BRISBANE Lions Academy maintained its perfect record at the Under 16 National Championships after defeating the Sydney Swans Academy by 50 points at People First Stadium yesterday. The Lions kept their wayward opponents goalless until 21 minutes into term three while kicking away in the meantime.

A ruthless six unanswered goals in the second quarter helped Brisbane establish the winning margin, though Sydney won the final term 4.3 to 3.2 to help add respectability to the scoreboard. Now 2-0, the Lions move on to face Northern Territory on Thursday, while the Swans take on Gold Coast.

LIONS ACADEMY 1.3 | 7.5 | 11.6 | 14.8 (92)
SWANS ACADEMY 0.5 | 0.7 | 1.9 | 5.12 (42)

GOALS:
Lions: R. Bickerton 4, M. Boothey 2, L. Ellen 2, R. Hutchings 2, M. Holden, J. Noble, J. Rumney, W. White
Swans: C. Edwards, Z. Marsden, D. Marshall-Orr, C. McLennan, S. Mok

BEST:
Lions: R. Bickerton, J. Bridge, C. Kinnear, M. Holden, Z. Kleinschmidt, T. Benton
Swans: D. Marshall-Orr, C. McLennan, L. Macri, M. McGroder, M. Cairns, S. Mok

LIONS ACADEMY:

#9 Cash Kinnear
Wing | 184cm | 16/01/2009

Stats: 14 disposals, 12 kicks, 3 inside 50s

Kinnear was a valuable connection piece for the Lions, helping set up play from the wing with his running and kicking abilities. He also provided a chop-out on the intercept and was able to track back into the defensive half, helping to flick the switch on turnovers and transition the ball on the outside. He did much of his work by foot, kicking 12 of 14 times to compound his metres gained.

#11 Max Holden
Defender | 183cm | 24/05/2009

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

Holden was another eye-catching outside runner, breaking the lines with his carving forays from defence. He took the game on with aggressive run-and-carry, backing his speed to burn off opponents and take the game forward. While his kicking was hit-or-miss in full flight, Holden steadied to slot a set shot goal in term three and celebrated with a flip. He spent time at the centre bounces in the second half with more of the same speedy work in attacking phases.

#12 Tarkyn Benton
Midfielder | 179cm | 13/07/2008

Stats: 13 disposals, 11 tackles, 7 clearances

While others were more prolific, Benton was one of the most impactful players around the contest with his game-high 11 tackles and seven clearances. He also led the Lions for contested possessions (11) and either released his teammates with sharp handballs or dumped the ball long by foot. Benton’s gutsy defensive acts and a one-on-three contest split were among his highlights.

#13 Zavier Kleinschmidt
Midfielder | 183cm | 13/02/2009

Stats: 17 disposals, 6 marks, 8 tackles

Kleinschmidt was Brisbane’s leading ball winner for much of the day, ending with 17 disposals and showing an ability to accumulate. He also stepped in and out of traffic nicely, using his quick feet to get into positions to pick out kicks. While his end product was scrappy at times, running at 50 per cent kick efficiency, the midfielder helped put his side on the front foot all day. Kleinschmidt eventually switched to defence to allow Holden a run on-ball in the final quarter.

#20 Jackson Bridge
Defender | 187cm | 16/07/2009

Stats: 18 disposals, 6 marks, 5 rebound 50s

Bridge was again among the Lions’ best and showed his class as a dual-threat in defence. While he had a couple of early clangers, Bridge generally distributed the ball nicely and backed himself to pick off kicks others couldn’t – attacking the corridor, switching angles, and hitting leading targets. Bridge’s ability to hit passes on the move got better as the game wore on, and his intercept marking again stood up. He cut off several Sydney kicks both high up the ground and deeper in defence.

