TASMANIA claimed the 2022 AFL Division 2 Under 16 Championships with a comprehensive 53-point win over the Swans Academy to be the only side undefeated in either division. Racing out to a big lead at quarter time, the Devils were challenged in the second term, but then piled on the next seven goals of the game to shut down the Swans’ scoring avenues to run out 12.10 (82) to 4.5 (29) victors down at Twin Ovals.

Having all but secured the title heading into the game, the Devils did not take the foot off the pedal early, slamming home the first four goals of the game and had a 27-point lead at quarter time. The Swans took half an hour to kick their first goal through Khy Gibbs, and would outscore the Devils three goals to one in the second term to close the gap to 15 points at the main break. But over the next 45 minutes, the Swans could not buy a goal, with the Devils stepping up, and Cohan Jeffrey slotting four second half goals to outscore the opposition at one stage. A breakthrough major to William Foster after the final siren ensured the Swans put one through the big sticks in the second half, but it was only a consolation goal as Tasmania saluted by 53 points.

Tasmania had plenty of contributors with star midfielder Oliver De Paoli-Kubank again dominating and deservedly earning the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award for the Devils. Jeffrey’s four goals were the most by an individual in the game, while Jaxon Thorpe capped off his carnival with another two majors to take his total to eight, and Connor Ling slotted two. Harry McLeod and Blake Harper also found plenty of the pill throughout the match.

For the Swans, Zachary Nandlal was a standout, involved in just about everything, whilst key tall Toby Loebel played an important role, teaming up with Joel Cochran inside 50. Vasili Malempre and Jeromos Mills-Vasas also had some important plays, but the red and whites were no match for the boys from the Apple Isle to close out their respective carnivals.

TASMANIA 4.4 | 5.4 | 9.8 | 12.10 (82)
SWANS ACADEMY 0.1 | 3.1 | 3.3 | 4.5 (29)

GOALS:

Tasmania: C. Jeffrey 4, J. Thorpe 2, C. Ling 2, A. O’Connor, D. Cooney, L. Douglas, F. Richards, W. Foster
Swans Academy: K. Gibbs, H. Charles, T. Loebel, W. Foster

RMC BEST:

Tasmania: O. De Paoli-Kubank, B. Harper, J. Thorpe, C. Jeffrey, H. McLeod
Swans Academy: Z. Nandlal, T. Loebel, J. Cochran, J. Mills-Vasas, V. Malempre

TASMANIA:

#3 Harry McLeod (North Hobart)
8/06/2006 | 175cm | 72kg | Defender

The accumulating defender had a big day out with his high-volume ball-winning by racking up 38 touches playing out of defence. He worked up the ground and won a lot of handballs in transition, as well as being the short option in defence to find a way out of trouble. McLeod kept racking it up throughout the match and was a four-quarter performer.

#5 Jaxon Thorpe (Kingborough)
25/08/2006 | 176cm | 60kg | Small Forward

Had another impressive game up forward, able to kick a couple of goals. His first half was relatively quiet other than a late goal in quarter one where he snagged one off the deck, then kicked a second early in the third term off a good snap. Thorpe worked up the ground later in the game and started setting up the likes of Ling and Jeffrey for goals and was quite lively with his vertical leap and footy smarts.

#6 Connor Ling (Brighton)
11/01/2006 | 179cm | 70kg | Small Forward

Having a busy first half, Ling was the first one to multiple goals with both his majors coming in that half. He converted his first from a clever snap off a clean pickup inside 50 with a goal, then kicked his second midway through the second term off another impressive snap. He had another chance in the third term but missed, though had left his impact on the game.

#8 Blake Harper (Clarence)
19/01/02006 | 178cm | 74kg | Midfielder

Found his fair share of the football through the midfield and was one of the better Devils on the day. Possessing a thumping kick at times, he had a long snap on goal early from 45m that just missed. He continued to accumulate the ball throughout the game, and had some more chances inside 50, but was not quite able to have the space and a chance was rushed through. He worked hard at both ends and Harper was able to be involved in transition turning defence into attack on a number of occasions.

#9 Oliver De Paoli-Kubank (Ulverstone)
24/07/2006 | 172cm | 58kg | Midfielder/Forward

Another best on ground performance from the small midfielder/forward who is very clever in the stoppages, able to evade opponents and create scoring chances forward of centre. Across the four quarters he showed off his clean hands and was able to run hard all game, winning the ball in all thirds of the ground. Calm under pressure, De Paoli-Kubank hit up targets over multiple distances, and then had moments such as stepping around three players in the back pocket and pinpointing a pass. He missed a gettable chance on goal in the fourth term, but had pieced together a really consistent performance.

#25 Cohan Jeffrey (Latrobe)
27/09/2005 | 193cm | 94kg | Tall Forward

Coming out of nowhere after a quiet first half, Jeffrey put the icing on the cake in the second half by slamming home four goals. His first was from point blank range after making on the line, but they got progressive harder from then on, snapping another late in the term off a step, then from a set shot early in the fourth. His final major was against two opponents, sidestepping and shrugging off one and getting ball to boot before the other could lay a hand on him.

SWANS ACADEMY:

#8 Zachary Nandlal (St Ignatius Riverview)
30/01/06 | 170cm | 68kg | Winger

Worked hard all game and just continually got into the right spots to win the ball, Nandlal was able to impact the game with his reading of the play. His hands were clean and he did possess a long kick, whilst being strong for a 170cm player. He competes in the air and at ground level and is not afraid to put his body on the line, able to intercept handballs here and there due to his ability to anticipate an opposition move.

#19 Vasili Malempre (UNSW-East Sydney Bulldogs)
21/02/2006 | 177cm | 70kg | Midfielder

Malempre just had some nice moments throughout the game, able to take a strong mark off a good vertical leap, then hit a perfect kick to a teammate inside 50. He would continually look to put the ball into dangerous areas and had a quick snap around his body out of a stoppage. Another one of the smaller Swans brigade, but was still able to catch the eye with his moments.

#29 Joel Cochran (UNSW-East Sydney Bulldogs)
28/03/2006 | 194cm | 85kg | Key Forward

Having a productive game but really coming to the fore with some great second efforts, Cochran took a strong one-on-one mark then just fell short with his set shot. He could go into a stoppage and not only ruck, but be a bigger body at ground level to try and force the ball out. He would win the ball in close and quickly give it off.

#30 Toby Loebel (St Ives Saints)
23/04/06 | 190cm | 90kg | Tall Forward

Capping off a pretty consistent carnival, Loebel was another who had his moments, taking a good intercept mark in the second term and then opting to pass inboard rather than have the shot from 50m. Later on, Loebel sold some candy in the forward pocket to step around an opponent whilst under pressure and composure himself to nail the goal on the run from 20m on a tight angle.