A THIRD-QUARTER blitz has seen the Brisbane Lions Academy finish the Under 16 Championships with a positive record after defeating Tasmania by 14 points in Southport on Thursday. After heading into the main break all-square, the Lions piled on 5.7 to nil at the scoring end to set up an unassailable lead.

Tasmania had its chance to utilise the wind-advantaged end in term four and put up a good fight, but ultimately fell short. Tall forward Jude Bannister spearheaded the Lions’ assault with four majors, while Tasmanian Harvey Alomes kept his side competitive with three majors.

Defender Darcy Pearson was named Brisbane’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) after another solid outing, while running defender Jordan Stevenson took out the same honour for Tasmanian, who finished 1-2. We took note of the top prospects and performers from either side.

LIONS ACADEMY 4.0 | 5.3 | 10.10 | 11.10 (76)
TASMANIA 4.1 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 9.8 (62)

GOALS:
Lions Academy: J. Bannister 4, K. Airdrie 2, S. Kernick 2, M. Bush, T. Hutchinson, B. Landers
Tasmania: H. Alomes 3, A. Dunham 2, J. Berwick, B. Chisholm, L. Latter, P. Williams

BEST:
Lions Academy: J. Bannister, F. Dunstan, J. Mwaredaga, M. Bush, S. Kernick, B. Landers
Tasmania: J. Stevenson, B. Atkin, L. Latter, H. Alomes, B. Banks-Smith, D. Wright

MVPs:
Lions Academy: Darcy Pearson
Tasmania: Jordan Stevenson

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LIONS ACADEMY:

#1 Samuel Kernick
Small Forward/Midfielder | 163cm | 12/06/2011

Stats: 15 disposals, 3 clearances, 2 goals

Likely buoyed by vocal support in the crowd, Kernick put in another productive shift up forward. The diminutive bottom-ager swooped on every loose ball in his area, showing great touch and skill combined with his evasive technique. Kernick bagged two goals on the end of his spurts of speed, while also looking crafty and creative when rotating through the middle.

#3 Craig Kellerman
Midfielder/Forward | 172cm | 30/07/2010

Stats: 12 disposals, 4 marks, 4 tackles

It wasn’t necessarily a stat-stuffing performance from Kellerman, but he tended to pick up the ball in dangerous areas. The midfielder went hard when his number was called but was also able to find space around the ground, particularly across half-forward. He delivered the ball in a measured manner, opting to go by hand with nine of his 12 disposals.

#10 Joel Mwaredaga
Midfielder | 178cm | 03/12/2009

Stats: 20 disposals, 5 clearances, 7 inside 50s

Mwaredaga was on track for a best on ground performance in the first half, collecting 14 disposals and hardly fumbling around the contest. He prised 15 contested possessions throughout the day, showing solid core strength to absorb pressure and either drive his legs out, or dish off to teammates. The over-ager’s poise was clear to see, although he can perhaps further enhance his ability to do damage by foot.

#13 Tyler Hutchinson
Midfielder | 181cm | 27/04/2010

Stats: 13 disposals, 4 tackles, 1 goal

Hutchinson’s power and competitiveness were just what the Lions needed to set themselves apart after half time. He was up for the contest from go to woah, laying strong tackles and showing comfort in the heat of stoppage battles. Much of his play revolved around feeding the ball out from packs or breaking them open through force, though he also snapped home a classy goal in the first quarter.

#17 Finn Dunstan
Midfielder | 183cm | 08/05/2010

Stats: 18 disposals, 5 clearances, 5 inside 50s

Along with Hutchinson, Dunstan’s ability to burst out of stoppages helped put Brisbane on the front foot. All five of his clearances came out of the centre ball-ups, with the midfielder riding bumps and brushing off tackles before blasting the ball forward. The urgency he showed in propelling his side inside 50 made him the ideal launchpad for a dominant third quarter run.

#18 Darcy Coleman
Defender | 183cm | 25/07/2010

Stats: 14 disposals, 2 clearances, 3 inside 50s

Despite Brisbane owning plenty of forward half territory, Coleman did his best to remain productive with his aggressive positioning and overlap run. He latched onto 10 handball receives, many of them being through the corridor, in an attempt to put speed on the ball as he drove it forward. His timing was matched by sound distributive skills on the fly, helping launch the ball deep into attack.

#19 Max Bush
Forward | 184cm | 22/09/2010

Stats: 20 disposals, 7 marks, 1 goal

Having spent time at the opposite end of the ground during this carnival, Bush switched up his role to feature up forward. He was busy from the outset, showcasing his running power to work up the ground at rack up marks between the arcs. Amassing 16 uncontested possessions, Bush consistently found space and offered an easy outlet for his teammates to kick to. Despite that play style, he also held firm in one-on-one duels and was prepared to apply heavy pressure.

#26 Benjamin Landers
Ruck/Forward | 190cm | 19/03/2010

Stats: 13 disposals, 23 hitouts, 1 goal

Engaged in an even ruck battle against his opposite number, Landers had his moments to shine. He started brightly with a strong mark at full stretch and set shot conversion in the opening term, going on to show the same aerial nous with his leaps in the ruck. Landers’ ability to extend at the ball overhead served him well as he looked to impact around the ground, also showing good composure when moving the ball in open play.

