NAB AFL Under-18s: 2016 fixture, news and video
GOLD Coast academy product Jack Bowes is building a case as the top pick at this year's NAB AFL Draft.
Bowes was outstanding for Queensland in a comprehensive 87-point victory against the Northern Territory at the division two NAB AFL Under-18 Championships at Blundstone Arena on Saturday.
The Suns would have been thrilled to see Bowes fill up the stats sheet in a best-on-ground-performance in Hobart.
Bowes collected 31 possessions, had six inside 50s, took five marks, laid four tackles and kicked a couple goals.
His dynamic work in the midfield put Queensland on the front foot and gave his forwards every opportunity to impact the scoreboard.
Bowes is regarded as one of the top three players in the draft, but his stock will continue to rise if he can replicate these performances against stronger opposition.
He is a certainty to be picked for the Allies team that will face Victoria Metro, Victoria Country, South Australia and Western Australia at the division one championships.
The Suns would have been pleased with another academy member Brad Scheer gathering 27 touches and eight clearances.
Scheer was relentless in close around the contest and when he pushed deep into the forward line.
The Brisbane Lions also have a couple of potential stars in their grasp, with Jack Rolls and Jacob Allison heavily involved.
Rolls kicked three goals to go with 25 disposals and six clearances, while Allison (22 touches, seven marks, seven tackles and two goals) also caused plenty of headaches for the opposition.
AFL Academy member Brandon Parfitt was the shining light for the NT for the second straight week, but he was below his best despite racking up 25 possessions.
Jamie Hampton – the younger brother of Adelaide defender Curtly – provided plenty of run off half-back with 23 disposals and seven rebound 50s.
It was a quiet game for exciting ruckman Tony Olango, who had just four disposals, but gave a glimpse of his talent with a sensational left-footed goal in the third quarter.
NT couldn't back up its opening round victory against Tasmania in Darwin last weekend with Queensland leading by 51 points at half-time before kicking eight goals to two in the final term.
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
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• NAB AFL Under-18s: 2016 fixture, news and video
