AFTER a tight first half, Brisbane Lions Academy shook off the challenge of Vic Country to post a 40-point win at Aspley in their 2025 AFLW Under 16 Development Championships. Country booted the first two goals of the game, and of the second term to lead by as much as 14 points early in the latter, but the Lions kicked 11 of the last 14 goals to storm to victory, 13.8 (86) to 7.4 (46).

The Lions Academy had a couple of consistent goalkickers inside 50 with Edie Fraser and Indiana Scheffler combining for seven goals, while the midfield of Ameleia Murray and Lucy Ashcroft took control. Country star Lily Brittain was everywhere, kicking two goals and setting up a couple more, while Ella Bologna and Sage Dennis were among the busiest on the day.

LIONS ACADEMY 2.0 | 4.2 | 9.5 | 13.8 (86)
VIC COUNTRY 2.2 | 4.3 | 5.4 | 7.4 (46)

GOALS:
Lions Academy: E. Fraser 4, I. Scheffler 3, L. Ashcroft, L. Hall, A. Murray, A. Crowe, K. Bell, F. McIntosh
Vic Country: L. Brittain 2, B. Kelly, S. Dennis, C. Collins, J. Wright, E. Albones

RMC BEST:
Lions Academy: E. Fraser, A. Murray, L. Ashcroft, L. Hall, I. Scheffler
Vic Country: L. Brittain, B. Kelly, E. Bologa, S. Dennis, I. Busuttil

LIONS ACADEMY:

#1 Ameleia Murray
Maroochydore | 163cm | 13/09/2009

A really lively player whose work through traffic is what stood out. She finds space well, and though she was an inside midfielder, got to the outside and was involved in plenty of transitional plays. There was one instance late in the game where at half-back she won the ball and took multiple bounces down the wing. While her precision can tighten up, she is generally effective by hand or foot and ultra smart to find pockets of space inside 50. She did just that late in the first term when she marked all alone and converted theset shot.

#2 Lucy Ashcroft
Southport | 168cm | 17/08/2009

A natural accumulator who works hard and runs up and down the ground, Ashcroft came into the match with plenty of hype given the feats of her older brothers, though she showed she is capable of forging her own path. The eligible father-daughter prospect kicked a goal from a free kick straight in front 30m out in the first term, and set up others with quick hands and high footy IQ around the ground. Still light despite playing inside, Ashcroft moves well and is always looking to pressure the opposition with her running patterns on offence.

#9 Lucca Hall
Wilston Grange | 165cm | 22/03/2010

A bottom-ager at these championships, Hall showed some potential for the future with her ability to find space and win the ball. She won a couple of free kicks in the middle for her defensive pressure or getting to the ball first, and was able to work hard forward to take some shots on goal as well. Though ultimately she sprayed a couple of those attempts, her field kicking in general was effective and she impacted the game around the ground.

#24 Edie Fraser
Coorparoo | 166cm | 28/08/2009

A really powerful forward who has elite craft inside 50, Fraser bullocks into opposition defenders to make sure they know that every touch they earn will need to be used quickly. While defensively she shone with her bull-at-a-gate frantic acceleration, her offensive work was just as good, kicking four goals in the second half to really blow the game apart. In most cases they involved second and third efforts, or quick snaps around her body to open goalsquares. A livewire inside 50.

#28 Indiana Scheffler
Coorparoo | 181cm | 28/10/2009

Alongside her Coorparoo teammate, Scheffler provided a towering target inside 50, giving off a goal to a teammate in a better position, before kicking three majors in the second half. A traditional full-forward, she largely stayed in the forward 50 but caused headaches for the Vic Country defence because while capable of marking overhead and using her frame well, she also soccered home a goal at one stage as well.

VIC COUNTRY:

#3 Ella Bologa
Dandenong Stingrays | 162cm | 10/09/2009

Boasting a penetrating kick, the half-back provided some great dash from defence and then rotated into the midfield at times. Her release by hand is outstanding and she has a nice technique with her kicking. She did make one error when kicking out that went straight to the opposition, but in general was reliable with her work. Her vision stood out, and while her marking could improve, she is a small so tucking the ball under the arm and taking grass is what she does best.

#4 Sage Dennis
Bendigo Pioneers | 160cm | 22/08/2009

A talented small who thrives on the contested nature of footy, Dennis kicked an early goal off a handball receive, combining well with Brittain to get her side up and about. She set up Kelly for a major as well, with her movement in traffic and defensive pressure a couple of her key strengths. She does not mind to scrap hard at ground level, and has that touch of class as well which catches the eye.

#5 Lily Brittain
Dandenong Stingrays | 163cm | 26/01/2009

The standout player much like in the Vic Country trial, Brittain just has an all-round game that can inflict maximum damage on the opposition. Aside from occasionally blazing away and bombing long, Brittain is able to extract the ball from the inside to get it to teammates on the outside, and set up goalscoring opportunities. She did just that with Dennis, and then late in the match, Jayda Wright, while kicking a couple herself on the run. Knows where to run and when, and while not a big-bodied midfielder, competes so well for her size and is more than capable overhead as well with very clean hands.

#8 Brooke Kelly
Gippsland Power | 168cm | 07/08/2009

Kelly’s highlight came in the form of a ripping goal one-minute into the second term with a lovely kick off the left. She had another opportunity that just missed in the first term, and looked dangerous when drifting forward. She played on the inside and pushed hard when required, with her kicking ability and work rate among the traits that stood out on the day, despite being in a tough loss. Faded in the second half after 16 first-half disposals (finished with 20), but the game was on the opposition’s terms.