley-Cooper goes, with the Finley prospect performing well for the Murray Bushrangers, while Bendigo Pioneers’ Jordyn Jolliffe will miss the June competition.
The first match will be played on Friday, June 1 at 7pm, with the the second game to come two days later on Sunday, June 3 at 10am. Both matches will take place at Blacktown International Sportspark. From these games, a combined NSW/ACT and Tasmanian side will be formed to create the Eastern Allies, which will compete at the National AFL Under 18 Women’s Championships in July.
NEAFL Round 3 results:
Canberra Demons 22.15 (147) defeated Redland 9.10 (64)
Canberra Demons have kick-started their 2018 North Eastern Australian Football League (NEAFL) season with a bang in round three, destroying Redland by 83 points in a demolition of the Queensland side. The Demons booted four goals to zero in the opening term, missing some opportunities with 11 scoring shots to one. They started to capitalise in the second term with 5.2 to 3.1 to open up a 43-point advantage at the main break. In the third quarter the Demons completely dominated with a further eight goals to two to lead by an impressive 81 points, before an even final term saw Redland keep the damage to just an additional two points by the final siren.
Remarkably, former Brisbane AFL-listed player Matt Hammelmann booted six goals for Bombers, but Canberra’s attack had more potency with 11 individual goal kickers including Luke McKay (five), Aaron Bruce (three), while five players finished with two majors. Among them was Mitch Maguire (27 disposals, six marks, two tackles and two goals) who was named his team’s best for yet another week, along with Bruce (21 disposals, 13 marks and seven tackles), Sam Martyn (27 disposals and eight marks) and Lucas Meline (21 disposals, eight marks and one goal). Meanwhile Angus Baker took out the NEAFL Rising Star nomination for round three for his 22 disposals, four marks, six inside 50s and two tackles.
Sydney University 14.14 (98) defeated NT Thunder 12.11 (83)
Sydney University has extended its unbeaten streak to start the 2018 season with a 15-point victory over previously undefeated side, Northern Territory Thunder. The Thunder got a head start in the opening term with four goals to three to lead by nine points at quarter time. Sydney University hit the front late in the second term with three goals to two, to head into the main break with a one-point advantage. They maintained their lead heading into the final term with an impressive six goals to four third term, before holding on as both sides booted two goals in the final term for the victory to remain second on the table.
Sydney University had 10 individual goal kickers in the victory, with Jack Hiscox, Montgomery Krochmal, Lewis Stevenson and Matthew Wilson all booting two goals. Shaun Edwards was named best on ground for his performance, picking up 23 disposals, three marks and booting a goal, while Stevenson had 30 disposals, six marks, three tackles and booted two goals. Tom Young was also prominent with 28 disposals, five marks, four tackles and a goal. Sam Tagliabue was also solid in the ruck with 31 hitouts to go with 12 disposals, two marks and five tackles.