BRISBANE Lions Academy finished its Under 16 National Championships campaign undefeated after downing the Northern Territory by 46 points at Fankhauser Reserve yesterday. Needing a sizeable percentage boost to snatch the title from Tasmania, the Lions fell short but capped off a terrific series.

Signs were ominous after Brisbane’s four-goal to one opening quarter, only to be pegged back by a gallant NT outfit, who got back within two kicks during term three. Four unanswered majors in the final quarter sealed the result, as the Lions chalked up a 3-0 record for the second time in three years.

Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards were handed out for either side, with defender Jackson Bridge claiming the Lions’ top honour, while tall forward Hugo Timms got the nod for NT, who finished the carnival 0-3. The Pool B best and fairest, and combined All-Australian side will be announced next week.

NORTHERN TERRITORY 1.4 | 3.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 (41)
BRISBANE LIONS ACADEMY 4.2 | 6.5 | 9.8 | 13.9 (87)

GOALS:
Northern Territory: J. Sambo 2, D. Ah Sam, O. Campbell, G. Lawford, F. Murphy
Lions Academy: K. Bau 2, R. Bickerton 2, M. Boothey 2, R. Hutchings 2, O. Morgan 2, Z. Kleinschmidt, J. Noble, X. Salvana

BEST:
Northern Territory: I. Herold, H. Timms, G. Lawford, G. Trigwell, D. Summerville, J. Sambo
Lions Academy: J. Bridge, T. Benton, W. White, M. Boothey, O. Morgan, Z. Kleinschmidt

MVPs:
Northern Territory: Hugo Timms (Pint)
Lions Academy: Jackson Bridge (Sherwood)

#AFLU16s Pool B MVPs confirmed. Tasmania takes the title via % with the Lions Academy also finishing 3-0. ?

Tasmania – Lucas Heazlewood
Giants – Cooper French
Suns – Oliver Bennett
Swans – Monte Cairns
NT – Hugo Timms
Lions – Jackson Bridge

Pool B B&F + AA announced next week.

— Michael Alvaro (@MichaelTAlvaro) July 17, 2025

NORTHERN TERRITORY:

#8 Sonny Smiler
Wing | 176cm | 20/10/2008

Stats: 10 disposals, 5 tackles, 5 inside 50s

On a sunny day in Queensland, Smiler played with plenty of power and intent. His physicality was a pleasant surprise considering his starting position on the wing, no less at 176cm. Smiler burst forward on the outside of stoppages and balanced out those moments of flair with punishing tackles, laying a team-high five. He also showed a bit of spring aerially, with two of his three marks taken in a contest. He well and truly held his own as a threat going forward.

#16 Isaac Herold
Ruck | 200cm | 30/07/2008

Stats: 12 disposals, 4 tackles, 16 hitouts

With fellow Territorian Taj Murray taking out the Hunter Harrison Medal this year, Herold has a great visual to work towards as one of the Top End’s rare 200cm prospects. An over-ager in this category, the ruckman had some great moments in open play, acting as somewhat of a fourth midfielder as his side transitioned forward. Herold showed a clean set of hands to link with teammates and help manufacture the last kick heading inside 50, operating prominently through the corridor.

#18 Hugo Timms
Key Forward | 193cm | 17/12/2009

Stats: 10 disposals, 4 marks, 9 hitouts

A mobile marking target forward of the ball, Timms presented hard up the ground and played with great physical presence. He very nearly had a goal with the NT’s first foray forward, marking on the lead but missing his set shot. Timms’ bustling style saw him take most of his grabs outside attacking 50, providing an outlet from defence and chopping out with some ruck work in the second half. The promising tall was deservedly awarded with MVP honours post-match for three solid performances.

