IT was not a great weekend for the Queensland AFL and Under 18 sides with four losses between the Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast Suns. There were a number of standouts from the teams however who still performed despite the results.

Under 18 Academy Series Week One – Brisbane Lions vs. Sydney Swans

THE UNDER 18 Academy Series kicked off at Blacktown International Sports Park on Saturday, which included the Brisbane Lions Academy taking on the Sydney Swans Academy. The Swans were too strong and led from start to finish in the second game of the National Under 18 Academy Series. The Swans ran out 49-point winners over the Lions, in front of a sea of AFL club recruiters.

Possible top 10 and Sydney Swans father-son pick Nick Blakey booted five goals, and was the star of the show for the Swans. The 195cm forward was too good for his Lions opponent, also finishing the day with 19 disposals and seven marks. Brisbane Lions fans would be hoping that Blakey decides to join the Lions as a father-son selection in the draft later this year.

Cooparoo junior Darcy Marsh was impressive for the Lions with two goals from his 23 disposals in a midfielder masterclass. Hard Lions midfielder Caleb Franks battled well, amassing 19 disposals and a goal while Toara Marango proved a pillar down back.

Meanwhile in the earlier game, Tasmania booted eight goals to one in the second quarter, to move to an uncatchable lead over the Gold Coast Suns Academy side, eventually running out 45-points winners. 

Tall defender Caleb Graham showed some good signs overhead, claiming five marks for the game – repelling multiple Mariners attacks from defensive 50.  Midfielder Bailey Scott used his speed through the midfield, gathering 23 disposals, five clearances and a goal. Scott is eligible to be drafted by three clubs (as well as having the option of entering the open draft), as the son of former Cat (132 games) and Kangaroos (111 games) player Robert Scott is eligible for father-son both clubs, as well as being part of the Gold Coast Suns academy. Tall defender Dirk Koenen (194cm) was the Suns’ best player for the contest, taking eight marks for the match.

The Brisbane Lions play the Gold Coast Suns Academy next Sunday at the Southpine Sports Complex.  

Full-Time Scores:

Sydney Swans 16.6 (102) defeated Brisbane Lions 8.5 (53)                 

Goals:

Sydney: Blakey 5, Kilpatrick 3, McKellar, Reinhard, Barkley, Barling, Stern, Carroll, Wicks, Parker
Brisbane: Marsh 2, Reville, Franks, McFadyen, Stackelberg, Jeffrey, Ansell

Best:

Sydney: Cameron, Blakey, McKeller, Kilpatrick, Reinhard, Rayner, Parker
Brisbane: Marango, Marsh, Griffiths, Franks, Stackelberg

Tasmania 15.9 (99) defeated Gold Coast Suns 8.6 (54)                 

Goals:
Tasmania: Jones 4, Rubock 3, Mundy 3, Dakin 2, Banks-Smith 2, O’Neill
Gold Coast: Smith 2, Burke, Conroy, Graham, Greenwool, Lowah, Scott

BEST
Tasmania: Auckland, Turner, Jones, House, McGuinness, Gadomski 
Gold Coast: Koenen, Smith, McDonald, Scott, Graham

AFL Round Four – Lions and Suns smashed ahead of Q-Clash

It was a disappointing round for Queensland AFL supporters as the Lions and Suns were both comprehensively beaten over the weekend. The Lions had a horror 93-point loss to a rampant Richmond at the MCG on Saturday afternoon where they just managed two goals in the game. The Suns were not much better losing by 80 points to the West Coast Eagles in Perth where they made 71 clangers around the ground.

These underwhelming performances may prove to be a poor endorsement for the 15th instalment of the Q-Clash to be held at the Gabba next Sunday afternoon. With both sides sharing in recent poor from over the last few seasons, the hope for solid attendance at the Gabba is low. Over the last few seasons, crowds at the Gabba have been amongst the lowest in the AFL, ranking 16th in 2016 and 2017. That ranks them just above the two expansion teams, Gold Coast Suns and GWS Giants.

Both sides sit in the bottom echelon of the AFL ladder and they would have both had this Q-Clash circled on the calendar at the start of the year. Three of the last six Q-Clashes have been decided by three goals or less, with an already rich history of close encounters between the two Queensland sides.  

Broadbeach bounce back in final QAFL practice match

The Broadbeach Cats QAFL Seniors and Reserves have bounced back in their final practice games against Sandgate last Saturday at Springwood. Preliminary finalists from last season, the Broadbeach QAFL seniors were comprehensively beaten by QAFL rivals, the Mt Gravatt Vultures 118-76 when they met on April 7. The Senior and Reserves Cats QAFL squads shook off the big loss and handed the Sandgate Hawks tow thrashings of 130 points in the Reserves and 66 in the Seniors.

Broadbeach Senior coach Brett Andrews wrapped up his side’s last hit out before round one against Morningside at home. In summary, Andrews was pleased that his teams’ attitude was where it needed to be along with their new recruits impressing. Andrews also mentioned he will have some headaches when it comes to team selection with so much depth in their senior ranks.