U18 Championships 2015

[one-eyed]

The fixture for this year's Under 18 Championships has been released:



SA begins quest for three-peat in WA as 2015 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships fixture is revealed

Callum Twomey 
afl.com.au
March 9, 2015 12:10 PM

SOUTH Australia will begin its push for three successive division one titles when it opens this year's NAB AFL under-18 Championships against Western Australia in late May.

The AFL has released its fixture for this year's under-18 carnival, with division one games again spread over six rounds in a home-and-away format.

After claiming back-to-back wins in the past two seasons, the South Australians will travel to Lathlain Park in Perth to face Western Australia on May 23 in the first game of the tournament.

The division two squads – NSW/ACT, Queensland, Tasmania and the Northern Territory – will play three games in a two-week block.

Before that, though, the NAB AFL Academy will take centre stage by playing two AFL curtain-raiser games in April against VFL teams. 

Under coach Brenton Sanderson for the first time, the Academy will face Werribee on April 5 at Etihad Stadium ahead of St Kilda's round-one clash with Greater Western Sydney.

The following week the level two Academy players – eligible for this year's draft – will take on the Northern Blues. The game is likely to be played at the MCG ahead of the Richmond and Western Bulldogs contest on April 11.

As always there are varying early opinions on the strength of this year's draft pool, with the 18 games in the championships to illustrate whether it has a large group of candidates as high picks or struggles to match the depth of the last few years at the top end.

Vic Country is expected to be the team to beat the national carnival, with a several players including Darcy Tucker, Jacob Weitering, Darcy Parish, Josh Schache and Rhys Mathieson already considered strong draft prospects.   

But while Vic Metro generally accounts for at least a quarter of the draft selections, it is not likely to have the strength of previous years in 2015. 

Key forward Sam Weideman, midfielder Nick O'Kearney and half-forward Harley Balic sit among the standout players for Metro.



Division one NAB AFL Under-18 Championships fixture

Round one
WA v SA    Lathlain Park    Saturday, May 23    11am
Vic Metro v Vic Country    Simonds Stadium    Sunday, May 24    11am

Round two
SA v Vic Metro    AAMI Stadium    Saturday, May 30    10.45am
WA v Vic Country    Medibank Stadium    Sunday, May 31    12pm

Round three
SA v WA    AAMI Stadium    Saturday, June 6    12pm
Vic Country v Vic Metro    Simonds Stadium    Sunday, June 7    12pm

Round four
WA v Vic Metro    Domain Stadium    Saturday, June 13    11.20am
SA v Vic Country    AAMI Stadium    Sunday, June 14    11am

Round five
Vic Country v SA    Simonds Stadium    Friday, June 26    12.35pm
Vic Metro v WA    Simonds Stadium    Friday, June 26    2.35pm

Round six
Vic Metro v SA    Etihad Stadium    Wednesday, July 1    5.05pm
Vic Country v WA    Simonds Stadium    Thursday, July 2    1.15pm

Division two NAB AFL Under-18 Championships fixture

Round one
NSW/ACT v Tasmania    Gold Coast (venue TBC)    Saturday, June 20    10am
Queensland v NT    Gold Coast (venue TBC)    Saturday, June 20    12.30pm

Round two
Tasmania v Queensland    Simonds Stadium    Saturday, June 27    12pm
NSW/ACT v NT    Simonds Stadium    Saturday, June 27    2.10pm

Round three
NT v Tasmania    Etihad Stadium    Wednesday, July 1    3.05pm
NSW/ACT v Queensland    Simonds Stadium    Thursday, July 2    11.05am

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-03-09/2015-nab-afl-under18-championships-fixture-revealed

[Diocletian]

So which pub will FJ & Hartley be playing darts in this year?

