THE GOLD Coast Suns Academy downed Tasmania by 60 points yesterday to notch their first win of this year’s AFL Under 16 National Development Championships.

Turning out on their home patch, the Suns kicked clear with seven goals to one after half-time to earn a comfortable 13.14 (92) to 4.8 (32) victory. We noted some of the top performers from either side.

SUNS ACADEMY 2.5 | 6.10 | 10.11 | 13.14 (92)
TASMANIA 1.1 | 3.3 | 4.6 | 4.8 (32)

GOALS:

Suns Academy: B. Addinsall 5, Z. Uwland 2, E. Willett 2, J. Murray, Z. Eckersley, D. Patterson, H. Heathcote
Tasmania: L. Harris 2, E. Ryan, A. Brown-Cross

RMC BEST:

Suns Academy: B. Addinsall, Z. Uwland, J. Murray, Z. Eckersley, C. Collins, G. Turner
Tasmania: L. Davey, L. Wooton, R. McHenry, A. Volta, T. Prokopiec, I. Smedley

SUNS ACADEMY:

#4 Zeke Uwland
Wing | 176cm | 24/04/2007

It was business as usual for Uwland, who reprised his role on the wing. He is usually ultra efficient by foot and while the radar was a touch off at times, he managed to hit the target with two goals in the second quarter. Uwland was threatening in attack, but also diligent to help navigate play out of the defensive half. A couple of handy features of Uwland’s game included his deceptively good overhead marking and strong core to shake tackles.

#8 Beau Addinsall
Midfielder/Forward | 179cm | 09/03/2007

The star of the show with five goals from 24 touches, Addinsall did it all in a fine attacking display from the Suns. He started in midfield but spent plenty of time inside 50, offering the same effort on either line by burrowing in at the contest and looking to find a way forward. Addinsall snared the first goal of the game and finished nicely from a variety of chances, while also generating opportunities for teammates. His intent was always positive and it showed in the stats.

#9 Jai Murray
Midfielder/Forward | 184cm | 09/03/2007

Leading all comers with 28 disposals, six marks and six inside 50s, Murray was polished as ever in his usual mid-forward rotation. The smooth mover was clean with just about every touch and had little trouble finding possession in all parts of the ground. Murray’s running goal in the third quarter showed a glimpse of his class as one of Gold  Coast’s true prime movers.

#11 Zac Eckersley
Midfielder | 184cm | 23/06/2007

Another smooth moving midfielder in the Suns’ engine room, Eckersley held up his end of the on-ball bargain with 23 disposals and four clearances. He worked into space nicely and was often keen to move the ball on quickly, both riding and avoiding the bumps through traffic. Eckersley also got on the board with a goal, snapped nicely around the corner in term one.

#21 Cooper Collins
Forward | 188cm | 13/11/2007

One of the Suns’ most lively forwards across the first two games, Collins was again in good touch with a greater wealth of opportunity. He showed the usual vigour in chasing up loose balls and bringing others into the play, with 11 of his 18 disposals being handballs. At 188cm, he moves well and has good scope for improvement as a productive forward.

#22 Dylan Patterson
Wing | 183cm | 01/09/2007

An eye-catching player who was stationed on the wing, Patterson proved particularly impressive in the first half where he racked up most of his 14 disposals and six marks. He handled the wet ball cleanly, adopting a casual style across the ground but springing to life when leaping for marks. Finishing as one of Gold Coast’s seven goal kickers, he showed plenty of promise.

#26 Grady Turner
Defender | 188cm | 26/02/2007

Waxing well with fellow tall defender Kalani White, Turner owned his space behind the ball and got into good positions to intercept. He clunked seven marks, getting better in that department as the game wore on, and constantly attacked the ball full-chested. That allowed him to then switch into attack, especially when holding a high line. 

TASMANIA:

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

A crafty small midfielder, Davey helped move the play on in transition with clever decision making through the corridor. He notched six inside 50s among his 19 disposals, showcasing a sharp step and the ability to time his releases. Davey also snuck forward and snapped on goal with either foot, but could only yield a single behind for the match.

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

Though not overly prolific with just four disposals and three tackles, the signs were there for Thomas. He was the lone bottom-age (2008-born) player afield and spent time at both ends of the ground – starting in defence before swinging forward. At 185cm, the brother of Tarryn is a terrific athlete with good closing speed and tackling technique to go with clear footballing smarts.

#8 Isaac Smedley
Defender | 190cm | 20/04/2007

Another piece in the besieged Tasmanian defence, Smedley only registered five disposals and three marks but saved his side’s blushes with less heralded stats. The 190cm talent was solid in one-on-one contests, splitting most with a spoil and often doing so under enormous pressure on the last line. As the game wore on, he converted those spoils to marks and seemed to build on the back of his earlier one-percenters.

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

In trying conditions at times, McHenry was clearly one of Tasmania’s most polished and accomplished players around the contest. He started in midfield but was also thrown into defence, where he continued to be clean and competitive. With ball in hand, one of McHenry’s best moments was his well weighted goal assist for Andre Brown-Cross in the opening quarter.

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

With his side up against it and needing a tone-setter at the source, Volta stepped up to be a true enforcer through the middle of the ground. Laying more tackles (10) than he had disposals (nine), the midfielder threw his weight around with a series of big hits and made the opposition earn many a possession. He also showed some power with ball in hand, albeit limited in a tough loss.

#19 Lucas Wooton
Defender/Midfielder | 176cm | 11/05/2007

Wooten finished with an equal game-high 28 disposals (20 kicks) and 14 rebound 50s, numbers which were slightly inflated by his kick-in duties. Nonetheless, he showed class and pace when running the ball in transition, even getting his hands on it once moved into midfield after half time. He was a productive player in the face of Gold Coast’s onslaught.