The combine scored 20.13 (133) to defeat Tasmania13.14 (92) on Tuesday at Victoria Park in Melbourne, making it a clean-sweep in this year's carnival, winning three from threematches. The Rams booted 10 goals to two in the second term to set up thevictory.

NSW/ACT also won second divisiontitles in 1998, 2000 and 2003.

Captain Craig Bird, a Sydneyscholarship holder, was outstanding throughout the carnival and was awarded theHunter Harrison Medal for the best Division Two player.

AFL talent manager Kevin Sheehanlauded Bird's outstanding effort.

"Bird's work at the stoppages was outstanding and hisability to win the clearances in the centre of the ground, while being so cleanwith his hands was a feature of his play," he said.

"He was simply a dominantplayer and leader for his team."

Ranga Ediriwickrama, a scholarship holder with Geelong, was another toshine in the midfield, while goalsneak Loccy McGregor was also prominentthroughout the carnival.

"Ediriwickrama's pace and delivery provided manyopportunities up forward, where little Loccy McGregor was a livewire again at groundlevel with three goals," Sheehan said.

Sheehan praised NSW/ACT's effort to win the title, given many players came from far and wide across the state and territoryto form the side.

"Their win was a fantastic team performance and theyplayed for each other – there was no doubt about that – and they confirmedtheir Challenge Cup form in the lead-in to the championships. There were manygood players," he said.

"It's also a terrific performance from Danny Stevens,the brother of Nick, who coached NSW/ACT to a win in his first season ascoach."

Scholarship holders Scott Reed (Collingwood) and RyanDavis (West Coast) also played key roles for the Rams, further endorsing thenew program.

"It was a reasonable endorsement for the scholarship scheme,which is in its infancy," Sheehan said.

"It's not even a year old and these boys all performedfor NSW/ACT. The scholarship scheme is designed to kick-start talent, thediscovery of talent and the development of talent of New South Wales and this is an indicationthat it's on the right track."

In the earlier match, the NorthernTerritory made it two wins from three starts after producing ahard-fought contested win over Queensland.

Cyril Rioli, the nephew of Maurice Rioli and Michael Long,was dynamic with seven goals against the Scorpions.

"He was outstanding against Queensland, even though he was restricted toa half-forward/medium-forward role, due to a niggling ankle injury,"Sheehan said.

"He showed great class, but managed to out-body orout-position his opponents, while his absolute cleverness and sharp-shootingability – even from long-range – was outstanding. He's a super talent."

Rioli was also well supported by left-footer Peter Rolfe andthe diminutive Kingsley Whitehurst, who each booted four goals.

Queenslandgoalkicking onballer Dayne Zorko, defender Ben Gibson and key marking forwardDarin Stewart also continued their consistent form throughout thechampionships.

Tasmania'sAaron Joseph also had three outstanding matches and was arguably the standout forthe Apple Isle.