Brothers Bulldogs Jock Oates, Kallan Mazengarb and Riley Blundell along with ATW’s Brad Higgins all played important roles in the sound campaign of the Country Queensland Kookaburras winning two of their three games at the AFL QLD U/14 State Development Championships on the Gold Coast last week.
The Kookaburras were unlucky to finish 5th in 8 team Championships following a six point loss to eventual Championship winners Gold Coast Stingrays surrendering a 1 point lead with 90 seconds to go after coming from 4 goals down at half time. Under the Championship system after losing your first game the best you can finish is 5th. The Kookaburras easily accounted for the Western Taipans and then PNG in its final game. No other team would get as close to the Stingrays for the remainder of the Championship.
There is no State Team for the U/14 age group however all participants will be hopeful of being named in the AFL Lions Academy Squad for 2009 which will provide those 40 selected with expert tutoring by key Lions players and coaches such as Luke Power, Jonathan Brown and Chris Johnson at school holiday camps next year.
Jock Oates was named Captain of the Kookaburras for the Championships and did not let anyone down with outstanding performances in the ruck dominating centre bounces and at ruck contests around the ground however it was his mobility to also win the ball at ground level and work hard all over the field that impressed most. The 191cm 14 year old formed a formidable ruck combination with Cape York ’s Jermaine Wardell and was also able to kick valuable goals for the Kookaburras when resting in the forward line. Oates consistent performance over the three matches earned him the coache’s award from coach Aaron Dore and his ruck partner Wardell was awarded the Kookaburra Medal.
Kallan Mazengarb started the championship slowly as it took some time for him to adjust to the State Championship Level but once those adjustments were made he then showed what he is capable of in being a prolific winner of the football in tight situations and then have the ability to get clear and deliver the ball well to team mates. His carnival was capped with a trademark running goal from 40 meters in the Kookaburras final victory.
Riley Blundell as a 13 year old with another year in the U/14 program showed plenty of promise with his versatility proving a key asset as he performed well in both the forward and back line as well as contributing in the midfield. He kicked goals for the team down in the forward line but a key feature was his strong body in contested situations but needs to be more consistent in all areas of his game which will be expected when he returns next year.
Brad Higgins of ATW Bundaberg after being the unlucky omission for game 1 showed he has plenty of potential looking to the future and was by no means lost at State Championship level. In game two against the Western Taipans he played on the half back flank to great effect keeping his opponent quiet as well as instigating great rebound and attack from defence for the Kookaburras. In game three against PNG he played a valuable role in the forward line applying pressure on the opposition defence and creating scoring opportunities for his team mates.
Championship Results below.
Thank you,
Anthony McDonald · Regional Manager · Bundaberg Wide Bay
AFL Queensland
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“AFL Lions Academy” 2008
State Under 14 Development Championships
Gold Coast Stadium, Carrara
Day 1 Results
Bushrangers 7.10.52 def. Papua New Guinea 3.8.26
Goals - Bushies: Luke Morgan 2, Nick Davidson 2, Nathan Ramsay, Angus Hubert, Tyson Dowling PNG: Sanga Bai, Nolen Lavu, Brendon Gotuno
Best - Bushies: Luke Morgan, Nick Davidson, Angus Hubert, Nathan Ramsay, Josh Gunn PNG: Theo Garvuri, Brendan Beno, Junior Macca, Gideon Simon, Noel Maguna
Game 2
Raiders 30.6.186 def. Colts 1.0.6
Goals - Raiders: Tom Waibel 5, Daniel Brown 3, Aden Rutledge 3, Shwan Crook 2, Corbin Dickfos 2, James Ives 2, Ryan Barber, Luke Whatley, Sam Gribble, Isaac Conway, Ty Morrissey, Josh Furnari, Syd Driffield, Josh Stiller Colts: Corey Richards
Best – Raiders: James Ives, Syd Driffield, Luke Glastonbury, Shawn Crook, Tom Overington, Tom Waibel Colts: Tom Trowse, Jason Grosvenor, Camryn Lloyd,
Game 3
Power 8.8.56 def. Taipans 6.3.39
Goals – Power: Hayden Smoothy 3, Aiden Sauvage 2, Lachlan Pearson, Arlo Haycroft, Jake Hooper Taipans: Alex Shea 2, Josh Rowe 2, Tom Breen, Unknown 1
Best - Power: Aiden Sauvage, Jake Hooper, Hayden Smoothy, Lachlan Pearson, Riley Manfield, Damon Chapman Taipans: Clay Cameron, Joseph Pearce, Tom Breen, Jonte Henley, Patrick Crossling, Jye Hall.
