WITH the National Championships underway at the Under 16 and 18 levels, there has been plenty of opportunity for Queensland youngsters to strut their stuff on the big stage. Meanwhile at the elite level, it was a disappointing weekend for the AFL sides, but the Lions AFLW side roared in their winter series opener.

Suns academy prospect stars for Allies

Potential father-son and Gold Coast academy prospect Bailey Scott played a starring role in the Allies’ Round One victory over Vic Country in the under 18 National Championships. Scott was in the conversation for best on ground grabbing 23 touches and kicking two goals. The 186cm midfielder also had five clearances and five tackles to round out a complete game.

Brisbane Lions Academy’s Connor McFadyen was very solid also collecting 19 disposals, an impressive feat for a 190cm key position player who also spent some time in the midfield.

Queensland representatives in the Allies squad have a tough matchup this Saturday when they face Vic Metro, who looked in full control against Western Australia in their first-round win. Scott particularly will have his work cut out when he goes face to face with Vic Metro’s gun midfielders Bailey Smith and Rhylee West. Tip-off is 11:00am from Southport AFC, Saturday June 16.

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Queensland U16 go down to Tassie

The NAB AFL Under 16 Championships started on Monday when the division two sides battled in Blacktown. Tasmania, Queensland, NSW-ACT and the Northern Territory will fight it out for the title over three rounds, with the division one state sides opening their championships later this month.

Queensland went down to Tasmania by 22 points. Read the full report here.

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Tough week for Suns and Lions

It was a hard pill to swallow for the Gold Coast Suns, going down by over 100 points to fellow expansion team Greater Western Sydney. Aaron Young kicked two goals to be the Suns only multiple goal scorer whilst Jarrad Harbrow was busy off half-back with 27 touches. It’s been a tough few weeks with the loss in Shanghai to Port and now two big defeats on the trot. The Suns though have only had one true home game this season and should smell a win this coming round when they face St Kilda at Metricon Saturday afternoon.

The Lions may only have themselves to blame for their loss to Essendon. The Lions were without arguably their two most influential players in Charlie Cameron and Mitch Robinson and they proved to be big losses not being out on the field for Brisbane. The Bombers ran out 84-62 victors in a game of lacklustre finishing in front of goal.

The Lions were missing Cameron’s class in front of goal all day and it was no more evident than in the last term when three consecutive misses for goal. Daniel McStay missed from 15 metres out in front which would have put the Lions right back in it after a day where he took some great marks. Essendon did enough to win by 22 in the end, with Jake Stringer kicking three for the Bombers and Zach Merrett grabbing 29 possessions. For the Lions, Daniel Rich and Alex Witherdan got 29 apiece also with Harris Andrews also a fair case for best on ground.

The Lions have the bye next week then face the Giants at the Gabba in Round 14 on a Saturday afternoon.

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Fagan pops his hammy

During the 2018 Big Freeze where coaches slid in on the Monday clash between Melbourne and Collingwood, Chris Fagan bizarrely managed to injure himself. Fagan requires surgery after scans showed he ruptured his hamstring tendon after slipping during Monday’s Big Freeze MND event at the MCG. Fagan fell awkwardly as he left the icy pool of water following his turn to take the plunge to raise money for motor neurone disease research. Fagan’s slip is another sight of bad luck for the brave Lions during this one-win season.

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Lions roar in AFLW Winter Series opener

The Brisbane Lions AFLW side opened their Winter Series with a monster 18.8 (106) to 0.0 (0) victory over the GWS Giants South side. Jess Wuetschner and Sophie Conway benefitted most up forward kicking seven majors between them. The scoreboard might not suggest it, but GWS did have numerous attacking opportunities, but the Lions’ defence was rock-solid and rebounded the ball back every time.

Next up for the Lions is a home match against GWS North in two weeks’ time at Graham Road Aspley on Saturday, June 23 from 11am.