UNITY Grammar has taken out the prestigious Bachar Houli Cup, while Canberra Demons were the sole winners across the North Eastern Australian Football League (NEAFL) from the state, and both Sydney Swans and the GIANTS Academies went down in the fourth round of the Under 18 Academy Series.

Unity Grammar take out Bachar Houli Cup

Western Sydney-based school Unity Grammar has taken out the 2018 Bachar Houli Cup held earlier this week. The Bachar Houli Cup is a program that encourages Year 9 and 10 students of Muslim backgrounds to participate in an AFL 9s competition with players of varying experiences taking part in the full day competition.

The GWS GIANTS and AFL NSW/ACT held the competition at Progress Park in Auburn which saw a turnout of 13 teams from 12 schools that participate. The Grand Final saw Unity Grammar hold out Granville Boys High School to win by four points.

The best players from the tournament will be given the opportunity to be part of the Bachar Houli Academy which is a week-long football talent program for aspiring AFL players with Muslim backgrounds, to be held in September in Melbourne. For more information on the programs, contact nickie.flambouras@afl.com.au or head to the AFL NSW/ACT website or Facebook page.

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Shipley’s GIANT commitment

Just two games into his AFL career, local Campbelltown boy, Nick Shipley has put pen to paper and re-signed with the GWS GIANTS for a further two years. The commitment means Shipley will remain in his home region until at least 2021. The Western Sydney born player made headlines when he debuted in round six, as the first player from the area to play for the GIANTS. Originally a soccer convert, Shipley has been a member of the GIANTS Academy since he was 13 years-old.

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Swans, GIANTS go down in Under 18 Academy Series

For Sydney, Nick Blakey booted three goals, but was relatively held compared to his dominant combined 12 goals in his opening two games in the series, with half-forward Josh Stern named in the best alongside Luke Parkes and Sam Thorne.

Tasmania        6.2       9.3       14.3     18.5 (113)
Sydney            1.2       5.5       8.7       12.9 (81) 

GOALS
Tasmania: Mundy 3, Dakin 2, Rubock 2, McGuinness 2, Thomas 2, Jones, Mansell, Jackson, Turner, Donnelly, Burrows-Cheng, O’Neill
Sydney: Blakey 3, Barling 2, Stewart 2, Parker 2, Stern, Thorne, Loone 

BEST
Tasmania: Thomas, Dakin, Jackson, Baker, Mundy, Jones
Sydney: Stern, Parks, Thorne, Rayner, Blakey, Brewer

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Brisbane Lions Academy had a huge win over GWS GIANTS Academy, placing them third overall on the table for the Series thus far. The Lions held the GIANTS goalless in the opening three terms and capped off the performance with a five goals to one final quarter to win by a huge 88 points.

For GWS, it was a tough day at the office but bottom-age midfielder Thomas Green was the clear standout, notching up a team-high 28 disposals in the defeat, while Kieran Briggs, bottom-ager Matthew McGrory and over-ager Riley Budd were also solid on the day.

Brisbane Academy     4.2       6.8       9.11     14.16 (100)
GWS Academy            0.2       0.3       0.4       1.6 (12) 

GOALS
Brisbane Academy: Ansell 3, McFadyen 2, Tomkinson 2, Tozer 2, Currie, Franks, Kennedy, Marsh, Townson
GWS Academy: McGrory 

BEST
Brisbane Academy: Coleman, Marango, McFadyen, Matthews, Franks, Marsh
GWS Academy: Green, Briggs, McGrory, Budd

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NEAFL Round 5 results:

GIANTS 7.5 (47) defeated by Southport 19.19 (133)

The GIANTS had a match to forget against Southport, going down by 86 points at Fankhauser Reserve. The home side booted six goals from 11 scoring shots in the first term to just one behind, and despite a closer second quarter, ran away with the contested courtesy of a nine goals to four second half.

Sam Taylor amassed 32 disposals and 15 marks in defence – showing how much he was needed in the back half – while Harry Perryman collected 26 disposals, six marks, laid three tackles and booted a goal. Isaac Cumming was good with 27 disposals and nine marks, while Dawson Simpson did his chances of a recall no harm with 34 hitouts and six tackles.

Canberra 11.14 (80) defeated Gold Coast 7.9 (51)

A six-goal final term saw Canberra Demons storm home to steal the points from Gold Coast in a 29-point victory. The Demons trailed by five points at the final break – and had done so all game – but a 6.5 to 1.1 last quarter resulted in Canberra running away with a comfortable victory.

Mitchell Hardie notched up 29 disposals, eight marks and booted 2.3 to be Canberra’s best with Alex Smout who had the ball on a string with 36 disposals, nine marks and four inside 50s. Others who impressed with Isaac Taylor (32 disposals, seven marks, five tackles) and Tom Highmore (23 disposals, 10 marks, three tackles and two goals), while Alex Paech played an important defensive role with 14 disposals, five marks and three tackles.

Sydney 9.17 (71) defeated by Aspley 11.6 (72)

Sydney Swans have fallen short of a perfect comeback with inaccuracy ultimately to blame for a one-point loss to Aspley. The Swans trailed all game, and faced a nine-point deficit at the final change before charging home in the last quarter. But alas for the home side, they booted a frustrating 2.8 to Aspley’s 2.0 to fall a point short of claiming the four points.

Daniel Robinson had a day out with 34 disposals, 11 marks, seven tackles and two goals in a best on ground performance, while Darcy Cameron continued his great form in the ruck with 37 hitouts to go with 21 disposals, 10 marks and a goal. Nic Newman was great with 33 disposals, six marks and seven tackles, while Ryley Stoddart (22 disposals, seven marks, six tackles) and Aliir Aliir (21 disposals, three tackles, 11 hitouts) were others who impressed for Sydney.

Sydney University had the bye.