#22 Rohan Bickerton
Forward | 186cm | 06/07/2009

Stats: 11 disposals, 6 marks, 4 goals

Bickerton was the main threat in a Brisbane forwardline that wasn’t short on taller options. He booted a game-high four goals and proved difficult to contain on the lead, presenting strongly and holding his marks. Bickerton kick-started his day with two majors in the second term and made it four with another pair in the third. Whether up the field or one-out inside 50, he displayed a clean set of hands and was able to convert his chances – even from long-range – kicking 4.1.

#28 Will White
Key Forward/Ruck | 200cm | 28/02/2009

Stats: 12 disposals, 9 hitouts, 1 goal

One of Brisbane’s mobile tall threats in the front half, White showcased his aerial range in the ruck while staying engaged to follow-up in open play. He showed good smarts and dexterity to improvise his hits and movement around the contest, while also making an impact on his forward rotation. White hit up for a couple of marks on the lead, slotting a goal in the final quarter after not scoring from his chance in the second. He, Bickerton, Lachlan Ellen, and Max Boothey were difficult to stop inside 50 as dynamic tall targets.

SWANS ACADEMY:

#4 Levi Macri
Small Defender | 173cm | 18/04/2009

Stats: 23 disposals, 6 marks, 5 tackles

Macri was Sydney’s main distributor from defence, finishing with a team-high 23 disposals. He was busy from the outset, getting his running game going and slowly building confidence with his ball use by foot. Macri showed a happy knack for getting to great spots at the fall of the ball, mopping up contests and kickstarting counterattacks. He went by foot with 17 of his 23 touches, moving the ball on quickly in a high-production game. His efforts earned him a run on-ball in term four.

#10 Charlie McClennan
Midfielder | 178cm | 16/03/2009

Stats: 22 disposals, 8 clearances, 1 goal

Consistently among the most prolific players afield, McClennan looked on track for a huge day after gathering nine disposals in the opening quarter. His clever running patterns saw him drop back to become an outlet out of defence, helping dictate play in transition. McClennan complimented his hard running on the outside with eight clearances and was clean off the rucks’ taps, finding exits with his smooth movement. He also got reward via a goal from a forward 50 stoppage late on.

#16 Sebastian Mok
Wing | 178cm | 02/06/2009

Stats: 17 disposals, 7 tackles, 1 goal

Mok defies the role of wingman in some ways with his toughness and tackling, but suits it down to the ground with terrific outside run and clean overhead marking. Such traits have made him the ideal link man for Sydney, often providing an outlet out of defence and driving the ball forward. He ventured on several dashes up the line and went on to spend time inside attacking 50 later in the day, booting the final goal to cap off a well-rounded performance.

#28 Duke Marshall-Orr
Forward/Midfielder | 186cm | 03/04/2009

Stats: 21 disposals, 6 marks, 11 inside 50s

A powerful unit both up forward and in midfield, Marshall-Orr was arguably Sydney’s best in a tough loss. He met the ball at speed when presenting up the ground and applied plenty of physicality when challenged, either aerially or in ground level contests. Marshall-Orr showcased his ability to play taller as a marking target, while also proving agile in open play. He bagged a goal in the final quarter having given his all throughout the game and could be a handy pinch-hitter in midfield.

#29 Monte Cairns
Midfielder/Forward | 185cm | 03/06/2009

Stats: 20 disposals, 5 tackles, 7 clearances

Partnering with McClennan to help his side breakeven in the clearance stakes, Cairns leant on a combination of size and poise to be effective. He was clean in the clinches and produced a few smooth stoppage exits, drawing opponents and buying time in possession with each intentional step. Cairns shook off a big hit late in the first half to finish among Sydney’s best on the day.

#34 Mason McGroder
Key Defender/Ruck | 194cm | 18/09/2008

Stats: 11 disposals, 4 marks, 2 rebound 50s

After making a splash in the competition last year, the ultra athletic McGroder returned as an over-ager on Monday. He was mostly used down back, where his pure speed made for eye-catching rebound runs, and a knack for closing in with spoils on leading opponents. McGroder also reeled in some fantastic intercept marks with his leap and reach, and spent time in the ruck before limping off injured early in the fourth quarter. He’s a raw prospect, but full of upside.