U18 Championships 2015

[Diocletian]

Jonty Scharenberg's parents big South African cricket fans apparently.....

[one-eyed]

U18s: Ah Chee shines as WA downs Vic Metro

Callum Twomey 
afl.com.au
June 26, 2015 5:29 PM

VIC METRO                         0.5       3.6     7.9    7.12 (54)
WESTERN AUSTRALIA         2.2       3.3     6.4    11.6 (72)

GOALS
Vic Metro: Gresham 2, Kerbatieh, Moore, Crocker, Cuningham, Silvagni
Western Australia: Strnadica 3,Ah Chee 2, Parish 2, Stewart, Schoenfeld, Waterman, Smith

BEST
Vic Metro: Gresham, Perry, O'Kearney, Moore, Morgan
Western Australia: Hackett, Ah Chee, Hinchliffe, Petrevski-Seton, Powell-Pepper

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CALLUM Ah Chee has kicked two last-quarter goals to help Western Australia to an 18-point win over Vic Metro on Friday.

Ah Chee, who is seen as the leading NAB AFL Draft prospect from WA this year, added important class in the forward line in his state's 11.6 (72) to 7.12 (54) win.

The 17-year-old, whose older brother Brendon made his debut for Port Adelaide this year, has had indifferent form during the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships but enjoyed his best game of the carnival at Simonds Stadium.

He gathered 13 disposals, showed his smarts overhead with six marks and sent the ball inside 50 four times to go with his two goals, which were among five WA slotted in an impressive final term.

It was their first win since a one-point victory in round one, having lost their past three games by an average of 84 points. The loss leaves Metro at the bottom of the division one table, having only recorded one win (over Western Australia in round four).

Brayden Hackett added some drive through the midfield with 19 disposals for WA, and Clint Hinchliffe had another solid game with 18 disposals and six clearances.

Bottom-aged pair Sam Petrevski-Seton and Sam Powell-Pepper showed glimpses of why they are rated highly for next year's draft with 14 disposals each, while Kade Stewart collected 13 disposals and kicked a goal after the siren to cap the win.

Vic Metro's best player was small midfielder Jade Gresham, who worked tirelessly to find 20 disposals.

The 177cm Northern Knights captain belies his size to influence games in a number of ways, and he finished with five tackles, six clearances, six inside 50s and two goals.

Nick O'Kearney was prolific again with 28 disposals, and fellow Calder Cannons prospect Callum Moore was strong in the air in attack for Metro, taking seven marks and kicking 1.3.

The 193cm forward was overlooked at the 2014 draft but has overcome injury earlier this season to put himself in the frame for this year's intake with some eye-catching moments.

Metro will face South Australia next Wednesday at Etihad Stadium, before WA takes on title-winners Vic Country on Thursday at Simonds Stadium to close the 2015 under-18 championships.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-06-26/u18s-ah-chee-shines-as-wa-downs-vic-metro

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U18s: Lions academy players star for Queensland

Callum Twomey 
afl.com.au
June 27, 2015 2:34 PM

TASMANIA         2.1       3.3     3.3    4.3 (27)
QUEENSLAND    1.3       5.3     7.7    8.18 (66)

GOALS
Tasmania: Pearce, Sushames, Webb, Rainbird
Queensland: Hipwood 4, Buzza 2, Allison, Wagner

BEST
Tasmania: Pearce, Hayden, Lovell, Gardner, Reynolds, Webb, Donnellan
Queensland: Hipwood, Weller, Allison, Dennis, William, Keays

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ERIC Hipwood starred with four goals as Queensland beat Tasmania by 39 points in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships to move a step closer to the division two title.

The Brisbane Lions academy player started the game stationed at centre-half back, but the 200cm prospect was swung forward in the second term by coach Adrian Fletcher as Queensland struggled for goals.

The left-footer kicked four for the term – including a brilliant shot on the run from the boundary line – to steer his team to a half-time lead. They went on with the job in the second half, finishing 8.18 (66) to 4.3 (27) victors at Simonds Stadium on Saturday.

