A host of GIANTS Academy players have impressed as the Rams demolished Tasmania in the second round of the NAB AFL Under-18 National Championships.
Mitchell Maguire kicked four goals for his side in the 101-point victory at Blundstone Arena on Saturday as NSW/ACT cruised to their second straight win.
“Maguire was brilliant across half forward bagging four goals which was a great reward for his consistently high work ethic,” said GIANTS Academy Coach Jason Saddington.
“Zach Sproule was also lively up forward, combining well with Sam Fisher and Todd Marshall to impact on the scoreboard.”
Sproule, from Albury, is a 197cm forward with top-end running capacities – on tour with the NAB AFL Academy he completed the 3km time trial in 10:18 seconds, beating many of the midfielders.
Gol Gol’s Kobe Mutch was dominant in the midfield and he was well supported by Connor Byrne, Harry Perryman, Jack Powell and Fletcher Carroll who all combined to control the middle of the ground.
Mutch collected 26 disposals, seven clearances, four inside 50s and kicked a goal.
Harrison Macreadie, who relocated to Sydney this year, provided drive from half back and both Nathan Richards and Max Lynch were strong in the ruck.
“All in all we had enormous contribution from a large number of players and the result was a very big win,” Saddington said.
Wagga Wagga’s Byrne was the leading ball-winner on the ground with 28 possessions to go with eight clearances and five tackles.
Under-ager Powell is one to watch for next year's NAB AFL Draft with the Canberra midfielder working hard to grab 24 possessions.
In the final round, Tasmania takes on Queensland and NSW/ACT faces NT, with both games at Metricon Stadium on May 22.
NSW/ACT 4.0 8.2 14.6 21.11 (137)
TASMANIA 3.3 3.4 4.5 5.6 (36)
GOALS
NSW/ACT: Davis 4, Maguire 4, Fisher 3, Brown 2, Marshall 2, Bance, Cumming, Highmore, Mutch, Perryman, Sproule
Tasmania: Farrow 2, Edmunds, Hinds, Maple
BEST
NSW/ACT: McGuire, Perryman, Byrne, Bance, Sproule, Powell
Tasmania: Thomas, Farrow, Dixon, Hanslow, Auckland