[one-eyed]

SA's Luke Partington stars in close loss to WA in U18 Champs

Callum Twomey 
afl.com.au
May 23, 2015 5:12 PM


WESTERN AUSTRALIA   3.2  6.3   9.7   11.7  (73)
SOUTH AUSTRALIA        1.2  5.6  7.13  9.18  (72)

GOALS
Western Australia: Jones 4, Ridley 2, Waterman 2, Bennett, Powell-Pepper, Smith
South Australia: Haysman 2, Milera 2, Dew, Hewett, Francis, Partington, Quinn

BEST
Western Australia: Hackett, Bennett, Watson, Jones, Waterman, Florenca, Petrevski-Seton
South Australia: Partington, Francis, Haysman, Markov, Milera

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A STANDOUT performance from midfielder Luke Partington wasn't enough to lift South Australia to victory in the opening game of the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, with Western Australia claiming a one-point win.

Partington, a ball-winner from Norwood and member of the NAB AFL Academy, gathered 28 disposals and six clearances in an explosive display through the midfield for South Australia.

He also pushed into attack to kick a goal and sent the ball inside the forward 50 on nine occasions, but Western Australia held on to claim the 11.7 (73) to 9.18 (72) win.

The victors got off to a strong start at Lathlain Park in Perth, booting the first three goals of the game against the South Australians, who have won the past two division one titles.

In an exciting game in good conditions, South Australia steadily pegged back the deficit and when Cameron Hewett (the younger brother of the Sydney Swans' George) kicked a goal at the 23-minute mark of the last term, they were within one point.

The siren soon sounded, with the South Australians left to rue their inaccuracy in front of goal after kicking 18 behinds to Western Australia's seven.

Hard-working midfielder Tom Bennett was the most prolific for the winners, gathering 21 disposals and kicking a goal, while exciting youngster Brayden Hackett continued his lively year in finding 19 disposals and six marks.

Key forward Dylan Smith has caught the eye of recruiters at colts level in the WAFL, and again the 198cm prospect showed his athletics traits by picking up 16 disposals and eight marks.

He also booted a goal and was dangerous in attack alongside medium forward Marshall Jones, who kicked four goals.

Although ineligible for the draft until 2016, bottom-aged West Australian pair Sam Petrevski-Seton and Sam Powell-Pepper showed why they will be among the most entertaining players to watch during the national carnival.

Petrevski-Seton started well and finished with 18 disposals, while Powell-Pepper kicked an important goal in the final term.

Half-back Riley Bonner was classy in delivering the ball down the wing, collecting 24 disposals and nine rebound-50s, while Hugh Haysman kicked two goals in the second term and finished with 21 touches.

Captain Will Snelling (19 disposals) and over-ager Oleg Markov (18 disposals, six marks) were other good contributors in the defeat.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-05-23/sas-luke-partington-stars-in-close-loss-to-wa-in-under18-champs

[one-eyed]

Vic Country stuns with after-the-siren win over Vic Metro

Callum Twomey 
afl.com.au
May 24, 2015 1:45 PM


VIC METRO        3.3   5.5   8.6  10.8  (68)
VIC COUNTRY    2.2   6.5   9.7  11.7  (73)

GOALS
Vic Metro: Gresham 2, Hardwick 2, Kerbatieh, Balic, Houston, Crocker, Parsons, Silvagni
Vic Country: Ainsworth 2, Schache 2, Berry 2, Maishman, Cole, Holmes, Simpkin, Skinner

BEST
Vic Metro: Balic, Crocker, Collins, O'Kearney, Parsons, Gresham
Vic Country: Ainsworth, Weitering, Mennen, Mathieson, Rice, Schache

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WITH 30 seconds left in their first game of the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, Vic Metro led Vic Country by a point and had the ball at the top of its forward 50.

A scuffle broke out before the ball-up, distracting some Metro players and opening space on the already wide expanses of Simonds Stadium.

Country defender Christian Buykx-Smith gathered the ball and passed to Jacob Weitering, who had been pushed forward to create something out of nothing.

The highly rated Weitering smartly played on from the mark on the wing and kicked the ball to a leading Josh Schache, who knew he had to crash the pack of players.

The ball spilt to ground, clever bottom-ager Ben Ainsworth crumbed it, and squared it to teammate Jy Simpkin in the goalsquare. The siren rang, Simpkin converted his shot, and Country claimed a five-point win, 11.7 (73) to 10.8 (68).

