WHILE going another two-game carnival undefeated, the Giants Academy’s percentage was lower than their rivals Swans Academy which meant they handed over the Pool B AFLW Under 16s Development Championships title. Despite that, a dominant 51-point victory over Northern Territory was followed up by an inspiring two-point come-from-behind win against Tasmania when down by as much as 28 points late in the third term.

RESULTS:

Giants Academy 12.11 (83) def. Northern Territory 5.2 (32) | Scouting Notes
Giants Academy 7.6 (48) def. Tasmania 6.10 (46) | Scouting Notes

TOP TALENT:

#28 Evie Henley
North Albury | 172cm | 13/07/2009

Henley ticks a lot of boxes in terms of her abilities, and not only won the most touches of any player, but generally uses it well, particularly when looking forward to set up goal-scoring opportunities. The numbers jump off the page with an average of 28.5 disposals, 2.5 marks, 5.5 tackles, 9.5 clearances, 7.5 inside 50s, running at 66 per cent contested rate. She worked in tandem with Gibson well through the middle, boasting a knack for using her strength to get her arms free and a handball away. Is tough to bring down and puts pressure on the opposition defence.

NAMES TO REMEMBER:

#13 Tayla Lawrence
Turvey Park | 168cm | 23/03/2009

Put Northern Territory to the sword with four goals from 12 touches in a dominant outing, providing the early spark for the Giants Academy in that win. Her class is what stands out and she judged the blustery conditions well when lining up for goal. Lawrence’s technique is very good and those footy smarts and forward craft combined to have quite the impact in the game. While Hamilton was the star in game two, Lawrence still brought the defensive pressure which was nice to see with the equal second most tackles on her side (five).

#27 Charlie Gibson
Lavington Panthers | 172cm | 14/05/2009

While also playing on-ball with Henley, Gibson has that forward element to her where she can sneak inside 50 and find space. She was able to kick a couple of goals against the Giants Academy, and then with Tasmania on top, Gibson provided greater support around the coalface with Matilda Lange having a day out. Her kicking efficiency is one area to tidy up for the future, but her impact is undeniable given her explosive burst from stoppages and slick evasive moves. Should get some games with the Murray Bushrangers as well which is exciting.

#30 Amelia Rainbow
Mosman | 173cm | 08/09/2009

Has an ability to play across multiple lines but was situated at centre half-back where she could power off a high line and thump the ball down the ground to catch the opposition on the hop. Rainbow competes well one-on-one in the air or at ground level and can use both side of her body as well. Undoubtedly saved the day on a few occasions, and while she can get hurt by taking risks down the ground, was far more efficient in the crunch match against Tasmania under pressure.

#34 Billie Hamilton
Queanbeyan | 169cm | 14/11/2009

Kicking nine goals across her two games, Hamilton finished as the dominant goalkicker in the competition. She booted 3.2 from 22 disposals, seven marks, four tackles and five inside 50s against the Northern Territory, and then a whopping 6.2 from 16 disposals, four marks, four tackles and three clearances – including four of the last five in the comeback – against Tasmania. Hamilton looms as a very clever goalkicker but also one who does much more than finish, with her defensive pressure and work up the ground highlights. She is a star in the making out of Canberra.

OTHERS WHO IMPRESSED:

While those five were the clear standouts, Emmersen Lihou was important in the win against Tasmania, while Clare Hyland provided some class in the front half and Zoe Quigley is an exciting small out of the nation’s capital as well.