BOTH Queensland clubs have blooded plenty of academy talent through the VFL this year, and Brisbane’s Tom Gillett was the latest to earn a state league debut in Round 18. The ruck-forward booted a team-high three goals as the Lions went down by 35 points in a Q-Clash curtain raiser on Saturday.

Gillett, a mobile 201cm tall talent, was thrown into the fire against AFL-listed players alongside fellow Lions Academy member Billy Richardson, who made his first VFL appearance for the year. On the Suns’s side, there were a whopping seven academy juniors who earned berths at the level.

Having not made the initial cut for the Allies squad in 2024, Gillett ended up turning out for game four against Vic Country. He also impressed with the Lions Academy during their four-game Coates Talent League stint earlier in the year, averaging 19 disposals, four marks, and 15 hitouts.

We put the 18-year-old’s VFL debut under the Player Focus microscope.

Allies, Lions AcademyRuck Forward

Tom Gillett

Height: 202cm

Weight: -

DOB: 09-01-2006

2024 VFL Round 18
Gold Coast Suns 20.11 (131) def. Brisbane Lions 14.12 (96)

#59 Tom Gillett (Brisbane Lions)
Stats: 10 disposals, 1 mark, 3 tackles, 18 hitouts, 2 clearances, 3 goals

FIRST QUARTER:

Gillett was eased into proceedings with AFL-listed ruckman Darcy Fort taking on primary ruck duties. That allowed the 18-year-old to find his feet up forward, though there was a dearth of opportunities as Gold Coast dominated field position and the scoreboard in term one.

Rotating into the ruck against Ben Moyle, Gillett had little trouble getting first hand on the ball and showcased his aerial range at 201cm. He wasn’t afraid to engage the body but lacked a bit of intensity on the follow-up, which is where the Suns began to get on top – particularly when spreading forward.

Up forward, he had Caleb Graham for company and drew a free kick for being held while he looked to move towards the kicker. Gillett converted the set shot to not only nab his maiden VFL goal, but also break a run of three-straight Suns majors. Still, his side went into the first break 33 points in arrears.

SECOND QUARTER:

Having only attended three of eight centre bounces in the opening term, Gillett was present at seven of nine during the second to have more of an influence through the ruck. With him at the source, Brisbane began to turn around the clearance battle but still struggled to stop Gold Coast’s ball movement.

While Gillett continued to prove his worth as a hitout winner, the next step was to start crafting his taps to advantage the Lions’ rovers. He was also somewhat laconic with his movement around the ground, rarely shifting gears or attacking the aerial ball with intensity to add a marking influence.

Still, Gillett displayed great handling below his knees in one instance and even nabbed a second goal by staying down out the back of a forward 50 contest. The dextrous tall latched onto the ball and snapped home in typically casual fashion, again breaking a run of three Gold Coast majors.

THIRD QUARTER

Much like in the first quarter, Gillett became the Lions’ secondary ruck rotation coming out of half time. With Gold Coast continuing to move the ball swiftly from end-to-end, he didn’t have a wealth of opportunities but still managed to hit the scoreboard for a third consecutive period.

Gillett’s anticipation and closing speed were evident as intercepted a Gold Coast defender’s pass inside forward 50, getting a hand across to knock the ball away for a throw-in. He also showed better intent after his initial ruck duels to lay tackles, but still struggled to clunk the ball overhead.

He had no trouble reeling in an uncontested mark inside 50 as Brisbane moved the ball end-to-end, with his movement and play reading leaving him in a pocket of space. The big man played on and dribbled home his third major, before going on to display more of his usual coordination by hand in open play.

FOURTH QUARTER

The fourth was Gillett’s only goalless quarter, though he spent most of his time rucking – much like in term two. The 18-year-old was crunched from behind inside defensive 50 but didn’t let that deter him, going on to take up good positions behind the ball and competing relatively well.

He at least brought the ball to ground in a couple of marking contests and manufactured a few nice hits to advantage. One such tap saw Deven Robertson stream away from a stoppage without breaking stride, as Gillett found him with a stylish hit over his shoulder.

CLOSING THOUGHTS…

Gillett has plenty to work with as a developable tall, who looks most likely to turn into a ruck-forward. Coming away with three straight goals is a great result on debut in such a strong senior league, and he will only be better for playing both with and against an array of AFL-listed players.

In terms of what he does well, Gillett has the aerial range to make it as a ruck with natural reach and a strong leap. He is also quite mobile for a player his size, boasting clean fundamental skills and great dexterity below his knees. Being able to impact up forward is another tick for his evolving versatility.

Improvement will come in the way of building his endurance base to better utilise such athletic traits. He could also look to enhance his contested game – particularly in a marking sense – to provide a strong outlet around the ground or when rotating forward. Having the mongrel to crash packs is important.

Having gained exposure at representative level, the tall may continue to show his wares in Brisbane’s VFL side, which is on track for a finals berth. While fellow Lions Academy product Sam Marshall is somewhat of a certainty, Gillett remains among an even crop of academy hopefuls jostling for a draft opportunity.