WHILE it was assured heading into the final round of Under 18 Academy Series matches, Tasmania put an exclamation mark on a perfect series by completing their unbeaten run across the five-game tournament. Led by state and competition Most Valuable Player (MVP) Tarryn Thomas, the Mariners were simply superb, achieving a feat which will no doubt see number of their local talent making the Allies squad.

Tasmania                                            2.2       6.5       9.6       14.10 (94)
Greater Western Sydney Academy   3.4       4.5       5.9       7.10 (52)

GOALS
Tasmania: Thomas 5, Rubock 3, Dakin, McGuinness, Mundy, Jackson, O’Neill, Peppin
Greater Western Sydney Academy: Peatling 3, Delahunty 2, Corbett, Driscoll

BEST
Tasmania: Thomas, Auckland, Jackson, Anderton, Jones, Dakin
Greater Western Sydney Academy: Briggs, Richardson, Peatling, Foley, Walker, Evans

Ultimately in the game that was just going to be icing on the cake, a five-goal performance to Tarryn Thomas helped Tasmania to a seven-goal victory over GWS GIANTS Academy. The Mariners found themselves trailing by eight points at quarter time, but lifted a gear after that, booting 12 goals to four in the final three quarters to run away with the 42-point win. Along with Thomas’ five majors, small forward Blair Rubock kicked three of his own, while potential top 30 pick Chayce Jones was again good for the Mariners. Tim Auckland and Ethan Jackson were others who impressed for the winners. While for the GIANTS, Kieren Briggs was named their best, also taking out the carnival MVP Award for the GIANTS Academy. Forward James Peatling booted three goals and was named among the best in a losing side, as was Ainslie product Guy Richardson, and Murray Bushrangers talent Mathew Walker.

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Sydney Academy                    2.1       5.2       6.3       8.8 (56)
Gold Coast Academy              3.1       4.3       6.3       8.6 (54)

GOALS
Sydney Academy: Blakey 3, Reinhard, Ellem, Stern, Loone, Barling
Gold Coast Academy: Scott 2, Lowah 2, Crossley, Gore, Portelli, Graham

BEST
Sydney Academy: Wicks, Blakey, Stern, Kilpatrick
Gold Coast Academy: Scott, Greenwool, Portelli, Bowie

Sydney Swans Academy bounced back from its only loss of the carnival to record a narrow two-point victory over Gold Coast Academy. Top 10 prospect Nick Blakey was again sensational, booting three goals for the Swans and ultimately being the difference between the sides in the end as the only multiple goal kicker. But through the midfield it was Sam Wicks who was crucial in extracting the ball into space, while Josh Stern and Cooper Kilpatrick were other impressive players for the Swans. For the Suns, Bailey Scott again led the way with two majors and did all he could in a game where both sides were neck and neck throughout and exchanging leads. Others who impressed were Fitzroy Greenwool, Cooper Portelli and Timakoi Bowie.

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Northern Territory             4.1       7.2       10.3    14.5 (89)
Brisbane Academy           0.5       4.5       8.7       11.9 (75) 

GOALS
Northern Territory: M.Cumming 3, Ferreira, Mummery, Wyatt 2, Box, Brown, Jungfer, Kossack, O’Connell
Brisbane Academy: McFadyen 5, Ansell 2, Jeffrey, Wratten, Franks, Stackelberg 

BEST
Northern Territory: Jungfer, Baird, Mummery, Schwarze, Ferreira, M.Cumming
Brisbane Academy: McFadyen, Coleman, Cowan, Reville

In the final game of the Academy Series, Northern Territory Thunder recorded their first win of the competition with a 14-point victory over Brisbane Lions Academy. Dandenong Stingrays’ tall Matthew Cumming booted three goals in the win, while bottom-age prospect Ben Jungfer was named the Thunder’s best. Others who impressed were Michael Mummery (two goals) and overager Rodney Baird. For the Lions’ Academy, Connor McFadyen booted five goals in a standout performance up forward, while Tom Ansell used his strength to nail two majors. Keidean Coleman and Jack Cowan were also named among the best for the losers.