THE BRISBANE Lions Academy has moved to 2-0 in this year’s AFL Under 16 National Championships, after defeating the Swans Academy by 25 points at Heritage Bank Stadium yesterday.

Sydney came with a flurry in the final quarter, but the Lions stood firm in the face of an unlikely fightback to triumph 10.15 (75) to 8.2 (50). We noted some of the top performers from either side.

LIONS ACADEMY 4.5 | 6.8 | 9.12 | 10.15 (75)
SWANS ACADEMY 1.0 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 8.2 (50)

GOALS:

Lions Academy: F. Callaway 3, C. Hewitt 2, L. Chambers, K. Dee, B. Ellis, R. Geesu, B. Lillico
Swans Academy: T. Ryan 3, N. Chamberlain 2, T. Brain, J. Cochran, L. Mintoff

RMC BEST:

Lions Academy: B. Lillico, H. Bridge, D. Annable, B. Ellis, F. Callaway, R. Geesu
Swans Academy: L. Carmichael, M. King, Z. Nandial, J. Cochran, T. Ryan, N. Chamberlain

LIONS ACADEMY:

#2 Benjamin Lillico
Midfielder | 176cm | 09/09/2007

Tough over the ball and with a good turn of speed, Lillico was a standout in the Lions’ midfield. He notched 23 disposals, seven clearances and six inside 50s in a productive performance, helping the Lions get on top at the source. He had a happy knack of sharking the centre bounce taps and shifting to the outside, proving tidy in his work and sharp with a running goal in term three.

#3 Raphael Geesu
Small Forward | 175cm | 23/07/2007

Geesu was at it again with smothering defensive pressure and some handy highlights in Brisbane’s forward half. He was only credited with two tackles, but his constant rundown efforts were great to watch across four quarters. He also showed power with an early overhead mark and set shot goal, which would be his only major for the match.

#5 Baxter Ellis
Midfielder | 179cm | 04/09/2006

Another cog in the Lions’ midfield rotation, Ellis won 18 disposals, three clearances and six inside 50s. His biggest contribution was a long-range set shot conversion which halted Sydney’s fourth quarter momentum, but Ellis also did some nice things in working the ball to the outside at centre bounces. He’s the nephew of South Australian Under 18 coach, Tony Bamford.

#10 Harrison Bridge
Defender | 181cm | 04/09/2007

A clean kicker out of defence, Bridge held a high line and looked to utilise his left-foot skills to feed teammates forward of centre. He claimed 22 disposals and five marks, making composed decisions with ball in hand and showing moments of class. He snuck further up the field as the game wore on, looking to launch towards goal from the top of attacking 50.

#11 Jack Harrison
Forward | 183cm | 20/02/2007

Another clever operator, except in the forward half of the ground, Harrison had a happy knack of working into the right spots. He played a high role and took five marks among 20 disposals, operating at the top of the arc and linking the Lions forward. His smarts also got him a couple of shots at goal, albeit for no score.

#16 Daniel Annable
Midfielder | 183cm | 05/04/2007

Annable constantly finds a way to rack up the possessions, mostly through sheer will, and earned a team-high 27 on Monday. He got stuck in at the coalface with seven tackles and five clearances, often getting first hands on the ball and bustling through tackles to get a disposal away. His touches were not always damaging, but Annable plays an important role for Brisbane on the inside.

#18 Will Munro
Defender | 185cm | 06/11/2006

His numbers may not jump off the page like others in this game, but Munro’s 12 disposals, five marks, and eight rebound 50s were perfectly indicative of his efforts. He clunked several intercepts as a reliable figure inside defensive 50, proving clean overhead and spreading the ball quickly by foot. Munro is one of six 2006-born over-age players in the Lions’ squad.

#24 Fletcher Callaway
Forward | 188cm | 21/01/2007

Making a bright start via two goals in the opening term, Callaway was certainly efficient inside 50 with five kicks, four marks and 3.1. He converted from set shots for each six-pointer, reeling in nice grabs and playing taller than his 188cm standing would suggest.

#26 Charlie Hewitt
Tall Forward | 198cm | 06/01/2006

Another marking target for the Lions, Hewitt helped his side kick away to a handy half time lead with consecutive goals before the main break. Sporting a look similar to Hayden Young, he was clean overhead and converted well over the mark, while also moving well at 198cm. Hewitt finished with 16 disposals, six marks and three clearances to go with his two goals.

SWANS ACADEMY:

#7 Zachary Nandlal
Midfielder | 171cm | 30/01/2006

Productive as ever through midfield, Nandlal worked hard under his white helmet for 26 disposals and five tackles. He accumulated possessions through sheer work rate, dropping back and popping up in all parts on the spread. He’s the kind of player who is solid all-round, but will need to showcase some elite traits at 171cm – no less as an over-ager in this category.

#12 Lachlan Carmichael
Defender | 180cm | 27/08/2007

Best afield in a losing effort, Carmichael was outstanding for his 34 disposals, eight marks, and 11 rebound 50s. His overhead marking was superb and indicative of a player with deceptive strength, especially at 180cm. He held his own aerially and leapt at the ball with confidence, while also taking the game on with his rebound running as one of the Swans’ main kick-in distributors.

#30 Noah Chamberlain
Tall Forward | 191cm | 21/03/2007

His side’s scoring was well contained for three quarters, but Chamberlain built into the contest to finish with 10 disposals, eight marks, and two second half goals. He was forced to search on leads up the ground and won the war of attrition after half time, as he began to clunk what he flew for before striking the ball nicely with his set shots.

#32 Joel Cochran
Tall Defender/Ruck | 195cm | 28/03/2006

Cochran reprised his primary role in defence before shifting into the ruck after half time, playing as somewhat of a fourth midfielder there. At 195cm, he can impact aerially but is mobile enough to cover good ground and get involved in open play. He ended up with 24 disposals, five marks, and five rebound 50s.

#33 Max King
Midfielder | 193cm | 09/01/2007

A midfielder almost as tall as his team’s rucks, King returned another promising performance with 27 disposals, six marks, and seven inside 50s from the engine room. King is just as capable of accumulating on the spread and using his height to take marks around the ground, than he is at shifting gears through traffic on the inside. He got into good spots to launch inside 50 and has a similarly unique inside-outside balance to what Fremantle’s Matt Johnson did at junior level.