BRISBANE Lions Academy claimed the overall AFL Under 16 Championships Pool B title following a comprehensive 103-point win over Northern Territory. Coming into the clash, the Lions were the only unbeaten team, while Northern Territory was the only side yet to register a win.

After the underdogs booted the first goal of the match, Lions Academy piled on the next 11 scoring shots and take a 30-point lead into quarter time. Despite some resistance late in the second term where Northern Territory kicked two consecutive goals, the favourites were far too strong, booting 10 goals to nil in the second half to come away with the huge victory.

Daniel Annable won the Lions Academy MVP for the carnival following another remarkable effort that included 35 disposals, while Northern Territory tall, Taj Murray earned his state’s MVP in what was ultimately a tough carnival of three consecutive 100-point losses.

NORTHERN TERRITORY 1.0 | 3.3 | 3.6 | 3.6 (24)
LIONS ACADEMY 5.6 | 9.6 | 14.11 | 19.13 (127)

GOALS:
Northern Territory: R. Nardoo, J. Ross, O. Poulson
Lions Academy: R. Geesu 3, F. Callaway 3, L. Chambers 3, C. Hewitt 3, I. Waller 2, D. Annable, H. Grills, T. Johnston, S. Macinnis, J. Slater

RMC BEST:
Northern Territory: E. Bush, T. Murray, R. Mentha, O. Poulson, C. Peris-Chong
Lions Academy: D. Annable, C. Hewitt, R. Geesu, H. Bridge, L. Chambers

NORTHERN TERRITORY:

#20 Oliver Poulson
Midfielder | 175cm | 26/01/2006

It was a tough day for the Northern Territory midfielders, but Poulson provided some hope for his side with a ripping running goal from long range. Taking a couple of bounces bursting through the middle he launched to an open goalsquare and it got home not far from half-time. One of the few NT prospects who consistently had some eye-catching moments and looked to run hard, while tackling fiercely.

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

The silky talent only had the three touches in the first half, but when his side was under siege, he stepped up in the third term and delivered throughout the second half to finish with 15 disposals for the game. Soon after the half-time break, Mentha took a couple of strong intercept marks and then at ground level was composed with ball-in-hand. He is the player teammates want the ball in the hands of, but it just happened a bit too late. Still, saved a few potential goals with his smarts and positioning in the second half.

#28 Ethan Bush
Defender | 177cm | 20/01/2007

The most consistent NT player across the course of the four quarters, Bush had the toughest job playing in defence. He regularly had to drive the ball from safety and kick out from the back 50. The weight of Lions Academy inside 50s was telling, but he was the main man to clear it to safety. Though at times he would not always find a target, he aimed to get it as far away from the danger zone as possible and finished with 31 disposals and 16 rebound 50s.

#33 Taj Murray
Ruck | 199cm | 05/02/2007

The standout tall for the NT, and his state’s MVP for the carnival, Murray was among the best with some draftable traits. Capable to takin a mark and generally able to hit short passes, he is comfortable below his knees as well. He was able to win most one-on-ones he went in, and was realistically the only NT player with significant height in the ruck. It was a tough gig all day, but Murray held his head high and was deserving of the MVP.

LIONS ACADEMY:

#1 Matthew Owen
Midfielder | 172cm | 01/03/2008

The 2008-born midfielder packed a powerful kick and was particularly able to get involved in the the term. His hard running between the arcs and weaving between players to find space was very good, and while his kicks were more high to areas for his forwards, he still proved effective. An outside receiver who looked to break the lines via hand if not putting ball to boot, he would finish as one of the most efficient players.

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

Another hard-running Lions Academy member, Lillico got into ball-winning positions across the ground and was often involved in one-twos or getting into space when pushing forward. He reads the play well and is composed under pressure with a couple of nice passes going inside 50. Though only small, Lillico was able to win a number of clearances, with impressive footy smarts and able to get through traffic via a handy burst.

