THE LIONS Academy rounded out their Talent League stint with a fourth-consecutive win, downing reigning premiers Eastern by 32 points at Brighton Homes Arena on Sunday. After conceding a quarter time deficit, the hosts piled on nine goals to two over the next two terms to set up a comfortable victory.

With Eastern racking up uncontested possessions and looking to move quickly from end-to-end, the Lions feasted with a lift in pressure and plus-12 clearance advantage. The result sees them finish with a terrific 6-1 record, while the Ranges are currently languishing at 1-5.

We took note of the top prospects and performers from either side.

LIONS ACADEMY 1.5 | 5.9 | 10.11 | 12.15 (87)
EASTERN RANGES 2.3 | 2.6 | 4.6 | 8.7 (55)

GOALS:
Lions Academy: R. Thompson 3, T. Benton 2, B. Lillico 2, C. Murray 2, E. Duke, R. Hutchings, A. Watts
Eastern Ranges: B. Wilson 2, M. Bartlett, M. Gillan, R. Hoffman, J. Lewis, M. Reynders, B. Sruk

BEST:
Lions Academy: C. Murray, C. Hodge, R. Mackay, M. Owen, B. Lillico, C. Freiberg
Eastern Ranges: M. Krasnadamskis, J. Knapp, B. Wilson, A. Spencer, T. Krawczyk, C. Nash

LIONS ACADEMY:

#4 Benjamin Lillico
Midfielder/Forward | 176cm | 09/09/2007

Stats: 25 disposals, 5 clearances, 7 inside 50s, 2 goals

Playing with outstanding class and poise, Lillico was nothing short of clinical at his best. The over-ager used his darting short steps economically to buy time in possession, assessing his options before delivering sharp kicks inside 50. He consistently hit leading targets and drew his teammates in, conducting the play while moving. Lillico also hit the scoreboard with two majors, the second being a terrific snap where he waited for the space to open so he could cut in and shoot on his favoured left side.

#13 Matthew Owen
Midfielder | 180cm | 01/03/2008

Stats: 19 disposals, 2 tackles, 2 clearances, 5 inside 50s

Owen showcased his balanced midfield craft on Sunday. He could be seen digging in and under to prise first possession, but just as frequently spread into space to impact the next contest. While only credited with two tackles, Owen was prepared to defend with tackles and smothers in the clinches, complimenting the work rate he showed in a running sense. The top-ager also found the space to do damage by foot, most notably with a couple of composed kicks heading inside 50.

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

Stats: 24 disposals, 7 marks, 7 inside 50s, 2 goals

Murray was once again a cut above and fittingly had the final say with a goal just before full time – his second for the day. He spent the majority of his game in midfield with stints up forward, doing damage wherever he went through dangerous movement and combination play. There were several passages where Murray burst from the contest or linked up by hand to help move the ball from end-to-end. His attacking instincts were highlighted by aggressive repeat running and the willingness to force a way through congestion.

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

Stats: 24 disposals, 7 clearances, 11 inside 50s

As is becoming habit, Hodge set himself apart in the clearance stakes and led his side for contested possessions (11). The rugged midfielder laid crunching tackles and gained quick territory with his long kicks out of congestion, while also showing powerful bursts of speed when the opportunity presented. He can continue to work on his foot skills on the run, but was clean in the clinches and combative when the ball was there to be won.

#27 Archie Watts
Wing/Forward | 185cm | 30/06/2008

Stats: 20 disposals, 5 inside 50s, 1 goal

Like many left-footers, Watts posed a threat and looked stylish when opting to kick inside 50. He often cut in or wheeled around onto his favoured side, picking out inboard targets and placing the ball into their area. While not always pinpoint, his raking delivery made for plenty of deep entries. Watts’ turn of speed and ability to find possession in dangerous launch zones also made him a difficult player to contain. He booted a set shot goal in the third term from a stoppage free kick.

