IN THE Northern Territory Academy’s fourth and final Talent League appearance for the year, they were thoroughly outplayed by the streaking Western Jets, who followed up their two recent dominant victories with another impressive showing. Jets captain Lachlan Hicks continued his imperious form with another best on ground showing.

NT ACADEMY 1.1 | 4.2 | 4.2 | 8.6 (54)
WESTERN JETS 5.3 | 9.6 | 16.10 | 19.12 (126)

GOALS:
NT Academy: J. Clyne 2, F. Tipungwuti 2, B. Barnard, I. Thomson, T. Murray, S. Smiler
Western Jets: L. Hicks 4, K. El Souki 4, K. Williams 3, G. Barker 2, C. Millar 2, K. Hawli, H. Gardner-Solomon, M. Dullard, M. Buck

BEST:
NT Academy: N. Lampton, B. Barnard, Joel Munnich, G. Trigwell
Western Jets: L. Hicks, K. Williams, K. El Souki, G. Barker, A. Tippett, J. Djatschenko

NORTHERN TERRITORY ACADEMY:

#6 Sonny Smiler (Wanderers)
Midfielder/Forward | 176cm | 20/10/2008

Stats: 11 disposals, 5 tackles, 1 goal

The dynamic draft prospect dazzled early on with a couple of moments of brilliance. There was an early stoppage victory where he fended off an in-pursuit opponent and swiftly handed off the ball to a surging teammate. He then, with ease, launched a ball from the forward arc that sailed through the centre of the goals. Throughout the afternoon, Smiler seemed to occupy several positions on the ground, depending on where he could cause the most damage. 

#7 Nathaniel Lampton (Pioneer/Palmerston)
Defender/Midfielder | 177cm | 04/11/2008

Stats: 25 disposals, 4 marks, 5 rebound 50s

Lampton finished the game as the NT’s most prolific disposal gatherer and meters gained player. He was entrusted with kicking out where he distributed the ball ably from deep in defence. Spectators were treated to glimpses of his exhilarating leg speed. He later went into the middle to make use of his clean ball skills.

#9 Ben Barnard (Southern Districts/Sturt)
Defender | 182cm | 26/03/2008

Stats: 22 disposals, 5 marks, 6 rebound 50s, 1 goal

Barnard was often thoughtful about his ball use out of defence, and was subsequently another player given the responsibility of taking kick-outs. He demonstrated urgency under pressure and composure when given time. He kicked another of NT’s long-range goals in the second quarter on his skimming right boot. 

#13 Jordan Clyne (Palmerston)
Midfielder/Defender | 187cm | 11/01/2007

Stats: 18 disposals, 3 marks, 3 tackles, 2 goals

The over-ager was clearly one of NT Academy’s more mature bodies out there and was a helpful presence around the ground to a team who required a bit of braun at the contest. Clyne hit the scoreboard late with two final-quarter goals, including one snapped on his non-dominant foot from a half-chance opportunity. 

WESTERN JETS:

#2 Khaled El Souki (Western Bulldogs NGA)
Small Forward/Midfielder | 175cm | 04/07/2008

Stats: 9 disposals, 4 marks, 4 goals

The promising small forward could have ended the day with a bag after being gifted multiple scoring opportunities, including a 50m penalty that took him to the goalsquare. El Souki scored another goal from a free kick after being taken around the neck, but was just off on a couple of other occasions. Otherwise, he was decent on the lead, able to establish a safe distance from his trailing opponent to comfortably take the ball on the chest. 

#9 Lachlan Hicks
Midfielder/Forward | 183cm | 19/01/2008

Stats: 33 disposals, 10 marks, 7 clearances, 4 goals

Hicks was typically tidy at stoppages and utilised his quick hands to great effect all day. The resilient on-baller pretty much ran around uninhibited and the opposition could barely lay a glove on him. At times, he was able to sneak forward and take marks inside 50, resulting in numerous set shots. Like a few of his other teammates, he could have finished with a bag if he were a bit more efficient. 

#10 Griffin Barker
Midfielder | 186cm | 13/08/2009

Stats: 21 disposals, 5 marks, 7 inside 50s, 2 goals

The standout bottom-ager on the ground. Barker was off to a promising start when he drilled the first goal of the game from 50 meters out. He exhibited power through congestion with the occasional fend off, but otherwise relied on his dash to gain meterage and was hard to catch when he wasn’t confronted with frontal pressure.

#21 Kobe Williams (Hawthorn F/S & Bulldogs NGA)
Midfielder/Forward | 185cm | 30/10/2007

Stats: 29 disposals, 13 marks, 6 inside 50s, 3 goals

The big-bodied midfielder found most of his possessions in dangerous positions. Williams was consistently at half-forward and proved a solid forward target when playing closer to goal. He reliably found targets inside 50 and was quite unselfish, giving off multiple straightforward scoring chances. And, importantly, made the most of his chances in front of goal when he did decide to have a ping.