THE BRISBANE Lions Academy moved to an impressive 4-1 record after accounting for Sandringham in a 22-point win on home turf. Despite the Dragons being bolstered by St Kevin’s talent on an APS bye, the hosts kicked clear in the second half – spearheaded by five goals to bottom-age star Jackson Bridge.

Meanwhile, the Suns Academy could not add to its win tally with a trip down to Tasmania, going down by 24 points to the Devils in Launceston. Much like the Lions, Tasmania build its buffer during the third term to set up a reasonably comfortable victory. We took note of the top prospects from both games.

Tasmania Devils 11.13 (79) def. Suns Academy 8.7 (55)

By: Michael Alvaro

TASMANIA DEVILS:

#4 Charlie Bovill
Tall Defender | 193cm | 30/03/2008

Stats: 13 disposals, 4 marks, 6 rebound 50s

It was a steady and improved performance from Bovill, who settled back into a familiar role in defence. He held down the fort with plenty of strong aerial efforts, whether that be playing the percentages with a spoil or reeling in impressive intercept marks. He tended to hold his space well and was willing to follow up with recovery efforts at ground level. Bovill’s aerial power was complimented by composed work with ball in hand, mopping up across the back half and mostly distributing by foot. He backed his skills to switch the play or change angles coming out of defence.

#12 Hugh McCallum
Wing | 181cm | 10/08/2008

Stats: 20 disposals, 6 marks, 6 tackles, 1 goal

McCallum has been in exemplary form this season, and while not as prolific as previous weeks, that continued on Sunday. The hard-running wingman proved to be one of the most effective transition players afield, offering support on the overlap and taking ground with ball in hand. He made an impact during the attacking phase by sneaking forward for a goal in term two, and making use of his entry kicks to set up others. On top of McCallum’s outside work, he stuck a couple of terrific overhead marks and was willing to lay hard tackles. He’s the type who pops up everywhere.

#13 Thomas Bearman
Forward | 181cm | 19/07/2009

Stats: 8 disposals, 5 marks (3 contested), 2 goals

Playing just his second game at the level, Bearman popped up with some eye-catching moments. The bottom-ager slotted the first goal of the game and went on to soar for a few seriously strong overhead marks. He came to life in term two, nearly reeling in a speecy and later clunking a huge pack grab for his second goal. Bearman’s aerial ability defied his 181cm standing, holding his own physically and showing a bit of mongrel while working further up the field.

#19 Max Dawkins
Midfielder/Forward | 171cm | 05/05/2009

Stats: 21 disposals, 5 clearances, 7 inside 50s

Another of Tasmania’s energetic bottom-agers, Dawkins operated at high speed on Sunday. His gut-running gave impetus to the Devils’ transitional play, as Dawkins would often be seen bursting forward before launching a long kick inside 50. While scrappy at times, his intensity and ability to break into space opened up options for Tasmania. Dawkins was full of running and that also translated to defensive actions, including a gritty rundown effort in term three.

#29 Lucas Wootton
Midfielder/Forward | 180cm | 11/05/2007

Stats: 17 disposals, 8 tackles, 2 goals

While others thrived when bringing the ball to space, Wootton did his best work on the inside. He laid a game-high eight tackles and was technically sound in doing so, wrapping up opponents and pinning a limb each time. Wootton was a touch overzealous in the early stages but set a solid tone for his side. The over-ager also showed good agility and clean hands in tight spots, while making use of his time up forward to kick two goals. The second was a booming set shot to seal the game.

#34 Miller Young
Wing/Forward | 181cm | 05/08/2008

Stats: 15 disposals, 9 marks, 7 inside 50s, 2 goals

It was a high-impact performance from Young, who seemed to make something happen with every touch. The lean outside runner showed terrific speed and an ability to carry the ball into dangerous areas – either to launch a forward 50 entry or sneak into goal over the back. He often took possession on the move and was difficult to tie down, finding pockets of space as Tasmania flowed through the attacking phase. He kicked two goals and had a hand in many other chances.

SUNS ACADEMY:

#8 Leroy Kaesler
Midfielder | 177cm | 19/12/2008

Stats: 34 disposals, 7 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 1 goal

It was something of a breakout performance from Kaeslar, who led all comers through midfield. He thrived as a first possession winner, amassing 21 contested possessions and doing much of his best work by hand – dishing out 24 handballs. Kaeslar’s quick and clean disposal kept Tasmania’s pressure at bay and helped release teammates into space, opening up the game with several touches of polish. He also sharked the ball well on the move to spark some of the Suns’ wave running. His composed goal on the run in term three was a sign of his confidence.

