AN ACADEMY derby double led an exciting round of NAB League action, with a Saturday Metro double-header and Sunday Country triple-header producing some ripping contests between the established sides – including a high-scoring draw and top-of-the-table clash.

NORTHERN KNIGHTS 2.0 | 3.1 | 3.3 | 3.3 (21)
EASTERN RANGES 3.4 | 6.9 | 8.14 | 13.18 (96)
By: Michael Alvaro

GOALS:
Northern: S. Philp, J. D’Intinosante, L. McMahon
Eastern: M. Mellis 3, J. Tilly 2, C. Hirst, B. Hickleton, L. Vassis, J. Rossiter, J. Duffy, L. Gawel, C. Black, C. Downie

BEST:
Northern: J. D’Intinosante, S. Philp, J. Davies, A. Taylor
Eastern: Z. Pretty, J. Ross, M. Mellis, C. Downie, R. Smith, M. Zalac

Eastern Ranges notched up its second-consecutive NAB League win, opening Round 3 with a 75-point drubbing of the Northern Knights. Despite a steady start, Eastern accelerated after half-time – keeping their opponents goalless while pouring on seven majors to finish up comprehensive winners. While Sam Philp, Josh D’Intinosante, and Liam McMahon were the only Knights to hit the scoreboard with first-half goals, the Ranges had an impressive 10 individual goal kickers in the dominant performance. Fresh off his Draft Central player of the week outing, Mitch Mellis again had a day out, collecting 29 disposals and a bag of three goals, with Joshua Tilly the only other multiple goal kicker and Cody Hirst lively for his 19 disposals and lone goal. Skipper James Ross was the leading ball-winner with 30 touches, while Philp (26 disposals, nine tackles, one goal) led the way for Northern on a dirty day from Ryan Gardner (23 disposals, nine marks, six tackles) and D’Intinosante (21 disposals, nine tackles, seven inside 50s, one goal). Yet to claim a win, the Knights host the GWS GIANTS academy next time out in hopes of rectifying that, while Eastern is set for a trip north to face Brisbane Lions Academy on Sunday.

GWS GIANTS ACADEMY 4.3 | 5.7 | 7.7 | 7.9 (51)
SYDNEY SWANS ACADEMY 2.1 | 4.5 | 11.6 | 16.14 (110)
By: Michael Alvaro

GOALS:
GWS: L. Delahunty 2, J. Peatling 2, T. Green, M. McGrory, C. Edwards
Sydney: H. Parker 3, B. Campbell 3, M. Sheather 2, H. Ellem 2, K. McKellar 2, S. Gaden, H. Maguire, L. Swaney, A. Watling

BEST:
GWS: N. Murray, T. Green, J. Peatling, J. Lucas, L. Delahunty, J. Reed
Sydney: M. Geddes, A. Watling, B. Campbell, H. Parker, S. Gaden, H. Ellem

Sydney Swans Academy won the NAB League’s ‘battle of the bridge’ on Saturday, blitzing their western rivals in an awesome second half to come out 59-point winners. Trailing at the main break, the Swans came out firing in the third term to put through a sensational seven goals to the Giants’ two – turning an eight-point deficit into a 23-point lead heading into the final turn. It was more of the same from Sydney to see the game out, keeping the GWS academy goalless while they poured on another five goals to consolidate the big win. Braeden Campbell was super with an equal game-high three goals from his 13 disposals, with Harrison Parker also slotting three of his own among nine individual goal kickers. Jackson Barling was the Swans’ major ball winner with 20 disposals, leading from Samuel Thorne (18, six tackles), but beaten out by GWS stars Tom Green (25 disposals, six marks, one goal) and Jackson Peatling (24 disposals, seven marks, six inside 50s, five tackles, two goals). Liam Delahunty also chimed in with two majors to join Peatling as a multiple goal scorer in an otherwise hard day for the Giants. Moving on to established NAB League opponents, GWS travels to Melbourne to face Northern Knights next week, with Sydney facing Sandringham Dragons on the same day in a double-header.

