TASMANIA kicked off the 2026 AFL Under 16 National Championships with a comprehensive 65-point win over the Northern Territory in Melbourne on Monday. The King’s Birthday clash was headlined by Tasmania’s scoring power, as the victors accelerated to triple figures with 10 goals in the second half.

Among Tasmania’s nine individual goalkickers were five who bagged multiples, spearheaded by four to Billy Chisholm. Meanwhile, 2027 draft prospect Hugo Timms was the Northern Territory’s best with three majors as he backs up his MVP performance from last year.

We took note of the top prospects from either side.

NORTHERN TERRITORY 1.0 | 2.4 | 4.5 | 6.5 (41)
TASMANIA 4.1 | 7.5 | 12.6 | 17.7 (109)

GOALS:
Northern Territory: H. Timms 3, L. Howie, J. Sambo, L. Stockwell
Tasmania: B. Chisholm 4, R. Jones 3, L. Hazell 2, L. Latter 2, P. Williams 2, C. Barwick, J. Marshall, F. Murray, J. Wass

BEST:
Northern Territory: H. Timms, B. Brown, L. Howie, S. Baker, D. Mbemap, C. Vallejo
Tasmania: L. Latter, L. Hazell, C. Barwick, B. Banks-Smith, J. Wass, W. Tismar

NORTHERN TERRITORY:

#6 Sydney-Jack Baker (Southern Districts/North Adelaide)
Midfielder/Wing | 184cm | 12/05/2009

Stats: 25 disposals, 8 tackles, 4 clearances, 4 rebound 50s

Starting out on the wing, Baker was soon shifted on-ball having laid a couple of big tackles in the opening term. He showed great defensive instincts to hunt down opposition ball carriers before pinning their arms and bringing them to ground. An over-ager in this competition, Baker duly made his mark at stoppages by quickly putting boot to ball when clearing congestion. He also dropped back to support his defence and help the NT get moving in transition.

#14 Billy Brown (Southern Districts)
Key Defender | 190cm | 12/04/2010

Stats: 14 disposals, 3 marks, 3 tackles, 9 rebound 50s

Brown was immense in the NT’s defence, hardly being beaten throughout the day. He showed enormous composure in pressure situations to recover the loose ball and distribute it with minimal fuss. What’s more, he was quite efficient in doing so. Brown’s shrewd decision making and skills made him an ideal kick-in taker, while his finesse was complimented by reliable one-on-one craft. He proved to be a clean interceptor both in the air and on the ground before looking to rebound.

#16 Hugo Timms (PINT/Oakleigh Chargers)
Key Forward | 196cm | 17/12/2009

Stats: 24 disposals, 7 marks, 6 inside 50s, 3 goals

Backing up an MVP campaign last year, Timms stamped his authority in this game. The mobile key forward was just about unstoppable on the lead, presenting full-chested and extending at the ball nicely overhead. He often gained separation from his opponent and was nimble enough to recover his dropped marks, often wheeling around to launch the ball deep inside 50. Timms’ work rate extended to repeat efforts and the production of several scoring chains, ending the game with 3.1. He stuck the ball decently from set shots but was just as effective on the snap.

#24 Lane Howie (Southern Districts)
Forward | 186cm | 06/04/2011

Stats: 16 disposals, 7 marks, 1 goal

Howie was the ideal partner-in-crime for Timms, often popping up as the next marking option down the line. While listed at 186cm, he played in more of a key position role with his ability to impact aerially and lead up the ground. Howie got great elevation on a few of his overhead marks and clunked the ball cleanly before landing and looking to move on quickly. The under-ager found reward in the form of a third quarter goal, having provided a solid focal point to compliment Timms in the front half. Definitely one to watch over the next couple of Under 16 carnivals.

