JORDON Bourke staked his claim as Geelong's next father/son recruit as Queensland narrowly failed to overhaul Tasmania in Saturday’s NAB AFL Under-18 Championships clash.
Bourke, the son of former Cat Damien, led his team to the brink of victory with a fantastic second half up forward for Queensland.
The Tasmanians, though, prevailed by eight points, winning 9.7 (61) to 6.17 (53) at Yeronga in Brisbane
Mitchell Van den Berg, 19, was Tasmania's dominant forward, kicking two goals to go along with 10 marks (five contested).
Van den Berg made the recruiters sit up and take notice, showing a clean pair of hands and athleticism to leap at the football.
Bourke has been on the Cats' radar for a while and his second-half performance almost hauled his side over the line.
The 17-year-old, who is eligible to be drafted this year, kicked 3.3 and took seven strong marks. But for inaccuracy he would have led his team to victory.
The Queenslanders dominated possessions (317-288) and inside 50s (52-35), but couldn't capitalise on the scoreboard.
Andrew Boston (28 touches) featured prominently on the wing for Queensland, while Isaac Conway hauled in 27 disposals in the middle.
Jesse Lonergan, the nephew of Essendon's Sam, also showed positive signs in his return from a knee injury for Tasmania.
QUEENSLAND 1.4 4.11 4.13 6.17 (53)
TASMANIA 3.1 5.3 7.6 9.7 (61)
GOALS
Queensland: Bourke 3, Wardle, Tickner, Coleman-Broome
Tasmania: Z Webster 2, Van den Berg 2, M Walsh, Douglas, Grant, Kendall, K Kolodjashnij
BEST
Queensland: Boston, Conway, Grewar, Rutledge, Skennar
Tasmania: Van den Berg, Hibberd, Nankervis, J Kolodjashnij, M Walsh, Lonergan
Ben Guthrie is a reporter for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter - @AFL_BenGuthrie
