AN HISTORIC weekend of Under 18 football saw the northern academies debut in the NAB League, while competition new-comers Tasmania also participated after a Round 1 bye. With a couple of close games and boil-overs, this round of nine games certainly delivered on the hype.

SYDNEY SWANS ACADEMY 2.2 | 3.8 | 6.11 | 7.14 (56)
TASMANIA DEVILS 0.0 | 2.3 | 3.3 | 6.6 (42)

GOALS:
Sydney: M. Sheather 2, E. Gulden 2, H. Parker, S. Thorne, C. Nash
Tasmania: W. Harper 2, J. Menzie 2, J. Callow, N. Baker

BEST:
Sydney: E. Gulden, L. Parks, K. McKellar, J. Dol, M. Geddes, B. Campbell
Tasmania: J. Chaplin, O. Davis, S. Collins, L. Gadomski, J. Steele, M. McGuinness

Errol Gulden had a day out to lead Sydney Swans Academy to a 14-point victory on an historic Saturday of Under 18s football. Marking the first time a Northern Academy would compete in the NAB League and Tasmania’s return to the competition, the two sides fought out a low-scoring affair to open Round 2 and the Blacktown triple-header. After a relatively even first half, the Swans broke out to a 26-point lead at the final break to have the game all but won. The Devils had other ideas though, and double their score in the fourth quarter, but the gap proved too far to bridge as the home side sealed its victory. Gulden amassed 33 disposals, eight inside 50s, six marks, four rebounds and two goals in a complete game on the outside – and he is still only a bottom-ager. Marc Sheather was the only other Swan to bag multiple goals, while Will Harper and Jye Menzie each claimed two for Tasmania. Kyle McKellar was also effective for the Swans with 23 disposals and eight tackles alongside Braedon Campbell (15 disposals, eight tackles, 0.3) For the travelling side, ruckman Joseph Chaplin was close to best-on with 20 disposals, seven marks and 25 hitouts, followed by Matt McGuiness (27 disposals, seven marks, six rebound 50s) and Sam Collins (22 disposals, nine rebound 50s). While Tasmania moves on to a meeting with Northern Territory in Melbourne, the Swans will look to build on their win in a ‘Battle of the Bridge’ derby in Round 3.

GWS GIANTS ACADEMY 4.3 | 7.7 | 7.10 | 10.10 (70)
BRISBANE LIONS ACADEMY 1.2 | 7.4 | 9.7 | 14.12 (96)

GOALS:
GWS: L. Delahunty 3, C. Edwards 2, J. Moen, J. Peatling, M. Hamblin, L. Conlan, J. Lucas
Brisbane: T. Wischnat 4, C. Michael 2, N. Cumberland 2, C. Aston, T. Jeffrey, C. Bulley, E. Hunt, G. Sproule, W. Martyn

BEST:
GWS: L. Delahunty, N. Murray, J. Lucas, T. Green, J. Peatling, M. McGrory
Brisbane: W. Martyn, T. Griffiths, B. Reville, N. Cumberland, B. Coleman, T. Jeffrey

The Brisbane Lions Academy overcame a half-time deficit to edge past GWS GIANTS Academy in the second game of Saturday’s academy triple-header. The hosting GIANTS started strongly with four goals to one in a fast opener, but were hit hard in the second stanza as the Lions piled on six goals to concede a slender three-point margin at the main break. In another game where bottom-aged players stood up, Brisbane’s Tom Wischnat booted four goals to be the leading forward, but it was midfield ace, Will Martyn (30 disposals, nine marks, five inside 50s, one goal), who was named the Queenslanders’ best. Bruce Reville was damaging with 16 disposals, eight marks, six tackles and five inside 50s, and N Cumberland (11 disposals, six tackles, six inside 50s) did well to conjure two majors. Liam Delahunty was terrific for the GIANTS and booted three goals, with Tom Green (29 disposals, seven inside 50s) their key ball-winner. While a Sydney derby awaits for GWS, Brisbane is set for a Round 3 Q-clash in Yeronga in what is set to be am exciting set of fixtures for the academy sides.