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

The skillful forward hit the ground running in the first term, picking up 10 disposals and was involved in just about everything. His defensive pressure, as well as his clean hands under pressure were defining and he calmly slotted a goal from 45m. He would set up another to a teammate via an elite bullet pass, then would go on to either do that time and time again, or just kick them himself as he did twice more. Geesu produced an outstanding performance, and was one of the best on ground with his skill a class above.

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

Bridge started the game well with some nice slick touches through the midfield and showing off his running capacity in transition. Though his second quarter was quieter, it was the likes of him and Annable’s work in the third term that got the Lions back on track after that late mini challenge from Northern Territory just before half-time. Amassing 11 disposals in the third term, Bridge would finish with 22 for the game, and his quick running and ability to get the ball forward was important.

#13 Jake Neill
Midfielder | 181cm | 27/08/2007

Neill’s delivery inside 50, particularly during the second term was outstanding, setting up both of his side’s goals in the opening four minutes and made the most of his touches. In the final term, he clunked three consecutive marks – two intercept – on the attacking side of the centre square, and while he only had the 10 touches – which was the fourth least of any Lions player – his impact-per-possession was enormous.

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

The star of the show who was a strong contributor in the first half, then exploded in the second to tear Northern Territory to shreds with his work through the middle. At one point, Annable had racked up 11 inside 50s by himself compared to Northern Territory’s 14. His clearance work bursting out of the stoppage to pinpoint a pass inside 50 happened on a couple of occasions, and he had a number of long-range chances on goal. His first one came straight out of the middle in the opening minute of the third term slotting it brilliantly, then other chances either just missed or fell short. He even unselfishly handballed to Fletcher Callaway in the goalsquare after making all alone inside 50. A clear standout and deserving MVP.

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

After playing defence in his last game, Munro was trialled up the other end of the field against NT. Producing some of the safest hands on-field, Munro was clunking just about everything that came his way, and he was generally clean with each of his touches. His field kicking was outstanding and his vision also important. Munro had a couple of chances on goal that did not quite pan out, but was a safe option to distribute the ball inside 50.

#22 Lachlan Chambers
Forward | 192cm | 05/01/2007

One of four players to kick three goals, Chambers was able to do so by remaining alert and active inside 50. During the second term he found himself all alone in the goalsquare and kicked the easiest of goals, then after a set shot fell short, stayed in front and clunked a mark to kick his second. Chambers would convert his third via a snap in the fourth term, and pull down a few more marks in the game and put it to dangerous positions. A day out of 16 disposals, eight marks and three goals was pretty handy .

#23 Karmichael Dee
Midfielder | 188cm | 06/02/2007

One of the most naturally skilled players out there, just about every touch Dee had turned to gold. His possesses a lovely left foot kick and was able to not only spot the right option, but execute it as well. The Lions have a few players who were involved in transition, and Dee was the most effective by hand or foot, continually pinpointing passes. For context, Dee ran at 85.7 per cent disposal efficiency from 21 touches.

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

While Annable took over in the second half, it was Hewitt’s first half that really set the Lions apart. His presence around the ground both through the ruck and then going forward, and his work at ground level not just in the air, was also a treat. He seemed to be able to do anything be it a strong mark in a pack, intercepting on a wing, or slotting a ridiculous goal. The latter came in the third term where near the behind post he found his left and put it straight through the middle threading the eye of the needle. Hewitt booted three goals from 22 disposals, six marks and 14 hitouts.

#28 Isaac Waller
Ruck/Forward | 203cm | 30/03/2007

The other player to rotate with Hewitt through ruck and forward, Waller took full advantage when facing a smaller opponent and was able to be equally commanding in the air. He kicked the two goals, one with a snap and another off a set shot, both coming in the second half. A left-footer, Waller had another chance that was marked on the line but ended in a goal, and his sheer presence around the ground was a feature of his performance.