Coach Paul Henrikson was already folding up his notepad in the box at the start of the perfect final play, resigned to losing the game everyone predicted his side to win. But he was pleased each decision made in the final perfect play was right.

"It was a bit of luck. It just fell for us, really," Henriksen said on Sunday. "We try to work on scenarios at training and it worked out."

Until that stage Vic Metro, led by exciting prospect Harley Balic, looked likely to cause an upset.

Balic was the most consistent and influential player in the contest, gathering a game-high 27 disposals through the wing and half-forward. His creativity, class and strength in close makes him a difficult match-up, and a likely first-round pick at this year's NAB AFL Draft.

The 18-year-old's long goal on the three-quarter time siren put Metro within seven points at the final break, and a snap – after breaking through a couple of tackles and baulking another – late in the final term appeared set to be the match-winner but was touched off the boot. It was Metro's final score before Simpkin's goal.

Nick O'Kearney (26 disposals), half-back Ben Crocker (24), Jade Gresham (22 and two goals), James Parsons (14 and six marks) and Ryan Clarke (20) controlled the midfield battle for Metro, while ruckman Mark Covacevic was also solid.

It was fitting three of Country's best players – Ainsworth, Weitering and Schache – contributed to the last goal.

Ainsworth is not eligible for the draft until next year but the small forward excited in the first half with his strength in the air, finishing skills and goal smarts. By the main break he had collected 10 disposals, six marks and kicked 2.2 and although he was quieter after that, he remained lively.

Weitering again highlighted his credentials as 2015's possible No.1 pick by showing poise in the back half before his switch forward, while Schache was imposing in attack and kicked two goals.

Rhys Mathieson, a midfielder who thrashes and crashes out of trouble, was also good with 19 disposals and five tackles while David Mennen also did some impressive things as an over-ager through half-back.

Vic Country will travel to face Western Australia next Sunday in Perth, while Vic Metro will play South Australia at AAMI Stadium on Saturday in round two of the championships.

With a stack of this year's most talented draft prospects lining up for Vic Country it is expected to win the division one title, but Henriksen will be looking for more against WA, who also won its first game of the carnival over the weekend.

"We were a bit off for the first 15 minutes and I wondered whether we'd turned up," Henriksen said.

"I thought our effort started to get going after that, and we were still in touch and hadn't been blown out of the water. We'll have to go back and reassess, because there were some poor pieces of play. But a win like that brings the group together."

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-05-24/vic-metro-v-vic-country

[one-eyed]

AFL.com.au draft experts Callum Twomey and Nat Edwards discuss week one of the U18 Champs:

AUDIO: http://audioboom.com/boos/3225469-road-to-the-2015-draft-ep-3-u18-champs-week-one-wrap-brenton-sanderson

On this week's episode ...

• We review the first round of the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, and discuss all the standout performers

• Get up to date with all the latest injury news to some leading draft hopefuls

• NAB AFL Academy coach Brenton Sanderson joins the show to chat about his new role

• Sanderson gives his take on the 2015 draft pool, the leading candidate as the No.1 draft pick, and whether he sees a return to senior coaching in the future

[one-eyed]

South Australia downs Vic Metro in U18s led by flying Francis

Nathan Schmook 
afl.com.au
May 30, 2015 2:32 PM

SOUTH AUSTRALIA     4.4  7.8  9.13  13.15 (93)
VIC METRO                 0.3  2.4   6.4    10.8 (68)

GOALS
South Australia: Markov 5, Redman 3, Allen 2, Nunn, Milera, Combe
Vic Metro: Houston 4, Matera 2, Leonardis, Crocker, Answerth, Silvagni

BEST
South Australia: Francis, Markov, Partington, Olekains, Snelling, Milera
Vic Metro: O'Kearney, Gresham, Houston, Gallucci, Balic, Leonardis

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TALL defender Aaron Francis has produced an aerial master-class to lead South Australia to a 25-point win over Vic Metro at AAMI Stadium on Saturday.

The highly rated backman, who has already played several senior games at SANFL level, took 12 marks, including 11 intercepts, to drive SA to its first win of the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.