Hipwood's exploits were the talking point, with the raw and athletic 17-year-old gathering 20 disposals and seven marks in a best-on-ground display. His pace and agility make him a unique mix for a player his size, and some see him as a top-20 draft selection.

Ben Keays, also eligible to join the Lions via the academy, was busy again for Queensland with 23 disposals, while athletic Sudanese ruckman Mabior Chol showed some brilliant snippets, including a high mark in the third term.

A trio of Queensland prospects for next year's draft also contributed in the win, with Jacob Allison (21 disposals and 1.4), Brad Scheer (16 disposals) and Jack Rolls (19, seven inside-50s) proving their talent.

The second-round win leaves Queensland as the only undefeated team in division two, with the third and final round to be played next week.

Tasmania started the contest well and held a four-point advantage at the opening break, but its run stalled in the second term and it was held scoreless in the third.

The goal drought broke midway through the final term when Luke Webb slotted a running shot, but the wave after wave of Queensland forward forays wore Tasmania down: the inside-50 count was 33-6 in the second half.

Midfielder Kieran Lovell backed up his 42-disposal effort in last week's win over NSW-ACT by gathering 29 touches and six-rebound 50s for Tasmania, while its captain Jordan Hayden was also prominent with 25 possessions.

Mitchell Hibberd, who starred in the win over the Rams in round one, was busy early and had six disposals in the first term. He slowed up from there after a couple of heavy knocks, but finished with 18 disposals.

Logan Reynolds offered Tasmania some run out of half-back (he recorded 10 rebound-50s), and Isaac Franks won his battle at full-back with opponent Wylie Buzza, but Queensland proved too strong.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-06-27/u18s-lions-academy-players-star-for-queensland

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U18s: Tassie tyro Lovell inspires superb comeback win against Northern Territory

Michael Whiting 
afl.com.au
July 1, 2015 5:15 PM

TASMANIA                       3.1       4.2      5.4      11.7 (73)
NORTHERN TERRITORY    1.3       6.5       8.5       9.6 (60)

GOALS
Tasmania: Lovell 3, Dodge 2, Webb 2, Franklin, Smith, Franks, McGuinness
Northern Territory: Rioli 2, Turner 2, Frank 2, Parfitt, Lawrence

BEST
Northern Territory: Parfitt, Tilmouth-Turner, Rioli, Taban, Barry, Maroney, Jeffrey
Tasmania: Lovell, Reynolds, Quinn, Franklin, Rainbird, Pearce

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A BRILLIANT individual performance from midfielder Kieran Lovell has helped a barnstorming Tasmania overcome Northern Territory at Etihad Stadium on Wednesday.

Tasmania trailed their NAB AFL Under-18 Division Two Championships rival by 19 points at the last change but kicked six goals to one in the final term to win 11.7 (73) to 9.6 (60).

They hit the front with just over two minutes remaining when Ben McGuinness – younger brother of Brisbane Lion Josh – thumped home a set shot from outside 50m.

The result keeps Tasmania's chances of winning the division two alive, ahead of Thursday's final game between Queensland and New South Wales/ACT.

Midfielder Lovell was the standout, racking up 34 disposals and kicking three goals in a dominant display that no doubt boosted his draft chances.

The powerfully built Tasmanian ran hard for all four quarters, showing a mix of ball-winning ability, nous around goal, and even some aerial expertise with a strong contested mark on the wing in the second quarter.

He also claimed eight marks, a game-high eight clearances, seven inside 50s and four tackles.

Highly rated teammate Mitchell Hibberd was also eye-catching, finishing with 24 disposals, five marks and three clearances in a polished performance.

For the Northern Territory, it was a case of so near yet so far, after a five-goals-to-one second quarter gave them what looked a match-winning lead.

Daniel Rioli – the cousin of Hawthorn star Cyril – was terrific.

Rioli, who plays for North Ballarat in the TAC Cup, finished with 15 disposals and two goals.

During the second-quarter blitz, the 18-year-old showed his class, picking up a ball in traffic and off one step snapping truly from 40m on the right boot.

