WITH all four Round 1 games played out in Pool B of the Under 16 National Development Championships, attention will now turn to the Queensland leg of the series this month. Before the remaining fixtures, we highlight 15 players who have already impressed across the four Northern Academies, Northern Territory, and Tasmania, by revisiting their game one Scouting Notes.

>> Ones to Watch: 2025 AFL U16s – Pool A

SCOUTING NOTES:
Tasmania 16.12 (108) def. Northern Territory 6.2 (38)
Giants Academy 6.9 (45) def. by Swans Academy 10.14 (74)
Lions Academy 20.11 (131) def. Suns Academy 8.6 (54) 

FIXTURE:

Monday July 14:

Suns Academy vs. Tasmania
10:00am @ People First Stadium

Giants Academy vs. Northern Territory
12:25pm @ People First Stadium

Lions Academy vs. Swans Academy
2:50pm @ People First Stadium

Thursday July 17:

Giants Academy vs. Tasmania
9:30am @ Fankhauser Reserve

Suns Academy vs. Swans Academy
11:45am @ Fankhauser Reserve

Northern Territory vs. Lions Academy
2:00pm @ Fankhauser Reserve

ONES TO WATCH

Oliver Bennett (Suns Academy)
Midfielder | 169cm | 01/05/2009

“The Suns’ best and most prolific player afield, no one racked up more contested possessions (19) or clearances (nine) than Bennett. That was despite a minus-23 disadvantage in the latter department for the Suns, with Bennett being their sole form of resistance at times. The diminutive midfielder hunted at ground level and had a handy knack for sharking first possession off either rucks’ hands. He facilitated much of the Suns’ forward momentum with driving runs, and while he dumped the ball out by hand at times, generally handled it cleanly amid the cut and thrust of stoppage play.”

Maxwell Boothey (Lions Academy)
Forward/Ruck | 198cm | 26/02/2009

“Boothey was the most prominent marking threat afield with four of his game-high eight marks being contested. He looked most ominous inside 50, booting three goals in the second half credit to his ability to clunk the ball cleanly overhead. The left-footer could have finished with a bag if not for his four minor scores, but helped pile the pain on Gold Coast regardless. His strong frame was also a factor in the ruck, where he applied good bodywork to access the ball.”

Jackson Bridge (Lions Academy)
Defender | 187cm | 16/07/2009

“Another Bridge emerging through the Lions’ pathway, Jackson was more like a brick wall in defence. He took on the role of primary distributor and often attacked the corridor with his rangy kicks, just finding the right weight to hit a teammate. His intercept marking was another standout feature, with Bridge positioning well across a high line to help lock the ball in Brisbane’s attacking half. His play-reading ability saw him track the ball with a continuous run which was eventually rewarded to slot a classy goal on the move in term three.”

Max Dawkins (Tasmania)
Midfielder | 171cm | 05/05/2009

“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.”

Cooper French (Giants Academy)
Forward/Midfielder | 178cm | 28/03/2009

“A handy scrapper in the forward half, French also showed class close to goal but stood out most with his ball winning efforts. He hunted and produced repeat efforts at ground level, also running useful patterns on the lead to provide an option inside 50. French was most productive in the third quarter, where he had eight touches and hit the scoreboard – reading the ball better than his opponent to mark and convert out the back. Coincidentally, it was GWS’ most competitive term.”

Max Gulliver (Tasmania)
Midfielder | 178cm | 04/11/2009

“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.”

Isaac Herold (Northern Territory)
Ruck | 200cm | 30/07/2008

“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.”

Oscar King (Suns Academy)
Tall Forward/Wing | 191cm | 16/07/2009

“A Suns forward who showed promising glimpses from limited opportunities, King was a viable target and connection piece. He worked hard up the ground to be a marking option out of defence and was quite clean overhead. King’s versatility was on show as he spent time on the wing and booted two very different goals – one crumbing the forward 50 stoppage with a snap, and the other a long-range set shot. He also assisted one of Jackson Frost’s goals to cap off a strong outing.”

Gary Lawford (Northern Territory)
Midfielder | 172cm | 02/05/2009

“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.”

Boston Macri (Giants Academy)
Tall Defender | 192cm | 20/05/2009

“Macri worked alongside Franklin Murray-Wright to intercept plenty of Sydney attacks, while also getting involved in slow play to efficiently move the ball out of defence. He played the percentages in tight spots on the last line but was able to utilise his speed when recovering possession further afield, proving a little more daring in open play. He was named best afield by the Giants coaches.”

Duke Marshall-Orr (Swans Academy)
Forward | 186cm | 03/04/2009

“An athletic and versatile prospect, Marshall-Orr played somewhat above his 186cm listing as a forward before getting a run on-ball. He was courageous when flying for overhead marks and leant on his power running ability to present up the ground. Closer to goal, Marshall-Orr hit the scoreboard with 2.4 and could well have finished with a bag. His best major came after a fend and spin which was finished with a terrific checkside shot from the boundary. In midfield, he fanned a couple of clean kicks wide out of the stoppages but looked most at home in attack.”

Charles McLennan (Swans Academy)
Midfielder | 178cm | 16/03/2009

“Best on ground with an outstanding all-round effort, McLennan dominated proceedings. He showed plenty of class exiting stoppages and finding rangy kicks into space, also sneaking forward to slot a pair of goals on the run. The smooth moving midfielder tracked back to aid the Swans’ ball movement in transition and took a couple of clean intercept marks, displaying strong hands and a decent leap. McLennan’s kick-first ball use was impacted by pressure at times, though with 16 contested possessions and eight clearances he well and truly did his job. His scoreboard impact and ability to compete with 11 tackles were added bonuses for the victorious Swans.”

Oliver Morgan (Lions Academy)
Midfielder | 182cm | 24/08/2009

“Arguably best afield for the winners, Morgan was a constant and balanced threat through midfield. He often put a lot of force into his kicks and while that method wasn’t always effective, it helped drive the ball into dangerous areas. Morgan’s ability to shift gears when escaping to the outside also put him into good launch zones and he preferred to go by foot in those situations – racking up 19 kicks. That kind of approach meant Brisbane’s forwards were afforded quick and frequent looks.”

William White (Lions Academy)
Key Forward/Ruck | 200cm | 28/02/2009

“Another of the Lions’ prominent talls, White’s mobility made him a threat both in the ruck and up forward. He had some great moments following up his own tap work and looked comfortable in possession, even if a few loose disposals followed. A rangy type, White was able to feed teammates after plucking the ball out of the air and racked up five clearances with that method, including a goal assist for Cooper Stuart. White showed great dexterity to snap the first of his two third-quarter goals, before taking a sliding mark to convert his second.”

Mason Whitney (Tasmania)
Wing | 176cm | 31/08/2009

“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.”