Francis, who is 191cm and 88kg, also finished with 17 disposals and six rebound 50s in the best on ground display, reinforcing his great talent.

The Croweaters built a match-winning 34-point lead at half-time and were never seriously challenged, eventually winning 13.15 (93) to 10.8 (68).

SA forward Oleg Markov, whose father Dmitiri was a world pole vault champion, was the other star, booting five goals. His emergence would have been the big talking point for recruiters post-match after an injury-interrupted 2014 meant he missed out on his AFL opportunity.

Midfielder Luke Partington backed up his standout performance from round one with 24 possessions, four clearances and five inside 50s, while Will Snelling (23 possessions) impressed.

Metro made a short-lived rally in the third quarter after back-to-back goals from famous names Jack Silvagni and Jordan Matera, going into the final term trailing by 27 points. However, their midfield couldn't match it with SA, losing the clearances (39-29) and the inside 50s (52-38).

The margin could have been much greater given SA's inaccuracy in front of goal.

Metro's major ball-winners were Nicholas O'Kearney (28 possessions) and Jade Gresham (27), who each had six clearances as their team's leading midfielders.

Oakleigh Chargers forward Daniel Houston booted four goals and took six marks, while Harley Balic racked up 26 possessions.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-05-30/south-australia-downs-vic-metro-in-u18s-led-by-flying-francis

[one-eyed]

Josh Schache boots eight as Vic Country thumps WA

Giulio Di Giorgio 
afl.com.au
May 31, 2015 4:42 PM

WESTERN AUSTRALIA         0.2     2.2      4.5      5.9 (39)
VIC COUNTRY                    5.6    10.9   13.14  21.18 (144)

GOALS
Western Australia: Ah Chee 2, Clark, Rogers, Shaw
Vic Country: Schache 8, Holmes 3, Ainsworth, Poholke, McKay 2, Mathieson, Eades, Simpkin, Skinner

BEST
Western Australia: Shaw, Clark, Ridley, Harrold, Powell-Pepper, Rotham
Vic Country: Schache, Collins, Tucker, Berry, Mathieson, Holmes

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AN EIGHT-GOAL haul to highly touted key forward Josh Schache has helped Vic Country record a dominant 105-point win over Western Australia at Medibank Stadium in Perth on Sunday.

The 199cm Murray Bushranger propelled Vic Country to a 34-point quarter-time advantage, registering two goals and three behinds from his seven touches and three marks in the first term.

Schache, who won the Bushrangers' goalkicking award last season, finished the match with 8.4 from his seven marks and 24 possessions in his side's 21.18 (144) to 5.9 (39) victory.

Vic Country midfielder Rhys Mathieson gathered plenty of the ball, accumulating 27 disposals, seven clearances, six inside 50s and a goal.

The Geelong Falcon impressed with his ability to extract the football at the stoppages with 13 contested possessions.

Big men Kieran Collins (15 disposals) and Jacob Weitering (14 disposals) stood tall in defence all game, collecting 17 marks between them.

Attacking midfielder Nash Holmes was also a key figure in the centre with 26 touches (23 kicks, three handballs), nine inside 50s and three goals.

Bottom-age player Jarrod Berry, who stands at 190cm and can perform midfield and half-back roles, also stood out with his 21 disposals (seven kicks, 14 handballs) for Vic Country.

But the win was soured by a left knee injury to Sam Skinner in the second quarter.

The Gippsland Power key position player, who stands at 197cm and weighs 96kg, will have scans in the coming days to determine the severity of the injury.

For Western Australia, 193cm captain Greg Clark was most prominent with 23 touches (12 kicks, 11 handballs) and a goal playing through the midfield.

Small indigenous defender John Shaw showcased his blistering pace and generated run out of defence with 10 disposals (six kicks, four handballs) and one goal at 90 per cent efficiency.

In attack, half-forward Callum Ah Chee, the younger brother of Port Adelaide's Brendon, kicked two goals and had 13 touches in a team that was outclassed by their more fancied opponents.