BRISBANE LIONS ACADEMY 1.4 | 4.5 | 5.9 | 5.12 (42)
GOLD COAST SUNS ACADEMY 2.4 | 4.6 | 5.7 | 10.10 (70)
By: Michael Alvaro

GOALS:
Brisbane: W. Tasker, B. Reville, C. Aston, B. Coleman, N. Haberer
Gold Coast: J. Gore 3, M. Conroy 2, M. Selsby, E. Dawson, P. Murtagh, H. Rowles, H. Oea

BEST:
Brisbane: T. Griffiths, E. Hunt, B. Reville, W. Tasker, N. Haberer
Gold Coast: A. Crossley, J. Johnston, C. Budarick, J. Gore, M. Fraser, A. Davies

In the second northern academy derby, Gold Coast blew Brisbane away in a dominant final term to come out 28-point winners. An otherwise even contest, the Suns found themselves two points down heading into the last break, but turned it on when it mattered to slam home five goals and seal a handy win. The midfield duo of Ashton Crossley (31 disposals) and Connor Budarick (26, five tackles, five inside 50s) worked wonders for Gold Coast, with Hewago Paul Oea electric for his 17 disposals, eight inside 50s and 1.2. Josh Gore was also clinical up forward, slotting all three of his set shot attempts and taking seven marks. The Lions did not have any multiple goal kickers, but Bruce Reville was excellent with 25 disposals, eight marks, five tackles, four inside 50s and one goal from midfield. He was matched for disposal output by Tom Griffiths, while Saxon Crozier had 19 touches and nine marks in a mix of inside and outside work between the arcs. With the Under 18 Q-clash come and gone, both sides are set to play host to Victorian NAB League sides in Labrador next week, with Brisbane facing Eastern Ranges and Gold Coast set to do battle with Oakleigh Chargers in the Sunshine State.

SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS 2.3 | 5.5 | 7.9 | 9.11 (65)
OAKLEIGH CHARGERS 2.0 | 3.1 | 4.5 | 8.7 (55)
By: Michael Alvaro

GOALS:
Sandringham: H. Ralphsmith 2, C. Dean 2, A. Hanrahan 2, O. Lewis, F. Maginness, J. Bowey
Oakleigh: D. Williams 3, N. Anderson 2, N. Dempsey, G. Varagiannis, J. Ugle-Hagan

BEST:
Sandringham: F. Maginness, J. Mahony, C. Dean, J. Worrell, H. Ralphsmith, J. Le Grice
Oakleigh: M. Rowell, H. Mastras, W. Phillips, N. Bryan, K. Schreiber, N. Anderson

Hosts Sandringham got the better of the Round 3 top-of-the-table clash, downing the Oakleigh Chargers by 10 points to remain undefeated atop of the ladder. The Dragons were in control for most of the contest in perfect conditions to showcase the raft of draftable talent on display, and held on in the face of a late Oakleigh charge. Charlie Dean started strongly up forward, clunking big marks and putting two majors on the board to remain the competition’s leading goal scorer. Hugo Ralphsmith was the only other Dragon to slot two goals, and was dangerous in each of his forward forays – much like Oakleigh’s Noah Anderson, who booted two goals from 26 disposals. Along with Anderson’s efforts, Oakleigh’s midfield force was led by Matt Rowell (31 disposals, 11 tackles, seven marks) and co-captain Trent Bianco (26 disposals, five rebound 50s, four inside 50s), but was ultimately outdone by the Dragons’ depth. The centre bounce trio of Jack Mahony (25 disposals), Finn Maginness (24, six inside 50s, one goal), and Ryan Byrnes (21, six inside 50s) worked tirelessly to win a wealth of possessions and send Sandringham forward, with Josh Worrell a force off half-back. With the amount of talent on show, the game fully delivered on expectations with respects to getting a good glimpse of the game’s future stars, and the two sides would surely provide another corker should they meet in the post-season. Both teams now go on to face academies in Round 4, with Sandringham hosting Sydney, while Oakleigh travels to Brisbane to take on the Suns.

CALDER CANNONS 5.4 | 7.7 | 8.10 | 10.14 (74)
WESTERN JETS 2.3 | 5.4 | 8.7 | 9.8 (62)
By: Michael Alvaro

GOALS:
Calder: J. Cardillo 2, D. Mott 2, J. Keeping, S. Ramsay, H. Minton-Connell, N. Gentile, T. Browning, C. Edwardes
Western: A. Clarke 3, A. Manton 2, S. Clifford, L. Failli, K. Borg, J. Honey

BEST:
Calder: D. Mott, F. Lakey, H. Minton-Connell, N. Gentile, S. Bell-Bartels, J. Cardillo
Western: A. Clarke, J. Horo, L. Failli, Z. Christofi, E. Ford, S. Johnson

Calder Cannons got on the board for season 2019 at the third time of asking, ousting the Western Jets by an even two-goal margin at RAMS Arena. Leading for the majority of the clash, Calder were put soundly under the pump during the second half as Western closed to within three points at three-quarter time, but the Jets ran out of fuel late to ensure the Cannons would pick up four points. Daniel Mott returned to form with a bang, collecting a classy 32 disposals, seven marks, five inside 50s and two goals, with midfield mate Harrison Minton-Connell having 30 and one goal. Meanwhile, Darcy Cassar was the Jets key ball winner with 24 disposals, with Aaron Clarke again bagging three goals and Archi Manton claiming two. With wins crucial for both teams at this stage of the season, the Cannons will be happy to have picked one up. Round 4 sees them head south to Tasmania to face the Devils, while Western hosts Northern Territory on the same day.