He looked to have iced the game midway through the last term with a contested mark and goal, but Tasmania kicked five goals in the final 10 minutes to win.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-07-01/u18s-tassie-tyro-lovell-inspires-superb-comeback-win-against-northern-territory

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U18s: Ben Crocker's last-gasp goal gives Vic Metro win over SA

Michael Whiting 
afl.com.au
July 1, 2015 7:26 PM

VIC METRO                 0.1   1.4   5.5    10.6 (66)
SOUTH AUSTRALIA    3.6   4.9   6.10   8.13 (61)

GOALS
Vic Metro: Crocker 3, Kerbatieh 3, Gresham, Batty, Gallucci, Moore
South Australia: Ladhams 2, Brind, Smelling, Olekalns, Redman, Tahana, Scharenberg

BEST
South Australia: Partington, Milera, Tahana, Combe, Parrella
Vic Metro: Gresham, Gallucci, Balic, Moore, Smith, Silvagni

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BEN CROCKER kicked a goal with 20 seconds remaining to give Vic Metro an unlikely win over South Australia to round out its NAB AFL Under-18 Championships in style on Wednesday.

Crocker roved a ball that spilled over the back of a big pack and kicked the match-winner from point-blank range to give Vic Metro a 10.6 (66) to 8.13 (61) victory.

It was its second win of the carnival and came after trailing by 23 points at half-time and 13 points at the last change.

Metro lost the inside 50 count 48-25 and played a poor first half, but kicked five goals to two in the final quarter to steal victory.

South Australia also finished the carnival with two wins from its five matches after winning the title the past two years.

Exciting prospect Harley Balic was supreme for Vic Metro, lifting in the final quarter, while Jade Gresham was also hugely instrumental in the turnaround.

Both finished with 22 disposals, while Crocker and Hisham Kerbatieh kicked three goals apiece.

Northern Knights captain Gresham was strong for most of the contest at Etihad Stadium and helped turn the tide.

His brilliant goal in the third term was a highlight, picking up a bouncing ball, going to ground and bobbing straight back to his feet to evade a defender and kick truly from close range.

Gresham added six marks and five tackles to his day's work, and along with Balic would have impressed AFL scouts.

While missed opportunities in the first half came back to bite them, South Australia was terrific in defeat.

Luke Partington continued his strong championships with a team-high 20 disposals, as well as six tackles and six clearances.

Jadyn Brind added a goal to his 18 disposals and was prominent with his defensive pressure.

Maris Olekalns looked like he'd give SA the win when he put his team in front with two minutes remaining, but Crocker's last-gasp effort won the day.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-07-01/u18s-ben-crockers-lastgasp-goal-gives-vic-metro-win-over-sa

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Queensland U18s win title against wayward NSW/ACT

Peter Ryan 
afl.com.au
July 2, 2015 1:05 PM

QUEENSLAND   2.1  5.5  8.9  8.12 (60)
NSW/ACT         0.4  2.5  2.7  2.10 (22)

GOALS
Queensland: Keays 2, Filewood 2, Edwards, Scheer, Budarick, Buzza

NSW/ACT: Tiziani, Hopper

Best

Queensland: Keays, William, Chol, Hipwood, Reeves, Wagner, Weller, Budarick

NSW/ACT: Cornell, Baron-Hay, Himmelberg, Hopper, McFadden, Flynn, Hebron

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QUEENSLAND proved its dominance in the second division of the NAB AFL Under 18s Championships with a comprehensive 38-point win over NSW/ACT at Simonds Stadium on Thursday.

Queensland ran out winners 8.12 (60) to NSW/ACT 2.10 (22).

Highly rated Lions Academy player Ben Keays kicked two goals in the second quarter to break open the contest.

Keays was the best player on the ground in the first half with 16 disposals and was awarded the Harrison Medal as division 2’s MVP after a superb series.


He works hard to reach contests and makes good position around the ball. He had a quieter second half and finished the game with 27 disposals.

The win capped off an excellent championship from Queensland, coached by Adrian Fletcher, with the state record its first title since 2006.

Queensland had several good players with the lean tall Eric Hipwood backing up his four-goal performance against Tasmania with 24 touches playing forward and in the ruck.

Hipwood's intercept marking was a feature, the highlight coming when he stood under a high ball in the third quarter to mark strongly in front of a pack of players.