Left-footed on-baller Clint Hinchliffe, who has turned down a cricket scholarship offer, was among WA's major ball winners with 18 possessions (10 kicks, eight handballs).

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-05-31/schache-boots-eight-as-vic-country-thumps-wa

[one-eyed]

AFL Media to broadcast six additional Under-18 games LIVE ...

The announcement means fans will be able to watch 12 of this year's Under-18s games live, with six games already scheduled for broadcast on Fox Sports and for AFL app subscribers.

Starting this weekend, AFL Media will live stream matches on AFL.com.au and the AFL Live Official App.

The broadcasts begin on Saturday, when South Australia hosts Western Australia at AAMI Stadium. The first bounce is set for 12pm local time (2pm AEST).

On Sunday AFL Media will live stream the clash at Simonds Stadium between Vic Country and Vic Metro. The game starts at 12pm local time.

AFL Media will also broadcast the first two rounds of division two contests on Saturday, June 20 and Saturday, June 27.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-06-03/afl-media-to-broadcast-six-under18-games-live

[one-eyed]

AFL.com.au draft experts Callum Twomey and Nat Edwards discuss week two of the U18 Champs:

AUDIO: http://audioboom.com/boos/3245984-road-to-the-2015-draft-ep-4-u18-champs-week-two-wrap

On this week's episode ...

• We review the second round of the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships and discuss all the standout performers

• Learn more about the players who are emerging as possible top-20 picks

• We discuss the implications of a weak draft pool and how clubs might be able to make the most of the group

• Get up to date with all the latest key injury news, and a preview ofhow things are shaping for round three of the national carnival

• New segments 'Prospect Breakdown' and 'Hits and Misses'. And we answer your Twitter questions.

http://www.afl.com.au/draft/road-to-the-draft

[one-eyed]

U18s: Francis leads SA to big win over WA

Nathan Schmook 
afl.com.au
June 6, 2015 3:58 PM


SOUTH AUSTRALIA             4.2   10.7  14.11  18.15 (123)
WESTERN AUSTRALIA         2.2   2.3     6.5     7.8 (50)             

GOALS
South Australia: Francis 4, Brind 3, Allen 3, Partington 2, Haysman, Bonner, Nunn, Olekains, Markov, Redman
Western Australia: Clark, Mirco, Ridley, Zurhaar, Petrevski-Seton, Strnadica, Ehlers

BEST
South Australia: Francis, Brind, Parella, Partington, Snelling, Surman
Western Australia: Mountford, Zurhaar, Watson, Harrold, Ah Chee, M.Taylor

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AFTER dominating in defence last weekend, South Australian tall Aaron Francis was swung forward on Saturday and kicked 4.5 in his second straight best on ground performance.

Francis was at his powerful best alongside standout midfielder Luke Partington, with the pair driving SA to a 73-point win against Western Australia at AAMI Stadium.

It was the Croweaters' second win of the 2015 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, putting them in a strong position to take out the underage competition for the third straight year.

The final score was 18.15 (123) to 7.8 (50).

Francis, who has already played several senior games at SANFL level, took eight marks and laid seven tackles, finishing the match with 22 possessions after starting in the midfield. 

The 191cm South Australian burst through stoppages and was hard to beat in the air, making him a nightmare match-up and a priority for recruiters at the pointy end of this year's NAB AFL Draft.

Partington was his competition for best-on-ground honours with 26 possessions, five clearances, seven inside 50s and two goals.

The classy midfielder has now produced three brilliant games this championships and would also be pushing up many draft orders.

SA produced its match-winning break in the second quarter, kicking 6.5 to 0.1, set up by small target Jadyn Brind (3.2 and six inside 50s).

Brind is 181cm but he proved he can create scoring opportunities in the air as well as at ground level, taking eight marks.

SA's other threat in attack was 193cm forward Matthew Allen, who combined well with Francis to kick 3.2.

Andre Parella (203cm) was the standout ruckman, finishing with 29 hit-outs and five clearances to set up and complement his ground level teammates.

WA produced a competitive third quarter, led by Callum Ah Chee (20 possessions and five marks) and Declan Mountford (19 and five rebound 50s), but the visitors were eventually overrun.