BENDIGO PIONEERS 3.4 | 4.5 | 7.10 | 8.10 (58)
GIPPSLAND POWER 2.0 | 5.3 | 8.5 | 12.10 (82)
By: Peter Williams

GOALS:
Bendigo: C. Fisher 3, B. Kemp, E. Roberts, T. Dow, R. Clarke, A. Cole
Gippsland: F. Phillips 3, H. Pepper 2, C. Serong 2, H. Neocleous, J. Smith, W. Papley, C. Doultree, K. Dunkley

BEST:
Bendigo: J. Rodi, B. Kemp, J. Schischka, R. Clarke, L. Fitzgerald, R. Wilson
Gippsland: C. Serong, S. Flanders, R. Sparkes, F. Phillips, B. Smith, Z. Skinner

Gippsland Power ended Bendigo Pioneers’ two-game winning streak with a fast-finishing 25-point win over the Pioneers in the opening game at Queen Elizabeth Oval yesterday. The Pioneers stuck with one of the league favourites for most of the match before a few late goals put the result beyond doubt. The Power booted the last three goals of the game, including two to Fraser Phillips to seal the match in a 12.11 (83) to 8.10 (58) win. Phillips was impressive up forward with 12 disposals, four marks and 3.2, joined at times by the talented Caleb Serong who slotted two goals from 23 disposals, five marks, seven clearances, four inside 50s and four rebounds. Serong’s partner in crime in the midfield, Sam Flanders was once again prolific with 20 touches, two marks, five clearances and four inside 50s, while Ryan Sparkes (21 disposals, six inside 50s) and Sam Berry (20 disposals, six clearances) were others who stood out. For the Pioneers, bottom-ager Sam Conforti was a standout with 22 disposals, four marks, four clearances, four inside 50s and three rebounds. Brodie Kemp (21 disposals, four marks, six clearances, five inside 50s and the opening goal) was impressive throughout the match, while Jeremy Rodi (19 disposals, four marks, three clearances, four inside 50s and four rebounds) and Brady Rowles (13 disposals, five rebounds) were also prominent.

DANDENONG STINGRAYS 3.0 | 7.4 | 7.5 | 12.11 (83)
GEELONG FALCONS 5.5 | 6.6 | 11.11 | 12.11 (83)
By: Peter Williams

GOALS:
Dandenong: C. Ellison 3, S. De Koning 2, L. Goonan 2, N. Heath 2, A. Bradtke, R. Orchard, C. Weightman
Geelong: O. Henry 5, M. Annandale 2, C. Harris, M. Langan, S. Ham, G. Bove, N. Gribble

BEST:
Dandenong: H. Young, M. Riordan, C. Weightman, M. Gregory, E. Cahill, S. De Koning
Geelong: O. Henry, J. Clark, N. Gribble, C. Karpala, K. Rayner, H. Stubbings

Dandenong Stingrays escaped with two points after stealing a draw on the siren, successfully mowing down Geelong Falcons with the breeze in a thrilling final term. The Stingrays always had the upperhand with the strong breeze blowing towards the Bendigo city end, but the Falcons had a five-goal lead at the final break. An inspirational decision was moving Sam De Koning forward in the final term as he booted two goals from set shots – and could have had a couple more, while Nathan Heath‘s mark just before the siren had everyone on edge. Trailing by six points, Heath calmly slotted the goal to level the scores and the Stingrays headed home from Queen Elizabeth Oval with two points in the bag. For the Falcons, it was not all bad considering they had also collected two points after a heartbreaking one-point defeat last week, but again could have had back-to-back wins. Ned Cahill was terrific for the Stingrays with 24 touches, four marks, four clearances and eight inside 50s, while Hayden Young was strong off half-back and through the middle with 22 disposals, five marks, three clearances, five inside 50s and five rebounds. Cody Weightman continued his good form up forward with 20 disposals, three marks and pushing up the ground for seven inside 50s, while De Koning also had 17 touches and three marks (two contested). Corey Ellison booted three goals, while Mitch Riordan had four clearances and 16 disposals. For the Falcons, Jesse Clark had a team-high 26 disposals and 11 rebounds out of defence, while Charlie Harris (24 disposals, five rebounds) and Noah Gribble (22 disposals, five inside 50s) were busy at either end. Meanwhile, Oliver Henry had a huge game up forward with five goals from 11 disposals and seven marks (two contested).