Queensland used the ball better than its opponents, freeing up players with handball before they kicked.

Jacob Hopper battled to have an influence, although he kicked a nice goal in the second quarter and looked dangerous whenever he went forward. He has some class.

Harrison Himmelberg marked well but could not finish, missing four set shots in blustery conditions, but nonetheless looks a player of the future.

Ryan Hebron also worked hard in defence for NSW/ACT showing an ability to read the play, floating in front of packs more than once to mark.

The game was over as a contest midway through the third term when Queensland opened up a 33-point lead midway through the quarter after the well-named Wylie Buzza kicked a long goal.

Corey Wagner picked up 21 disposals and was busy, while Mabior Chol impressed with his hands at times and read the play well.

Neither side kicked a goal in the final quarter and the standard dropped off, but Queensland had the game well in control.

The Queensland team celebrate after the winning the second division title. Picture: AFL Media

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-07-02/queensland-u18s-win-title-against-wayward-nswact

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Vic Country win against WA completes U18 Championship domination

Peter Ryan 
afl.com.au
July 2, 2015 3:14 PM

VIC COUNTRY                2.6  7.9  8.10  8.15 (63)
WESTERN AUSTRALIA    0.3  1.3   4.5   4.7 (31)

GOALS
Vic Country: Ainsworth 5, Schache, Maishman, Berry

Western Australia: Waterman, Taylor, Schoenfield, Ah-Chee

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BOTTOM-AGE Vic Country forward Ben Ainsworth kicked five goals against Western Australia to lead his team to a comfortable 32-point victory at Simonds Stadium on Thursday.

The win completed an unbeaten run for Vic Country to ensure they took the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships division one title for the first time since 2010.

Vic Country kicked 8.15 (63) to Western Australia’s 4.7 (31) to easily win, and its key forward Joshua Schache won the Larke Medal for division one's MVP.

Ainsworth, who is ineligible to be drafted until 2016, was the spark for the victory kicking five goals in the first three quarters. He was smart around the packs, sharking the ball and kicking accurately in blustery conditions.

Vic Country's Darcy Parish showed his class, picking up 29 disposals and revealing an ability to use the ball in tight by hand. He was the dominant midfielder on the ground.

He received good support from Jarrod Berry and Joe Maishman who ran hard and used the ball well.

For Western Australia, bottom-age player Sam Petrevski-Seton impressed. Skilful, quick and evasive he is one to watch in next year's batch, at one stage early in the game jumping three players as he ran with the ball and they grappled on the ground.

Highly touted youngster Callum Ah-Chee played up forward and struggled to have an influence. However, he showed his class in the third quarter when he kicked a nice goal from a tight angle.

Strongly built midfielder Sam Powell-Pepper was aggressive and won 20 disposals for the West Australians, but he did not have enough support, with Vic Country ruckman Gach Nyuon dominating the hit-outs.

Vic Country tall Schache was relatively quiet despite kicking one impressive goal in the first term, but was the NAB AFL Championships’ standout player. He competed hard along with Jacob Weitering, who played up forward in the first half, and Josh Dunkley who took six marks.

Weitering eventually went back to defence and steadied the ship with a crucial possession when Western Australia threatened with three consecutive goals in the third quarter.

Ainsworth made the most of the chances the tall forwards provided and his five goals proved the difference.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-07-02/vic-country-win-against-wa-completes-u18-championship-domination

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The Under 18 All-Australian team for 2015.


http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-07-04/vic-country-dominates-u18-all-australian-team

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Road to the Draft - Episode 9

Draft experts Callum Twomey and Nat Edwards review the U18 champs & draft talk:

AUDIO: http://audioboom.com/boos/3350547-road-to-the-2015-draft-ep-9-u18-champs-wrap-phantom-form-guide

On this week's episode ...

• We review the latest action in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships and highlight the standout performers

• We reflect on the national carnival, and see how this pool shapes up

• Who shot themselves up the draft board and who produced the biggest surprise at the championships?

•  With the under-16 championships now taking place,we see how the future intakes are looking

• Cal reviews his Phantom Form Guide, revealing who he left out of his top 20 and who might be in for a rise as the year unfolds