Their midfield couldn't compete with the class and decision-making of the South Australians, who won the clearances 38-23 and the inside 50s 51-33.   

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-06-06/u18s-francis-leads-sa-to-big-win-over-wa

[one-eyed]

U18s: Jack Silvagni boots six as Vic Metro thumps WA

Callum Twomey 
afl.com.au
June 13, 2015 5:02 PM

WESTERN AUSTRALIA        2.2     2.4    5.4      7.5 (47)
VIC METRO                        4.1     9.6   13.6    19.7 (121)

GOALS
Western Australia: Waterman, Hinchcliffe, Clark, Schoenfeld, Daniels, Zurharr
Vic Metro: Silvagni 6, Clarke 3, Kerbatieh 3, Hardwick 2, Moore 2, Gresham, Gallucci, Perry

BEST
Western Australia: Hinchcliffe, Mountford, Ridley, Snadden, Clark, Schoenfeld
Vic Metro: Gresham, Clarke, Silvagni, Balic, Phillips, Batty

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CARLTON father-son prospect Jack Silvagni kicked six goals to help Vic Metro to its first victory of the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, beating Western Australia by 74 points.

With his father – Blues list manager and former great Stephen Silvagni – in the Domain Stadium stands, the 17-year-old showed his class and composure near goal with a strong display in Metro's 19.7 (121) to 7.5 (47) win.

His goals came from a range of spots inside 50, but the Oakleigh Chargers forward converted his shots well and also pushed a little further up the ground to gather 18 disposals and seven marks.

Silvagni, who doesn't turn 18 until December, returned to Metro's team after being rested last week and put together his most dominant game at under-18 level.

He is one of several father-son prospects available to the Blues this year, alongside Bailey Rice (the son of Dean) and Jake Bradley (son of Craig). Rice is also eligible to join St Kilda under the rule.

Stephen, who started his role at the Blues after being list manager at Greater Western Sydney during the club's inception, has already said he will play no part in the Blues' decision whether they nominate Jack as a father-son player at the end of the year.

Despite heading into the clash winless after three rounds, Metro proved too powerful for WA. Midfield pair Ryan Clarke (27 disposals and three goals) and Jade Gresham (26 disposals and a goal) were excellent, while Harley Balic continued his very good carnival with 20 disposals and nine marks.

Crafty small forward Hisham Kerbatieh kicked three goals, and Blake Hardwick and Callum Moore chipped in with two apiece for Metro.

Since winning its first game of the championships by a point, WA has been beaten by an average of 84 points the past three games.

Clint Hinchcliffe tried hard for his state, gathering 24 disposals and sending the ball inside-50 on six occasions, and Kade Stewart had 15 touches in his first game of the championships after recovering from a long-term leg injury.

Jordan Snadden also had 15 disposals through half-back and the midfield, while Greg Clark's athleticism took the eye at stages as he found 14 disposals and kicked a goal.

The division one title could be all but decided on Sunday when Vic Country plays South Australia at AAMI Stadium. If Vic Country wins, it will be almost unassailable in claiming this year's championship victory.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-06-13/u18s-jack-silvagni-boots-six-as-metro-thump-wa

[one-eyed]

Vic Country has beaten SA by 28 points & all but sewn up the division one title.

Schache kicked five and Parish had 24. Snelling best for SA.

https://twitter.com/AFL_CalTwomey

[one-eyed]

Lovell proves ball-magnet as Tasmania holds off late NSW/ACT charge

Jennifer Phelan 
afl.com.au
June 20, 2015 12:44 PM

NSW/ACT      1.2  3.3  5.5   10.10 (70)
TASMANIA     3.5  3.9  8.11  10.12 (72)

GOALS
NSW/ACT: Himmelberg 3, Cornell 2, Bance, Flynn, McFadden, Hopper, Sproule
Tasmania: Dodge 3, Quinn 2, Rainbird 2, Franks 2, Smith

BEST
NSW/ACT: Hopper, Bance, Himmelberg, Macreadie, Minogue, Marshall
Tasmania: Lovell, Gavralas, Hibberd, Donnellan, Rainbird, Hayden

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Highlights: http://www.afl.com.au/video/2015-06-20/u18s-highlights-nswact-v-tas

FULL MATCH REPLAY: First quarter (Follow links to watch all four quarters)

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TASMANIA has withstood a final quarter charge by NSW/ACT to win the first game of the division two NAB AFL Championships at Southport by two points on Saturday, with midfielder Kieran Lovell starring.

