EFL 2022: Carlton VFL youngster Tyreece Lieu dominates for Rowville in Premier Division win

Rowville reaped the benefits of an emerging state league talent’s availability, as he dominated to help the EFL Premier Division outfit to a vital win.

A VFL young gun dominated as ladder-leader Rowville chalked another victory against a potential top-six rival in the Eastern league’s Premier Division.

The Hawks reaped the benefits of Carlton’s Tyreece Lieu on Saturday owing to the state league outfit’s bye, as they powered past Blackburn – 11.13 (79) to 6.12 (48).

And it was Lieu front and centre as he was unleashed on-ball, changing it up from his usual position as a defender to form a potent combination with star ruckman Nik Schoenmakers.

Rowville senior coach Ben Wise said the Hawks took control of the match spearheaded by the key pair, turning a 12-point half-time margin into 34 at the final break.

Tyreece Lieu in action for the Young Guns during the AFL Talent Pathway match between Young Guns and Vic Metro U18 at Avalon Airport Oval on May 07, 2022. Photo by Mike Owen/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

“He’s a super talent, and how much we get to see him, who knows,” Wise said of Lieu.

“We let him go to work (on-ball) and he’s a beast – he’s 195-196 (cm tall), 94kg and 19 years old … and he can nearly play as a second ruck really.

“He probably chopped out ‘Schoey’ (Schoenmakers) maybe five minutes a quarter, and you just don’t lose anything around the footy.

“Those two are similar in the way they approach the man and the contest – they were just two weapons in there.”

Ruckman Nik Schoenmakers is enjoying a standout season for Rowville. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Lieu, who trained with Carlton’s AFL side earlier this year, has played a handful of matches for the Blues’ reserves this season after overcoming a foot injury.

The former Eastern Ranges prospect had showcased his versatility as both a tall defender and midfielder last season under mentor Travis Cloke, gaining the attention of scouts.

Lieu was initially slated at centre half-back for Saturday’s match – but fellow VFL youngster Tyler Edwards had received a late call-up to Casey, prompting the coach to move the magnets.

“I just knew he was a beast inside and had played junior footy on-ball, so I just let him go,” Wise said.

The 19-year-old’s injection into the Rowville side came as the Hawks claimed its 10th win of the season to sit a game clear in first position, with Lachlan Wynd bagging four goals in the victory.

The Hawks have dropped just one match (to Doncaster in Round 8) but have since won three on the bounce.

Wise said the loss served his young group a valuable lesson, helping set the tone for the past three weeks which has also netted wins against Berwick (30 points) and Vermont (59 points).

“We took a lot from it – it was a good kick in the butt when you’re at this level,” Wise said.

“We’ve only got three or four guys that have played over 50 games, so (it made) the (young group) understand that you can’t take anything for granted and at this level you cannot be off five, 10 per cent.

“Just the mental application you’ve got to have, and don’t think it’s just going to happen … that was the learning – don’t take any opposition lightly.”

Rowville takes on South Croydon (fifth) this weekend.