#20 Jaren Sambo
Forward | 181cm | 19/04/2009

Stats: 7 disposals, 3 marks, 2 goals

While others racked up the numbers, Sambo’s game was more about impact. He showed a few of his tricks early in the piece, including with consecutive fend-offs in one forward venture, and a speccy attempt inside attacking 50. Sambo’s most reliable method was his ability to lead straight up the middle, hitting the ball at speed and becoming the only NT player to kick multiple goals for the day. Both of his majors were set shot conversions, kicked in the first and third quarters.

#25 Gary Lawford
Midfielder | 172cm | 02/05/2009

Stats: 18 disposals, 4 tackles, 1 goal

Lawford was lively from the outset in midfield, spinning out of trouble and using sharp lateral movement to break to the outside. His explosive speed saw him snatch quick metres coming away from stoppages, where he prised a game-high 14 contested possessions. Lawford also brought the intensity defensively, including with a holding-the-ball tackle to boot his lone goal in the second quarter. He’s listed at the Oakleigh Chargers in Victoria, also representing the NT via WA roots.

BRISBANE LIONS ACADEMY:

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

Stats: 10 disposals, 3 marks, 3 tackles

Having spent much of the carnival stationed in defence, Holden was afforded a starting spot at the centre bounces on Thursday. While he didn’t light up the stats sheet, he showed plenty of power and speed with his 10 possessions. Holden looked to take the game on and was also an asset aerially, springing up to compete overhead. His speed and intensity were felt defensively, and he ended up making a move behind the ball after half time to aid Brisbane’s transitional play.

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

Stats: 15 disposals, 7 tackles, 7 inside 50s

Benton was solid as ever once again for the Lions, proving one of their most consistent performers. The midfielder offered strong tackle pressure and was a reliable outlet around stoppages, linking by hand to help forge a path forward. Such play saw him rack up a game-high seven inside 50s, credit to his ability to run in waves and work hard around the ground. He gets the job done each game.

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

Stats: 15 disposals, 4 clearances, 1 goal

A player who reliably put Brisbane on the front foot throughout the series, Kleinschmidt joined Benton in helping to get his side going at the source. He built into the contest with strong intensity and tackling, before finding his rhythm to prise clearances and pump the ball forward. Kleinschmidt also got on the board with a goal in the third quarter to round out another productive day.

#14 Oliver Morgan
Midfielder | 182cm | 24/08/2009

Stats: 15 disposals, 4 marks, 4 tackles, 2 goals

Morgan did a bit of everything to be one of Brisbane’s all-round midfield threats, but looked particularly classy when driving his legs on the attack. He was able to exit stoppages with a full head of steam, roving at the fall of the ball and taking ground. Morgan also did so to help the Lions move from end-to-end, combining well with teammates and rounding out his game with two goals.

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

Stats: 20 disposals, 13 marks, 2 rebound 50s

While Brisbane worked well as a unit to finish the series undefeated, there could only be one true MVP in Bridge. The defender was simply outstanding once again on Thursday, racking up 13 marks as a prolific interceptor, and running riot with 15 uncontested possessions. Bridge, whose brother Harrison is a 2025 draft prospect, also showed an innate ability to hit targets by foot on the run and picked off plenty of Northern Territory clearances. He was unstoppable in transition, running into all the right spots to support teammates and drive forward. A class above.

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

Stats: 15 disposals, 5 marks, 4 inside 50s

A mobile tall who covers the ground well, White presented as a marking option between the arcs. He found space with regularity, showing a clean pair of hands to take possession and feed Brisbane’s transitional runners. While he couldn’t quite capitalise on his several chances on goal, White earned one with a superb holding-the-ball tackle inside forward 50, highlighting his athleticism.

#29 Max Boothey
Key Forward | 198cm | 26/02/2009

Stats: 11 disposals, 7 marks, 2 goals

Boothey proved arguably the toughest matchup for NT defenders throughout the day, playing with real presence and authority inside attacking 50. He only took two contested marks among his seven overall, but also drew free kicks through his sheer size and registered two goals from five scoring shots. While it could have been a big bag with better conversion, Boothey’s strong dukes and lively celebrations would have instilled his teammates with confidence throughout the day.