Lovell racked up 42 touches in the Mariners' narrow win, which came after the NSW/ACT – chasing a 24-point three-quarter time margin - kicked four goals to one in the final term.

Lovell, a nuggety inside midfielder who has been likened to Fremantle's Lachie Neale, was Tassie's best along with half back Mitchell Hibberd and Tyler Gavralas.

Half back Mitchell Hibberd was also impressive for Tasmania with 30 touches while Nicholas Dodge kicked three goals.

A dislocated finger in the second quarter wasn't enough to stop Rams' co-captain Jacob Hopper, who had 17 touches to half time and 33 for the game.

The talented midfielder is tied to Greater Western Sydney as a zone academy player out of the Riverina.

He also was influential in the contest with nine clearances, and kicked a goal in an important final-term performance.

NSW/ACT was without co-captain Callum Mills, who has a shin injury, and midfielder Matthew Kennedy, who has injured knee ligaments and will miss eight weeks.

Their absences hurt the team in the midfield but they benefited from strong performances from their bottom-age players, including Harrison Macreadie and William Setterfield.

Tasmania took a 15-point lead into the second quarter after kicking three goals to one in the opening term, with Isaac Franks nailing two of them.

Lovell had a solid first half with 19 disposals while Hibberd had 16 for the Mariners as they held a six-point lead at the main break, with their inaccuracy in front of goal costing them the chance to broaden the gap.

Tasmania then opened up a 24-point lead in the third quarter, with the Mariners nailing five to the Rams' two.

NSW/ACT stormed home in the final quarter but, despite a late goal from Jock Cornell – his second for the day - with seconds remaining, Tasmania was able to hold on for a two-point win, after ultimately winning more of the 50-50 contests.

Harrison Himmelberg kicked three goals for the Rams while Charlie Bance had 23 touches, and Callum McFadden 11 (seven contested) despite being treated for a cut head in the second quarter.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-06-20/lovell-proves-ballmagnet-as-tasmania-holds-off-late-nswact-charge

[one-eyed]

Keays dominates NT in under-18s as Queensland cruise home

Jennifer Phelan 
afl.com.au
June 20, 2015 3:04 PM

QUEENSLAND                     3.1  7.3  13.5   17.10 (112)
NORTHERN TERRITORY       1.4  2.7   4.8      5.10 (40)

GOALS
Queensland: Buzza 5, Budarick 2, Weller 2, Blood 2, Keays, Allison, Edwards, Reeves, Ritchie, Spencer
Northern Territory: Holt-Tubbs 2, Parfitt, Frank, Egan

BEST
Queensland: Keays, Allison, William Budarick, Buzza, Hipwood
Northern Territory: McGregor, Rioli, McMasters, Long, Barry, Shannon

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FULL MATCH REPLAY: First quarter (Click on links to watch all four quarters)

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A DOMINANT display from Ben Keays has helped Queensland make light work of Northern Territory with a 72-point win in the second division two game of the NAB AFL Championships at Southport on Saturday.

Queensland was never in doubt as it powered to a 17.10 (112) to 5.10 (40) win, with 10 individual goal-kickers including Wylie Buzza, who kicked five goals and figured in every quarter.

Keays, a 2014 All Australian midfielder, had 18 touches, won 11 clearances and kicked a goal in the first half before finishing with 37 disposals.

Reuben William was also a positive for Queensland with good rebound from half back and 23 touches while Dyson Budarick booted two goals and had also 23 disposals, while Corey Wagner impressed with 21 touches and five clearances.

Northern Territory's fortunes weren't helped when midfielder Davin Ferreira was stretchered off in the first quarter with a suspected dislocated ankle.

