AIC AFL: Three-way premiership race; best last round players
The Brisbane Lions have moved on footy talent unearthed in the AIC AFL schoolboy competition. We reveal the Lions’ latest academy recruits, along with best players from the last round.
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A fast developing AIC AFL competition is a race in three with St Laurence’s College, Villanova and Marist College Ashgrove with the best chance of snaring the premiership.
All three could even share the title if they win on Friday, although the flame flickers for Padua.
Ashgrove has two games in three days to finish their season, confronting St Peters on Wednesday and St Edmund’s on Friday.
Although Ashgrove had a bye last week, there is still news circulating around Frasers Road, with 2022 Old Boys Tom Prole and Marcus Zipf, a 200cm giant, participating in the Lions Academy.
Joining these two is this year’s captain George Wood, with Wood and Zipf selected in the final squad.
Indeed having these boys progress their games in an elite level program would bring a smile to assistant coach Brett Gillett’s face, Gillett the face of Ashgrove’s AIC AFL program since its inception.
Where once St Laurence’s College were fastest out of the blocks and the competition’s pacesetters, contenders have come from Marist College Ashgrove and Villanova College.
Padua has had a good season in its development and faces its early “grand final’’ against St Laurence’s on Friday.
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Padua is coming off a 11-12-78 to 0-5-5 win over St Edmund’s College.
Isaac Boal at full-forward played his best game this season for Padua, kicking multiple goals and was the focal target for our team all day.
“He took mark after mark, and continued to work hard for us all day; easily the best player on the ground,’’ praised Padua coach Tom Giuliano.
Also upfront was Noah Shorten who was a real general across the forward line. “He set a really good example for the team with his voice and direction,’’ Giuliano said.
“He played high up the ground and used the ball well all day.’’
Sam Wren also played another strong game. “Sam played well as a defender and took some great intercept marks for our team. He also played on the wing, showing his versatility and ability to play multiple roles for our team,’’ Giuliano praised.
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Giuliano said after a slow start in the wet weather, his side eventually got the ball rolling against Eddie’s. “Credit must be given to Eddie’s, who didn’t give up all day and were very unlucky to not kick some goals during the game,’’ he said.
“Credit must also be given to our backline, who have kept teams goalless these last two weeks which has been really positive.
“Our attention now turns to St Laurence’s who are playing some great football thus far. It will be a great test to see where we are situated against a quality opponent.’’
Villanova coach Brian Pascoe said in his team’s clash against Ambrose Treacy was highlighted by several performers:
Charlie Corrigan: Playing at centre half forward he was rewarded for his high work rate with four goals.
Frasier Lay: Recovering from an ankle injury, Lay was back in the midfield and instrumental in many forward entries throughout the game, reading the ball well and enjoying a number of intercept marks.
Issac Lynch: Key ruckman Lynch played a dominant game in the ruck contest ensuring Villa generally had first look at the ball.
Jay Gill: Gill, who generally plays in the 9/10 A team, made his debut in the Open team playing his small forward role effectively.
Benny Lawrence: Key defender Lawrence continues to improve and has played some time through the midfield as he improves his game sense.
The Iona College v St. Patrick’s clash was a hard fought affair in wet and windy conditions, a clash featuring uncompromising football.
Paddies won 8.6.54 – 3.5.23, with Paddies controlling the tempo across the first half as weather forced Iona away from his fast tempo style of play.
St Patrick’s led by four goals at the long break, but Iona did come back, reducing the deficit to just four points entering the final term.
“Ruckman Robert Hinkler, who was returning from injury, began to dominate the ruck contest and snapped a goal from the boundary in the dying moments of the third,’’ said Iona coach Anthony Bannerman.
“Iona were once again held together by their senior leaders, captains Zane Pearce and Koby Corten.
“Fullback and vice-captain Damon Dunlop continued to battle every minute of the match and played with grit and determination.’’
Bannerman praised St Patrick’s who he said was “the harder team on the night and kicked away in the last quarter’’.
With the season nearing its end, it’s time to shine the light on the boys who have improved in leaps and bounds.
Starting with Ashgrove, Isaac Roach and Year 10 Liam Rice have been the definition of improvers.
Ned Rosenbrock, a fierce competitor who gets in his rivals’ heads and never leaves, plays senior football for Wilston Grange and would take the crown as Ashgrove’s hardest worker.
He gives 110 per cent at training and sets the highest of standards for his teammates.
Aidan Brennan, Kaden Ford, Brady Hipkins, Joe Drane and Finn Mahoney were best for Ambrose Treacy against Villanova, with a rousing comeback from the squad highlighting the spirit of the squad.
Villa started on fire booting many goals, but ATC players responded to the coaches pleas for courage and effort.
Director of Sport Jarrod Turner said the players “showed they are a force to be reckoned’’ after their second half effort, where they out scored their rivals.
“It was a real character building half of football to be proud of,’’ Turner said.
Footnote: Come back Friday for the standout performers glimpsed in the Villa and Paddies clash before a Team of the Year announcement next week.
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