School Sport 2024: Undefeated Vics take national title in U12s
Victoria’s 12 and under football side has claimed back-to-back Australian titles, with AFL great Matthew Lloyd’s son impressing. Here’s a rundown on every player.
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For the second year running, Victoria’s 12 and under boys football team is national champions.
The Big V — bursting with talent — went through the Australian championships in Geelong undefeated, securing the title with victory over South Australia in the final match.
“It’s good to go back-to-back, I tell you,’’ Victorian coach Leigh McQuillen said.
“I was relieved once the siren went.’’
McQuillen said the key to success for this side was its run and carry.
“We had genuine elite ball users, leg speed and we were able to cover the ground better,’’ he said.
Months of preparations culminated in the perfect result.
McQuillen gives a rundown on every Victorian player:
Cooper Andrew
This kid is a genuine star; a centre half forward who took a heaps of grabs but the minute the ball hit the deck he was unbelievably good below his knees, picks it up well and he’s got a lot of speed, just takes off, a left footer. He was crucial in the grand final and throughout the carnival. A great player.
Harvey Betts
Left footer, really creative by foot, ended up playing key position…he was one of the best players in the grand final when he took a lot of courageous marks going back with the flight of the ball and possesses real penetration in his left foot rebounding off half back.
Xavier Bucello
Crafty player who was used forward and back. Left footer, real creative in traffic, loves to swing on his left; a genuine utility.
Liam Carroll
Dashing wingman who’s equally adept on both sides of the body. In the grand final he was unbelievable, one of Victoria’s best as he used the footy beautifully. A state athletics runner, he has running power and speed…he’s small in stature but plays big.
Charlie Clarke
This kid is an absolute ripper. Kicked 20 goals. He played deep forward, a straight leading player who marks the footy at its peak, and his set shot is elite — every time he took a mark you pretty much marked it down, he’d bang it through. Crucially, he kicked three in the grand final.
Elijah Curran
Played a mix of high half forward and went on the ball in the grand final against South Australia. Racks up huge numbers and he would have been easily top three in the grand final. Fast, kicks it well and tough as nails.
Darragh Finn
A genuine key defender, the vice-captain played at full back pretty much the whole tournament. Had to play against some big forwards and hardly got beaten; good one-on-one, his voice and direction was elite and his ball use fantastic and he hit targets by foot.
Ben Genis
Inside midfielder who didn’t waste a kick. Every kick was quality, strong through the hips, hardly gets caught and when he does he feeds a handball. Played deep inside, he got a ton of clearances.
Tommy Harrop
Small defender with an attention to detail. Kicks both feet, a good running player, hard at it and tackles well. He was a real find, to be honest…he’s small in stature but, gee, he plays the game well.
Nicholas Jukawics
Victoria’s captain commanded the backline. Really hard at it, solidly built, massive football IQ. Sensational footballer, attacks the ball with ferocity and led from the front.
Nason Lovett-Murray
An unbelievably crafty forward. Elite skills, got a great turning circle, he turned opponents inside out, he knows where the goals are and celebrates a goal with glee. He gets to the fall of the ball but can take a grab as well. The nephew of ex-Bombers star Nathan Lovett-Murray.
Jacob Lloyd
The son of Essendon great Matthew Lloyd was the youngest player in the side, and one of the most impressive. Played as a small lead-up forward. Took grabs and kicked goals and was also a crumbing forward. Elite foot skills.
Chevy McBride
The 182cm boy from Daylesford dominated. Against South Australia, with the title up for grabs, he was unleashed and tore them apart. He was fresh as a daisy and took numerous grabs, kicked a goal, he was taking it out of the ruck and they were putting two and three players on him, he was that big and dominant.
Jayden Millie
Really crafty left footer, a utility who played wing, forward and back, used his run and carry. A unique player.
Elliot Mulholland Pyle
Got a good grab on him, good below the knees and took several crucial marks in the grand final against South Australia. Has penetration in his kick, and played a vital role in the grand final when Victoria needed him up forward.
Harry Pearce
The boy from Mt Martha was one of the quickest in the side, he gets the ball and just goes and they can’t catch him. Also one of the best kicks on the run and offers a lot of spark up forward and at half back with his ability to carry the footy. Son of former Brisbane and Carlton player Brad Pearce.
Lachlan O’Brien
A genuine midfielder who plays inside and outside, kicks well on both feet. Good grunt, tough onballer who can also play forward and kicks goals.
Jordi Seidel
Played a bit on a wing and went on to the ball at times. Long, penetrating kick and gave Victoria heaps of flexibility out on a wing and through half forward.
Soren Spencer
Was used as a genuine utility, he rucked and continually gave a contest, a real hard-at-it player …and he also went forward and kicked goals.
Luca Simmons
One of the key players of the tournament, played the majority of his football on the wing, going inside a bit. A crafty ball user on both sides of his body and hard at it, repeat contests.
Max Simone
Versatile player who played forward and back, really strong body. He won an Essendon District league medal on the Wednesday night. For Victoria he locked down opponents but at the same time went forward and kicked goals. Provided terrific flexibility with his great kicking.
Tommy Teasdale-Dohnt
A hard-at-it inside midfielder who also went into the backline, playing crucial roles stopping opposition opponents. Finds his own footy too.
James Richardson
Centre half back from Geelong. Had an absolute ripping carnival. He took some huge pack marks in the grand final. Held down taller opponents, a really good left footer. He was the quickest player in the side so when he got the ball he put it under his wing and just went as a centre half back.
Team Officials
Coach: Leigh McQuillen, Tootgarook Primary School
Assistant Coach: Duane Heston, Bourchier Street Primary School
Manager: Liam Smith, Apollo Parkways Primary School
Sports Trainer: Nicole Murphy
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