The inside mid, who last week made his SANFL senior debut for Norwood, was in great distress when he was carried off midway through the opening term.

Midfielder Brandan Parfitt was also restricted to playing deep forward after suffering a corked thigh in the first half, but still finished with 13 disposals before he came off ahead of three-quarter time.

But Ezekiel Frank provided some highlights, Liam McGregor was good and Lachlan McKenzie, Michael Hagan and Jamie Hampton were positives for the Territory despite the lopsided scoreline.

Queensland led by 11 points at the first change before opening up a 26-point lead by the main break.

Northern Territory remained enthusiastic in the contest in the second half despite the margin blowing out to 51 points at three-quarter time.

Queensland kicked four goals to one in the last quarter to put an exclamation point on the win after comprehensively out-working its opponent and sustaining a high level of intensity across four quarters.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-06-20/keays-dominates-nt-in-u18s

[one-eyed]

U18s: Josh Schache kicks another bag as Vic Country seals title

Callum Twomey 
afl.com.au
June 26, 2015 2:38 PM

VIC COUNTRY            4.2       5.3     10.5    11.6 (72)
SOUTH AUSTRALIA    1.0       5.2     5.5      9.7 (61)

GOALS
Vic Country: Schache 6, Ainsworth 3, McKay, Simpkin
South Australia: Allan 3, Redman 2, McKenzie, Snelling, Dew, Markov

BEST
Vic Country: Schache, Weitering, Nyuon, Mathieson, Rice, McKay
South Australia: Snelling, Scharenberg, Combe, Partington, Milera, Allen

------------------------------------------------------------------------

VIC COUNTRY has claimed an 11-point win over South Australia to seal its first division one NAB AFL Under-18 Championships title in five years, as key forward Josh Schache kicked another bag of goals.

The talented Country squad, which was favoured to take out the national carnival, stretched its unbeaten run to five games on Friday with the 11.6 (72) to 9.7 (61) win at Simonds Stadium.

Again it was a number of likely early draft selections who dominated for Vic Country, with key forward and possible No.1 pick Schache booting six goals in another dominant display.

The haul takes Schache's tally of goals to 23 for the championships, and makes him the favourite to take out the Larke Medal as the standout player in division one when the championships close next week.

Schache keen to 'finish off' his late dad's work at Brisbane

Several of the 199cm prospect's goals came while he lined up against South Australian Aaron Francis, whose excellent carnival has rocketed him into contention as a top-three pick.

Key defender Jacob Weitering was also terrific for Vic Country, taking eight marks and offering a calm approach in the backline, while fellow Dandenong Stingray Gach Nyuon won the battle in the ruck with 15 disposals and 23 hit-outs.

Rhys Mathieson was central to the midfield contest for Country, winning 18 disposals and six clearances, while father-son prospect Bailey Rice had his best game of the carnival collecting 18 possessions through half-back.

Rice is a strong-bodied, hard-working and versatile player who is eligible to join St Kilda and Carlton under the father-son rule, given his father Dean played more than 100 games at both clubs.

South Australia's captain Will Snelling continued his consistent championships with 21 disposals (and 12 tackles), while Jonty Scharenberg, the younger brother of Collingwood's Matt, showed some exciting signs with 16 touches and nine tackles.

Scharenberg is not eligible to be drafted until next year.

Matthew Allan's forward play also impressed for South Australia, booting three goals to highlight his accurate set-shot kicking.

Luke Partington (16 disposals) was solid, and Wayne Milera showed some promising signs near goal with five inside-50s. But despite South Australia's effort, Vic Country had too much depth.

It got off to a quick start, opening an 18-point lead at the first change in the shortened 20-minute terms. South Australia fought back in the second quarter, and kicked four goals to one to cut the deficit to one point at the major change.

But two goals to Schache early in the third term, and two more to bottom-ager Ben Ainsworth, quickly extended Country's lead and by the final change they led by 30 points and had set up the win.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-06-26/u18s-josh-schache-kicks-another-bag-as-vic-country-seals-title