TASMANIA notched a record-breaking win over the Gold Coast Suns Academy in their Under 16 National Championships clash yesterday, saluting by 164 points at People First Stadium. It was Tasmania’s largest every victory at the level, spearheaded by a new individual best of seven goals from Chaice Oliver.

The travelling side was on song early, and piled on exactly 40 points each of the first three quarters, before turning the screw with a further eight majors in term four. Gold Coast was made to wait nearly an hour of game time for its one and only goal, kicked by Joshua Hall early in the second half.

It was a statistical domination across the board. Tasmania controlled the territory with 38 clearances to 18 and a whopping 66 forward 50 entries to 21 – scoring from 41 of them. In the final quarter, Tassie’s flourishing finish saw them restrict Gold Coast to just 31 disposals across the 23 minutes.

With the Tasmanian AFL side due to yield a bumper draft haul in 2027, the result bodes well for home grown talent. The budding Devils now move to 2-0 after two thumping victories, while the Suns remain winless. Both sides will be back in action on Thursday for the triple-header at Fankhauser Reserve.

SUNS ACADEMY | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.1 | 1.1 (7)
TASMANIA 6.4 | 12.8 | 18.12 | 26.15 (171)

GOALS:
Suns Academy: J. Hall
Tasmania: C. Oliver 7, J. Beams 4, M. Gulliver 3, L. Heazlewood 3, T. Bearman 2, S. Husband 2, W. Redman 2, H. Chapman, M. Fugslang, J. Glover

BEST:
Suns Academy: T. Larkins, J. Matterson, H. Cloke, P. Fitzgibbon, S. Spearing
Tasmania: M. Gulliver, B. Russell, C. Oliver, S. Husband, H. Chapman, J. Beams

Correction (now able to look at my records) – This is Tasmania's biggest U16 Boys victory, however the previous mark was actually 141 points, against the NT in 2003. Chaice Oliver's 7 goals also sets a new U16 Boys record, beating the 6 of Mitch Thorp, Nick Santi and Ryan Wiggins https://t.co/0AZmawlzbo

— David Ingram (@DavidIngram90) July 14, 2025

#18 Jayden Matterson
Midfielder/Forward | 180cm | 28/09/2009

Stats: 14 disposals, 5 tackles, 1 behind

Matterson broke through to register the Suns first score in the opening minute of term three, shifting forward to help generate opportunities. He seemed to be involved in all of his side’s second half chances, desperately surging the ball forward at all costs. Matterson had previously been deployed in midfield, where he stamped himself as Gold Coast’s primary ball winner and was tough in the contest. His hard tackling made a particular impression on Tassie star Max Gulliver in term one.

#31 Travis Larkins
Ruck | 194cm | 14/05/2009

Stats: 14 disposals, 18 hitouts, 6 clearances

Finishing as Gold Coast’s equal-top ball winner alongside Matterson, Larkins did all he could to keep the home side competitive at the source. He did most of his work following up at the contest, prising a team-high six clearances (four centre clearances) to go with his 18 hitouts, battling against a high-leaping opponent. Larkins added a marking element to his game in the second half, and while still a raw prospect out of Cairns, can hold his head up after a tough loss.

TASMANIA:

#1 Lucas Heazlewood
Forward | 176cm | 02/03/2009

Stats: 11 disposals, 3 marks, 3 goals

A forward with plenty of smarts and tricks, Heazlewood hardly let his foot off the gas. He crumbed a goal early in the piece and added another in each of the next two terms, showcasing his ability to step into space and open up shooting chances. Heazlewood’s presence brought implied pressure inside 50 and he was often there to mop up the spills, taking a mile when given an inch. His movement allows him to be first to the ball and get creative from there.

#3 Jake Beams
Forward | 178cm | 22/12/2009

Stats: 13 disposals, 7 tackles, 4 goals

Beams capped off his side’s monumental victory with a classy snap goal before the final siren – his fourth overall. He had previously converted a pair of free kicks to get going in the first half, one being a nice strike from 50 metres, but caught the eye most with his agile movement through traffic. Beams’ tackling ability helped deliver the cherry on top – his four goals – to go with those flashy moments. Only prolific teammate Benji Russell laid as many tackles.

