Perfect 10 for McIlwain as Lions roar over Suns
A DOMINANT 10-goal performance from Brisbane Lions Academy forward Harlee McIlwain has seen the Lions romp to a 121-point win over Gold Coast Suns Academy in the AFL Women’s Under 16 Championships on Saturday.
The 174cm Victoria Point 2026 AFLW Draft prospect had a field day, not just kicking 10 majors, but clunking 10 marks and amassing 28 disposals in an obvious best on ground display in the 20.14 (134) to 2.1 (13) victory.
From start to finish it was evident the Lions were on track for a big win, booting five goals in the first term and had stormed to a 74-point lead (75-1) at the main break. Dominating around the clearances and with the ball essentially living in the Lions’ forward half, the game was over by half-time.
However to the Suns Academy’s credit, they did not stop fighting and Stephanie Aguinaldo kicked both of her side’s goals in the premiership quarter. Only winning the third term by nine points, the Lions put the foot down again in the last, booting 6.8 (38) to 0.0 (0) to surpass the triple-digit margin and enjoy a huge victory.
The Lions Academy showed its potential last weekend with a hard-fought six-point loss to Vic Country in the wet, and then back at home made the most of their inside 50s to have plenty of standout contributors. Brisbane won the disposal count by a massive 169 (343-174), as well as a plus-44 in marks (56-12), plus-16 in clearances (30-14) and whopping plus-49 in inside 50s.
While McIlwain’s haul – which featured three goals in each of the first, second and third quarters before her 10th came early in the fourth – was clearly the best of the day, Edie Fraser kicked 3.5 from 25 disposals and seven marks in her own right. The midfield trio of Stella Scott (31 disposals, four marks, five clearances and nine inside 50s), Molly Ferguson (28 disposals, four clearances, five inside 50s and a goal) and Mia Geere (22 disposals, five marks, three tackles, three clearances, nine inside 50s and a goal) were also on-song.
For the Suns Academy, Maddie Campbell tried hard again in defence, amassing 22 disposals, five tackles and five inside 50s. She worked hard alongside the likes of Asia Single (16 disposals, six tackles and six rebound 50s) and Grace Cooper (15 disposals, four tackle and six rebound 50s). Aguinaldo’s two majors from 11 touches, two marks, seven tackles and three rebound 50s was also a highlight.
LIONS ACADEMY 5.7 | 11.9 | 14.12 | 20.14 (134)
SUNS ACADEMY 0.1 | 0.1 | 2.1 | 2.1 (13)
GOALS:
Lions Academy: H. McIlwain 10, E. Fraser 3, E. Baker 2, M. Ferguson, M. Geere, L. Thirkill, A. Walker, F. Ross
Suns Academy: S. Aguinaldo 2
RMC BEST:
Lions Academy: H. McIlwain, E. Fraser, S. Scott, M. Geere, M. Ferguson
Suns Academy: M. Campbell, A. Single, S. Aguinaldo, E. Hooper, G. Cooper
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