#33 Reece Thompson
Tall Forward | 192cm | 08/10/2007

Stats: 9 disposals, 3 marks, 3 goals

Another leftie in Brisbane’s ranks, Thompson posed a scoring threat whenever he gained possession in range of goal. Finishing with 3.2, the over-ager was aggressive and always looked for his favoured side, swinging around to shoot when space opened up. He provided a mobile leading target up the ground and came to life with back-to-back majors in term three, causing headaches as a forward-50 ruckman. He also assisted Tarkyn Benton with a terrific hit to advantage.

EASTERN RANGES:

#2 Baxter Sruk
Midfielder | 181cm | 18/07/2009

Stats: 27 disposals, 5 marks, 4 clearances, 1 goal

Sruk continues to impress after an interrupted start to his bottom-age campaign. He didn’t have his best kicking day but was near-flawless by hand, navigating tight spaces with shrewd distribution. From there, he spread hard to link up on the outside and played into the Ranges’ highly uncontested style. Sruk showcased his power with a truly ridiculous goal in the opening term, turning with just a few steps and shooting off-balance from just inside 50 to split the big sticks. He just knows where to find the footy inside and out.

#3 Jett Flower
Defender/Midfielder | 183cm | 25/05/2009

Stats: 28 disposals, 8 marks, 6 inside 50s, 5 rebound 50s

Often a fast finisher, Flower made a rampant start to proceedings with 14 disposals in the opening quarter. He was utterly relentless with his transitional running, hunting handball receives – of which he had 15 – and racking up a whopping 25 uncontested possessions. The bottom-ager constantly looked to put speed on the ball and forge a way forward, daringly launching passages through the corridor. While that method invited pressure at times, it set a great tone for the Ranges’ ball movement. Flower also spent time in midfield and was tenacious as ever in the tackle.

#7 Jordan Knapp
Midfielder | 179cm | 05/01/2008

Stats: 30 disposals, 7 marks, 4 tackles

The Ranges’ ball movement method suited Knapp and it’s little surprise to see he picked up another 30 disposals. He worked tirelessly to find space around the ground and showed class when afforded time in possession. He struggled to always find the necessary time but was clean at the coalface and flicked out creative handballs under pressure. When able to time his runs and take the ball at speed, he was another Eastern player who looked dangerous through the corridor.

#8 Archie Spencer
Midfielder/Forward | 181cm | 24/09/2008

Stats: 23 disposals, 5 marks, 4 inside 50s

Power is the name of the game for Spencer, and he showed plenty of it on Sunday. The midfielder was frequently able to exit stoppages with explosive steps and sharp lateral movement. He was another Eastern player who combined well by hand, although was less polished by foot despite putting the ball in dangerous areas. Spencer also spent time up forward and notched up a couple of direct goal assists heading deep inside 50.

#16 Harrison Chapman
Midfielder/Defender | 189cm | 06/01/2008

Stats: 30 disposals, 10 marks, 5 rebound 50s

Chapman is an unbelievably good player to watch at his best and the Ranges’ ball movement gave him every chance to shine. Operating through the middle, he helped forge plenty of eye-catching link-up play between the arcs, covering ground effortlessly and going at 100 per cent efficiency by hand. While still improving his contested game, he was capable of completing clean stoppage exits and didn’t stop there, continuing to run and stay involved in the play. He got on the end of a couple of handball chains to shoot on goal, but couldn’t convert and ended up filling his boots down back in the final term. His punchy, creative ball use was a feature during that time.

#59 Marcus Krasnadamskis
Key Defender/Ruck | 202cm | 18/06/2007

Stats: 20 disposals, 7 marks, 8 hitouts

Settling into a reasonably new role down back in recent weeks, Krasnadamskis produced arguably his best game for the year. The athletic tall looked extremely comfortable in open play, stepping around opponents and calmly distributing across the last line of defence. He also stood tall with several intercept marks and held his own in one-on-one battles, such is his competitiveness. While prone to error at times, the positives far outweighed any negatives for Krasnadamskis.