#12 Archie Hill
Wing/Midfielder | 181cm | 04/03/2008

Stats: 26 disposals, 5 tackles, 4 clearances, 2 goals

Getting back into the swing of things for the Suns, Hill was his industrious self on Sunday. He started out on the wing where he worked up and down the line to provide support to teammates under pressure and offer an outlet in space. While accustomed to dropping back to aid defensive transition, Hill just as easily snuck forward to kick two set shot goals. The top-ager was switched on-ball in the second half and proved no stranger to digging in-and-under the packs, scrapping away to prise four clearances. He is more than capable of balancing his inside and outside work.

#18 Isaac Mayne
Midfielder | 185cm | 12/02/2008

Stats: 25 disposals, 5 clearances, 1 goal

Mayne has strung together a few quality performances and is becoming increasingly hard to ignore. He caught the eye with some terrific moments of agility, side-stepping opponents with ease to open up a path forward. The top-ager’s composure in those instances was matched by great balance and quick hands to release if necessary – going at 100 per cent by hand. He simply knew where the pressure was coming from and would shift angles to continue the chain of possession.

#24 Jake Callinan
Midfielder/Forward | 190cm | 18/08/2008

Stats: 21 disposals, 4 marks, 4 tackles, 2 goals

Callinan saved his best for last on Sunday, producing a quality fourth quarter after a couple of quiet patches. He showed his wares up forward with a nice mark from back position, booting his first of two goals for the term. The second was a classy finish on the run, showing plenty of finesse for a tall midfielder. Callinan was also equal parts nimble and clean at ground level, arguably doing his best work away from stoppage despite winning a decent chunk of contested possessions.

#37 Cooper Collins
Defender | 188cm | 13/11/2007

Stats: 30 disposals, 3 marks, 6 rebound 50s

Collins seldom has any issue finding the footy and that was no different in this match. He used his big frame to advantage when necessary, mopping up the spills across defensive 50 and breaking through tackles with brute force. He carried that momentum on the rebound and had a tendency to dump the ball under pressure, but was trusted with distributing the ball out of defence. Collins’ running power got him to plenty of contests and saw him get dangerous on the overlap.

TASMANIA DEVILS 1.3 | 4.9 | 9.10 | 11.13 (79)
SUNS ACADEMY 1.0 | 3.1 | 4.4 | 8.7 (55)

GOALS:
Tasmania Devils: T. Bearman 2, L. Wootton 2, M. Young 2, R. Schoenmaker 2, C. Oliver, H. McCallum, W. Redman
Suns Academy: J. Callinan 2, A. Hill 2, L. Kaesler, I. Mayne, O. Watters, J. Wenzel

BEST:
Tasmania Devils: M. Young, T. Thomas, M. Flanagan, T. Bearman, B. Russell, L. Wootton
Suns Academy: C. Collins, L. Kaesler, C. Johnson, I. Mayne, A. Hill, B. Crawford

Lions Academy 12.8 (80) def. Sandringham Dragons 8.10 (58)

By: James Bell

LIONS ACADEMY:

#16 Caylen Murray
Defender/Midfielder | 183cm | 03/01/2008

Stats: 20 disposals, 5 tackles, 5 rebound 50s

Murray played the game at his own pace and was able to affect the tempo of ball movement from half-back via efficient ball handling and kicking. He intercepted well in the air and proved formidable one-on-one. It was a typically steady game across the back half from one of the Lions’ most exciting prospects. 

#17 Ethan Duke
Forward | 180cm | 10/11/2008

Stats: 14 disposals, 5 tackles, 2 goals

No one was better in the first term. Duke was immediately damaging through forward half pressure and scoreboard impact. He kicked arguably the goal of the match in the eighth minute of the game, hemmed in on the boundary and snapping acutely. His repeat efforts inside 50 were outstanding early and led directly to scores. Duke can be credited for setting the tone in what became a comfortable Lions victory.

#19 Harrison Bridge
Defender/Wing | 182cm | 04/09/2007

Stats: 29 disposals, 5 marks, 4 tackles

Bridge supplied constant forward momentum from the back half. The over-ager was always giving or receiving on the run, bounding the ball forward with his powerful left boot and establishing avenues for forward 50 entries. Through his efforts, the Lions were able to maintain speed on the ball and attack through the middle of the ground. 