GIPPSLAND POWER 2.3 | 5.7 | 7.9 | 9.11 (65)
DANDENONG STINGRAYS 3.3 | 5.4 | 8.7 | 10.11 (71)

GOALS:
Gippsland: W. Papley 3, H. Neocleous 2, H. Pepper, M. McGannon, S. Flanders, C. Comben
Dandenong: J. Nanscawen 2, C. Weightman 2, E. Cahill, B. Nyuon, D. Smith, B. Schmidt, N. Heath, L. Goonan

BEST:
Gippsland: S. Flanders, T. Hourigan, C. Serong, B. Smith, C. Comben, H. Pepper
Dandenong: C. Weightman, J. Toner, N. Heath, M. Riordan, H. Young, C. Gay

Dandenong secured a 2-0 start to the NAB League season, battling to a one-goal win over Gippsland at Morwell. Getting up in a game again decided by a goal or less, the Stingrays had just enough in the tank to run the Power over in the second half after being down by three points at half-time. The Power have been in close games to open the season, too, but were on the wrong side of this result to hold a 1-1 record. Will Papley bagged a game-high three goals for the home side, playing a good hand up forward with service from the likes of Sam Flanders(23 disposals, four marks, one goal), Kyle Dunkley (21 disposals, six tackles), and the returning Caleb Serong (21 disposals, nine tackles). For the winners, Corey Weightman was named best for his two-goal effort, with Hayden Young (21 disposals, five tackles) important in the final stages, and 19-year old Mitch Riordan (23 disposals, five tackles, five inside 50s) also good. Both sides are poised for another all-country clash in Round 3, with Gippsland travelling to Bendigo to face the Pioneers and the Stingrays playing Geelong in the game immediately after.

MURRAY BUSHRANGERS 5.1 | 5.3 | 8.4 | 9.9 (63)
BENDIGO PIONEERS 2.1 | 5.9 | 7.11 | 9.14 (68)

GOALS:
Murray: W. Christie 2, J. Chalcraft 2, J. O’Dwyer 2, J. Hillary, J. Boyer, E. Hollands
Bendigo: M. Johnson 2, J. Atley, T. Dow, B. Kemp, J. Rodi, C. Vick, C. Fisher, E. Roberts

BEST:
Murray: B. Kelly, J. Chalcraft, C. Wild, W. Quirk, J. O’Dwyer, J. Hillary
Bendigo: A. Gundry, T. Dow, B. Vaz, L. Fitzgerald, J. Atley, J. Rodi

Bendigo Pioneers finally claimed a win over the Murray Bushrangers after 15 years of trying, besting its fellow-country side by five points in a Saturday afternoon thriller. Murray started the better of the two sides with five first-quarter goals but the lead did not last long, with Bendigo surging ahead by a goal at half time – only to have to scrap back in the final quarter to snatch the win in a see-sawing affair. Thomson Dow (24 disposals, one goal) was again outstanding for Bendigo when it counted alongside Brodie Kemp (17 disposals, one goal), but both were beaten out to best-afield honours by ruckman Aaron Gundry (13 disposals, four marks, 18 hitouts). Ben Kelly‘s best-on performance for Murray meant both rucks had a ripping contest, with Cam Wild (30 disposals, seven marks, seven tackles, six rebound 50s) the Bushrangers’ best ball winner. Jye Chalcraft also had a big game with 26 disposals and two goals, and skipper Lachlan Ash matched his disposal feat. With the Pioneers hosting Gippsland as part of a Bendigo double-header, Murray is set to face GWV at home in search of its first win for season 2019.