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

Stats: 23 disposals, 4 marks, 3 inside 50s

Whitney was once again among Tasmania’s most prolific players in his customary wing role. For a player so effective on the outside, he proved capable of breaking out of tackles with moments of power, while his ball use was typically outstanding – especially by foot. Whitney’s ability to combine with teammates was evident as he drove the ball forward with 17 uncontested possessions.

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

Stats: 27 disposals, 10 clearances, 12 inside 50s, 3 goals

It was utter domination from Gulliver once again, as he posted a rare footballing triple-double. The powerhouse midfielder made winning clearances look like shelling peas, as he frequently got first hands on the ball and pumped it clear with long, penetrative kicks. Gulliver shook off a heavy tackle late in term one to continue his explosive feats, proving prolific around the ground and clinical in front of goal. He slotted three majors, with two being from decent range on the run, to compound his impact from midfield and show how damaging he can be on the outside, too.

#6 Benji Russell
Midfielder | 176cm | 19/03/2009

Stats: 23 disposals, 7 tackles, 9 inside 50s

Russell returned a balanced performance, getting stuck in at the contest while also leaning on his running game to help link inside forward 50. While still relatively small and lightly framed, he applied hard tackles and was clean at ground level, taking the ball on the move. Russell’s work rate on the spread saw him rack up nine inside 50s, possessing the ball in dangerous launch zones and showing nice spring to take marks in those positions. He didn’t hit the scoreboard himself, but helped Tasmania raffle off plenty of opportunities throughout the comprehensive victory.

#7 Henry Chapman
Ruck/Forward | 190cm | 14/07/2008

Stats: 20 disposals, 23 hitouts, 5 inside 50s, 1 goal

A player who has already broken into Tasmania’s Coates Talent League side for three games, Chapman enters this carnival as an over-ager. He played slightly undersized as the primary ruck and won the hitout count credit to his strong leap. The 17-year-old, who was playing on his birthday, got more creative with his taps as the game wore on and proved capable with ball in hand, moving quite well for his size. He also chased up a soccer goal in term three to further showcase his dexterity.

#10 Chaice Oliver
Forward | 187cm | 07/07/2009

Stats: 13 disposals, 10 marks, 7 goals

Oliver snapped up everything that came his way inside 50 en route to seven goals – a new record for the Tasmanian Under 16 representative team. He well and truly got going with three goals in the second term, growing with each passing mark – seven of which were contested – and generally converting reliably. Oliver added to his goal tally in every quarter and truly took advantage of his side’s possession dominance to beat all-comers within 30 metres of the big sticks.

#12 Sam Husband
Midfielder/Forward | 180cm | 17/09/2009

Stats: 21 disposals, 4 inside 50s, 2 goals

Husband played with an air of authority and some of his play reflected Tasmania’s sheer dominance. By the end of the game, he was adding to his side’s goal procession with effortless bursts into space, fend-offs, and baulks en route to scoring. Earlier, Husband showcased his ability to accumulate possessions between the arcs, helping Tassie move from end-to-end with hard running and punchy kicking. He is playing his second Under 16 carnival having been selected last year.

#20 Max Dawkins
Midfielder | 171cm | 05/05/2009

Stats: 20 disposals, 9 marks, 6 inside 50s

Another of Tasmania’s productive midfielders, Dawkins was typically industrious through midfield. While quite tough and compact at 171cm, Dawkins proved to be a power runner with his 15 uncontested possessions, driving the ball forward relentlessly. While quite scrappy at times, he pumped the ball long and went by foot with 15 of his 20 touches as a metres-gained type of player.

#26 Harrison Millwood
Defender | 177cm | 26/02/2009

Stats: 9 disposals, 2 marks, 3 rebound 50s

Leading an unheralded third of Tasmania’s team, Millwood was rock solid in defence. The ball didn’t come his way all that often, but along with the likes of Billy Banks Smith, he helped restrict Gold Coast to just two scoring shots for the game. Whether stationed across a high line or one-out inside defensive 50, Millwood split or won his one-on-one battles before shifting tact to move the ball forward. He mopped up plenty of spills to help keep his side in attack mode.