NORTHERN TERRITORY THUNDER 3.2 | 3.3 | 4.5 | 6.8 (44)
TASMANIA DEVILS 1.4 | 5.7 | 9.11 | 13.14 (92)
By: Alex Gibson

GOALS:
Northern Territory: B. O’Connell 3, W. Derksen 2, D. Forbes
Tasmania: J. Callow 5, M. McGuinness 2, W. Peppin 2, J. Chaplin, J. Hennessy, R. Mansell, J. Menzie

BEST:
Northern Territory: B. Jungfer, B. Lake, I. Seden-Kurnoth, B. O’Connell, M. Rioli Jnr, S. Cumming
Tasmania: M. O’Neill, J. Callow, L. Viney, R. Mansell, J. Steele, O. Burrows-Cheng

Despite a promising start from the Northern Territory (NT) Thunder, it was the boys from down south that ran away with a 48-point victory and their first win of the season. The Thunder came out all guns blazing at the Holden Centre and kicked the first three of four goals largely thanks to Beau O’Connell who showed off his elite kicking, capitalising with back-to-back majors in the first 15 minutes of play. However, from there on it was all about the Devils who put on an elite running game which proved too strong for the Thunder’s defence. Midfielders Mitch O’Neill (35 disposals, 21 kicks) and Rhyan Mansell (24 disposals, one goal) ran rings around the Thunder on-ballers and dominated through the middle despite a dominant ruck performance from NT’s Stephen Cumming (40 hitouts). The elite work from the Tasmanian on-ballers set the scene for bottom aged key forward Jackson Callow whose frame could not be tamed by the Thunder’s defence and the big forward finished with 5.2 including eight marks in a dominant display. The Thunder boys were not shy of highlights throughout the game with exciting run from behind tackles from bottom-agers Maurice Rioli Jr and Micheal Cooper whose elite speed was often too much to handle for Tasmania. NT showed promising signs throughout the game however the entries into the forward line needed improvement if they were going to hit the scoreboard more often. Despite a slow start it was hard to critique the Devils who at each line had a player who really impacted on the game and their second and third quarter dominance eventuated in an historic first win.

MURRAY BUSHRANGERS 2.3 | 4.9 | 6.12 | 9.15 (69)
GREATER WESTERN VICTORIA REBELS 4.1 | 6.2 | 8.6 | 9.8 (62)
By: Peter Williams

GOALS:
Murray: W. Chandler 3, E. Hollands 2, J. Hillary 2, Z. Barzen 2
GWV: J. Hill 2, J. Rantall 2, M. Martin 2, M. Jorgensen, R. O”Keefe, N. Caris

BEST:
Murray: L. Ash, S. Durham, B. Kelly, J. Boyer, Z. Barzen, J. Chalcraft
GWV: J. Rantall, J. Dwyer, J. Wright, I. Wareham, M. Martin, J. Hill

Coming into this game both these teams had experienced thrilling finishes in their respective opening first two rounds. The Bushrangers have been unlucky, losing both Round 1 and 2 matches by a straight kick, while the Rebels bounced back from a six-point loss to Dandenong Stingrays in Round 1, to knock off Geelong Falcons by a points. In a see-sawing contest, Murray dominated the inside 50 count, 61-36, but could not seemingly make use of their forward half dominance as the Rebels stood tall with a massive 52 rebounds, forcing the Bushrangers to get creative. Trailing at each break, the Bushrangers had one last effort in the final term, and it took until an Elijah Hollands goal in the final minutes of the game to seal the match by seven points. Lachlan Ash was terrific with 28 disposals, six marks (four contested), seven inside 50s, seven rebounds, three score assists and ran at a sizzling 89 per cent disposal efficiency. Along with Ash, Jye Chalcraft backed up his good Round 2 form with another strong performance, finishing with 22 touches, five marks, three clearances, five inside 50s, six tackles and three score assists. Jimmy Boyer (22 disposals, nine marks) and Cam Wild (20 disposals, seven inside 50s) were also impressive, while Hollands booted 2.3 from 13 touches and four marks. For the Rebels, Jay Rantall was as eye-catching as he could be, finishing with 31 disposals, three marks, five clearances, four inside 50s, two rebounds and two goals. Others who impressed included Mitch Martin whose class shone through with 22 touches, 10 marks, six inside 50s, five clearances and two goals, while Emmanuel Ajang, James Cleaver and Jayden Wright mopped up everything in defence.