Tasmania v Northern Territory
Division two qualifying match, MCG
TASMANIA is on target to play off against the division one teams for this year's NAB AFL under-18 championship title, after it held off a surging Northern Territory in the curtain-raiser at the MCG before the Hall of Fame Tribute Match on Saturday.
After leading by 36 points at three quarter-time, Tassie conceded five goals to one as the Thunder roared in the final quarter, but held on to win 11.11 (77) to 10.4 (64).
The Territory has yet to win from its two matches so far.
Key Tasmanian forward and reigning under-18 All-Australian Aaron Cornelius kicked three goals, while Tyson Mihocek and Brodie Shade kicked two each.
Mitch Robinson and Ryan Harwood had a game-high 21 touches each, and were close to Tassies’s best.
Peter Rolfe, one of a handful of over-age Thunder players, was outstanding in defeat, booting five goals and collecting 17 touches.
Tasmania 3.5 6.7 10.9 11.11 (77)
NT 2.1 5.1 5.3 10.4 (64)
GOALS
Tasmania: Cornelius 3, Mihocek 2, Shade 2, Brakey, Cox, Hislop, Salter
Northern Territory: Rolfe 5, Hampton, May, Sharples, Taylor, Tungatalum
BEST
Tasmania: Robinson, Harwood, Salter, Cornelius, Shade, Hislop, Milne
Northern Territory: Rolfe, Sharples, Hale, Heenan, May, Ah Chee
New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory v Queensland
Division two qualifying match, MCG
THE NSW/ACT Rams staked their own claim on the division one play-offs, beating Queensland by 31 points: 9.13 (67) to 5.6 (36).
The Rams stepped up a gear in the second half after leading by seven points at half time, kicking five goals to two after the break.
Ranga Ediriwickrama, who is tied to Geelong via the NSW scholarship scheme, was outstanding for the winners with a game-high 32 disposals, while Scott Reed - linked with Collingwood via the same system - had 24 touches.
Key NSW/ACT forward Jordan Foster impressed again up forward with three goals and strong contested marking.
Matt Thomson was the Scorpions’ leading ball-winner with 28 disposals, while Joseph Daye, who attended last year's NAB AFL Draft Camp, won 25 touches.
NSW/ACT 2.3 44 6.11 9.13 (67)
Queensland 2.1 3.3 4.5 5.6 (36)
GOALS
NSW/ACT: Foster 3, Duryea 2, Gordon 2, Clisby, Ediriwickrama
Queensland: Fowler 2, Myers 2, Keefe
BEST
NSW/ACT: Ediriwickrama, Gordon, Reed, Duncan, Foster, Clisby, Wilson
Queensland: Thomson, Daye, Myers, Beams, Haberfield, Fowler