GOLD COAST SUNS ACADEMY 3.5 | 8.7 | 9.8 | 12.10 (82)
NORTHERN TERRITORY 1.2 | 1.5 | 4.7 | 5.8 (38)

GOALS:
Gold Coast: J. Gore 3, E. Dawson 2, M. Conroy, C. Budarick, M. Fraser, H. Rowles, M. Selsby, B. Reeves, H. Oea
Northern Territory: W. Derksen, M. Cumming, S. Cumming, M. Rioli Jnr, M. Cooper

BEST:
Gold Coast: J. Gore, A. Crossley, C. Budarick, A. Davies, M. Pescud , C. Joyce
Northern Territory: B. Jungfer, M. Cumming, S. Cumming, J. Patrick, B. Lake, B. Rusca

Gold Coast Suns Academy rounded out the Bankstown triple-header with a comfortable 44-point win over Northern Territory to mark a successful NAB League debut. A strong first half set up the victory for the Queensland side, putting eight goals through while keeping the Thunder to just one to half time. While the Territory fought to make the scoreboard respectable in the second half, the damage had already been done and the SUNS rolled on to an impressive win. Josh Gore was dangerous up forward for Gold Coast to snare three goals as his side’s best player, while gun midfielders Aaron Crossley (27 disposals) and Connor Budarick (22 disposals, nine tackles, six marks, five inside 50s) tore it up further afield. Ben Jungfer was named best for the Thunder, collecting 31 disposals and six rebounds, while Stephen Cumming had 22 disposals to go with a monster 35 hitouts, and Matthew Cumming also fared well for his 12 disposals, five marks, and one goal. Northern Territory travel further south to Melbourne next week to take on Tasmania on neutral ground, while Gold Coast will be looking to go 2-0 with a win in their Round 3 academy Q-clash.

SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS 3.2 | 6.4 | 9.9 | 12.10 (82)
NORTHERN KNIGHTS 2.2 | 2.3 | 4.5 | 5.9 (39)

GOALS:
Sandringham: C. Dean 4, J. Mifsud 2, A. Hanrahan 2, D. Hipwell, J. Mahony, O. Lewis, J. Bell
Northern: C. Simonsen 2, Z. Costello, N. Kitchell, J. D’Intinosante

BEST:
Sandringham: F. McAsey, N. Burke, J. Mahony, H. Ralphsmith, C. Dean, C. Watts
Northern: J. D’Intinosante, R. Uwandu, R. Sturgess, J. Davies, A. Carafa, N. Cox

Sandringham Dragons continued its perfect start to season 2019, putting in a consistent four-quarter effort to beat the Northern Knights on home turf by 43 points. Scoring three goals in each term while keeping the Knights to a maximum of two, the Dragons were simply too good across each line for the fighting Knights and slowly built their lead over the game. Charlie Dean was again a menace up forward for the home side, claiming 4.3 in a dominant forward display. The midfield combination of Ryan Byrnes (24 disposals, four tackles) and Jack Mahony (17 disposals, seven tackles, six inside 50s) was again effective for Sandringham, but Northern’s Adam Carafa was the leading ball-winner with 28, as well as a game-high 11 tackles. Josh D’Intinosante was not far behind in that stat with 10 of his own to go with 14 disposals and a trying 1.4 to be named his side’s best. Skipper Ryan Sturgess was also thereabouts in a busy backline, collecting 22 disposals and eight rebound s. With Northern opening Round 3 against Eastern in search of win number one, Sandringham is set to face Oakleigh in what looks to be an absolute belter between two 2-0 teams at Trevor Barker Beach Oval.

WESTERN JETS 0.1 | 2.4 | 4.4 | 5.4 (34)
EASTERN RANGES 6.7 | 8.11 | 12.14 | 13.19 (97)

GOALS:
Western: E. Jeka, A. Clarke, Z. Christofi, K. Borg, J. Honey
Eastern: J. Tilly 3, M. Mellis 3, B. McCormack 2, J. Duffy, J. Clarke, J. Rossiter, L. Gawel, C. Black

BEST:
Western: D. Cassar, J. Kellett, L. Rzanovski, K. Borg, Z. Christofi, L. Failli
Eastern: C. Hirst, M. Mellis, J. Nathan, L. Stapleton, J. Ross, Z. Pretty

Eastern Ranges got the upper hand in an East v. West battle, trumping the Western Jets by 63 points to see both sides move to 1-1. Signs were ominous early as the Ranges skipped out to a seven-goal lead at quarter time, holding it until half time and building on it in the second half. Mitch Mellis put in a performance good enough for a Draft Central player of the week nomination, collecting 35 disposals, five inside 50s and three goals. Joshua Tilly joined Mellis with three majors, while Lachlan Stapleton won 33 disposals (including 10 inside 50s) and Cody Hirst had 29 of his own. Darcy Cassar was best afield for Western on a dirty day with 31 disposals, nine rebound 50s and seven marks, while Josh Kellett was also handy with 20 disposals and 12 rebound 50s. The Jets will have a third crack at getting on the board next week in their meeting with fellow winless side, Calder, while Eastern is set to open the round against Northern in an interesting match-up.

