It proved a successful carnival for the ‘Young Scorpions’ who claimed the Division Two title for the fifth time in nine years after going through the tournament undefeated.
In even better news for the Club, a number of Queensland’s best players also form part of the Hyundai Lions Academy.
The Hyundai Lions Academy is a development and coaching program designed for aspiring AFL players between the ages of 12 and 18 years.
It enables the Brisbane Lions to gain access to local talent within designated zoned areas throughout Queensland and construct a pathway for these players to potentially join the Club as senior players in the future.
Academy Manager Luke Curran kept a keen eye on the Club’s potential future stars throughout the championships and was thrilled with their progress.
Curran gave lions.com.au an insight into some of the most impressive Lions Academy players who represented Queensland.
ISAAC CONWAY
“Isaac captained Queensland and really led from the front both on and off the field. He is an all-round good kid who reads the play well, has nice skills and is a real competitor.”
“He is a midfielder who is busy at stoppages and accumulates plenty of possessions. He also received Queensland’s MVP award for the tournament.”
CAIN TICKNER
“Cain played a number of roles throughout the carnival and excelled at all of them. He can play back, in the midfield and can even go forward and kick goals. He seemed to really stand up when it was required.”
“He has really matured physically and mentally in past six months.”
LEWIS RADFORD
“Lewis was coming off a limited preparation due to school sport commitments. He attends Brisbane Grammar and plays in the school’s first XV ruby side and their first XI cricket team.”
“He’s a half-back/midfielder type who has clean hands below his knees. He showed excellent composure and decision-making. He also has good leg speed which means he was able to put good pressure on the opposition.”
ADEN RUTLEDGE
“Aden is another player who had an interrupted preparation with a leg injury. He’s a 190cm back pocket/half-back flanker who makes good decisions.”
“He played well down back and showed an ability to compete both in the air and at ground level.”
LIAM DAWSON
“Liam is a bottom age player (15 years old) who got better with each game he played.”
“He played up forward mostly and led well to the ball. He has a good set of hands in marking contests and is a nice kick for goal.”
ZAC SOUTHERN
“Zac is an athletic winger from Nambour on the Sunshine Coast who has great running endurance.”
“He was consistently able to run and carry ball through the midfield and give his forwards plenty of opportunities. He is developing nicely.”
While Queensland has dominated the U16 Division Two championships over the past decade (it has won five times and been Runner-Up on three occasions since 2003), that success hasn’t necessarily translated through to the U18 championships.
However, Curran believes the Hyundai Lions Academy program can help ensure the development of these Queensland kids is now given a greater focus.
“Provided they are physically and mentally up to it, hopefully we can get a few of the better Academy boys to represent the Lions Reserves next year,” Curran said.
Please find below a comprehensive rundown of Queensland’s results throughout the U16 championships (Lions Academy members are highlighted in blue)
Game 1: Saturday 25 June 2011 @ Metricon Stadium
Queensland 17.11 (113) defeated Northern Territory 9.13 (67)
QLD GOALS: Bourke 6, Mills 3, Davidson 3, Rokeby 2, Bisset, Selman, Conway
QLD BEST: Gribble, Bourke, Davidson, Rokeby, Conway, Tickner
Game 2: Sunday 10 July 2011 @ Blacktown
Queensland 14.7 (91) defeated NSW/ACT 8.20 (68)
QLD GOALS: Bourke 8, Mills 2, Selman, Pendlebury, Gribble, Hay
QLD BEST: Radford, Rokeby, Southern, Bourke, Rutledge, Pendlebury
Game 3: Wednesday 13 July 2011 @ Rouse Hill
NB: Game didn’t count towards Division 2 Championships
Queensland 11.6 (72) defeated World 10.6 (54)
QLD GOALS: Davidson 2, Pendlebury 2, Mills 2, Dawson, Goodall, Tickner, Bourke, Conway
QLD BEST: Conway, Pendlebury, Selman, Tickner, Davidson, Dawson, Watts, Radford
Game 4: Saturday 16 July 2011 @ Blacktown
Queensland 12.14 (86) defeated Tasmania 8.3 (51)
QLD GOALS: Tickner 4, Bourke 3, Rokeby 2, Nilmo, Davidson, Mills
QLD BEST: Tickner, Wardle, Bourke, Davidson, Radford, Jackson