#30 Jude Bannister
Tall Forward | 191cm | 24/04/2009

Stats: 13 disposals, 6 marks, 4 goals

Bannister was the most dominant tall forward afield, playing with healthy aggression. He got things going with a huge long-range roost for his opening goal, continuing to gain confidence by throwing his weight around and applying pressure inside 50. His attack on the contest also translated to the aerial realm, where Bannister was able to get free on the lead or quickly read long entries. Two more of his goals came as he spearheaded the Lions’ third quarter onslaught.

TASMANIA:

#1 Lennox Hazell
Midfielder/Forward | 30/01/2010

Stats: 14 disposals, 6 tackles, 2 clearances

Having once again lined up in Tasmania’s starting midfield group, Hazell also got the opportunity to show his wares as a small forward with plenty of time spent inside 50. His initial moments consisted of stoppage breakaways, with the diminutive prospect able to accelerate into space and take ground. He also stuck his tackles well and went on to become a genuine factor close to goal, using his evasiveness and creativity to craft scoring opportunities, albeit ending up with 0.2.

#3 Prince Williams
Small Forward/Wing | 18/03/2011

Stats: 10 disposals, 4 inside 50s, 1 goal

It was a game of moments for Williams, who at his best looked incredibly potent. The speedy small worked high up the ground where he could use his pace to hurt Brisbane on the way back to goal. His highlight for the day was a weaving foray through the corridor, taking a bounce and hitting a target inside 50 before running on to get the ball back and slot his only goal. Williams’ spring and lateral movement always catch the eye, even if he can be a little hit-or-miss with his end product. The bottom-ager will have another chance to impress at this level, next year.

#7 Luca Latter
Forward/Midfielder | 28/06/2010

Stats: 20 disposals, 8 tackles, 1 goal

Latter kickstarted his side with their opening goal and helped set a strong tone in both his roles throughout the day. A big-bodied prospect, he won 13 contested possessions and was able to absorb pressure in the thick of the action, bringing his teammates into play. Latter was also a strong marking target around the ground and even chopped out as an undersized ruck at times. His clean hands and ability to open up packs made him a valuable figure as speedsters zoomed around him.

#11 Jordan Stevenson
Defender | 02/05/2010

Stats: 24 disposals, 6 tackles, 6 rebound 50s

Stevenson rounded out a terrific carnival in typically productive fashion, setting up plenty of play off half-back. He sparked his side’s ball movement with pinpoint short kicking, speed, and the ability to double up on his possessions. Stevenson picked up 10 handball receives as he advanced the play forward with his patented power and drive. Pleasingly, he was also willing to compete defensively, mopping up loose balls, competing one-on-one and tackling hard. A fitting MVP.

#12 Billy Banks-Smith
Defender/Midfielder | 28/03/2010

Stats: 17 disposals, 8 tackles, 8 clearances

With his side trailing by 37 points heading into the final break, Banks-Smith was thrown into midfield to see if he could conjure some magic. That he did, willing himself to 12 touches in the fourth term including a slew of clearances. Of Banks-Smith’s 17 disposals, 14 came in a contest as he used his strong frame to stay steady over the ground ball and propel it forward. His tackling was also a feature, running out his final game as captain strongly after a relatively quiet start down back.

#13 Jacob Wass
Forward | 13/02/2010

Stats: 9 disposals, 2 tackles, 1 inside 50

While his stats are relatively modest, Wass produced moments of spark and excitement. He was a valuable connection piece up the field, using his pace to break free out the back and get moving towards goal. His weaving runs and defensive pressure worked to put Brisbane on the back foot, while his class and creativity gave Tasmania a fighting chance of producing scoring chains.

#15 Fletcher Murray
Forward | 04/06/2010

Stats: 9 disposals, 4 marks, 4 tackles

Another high forward who impacted in eye-catching spurts, Murray’s work rate and role meant most of his impact was made between the arcs. He got on his bike to provide connection up the field, utilising clever leading lanes as he ventured all the way into the defensive half. Murray’s slick side-steps and foot skills were the class to compliment his willingness to lay hard tackles.

#20 Ben Atkin
Defender | 17/06/2010

Stats: 19 disposals, 2 marks, 10 rebound 50s

Teaming up with Stevenson in several transitional passages, Atkin was among Tasmania’s most prominent rebounders. He had little trouble accumulating possessions and helped bring the play forward, driving his legs and unleashing on his raking left foot. Atkin’s dash and combination play caught the eye as his side look for ways to either benefit from, or escape the scoring end.

#26 Dexter Wright
Ruck | 29/04/2010

Stats: 12 disposals, 32 hitouts, 3 clearances

Wright flexed his muscle in the ruck, showcasing a strong leap and handy craft to win a high of 32 hitouts. 13 of them came at the centre ball-ups, where Wright extended nicely to get first hand on the ball. Wright had the opportunity to impact with his clean handling around the packs and clunked an intercept mark up at half-forward in the final term, helping continue his side’s surge.

#27 Harvey Alomes
Tall Forward | 22/04/2010

Stats: 8 disposals, 4 marks, 3 goals

Alomes once again provided a reliable focal point inside attacking 50, proving very difficult to beat in marking contests. He was dangerous close to goal, able to sneak free out the back, stand his base and wrestle, or get out on the lead. His finishing was also quite clinical to boot, slotting three majors from his four marks within the attacking arc.