Allies triumph over Academy
Coached by NSW-ACT’s Jason Saddington, the Allies overcame the NAB AFL Academy level two squad, which comprises the country’s most talented teenagers eligible for the 2015 draft.
Midfielders Callum Mills and Rhys Mathieson had already shown themselves to be among the best-credentialed players leading into their draft season, while the versatile Jacob Weitering, tall forward Josh Schache and speedy Callum Ah Chee are others who have impressed.
Sydney Swans academy star Isaac Heeney headed a group of possible zoned priority selections who represented the Allies in the Grand Final curtain raiser.They also included Brisbane Lions academy prospects Liam Dawson, Harris Andrews and Matt Hammelmann, and Jack Steele and Jeremy Finlayson from the Greater Western Sydney academy.
The dominant performance by the allies was led by Nakia Cockatoo who, after a year ruined by injury, was able to play in Saturday’s Grand Final curtain raiser to boost his draft hopes.The Northern Territory prospect, who has missed most of the season with an ongoing foot complaint, returned to action for the Allies in the NAB AFL All Stars game and made a huge impact in the midfield.
Cockatoo gathered 20 disposals through the midfield and was too strong, quick and explosive for his NAB AFL Academy counterparts, who are considered the best players eligible for the 2015 NAB AFL Draft.
And he capped his day with a stunning goal in the final term, where Cockatoo ripped the ball out of a centre clearance, ran to half-forward, took two bounces and slotted his shot to be named best afield.
Some inaccuracy in front of goal cost the Academy side in the 11.7 (73) to 4.10 (34) result, with the Allies’ more mature bodies too good.Lachie Weller showed why he is in consideration for a top-10 draft selection with 20 disposals and two running goals.
Defender Nick Jackson and utility Liam Dawson were strong throughout, while Jack Steele had 23 disposals and kicked a goal.Dougal Howard kicked three goals from 11 disposals for the Allies, while Tasmanian midfielder Caleb Hislop collected 29 disposals to power his side to the Kevin Sheehan Trophy.
Victorian midfielder Nick O’Kearney (29 disposals) was best for the Academy, engineering plenty of run and co-captain Callum Mills had 23 touches in another strong performance.Exciting forward Harley Balic kicked two of the Academy’s four goals from 15 disposals, showing his evasive skills and athleticism.
NAB AFL ACADEMY 0.2 3.5 4.8 4.10 (34)
ALLIES 3.1 6.2 9.3 11.7 (73)
GOALS
NAB AFL Academy: Balic 2, Agius, Curnow
Allies: Howard 3, Weller 2, Cockatoo, Coughlan, Davis, Dawson, Hammelmann, Steele
BEST
NAB AFL Academy: O’Kearney, Mills, Mathieson, Dunkley, Dunkley, Balic
Allies: Cockatoo, Weller, Hislop, Steele, Dawson, Jackson, Mattingly
ALLIES TEAM
B: Michael Mattingly (NSW-ACT) Logan Austin (NSW-ACT) Harris Andrews (QLD)
HB: Josh McGuinness (TAS) Abe Davis (NSW-ACT) Liam Dawson (QLD)
C: Lachie Weller (QLD) Tim Jones (TAS) Jack Hiscox (NSW-ACT)
HF: Nakia Cockatoo (NT) Jeremy Finlayson (NSW-ACT) Braydon Hodgson (NSW-ACT)
F: Matthew Uebergang (QLD) Matthew Hammelmann (QLD) Jack Steele (NSW-ACT)
R: Braydon Preuss (QLD) Isaac Heeney (NSW-ACT) Caleb Hislop (TAS)
I/C: Josh Watts (TAS) Nick Jackson (QLD) Jordan Foote (NSW-ACT) Dougal Howard (NSW-ACT) Nick Coughlan (NSW-ACT)Coach: Jason Saddington
NAB AFL ACADEMY (U17 AUSTRALIAN TEAM)
B: Thomas Cole (VIC C) Sam Skinner (VIC C) Stephen Tahana (SA)
HB: Greg Clark (WA) Jacob Weitering (VIC C) Aaron Francis (SA)
C: Callum Ah Chee (WA) Rhys Mathieson (VIC C) James Parsons (VIC M)
HF: Ben Keays (QLD) Sam Weideman (VIC M) Harley Balic (VIC M)
F: Josh Dunkley (VIC C) Josh Schache (VIC C) Luke Partington (SA)
R: Tim Sullivan (SA) Callum Mills (NSW-ACT) Nick O’Kearney (VIC M)
I/C: Kieran Collins (VIC C) Liam Jeffs (VIC M) Jake Sushames (TAS) Kade Stewart (WA) Ben Crocker (VIC M) Keiran Agius (SA) Aidyn Johnson (VIC C) Dylan McDonald (NSW-ACT) Jordan Snaddon (WA) Yestin Eades (WA) Charlie Curnow (VIC C)
Coach: Brad Johnson
