A DOMINANT first half from Brisbane Lions Academy set the side up for a commanding 44-point AFLW Under 16s Championships win over the Sydney Swans Academy in the first of a triple-header at Blacktown yesterday. Booting the first eight goals of the game before the Swans kicked a couple late, the Lions looked full of run during the 8.10 (58) to 2.2 (14) victory.

The scary thing for any opponents watching on was the fact that the Swans Academy did not look like the scoreline might have suggested, providing some nice run and carry and attempting to transition the ball once it got to the outside. But the Lions took control around the clearances, dominating them 31-18, which lead to a lob-sided inside 50 count of 53-25. Had it not been for the Swans defence, the scorelines certainly would have looked worse.

The Lions had a really well-balanced team across the board with Kya Wills-Rawlings and Summer Carriage leading the way, while Sienna McCormack and Scarlett Kelly each kicked a couple of goals. Sydney Swans’ defensive pair of Quin Neyland – sister of recently drafted Alex – and Nikki Tooth – who racked up 21 disposals before getting injured in the third term – were outstanding and among the best for the Swans.

SWANS ACADEMY 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 2.2 (14)
LIONS ACADEMY 4.3 | 6.7 | 8.9 | 8.10 (58)

GOALS:
Swans Academy: L. Davidson, E. Hollingsworth
Lions Academy: S. McCormack 2, S. Kelly 2, S. Carriage, L. Hall, C. Smith, L. Robinson

RMC BEST:
Swans Academy: Q. Neyland, N. Tooth, L. Davidson, E. Hollingsworth, M. Vella
Lions Academy: K. Wills-Rawlings, S. Carriage, S. McCormack, L. Hall, K. French

SWANS ACADEMY:

#11 Lily Davidson (Killarney Vale Bombers)
Midfielder/Wing | 172cm | 11/05/2010

Stats: 25 disposals, 2 marks, 3 tackles, 2 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 1 goal

Davidson was a prime mover in the Swans team, winning the ball both inside and outside, with an eye-catching burst that helped her break lines. She was quick from hand to foot, and her third term in particular saw the 172cm talent find a stack of the ball. Quite often, Davidson would win it behind the play, burst away, kick clear then follow up to try and win another touch. While her kicking under pressure was a little wobbly, she showed her class in the last with a terrific finish on the run from 40m.

#14 Emily Hollingsworth (Miranda Bombers)
Midfielder/Forward | 164cm | 04/11/2010

Stats: 23 disposals, 1 mark, 2 tackles, 6 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 1 goal, 1 behind

Having impressed as a bottom-ager at this carnival 12 months earlier, it was no surprise to see Hollingsworth in the thick of it again. She is a prominent midfielder who can also push forward and be an option, usually able to burst away to get out of trouble. Capable of turning her body quickly to remain balanced, Hollingworth kicked the Swans’ first goal in the opening two minutes of the fourth quarter from the top of 50 off a handball receive before going back to the centre bounce and won the next clearance as well.

#24 Quin Neyland (Cardiff Hawks)
Defender/Midfielder | 175cm | 24/06/2011

Stats: 21 disposals, 3 marks, 4 tackles, 3 clearances, 8 rebound 50s

The younger sister of Alex looks set to provide a whole new highlight reel of her own, and looks more advanced at the same age. She was sensational, and arguably the Swans best across four quarters. Spending the bulk of her time in defence before moving on-ball for the last quarter, Neyland boasts similar elite athletic traits to her sister, with a great sidestep, burst and leap. She is only a bottom-ager which means she is not eligible until the 2029 AFLW Draft. Watch out, she’s going to be something special.

#30 Nikki Tooth (St Ives Saints)
Defender/Midfielder | 172cm | 22/01/2010

Stats: 21 disposals, 3 marks, 1 tackle, 3 clearances, 3 rebound 50s

Alongside Neyland, Tooth was just as impactful out of defence early, then moved on-ball to provide a bigger body around the stoppages Unfortunately she only got a little taste for that, injured early in the third term after thumping a kick down the middle after contact. Considering time on ground, her impact was profound and she was easily heading for a high-volume production display with strength overhead and at ground level, reading the play perfectly.

LIONS ACADEMY:

#1 Sienna McCormack (Sandgate)
Forward | 154cm | 10/01/2010

Stats: 20 disposals, 5 marks, 1 tackle, 3 inside 50s, 2 goals

A lively player in the front half who just knows where the big sticks are and when to lead. She kicked two majors in the contest with a set shot from 20m coming after reading the play perfectly to mark with outstanding timing, then nailed a flying shot on goal from range. At times McCormack would work up the ground and showed some short, sharp, bullet passes in transition, while also being able to get out of traffic slickly with quick hands and a deadly sidestep.

#5 Kya Wills-Rawlings (Maroochydore)
Wing/Midfielder | 164cm | 04/01/2010

Stats: 27 disposals, 5 marks, 8 tackles, 4 clearances, 7 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50s

Brisbane Lions Academy players at preseason talked up the impact Wills-Rawlings might have this year with her ability to cover the ground and influence with ball in hand. She showed that early with a pinpoint pass inside 50 and being able to hold her ground up the field to intercept mark as well. When in defence, she showed a willingness to take the game on, sidestepping an opponent at half-back in the third term, while also switching play in the defensive 50 too.

#7 Lucca Hall (Wilston Grange)
Midfielder/Forward | 165cm | 22/03/2010

Stats: 19 disposals, 1 mark, 6 tackles, 5 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 1 goal, 3 behinds

Looked like kicking a bag on the day, and while Hall only finished with the one major – from a clever snap on goal – she constantly put pressure on the opposition defence. Hall does not mind taking a snap around her body, but as well as being a smart forward, Hall predominantly played midfield where she was able to apply pressure at the coalface and when in the front half. Finished with a well-rounded game.

#13 Summer Carriage (Aspley)
Forward | 167cm | 01/10/2010

Stats: 24 disposals, 5 marks, 5 tackles, 2 clearances, 7 inside 50s, 1 goal, 1 behind

Cemented herself as one to watch for a couple of years after an impressive first-up display coming off some strong testing results in February. Carriage has a terrific burst to get free of any opponent, soccering home a goal being in the right place at the right time during the first term. She might not have added to that tally, but her pressure on the ball carrier and ability to get up the ground in a high half-forward type role was very good. Helped with transition going inside 50 immensely.

#16 Libby Robinson (Sherwood)
Midfielder/Forward | 170cm | 27/09/2010

Stats: 14 disposals, 1 mark, 10 tackles, 2 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 1 goal, 1 behind

Robinson was one who caught the eye as a player who started in the midfield then went forward, producing a brilliant passage on goal when she shaked and baked after winning the ball inside 50 and slammed home a major. The old saying ‘could win the ball in a phonebox’ applies to Robinson, because there were many times where she looked surrounded and then somehow just stepped between opponents and doubled back to find the only exit. Natural footy IQ that cannot be taught.

#18 Kischandra French (Sandgate)
Midfielder/Forward | 164cm | 05/08/2010

Stats: 13 disposals, 1 mark, 5 tackles, 7 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

Another player who really stood out with her impact per possession, French won a stack of clearances, but also just popped up in the front half where she was able to use her penetrating kick to advantage. When she got onto it, her booming boot really put pressure on the Swans’ defence, and her vision to combine with that kick was fantastic. She looks a player with further development over the next two years.