#21 Cooper Hodge (Hawthorn F/S)
Midfielder | 182cm | 26/07/2008

Stats: 32 disposals, 6 tackles, 9 clearances, 7 inside 50s

The son-of-a-gun found first possession more than any other player. Aided by his high work rate and endurance, Hodge kept fronting up to contests, hitting each one with vigour and aggression. His explosiveness out of stoppages allowed him to separate from packs and enter forward 50 with a bit of time to weigh up options.

#30 Jackson Bridge
Forward | 187cm | 16/07/2009

Stats: 12 disposals, 4 marks, 5 goals

For two weeks in a row, the younger Bridge brother has bagged five goals, cementing his bona fides as a forward. Playing as an undersized key forward, he poses a difficult proposition for defenders who have to contend with his mobility as well as his sturdiness at the contest. Bridge showcased his ability to read the ball in flight, clunking multiple grabs inside 50 in a variety of contexts. He also demonstrated his hunger at the contest when the ball spilled onto the turf, following up and ensuring retention of possession for his side. 

SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS:

#10 Gus Teixeira
Midfielder | 181cm | 29/03/2008

Stats: 25 disposals, 5 marks, 5 tackles, 2 goals

The flashy on-baller looked like the fastest player on the ground, which was particularly evident when he was presenting on the lead. At one point, Teixeira took a powerful overhead mark in front of a group of trailing players. With that in mind, he was sent forward and had an immediate impact, booting two set-shot goals. At the coalface, he took no prisoners when applying bodily pressure, and with ball in hand, he was noticeably precise by foot. 

#34 Jack Davies
Midfielder/Defender | 190cm | 05/03/2008

Stats: 20 disposals, 6 tackles, 3 clearances

Davies is a lithe midfielder who spent a majority of the game inside defensive 50 where he provided an outlet to his deepest backs. He was often seen sweeping across the defensive arc and dependably distributing loose ball to nearby targets. At stoppages, Davies was willing to get his hands dirty and, at times, exhibited a rugged physicality. 

#35 Albert MacGowan
Midfielder | 187cm | 27/07/2008

Stats: 28 disposals, 5 marks, 5 tackles

At this point, it would be more surprising if MacGowan didn’t rack up almost 30 possessions. He continued to utilise his clean hands and composure at stoppage. MacGowan did most of his best work by hand, releasing his teammates on the outside of packs. His game also featured a stint forward to capitalise on those strong hands. 

#40 Judd Lemon
Midfielder | 182cm | 13/12/2008

Stats: 15 disposals, 11 tackles, 4 inside 50s

Lemon seemed to have it out for the Lions Academy. Within the first quarter, he pulverised Duke with a tackle from behind and made Hodge pay at a centre stoppage with an equally crunching takedown. Conversely, Lemon welcomed physical pressure with ball in hand, knowing he was strong enough to shrug off and stand up in tackles. The stocky midfielder was also clean at ground level, and when given the opportunity, he took the opportunity to run and bounce.

#64 Eamonn Walker
Defender/Midfielder | 178cm | 17/08/2009

Stats: 18 disposals, 5 marks, 5 tackles, 8 rebound 50s

The small, aggressive defender was easily one of the Dragons’ best. Walker carried quite the workload in the first two quarters as the Lions entered their forward line at will. The scoreline would have been uglier if Walker hadn’t cut off inside 50s entries while aggressively attacking the ball in flight. The 16-year-old showed off some decent leg speed when exiting the back line and also demonstrated impressive poise under duress.

LIONS ACADEMY 3.3 | 5.6 | 10.7 | 12.8 (80)
SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS 1.4 | 4.8 | 5.9 | 8.10 (58)

GOALS:
Lions Academy: J. Bridge 5, R. Thompson 4, E. Duke 2, A. Watts
Sandringham Dragons: L. Browne 2, G. Teixeira 2, A. Aujard, J. Cripps, J. Robinson, O. Thomson

BEST:
Lions Academy: C. Hodge, J. Bridge, R. Thompson, C. Murray, H. Paterson, C. Freiberg
Sandringham Dragons: J. Lemon, G. Teixeira, A. Macgowan, L. Browne, M. Stewart, E. Walker