TASMANIA clicked into gear after quarter time to kick off the Under 16 National Championships with a thumping 70-point win over the Northern Territory. After conceding the first two goals in dour Werribee conditions, Tassie kicked the next seven to take a 28-point buffer into half time, and never looked back.

While Tasmania’s bid for an AFL license is somewhat clouded at the moment, the state’s talent is in good hands having started this campaign well and finished last year’s series in second. Midfielder Max Gulliver emerged as one to watch after stuffing the stats sheet with 27 disposals and four goals.

TASMANIA 3.0 | 7.5 | 13.8 | 16.12 (108)
NORTHERN TERRITORY 2.1 | 3.1 | 4.1 | 6.2 (38)

GOALS:
Tasmania: M. Gulliver 4, L. Heazlewood 3, W. Redman 2, S. Husband, J. Glover, M. Fugslang, C. Oliver, H. Alomes, O. Freeland, T. Bearman
Northern Territory: S. Smiler, G. Trigwell, H. Rock, H. Timms, O. Campbell, D. Mallard

BEST:
Tasmania: M. Gulliver, M. Whitney, E. Clemons, S. Husband, M. Dawkins, V. Johnson
Northern Territory: I. Herold, G. Lawford, D. Summerville, J. Sambo, H. Timms, B. Barnard

TASMANIA:

#1 Lucas Heazlewood (Ulverstone)
Small Forward | 176cm | 02/03/2009

Stats: 21 disposals, 5 inside 50s, 3 goals

Conditions were set to suit smaller players and Heazlewood was one who showed moments of class in the wet. He started out with a terrific dribble goal from the pocket, and his relentless pursuit of shots at the big sticks led to another checkside finish in term two. Heazlewood’s foot skills came to the fore as the game wore on, working further up the ground and hitting some nice spear passes going inside 50. He bagged a third goal after half time and was one of Tasmania’s most productive.

#3 Jake Beams (Glenorchy)
Forward/Wing | 178cm | 22/12/2009

Stats: 13 disposals, 5 marks, 3 inside 50s

Donning the longsleever on a dour Werribee day, Beams operated as a high forward who also spent time on the wing. In both roles, he showed an ability to present up the ground and help his side connect going inside 50, or to make the final kick. He had a couple of unconverted set shot opportunities but set up Jordan Glover with a nice kick over the back in term four.

#4 Mason Whitney (Brighton)
Wing | 176cm | 31/08/2009

Stats: 26 disposals, 8 marks, 7 inside 50s

Whitney was right behind Max Gulliver as Tasmania’s absolute best, playing a key role out on the wing. He was constantly in position to support his teammates on the outside, either receiving out of stoppages or being the exit option from defensive half turnovers. Racking up a game-high 19 uncontested possessions was a testament to his smart running in a largely contested game, sparking many attacking phases with slick ball use and bursts of energy.

#5 Max Gulliver (Glenorchy)
Midfielder | 178cm | 04/11/2009

Stats: 27 disposals, 9 clearances, 10 inside 50s, 4 goals

Gulliver was nothing short of dominant in his game, very nearly posting a rare triple-double. He led all comers thanks to uncompromising stoppage efforts to hunt the ball at ground level, and more often than not, win it. He showed an ability to drive his legs in small spurts and get good penetration on long clearing kicks, playing the conditions suitably. Gulliver also worked hard on the attacking end and proved a deadeye in front of goal, slotting four majors with aplomb.

#18 Ethan Clemons (Ulverstone)
Defender | 182cm | 09/06/2009

Stats: 17 disposals, 2 marks, 9 rebound 50s

Clemons was Tasmania’s main man in defence, able to intercept the ball and get it moving forward. He repelled several attacks by either winning his one-on-ones or impacting the contest, following up to recover the loose ball and rebound with punchy kicking. He seemed quite composed with ball in hand and was either able to find targets heading outside defensive 50, or gain meterage.

#20 Max Dawkins (South Launceston)
Midfielder | 171cm | 05/05/2009

Stats: 24 disposals, 6 marks, 8 tackles, 6 clearances

Dawkins was prominent around the contest but also balanced his work to find some ball on the spread and use his penetrative kicking. The midfielder hit some terrific flat passes to negate the conditions, none better than his re-entry to assist Gulliver for a second quarter goal. Dawkins needed a couple of grabs at times but generally handled the ball well and got Tassie going forward.

NORTHERN TERRITORY:

#16 Isaac Herold (Southern Districts)
Ruck | 200cm | 30/07/2008

Stats: 16 disposals, 25 hitouts, 4 clearances

Comfortably the tallest player afield at 200cm, Herold showed great potential as the NT’s primary ruck. He used his aerial range to win the lion’s share of hitouts, but also followed up well to compete at ground level. Herold put his frame over the ball and managed to prise a few clearances, even setting up Owen Campbell-Shields for a goal in the final quarter with his wobbly kick over the back.

#20 Jaren Sambo (Wanderers)
Midfielder/Forward | 181cm | 19/04/2009

Stats: 12 disposals, 2 tackles, 4 clearances

Sambo was one of the silkier players on a dour day, scooping the ball up off the deck effortlessly to defy Werribee’s downpour. He also showed off some decent evasive moves to get into space, which proved useful at stoppages. Sambo was only credited with two tackles but applied decent pressure in spurts and was willing to make repeat efforts in that regard early on.

#25 Gary Lawford (Darwin Buffaloes)
Midfielder | 172cm | 02/05/2009

Stats: 21 disposals, 8 tackles, 3 clearances

Representing the NT via Western Australia and the Oakleigh Chargers in Victoria, Lawford led his side’s midfield. He showed off some talent with deft spin moves and steps to get out of traffic, but wasn’t afraid to get stuck in with hard tackles either. Lawford’s blend of toughness and flair are sure to excite throughout the series, and he was among the NT’s best on Monday.

#26 Gus Trigwell (Nightcliff)
Defender/Forward | 180cm | 12/12/2008

Stats: 13 disposals, 4 rebound 50s, 1 goal

Tasmania began to break away in the second quarter and that’s when Trigwell was at his most prominent. A solid figure down back, he was there to compete and relieve pressure across the last line, also distributing the ball from kick-ins. Trigwell was then swung forward in the fourth quarter where he missed an early snap, but went on to slot a set shot for the game’s final goal.