GREATER WESTERN VICTORIA REBELS 1.3 | 3.8 | 5.10 | 8.16 (64)
GEELONG FALCONS 2.2 | 4.3 | 9.6 | 9.9 (63)

GOALS:
GWV: D. McEldrew 2, J. Cleaver 2, I. Wareham, J. Rantall, I. Grant, M. Martin
Geelong: C. Karpala 2, M. Langan 2, J. Dahlhaus, M. Annandale, C. Stephens, S. Ham, H. Stubbings

BEST:
GWV: J. Tillig, L. Herbert, H. Sharp, I. Wareham, J. Rantall, P. Glanford
Geelong: S. Christensen, C. Stephens, N. Gribble, S. Bourke, J. Clark, K. Rayner

Greater Western Victoria Rebels got on the board for season 2019 at the second time of asking, beating Geelong Falcons by the narrowest of margins in Ballarat. The winless Falcons looked like soaring to victory after opening up a 20-point lead at three-quarter time, but the Rebels finally put it together in a final term to run over the top of Geelong while keeping them goalless to round out the game. Jay Rantall was superb for the home side with 24 disposals, seven inside 50s, six tackles and a goal, while James Cleaver also put in a handy shift for his 17 disposals and bag of two. Geelong co-captain Cooper Stephens (28 disposals, five marks) again stood up in a losing side, with Keidan Rayner having 25 touches (including 10 rebound 50s) and Chas Karpala (19 disposals, seven tackles, two goals) also good. Geelong will now travel to Dandenong still searching for a win, while GWV will hope this result will get the ball rolling and put it in good stead for its clash with Murray on the same day.

CALDER CANNONS 0.0 | 5.4 | 6.4 | 7.4 (46)
OAKLEIGH CHARGERS 4.4 | 4.4 | 6.6 | 10.9 (69)

GOALS:
Calder: J. Kemp 3, S. Ramsay, N. Gentile, T. Browning, J. Sutton
Oakleigh: D. Williams 3, N. Anderson 2, F. Macrae, L. Johnson, N. Dempsey, B. Jepson, S. Tucker

BEST:
Calder: H. Minton-Connell, B. Newman, J. Kemp, S. Ramsay, J. Sutton, D. Mott
Oakleigh: N. Anderson, N. Guiney, M. Rowell, K. Schreiber, H. Mastras, L. Johnson

The Rolls Royce stars of Oakleigh slowly clicked into gear on Sunday, helping the Chargers to a 23-point win over Calder. The Cannons were dismantled last week and responded well to going four goals down in the opening term this week, hitting back with five majors to nil in the second stanza to take a lead into the major break. With the ledger all but level going into the home straight, the likes of Dylan Williams and Noah Anderson stood up when it mattered to drag Oakleigh over the line. Williams was kept relatively quiet, but managed to snare three goals in the fourth quarter, while Anderson (44 disposals, five tackles, five inside 50s, two goals) was near-on unstoppable. Matt Rowell also showed his class for 31 disposals, with bottom-ager Finlay Macrae (21 disposals, 1.2) dangerous up forward. Just as dangerous at the other end was Josh Kemp, who pulled Calder back into the game with two crucial goals in the second quarter and ended with three. Brodie Newman (21 disposals, five rebound 50s, four marks) was a calming influence in defensive 50, and Sam Ramsay was a good forward driver with 18 disposals and five rebounds. With plenty of improvement shown, Calder will face Western Jets at RAMS next week, with Oakleigh set to meet fellow premiership fancies, Sandringham in a ripping match-up.