TASMANIA:

#1 Lennox Hazell (Longford)
Forward/Midfielder | 30/01/2010

Stats: 28 disposals, 6 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 2 goals

A powerful and compact unit, Hazell led all comers with his 28 disposals. He started up forward, venturing up the field and providing ground level presence before rotating on-ball. There, Hazell’s quick and clean hands made him an effective stoppage extractor, capable of feeding teammates on the outside. While prone to sometimes blazing away by foot, there were plenty of occasions where Hazell steadied and hit a target on the move. He helped Tasmania accelerate with two goals in the third quarter and caused headaches with his explosive lateral movement all day.

#3 Prince Williams (South Launceston)
Forward/Wing | 167cm | 18/03/2011

Stats: 17 disposals, 4 marks, 5 inside 50s, 2 goals

Sporting a regal title, Williams showed just why he earned selection as a bottom-ager. The crafty small possesses dangerous athletic traits, able to compete in the air with a spring-heeled leap or burn opponents with his sharp side-step and straight line speed. Williams pounced to snap an early goal and made it two with one late in the piece. Between those moments, he pulled off plenty of stylish passes with his tendency to kick around the corner, while also providing some dash through the corridor. Having spent most of the day as a high forward, he finished off as a wingman.

#5 Campbell Barwick (Glenorchy)
Midfielder | 182cm | 19/03/2010

Stats: 24 disposals, 6 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 1 goal

Barwick’s bursts of speed put Tasmania on the front foot all day, with the midfield mainstay providing endless energy. Not only was he effective at breaking out of stoppages, but also took ground relentlessly on the outside. Barwick was utilised best when able to receive and drive his legs on the attack, which saw him earn many opportunities to do damage heading inside 50. He handled the ball cleanly but also brought flashes of flair as he racked up touches in all parts of the ground.

#7 Luca Latter (Lauderdale)
Midfielder/Forward | 187cm | 28/06/2010

Stats: 25 disposals, 4 marks, 6 inside 50s, 2 goals

Another key man in Tasmania’s midfield rotation, Latter used his relative size to advantage. He showed an intent to fend and force his way out of congestion, which sometimes led to being caught but mostly saw him release effectively by hand. Latter played with a healthy bit of aggression and was hard to beat around the ground, allowing him to accumulate outside of the contest. From there, Latter was able to showcase his foot skills and set up plenty of play heading inside 50. He spent a good amount of time up forward in the second half and snapped a couple of classy goals.

#12 Billy Banks-Smith (North Hobart)
Defender/Midfielder | 187cm | 28/03/2010

Stats: 27 disposals, 4 marks, 5 inside 50s

Banks-Smith had absolutely no trouble finding the ball on Monday, credit largely to his positioning and reading of the play. He spent most of the day across half-back where he showed great anticipation to peel off and intercept, adopting a high line to help Tasmania maintain territory. Banks-Smith also ran hard off the line at centre ball-ups and provided plenty of dash in the attacking phase. At 187cm, his strength over the ground ball earned him a move into midfield where he continued to win possession cleanly and fought through tackles to dish it out.

#13 Jacob Wass (Kingborough)
Forward/Wing | 13/02/2010

Stats: 16 disposals, 6 marks, 1 goal

Wass played the high forward role effectively, providing plenty of connection heading inside 50. He would often lose his direct opponent when venturing up the ground and used his speed to get dangerous out the back. That same pace was also handy when attempting rundown tackles. Wass had several chances to score, finishing with 1.2, but also set up others on the end of his running passages. Like Williams, he ran out the game up on a wing having mostly played up forward.

#15 Fletcher Murray (Kingborough)
Forward | 174cm | 04/06/2010

Stats: 17 disposals, 9 marks, 1 goal

Yet another effective playmaker in Tasmania’s front half, Murray stood out with his ball use heading inside 50. He helped himself across half-forward, often marking uncontested before identifying a target and nailing it on his favoured left foot. Murray’s ball use was equal parts creative and incisive, often opening the door for scoring opportunities. He also showed nice evasion and core strength to avoid being tackled, while getting out the back for a simple goal in the third quarter.