TASMANIA was far too good for Northern Territory in the AFL Under 16s Championships, running away with a 114-point victory. The clash took place at a windy Highgate Recreation Reserve on Saturday, with the Devils booting 19.10 (124) to 1.4 (10). There were plenty of individual standouts for the winners and we noted down some of the players who caught the eye.

Northern Territory:

#12 Calvin Peris Chong
20/06/2007 | 176cm | Midfielder/Forward

Northern Territory’s sole goalkicker on the day, Peris Chong looked the most dangerous when pushing forward after spending time in the midfield. The major came in the third term while off balance but still able to put it through, with an earlier shot in the opening term falling short. He attacked the contest hard and tried his best to track the ball at ground level, putting his body on the line.

#22 Ricky Mentha
04/09/2006 | 179cm | Defender/Forward

The over-age talent was found at both ends, having to compete well above his size in defence, them pushing up the ground to try and influence the scoreboard with the breeze. He did his best work behind the ball, intercepting on multiple occasions and driving the ball out of defence. Mentha was clean by hand or foot and was one of the more skilful players out there. He rarely looked flustered and was able to think his way through situations and sidestep the odd opponent to clear the danger. He had a tough day given his role and overwhelming amount of inside 50s from the opposition, but he could certainly hold his head high.

#23 Brian Ross
22/01/2007 | Defender/Midfielder

Primarily stationed behind the ball and rotating into the midfield, Ross looked to direct traffic for his side down the ground, and competed consistently at each contest. He saved a potential goal in the second quarter by rushing through a behind, and worked well with Mentha to mop up deep in the back 50. When moving into the middle, he had an impact around the stoppages, reading the ball off hands, and though beaten by the opposition midfield, still got his hands on the ball.

Tasmania:

#2 Jack Miller
13/04/2007 | 179cm | Small Forward

It was a simply superb game inside for Miller who finished the day with five goals and got on the end of the Tasmanian midfield dominance. Starting in the first term with a nice major, Miller really filled his boots in the second half with his remaining four goals. His best was a long-range tight angle set shot, but he was so strong overhead and great at finding space to allow him to have set shots rather than be under pressure.

#3 Jarvis Breen
11/07/2007 | 177cm | Wing

Breen showed some nice signs on a wing and looked lively. Clean at ground level he had the smarts when under pressure to tap it clear to a teammate and also looked to kick the ball long down the ground when given the opportunity. In the second term he took a strong overhead mark s well while under pressure.

#5 Lachlan Davey
09/07/2007 | 171cm | Inside Midfielder

One of a number of prime movers for the Devils, Davey was composed with ball-in-hand, and in particular his timing with release handballs stood out. He ran hard all day and though he is only small, is not afraid to go in and win it. His kicking inside 50 was a treat by lowering his eyes each time and in the second term he set up a goal by taking the advantage just outside 50 and putting it to the danger zone.

#6 Tyane Thomas
27/02/2008 | 185cm | Defender/Forward

The brother of North Melbourne’s Tarryn was the youngest player out there as a bottom-ager and he has some of the traits that Thomas showed coming through the pathway. Though still raw, he has a massive vertical leap, can explode away and looked dangerous each time he went near it. He did drop a couple of marks he should have taken and turned the ball over by foot a few times, but was clean by hand and thrown forward in the last quarter.

#10 Lochlan Harris
09/09/2007 | 184cm | Forward/Midfield

Another forward who had a big day in front of goal with three majors, Harris worked up the ground and got into the right spots, kicking his first in the second term from a set shot. He kicked two more in the last quarter stampede including an eye-catching one running inside 50. A dangerous player and good overhead, he had a couple of opportunities that also just missed.

#14 Rylee McHenry
17/07/2007 | 178cm | Inside Midfielder

A fierce player who shows great courage and a desire to win the ball, McHenry was another one of Tasmania’s inside brigade that just kept getting his hands on the ball. He was able to use it off both sides of his body while under pressure and cracked in with some fierce tackles. He marked all alone late in the game but unselfishly hit up a teammate for the final goal of the day.

#17 Nicholas Steele
15/09/2007 | 184cm | Inside Midfielder

Easily the most dominant disposal winner in the game, Steele brought his own ball to the game and was a prominent player around the stoppages. He hit the contests hard, and was not afraid to power his way through. Though sometimes he would bomb the boot a little out of the stoppages, he had some nice evasive moves including a slick sidestep and fast turn to buy himself some more time. Had a chance on goal from 20m out but just sprayed it to the left.

#18 Anthony Volta
06/12/2007 | 177cm | Inside Midfielder

Joined the party in the midfield and was a prime extractor from the coalface getting it inside 50. He won his own ball in close and was able to deliver inside 50. He laid a good smother in the middle as well at one point, showing his defensive intent.

#22 Andre Brown-Cross
01/01/2007 | 190cm | Key Forward

Stayed at home inside 50 and capitalised off the dominant Tasmanian midfield to boot three majors in the game. All three game in that first half as he outsized his opponent comfortably and made no mistakes on his set shots. Though a touch undersized for the key forward role, he plays taller and looked confident.

#24 Jye Millward
07/02/2007 | 201cm | Key Forward

The towering key forward made light work of his opponents, often more than 20cm taller and unstoppable when in the air. Millward booted two second half goals and really came alive after the main break. He was nudged off it at one stage and adding strength to his frame will come over the next two years, but presented as a target and his set shots were reliable.

#25 Jasper Hay
10/05/2007 | 199cm | Ruck

For a 199cm ruck at Under 16s level, Hay was remarkably comfortable below his knees, following up his stoppage work with the odd clearance or big tackle. He would drop back behind the ball to intercept when required and was able to take a great mark in the second term pushing off his opponent and clunking it easily under the high ball. His delivery was also generally on-point making it a solid all-round performance.