The Queensland Under 18 squad is two rounds into the 2016 Division Two championships, experiencing mixed fortunes so far with one win and one loss.
Round one against NSW/ACT saw Queensland fall by 47 points in Blacktown, with a seven goal to two final quarter propelling NSW/ACT to victory. However, Queensland bounced back to record a comprehensive 87-point win over the Northern Territory in their most recent game.
Highly-rated Academy product Jack Bowes has drawn widespread acclaim for his performances in Queensland colours, with a best-on-ground effort in round two against the NT.
Bowes collected 31 disposals, had six inside 50, took five marks, laid four tackles and booted a couple of goals, drawing plenty of praise from his Academy head coach.
“He was best-on down in Tassie. Obviously look at the stats he had 30-odd possessions but his defensive stuff’s been really good too, which we’ve been focusing on,” Academy Head Coach Andrew Raines told SUNS TV on Tuesday.
“Trying to complete his package in that sense and keep working through that so he went really well and he was fantastic the week before too, probably the best player again for Queensland and Brad Scheer, his counterpart, was fantastic too.”
Contested beast Scheer had 27 touches and eight clearances against Tasmania, while Nick Kempe from the Mackay Eastern Swans was also among the best.
“It’s been a good story for Nick. He’s come down from Mackay and made the transition late last year in the summer,” Raines said.
“Did our pre-season program and stepped up. Played well in the Academy games and he’s transitioned into the State, he’s been really good and he’s been in the best players twice so I reckon it’s a really good story.
“Underdeveloped I suppose in Mackay in that region. Not taking anything away from up there but having full-on football down here has really helped his development.”
16-year-old Brayden Crossley played in the first Queensland game but wasn’t selected for their most recent clash with selectors opting for a sole ruckman.
The 197.5cm ruckman travelled with the SUNS reserves to play NEAFL and held his own against listed Giants ruckmen Dawson Simpson and Tom Downie.
“Very stiff to miss the second game in the division two for Brayden. Going down to Tasmania, they only went for one ruckman in the end,” Raines said.
“But we just said to Brayden you’ve got a fantastic pathway for you here with the NEAFL. Go back, play good football and see what happens and he did.
“He debuted in the NEAFL with 24 or 25 possessions, which was fantastic. Competed against some AFL ruckmen and his efforts around the ground have been terrific and he’s going to be a great player in the future.”
The Queensland side plays their final game of the Division Two U18 Championships against Tasmania this Sunday at Metricon Stadium at 11AM.
ROUND ONE SCORES
NSW/ACT 2.5 6.5 11.5 18.6 (114)
QUEENSLAND 2.3 4.10 7.11 9.13 (67)
GOALS
NSW/ACT: Marshall 4, Spargo 3, Maguire, Byrne, Davis, Sproule 2, Perryman, Lynch, Fisher
Queensland: Scheer, Kempe 2, Bowes, Allison, Mason, S.Watson, Williams
BEST
NSW/ACT: Lynch, Mutch, Baker, MacDonald, Carroll, Perryman
Queensland: Rolls, Scheer, D.Watson, Kempe, Williams, Bowes
ROUND TWO SCORES
QUEENSLAND 5.1 11.6 14.8 22.9 (141)
NT 0.5 2.9 5.10 7.12 (54)
GOALS
Queensland: Rolls 3, Allison 2, Bowes 2, Dawson 2, Himmelberg 2, Perry Warren 2, Simington 2, Charlesworth, Gordon, Kempe, Mason, Scheer, Watson, Williams
NT: Farrell-Nelson 2, Olango 2, Bricknell, Jeffrey, Taban
BEST
Queensland: Bowes, Scheer, Allison, Rolls, Kempe, Dennis
NT: Lockyer, Grant, Taban, Jeffrey, Abbott, Armstrong