Game 4
Stingrays 9.7.61 def. Kookaburras 8.7.55
Goals - Stingrays: Ty Alderson 3, Hamish Cathie 3, Matthew Freeman, Tom Davidson, Trent Landgren Kookaburras: Steve Lane 2, Nabako Stow, Josh Hanlon, Daniel Boughton, Michael Roverts, Jacob Bob, Tyler Jones
Best - Stingrays: Matt Freeman, Tom Davidson, Devon Gray, Brandon Cain, James McNamara Kookaburras: Tyler Jones, Steve Lane, Nabako Stow, Jock Oates, Chris Keeling, Bo Hall.
Day 2 Results
Game 1
Papua New Guinea 12.4.76 def. AFLQ Colts
Goals - PNG: Brendan Beno 4, Junior Macca 2, Brendon Gotuno 2, Tony Leroy, Sanga Bai, Arthur Iso, Joe Kiper Colts: Aaron Rudd, Josh Smith, Dale Williams, Fraser Godfrey, Camryn Lloyd
Best - PNG: Brendan Beno, Junior Macca, Sanga Bia, Noel Maguno, Gideon Simon Colts: Daniel McAddie, Josh Smith, Tom Trowse, Corey Richards, Mark Newton
Game 2
Kookaburras 8.10.58 def. Taipans 4.6.30
Goals - Kookaburras: Steve Lane 2, Stannia Agita 1, Josh Hanlon, Liam Wade, Michael Roverts, Damian Dewis-Jackson, Bo Hall Taipans: Alex Shea, Jarrod Joliffe, Sam McLennan, Clay Cameron
Best –Kookaburras: Jock Oates, Jermain Wardle, Stannis Agita, Michael Roverts, Tyler Jones, Dan Boughton Taipans: Hayden Bertoli-Simmonds, Kristian Sedgeman, Jye Hall, Sam Bennett, Isaac Smith, Alex BrighouseGame 3
Raiders 8.18.66 def. Bushies 6.5.41
Goals –Raiders: James Ives 3, Corbin Dickfos, Tom Overington, Luke Whatley, Shawn Crook, Syd Driffield Bushies: Angus Hubert, Tyson Dowling, Matt Edwards
Best - Raiders: Josh Wagner, Tom Overington, Luke Glastonbury, Corbin Dickfos, Daniel Brown Bushies: Angus Hubert, Nick Davidson, Josh Mazoletti, Luke Morgan, Justin Ryan
Game 4
Stingrays 13.10.88 def. Power 2.3.15
Goals - Stingrays: Hamish Cathie 3, Brandon Cain, Tom Davidson, Andrew Boston, Zane Smith, Mickey Abbey, Jesse Alexander, Ty Alderson, Tom Palmer, Brodie Haberfield, Kingsley Krebs Power: Justin Croucher, Arlo Haycroft
Best - Stingrays: Tom Davidson, Zane Smith, Matthew Freeman, Jamie Skennar, Andrew Boston, Tom Palmer, Jesse Alexander, Brodie Haberfield, Kody O’Hea Power: Lachlan Pearson, Damon Chapman, Brendan Fraser, Cain Tickner, Nick Mills
Day 3 – Friday 4th July
9:30am AFL Colts vs. Taipans
11:00am PNG vs. Kookaburras
12:30pm Bushrangers vs. Power
2:00pm Stingrays vs. Raiders (Grand Final)
Gold Coast Stadium, Carrara
Day 3 Results - AFL Lions Academy State U/14 Development Championships
Game 1
Taipans 16.14.110 def. AFLQ Colts 3.3.21
Goals - Taipans: Jonte Henley 4, Joseph Pearce 3, Tom Breen 2, Samuel Bennett 2, Alex Shea, Clay Cameron, Jarrod Joliffe, Billy North, Jonathon Freeman Colts: Jackson Leary, Jordan Savage, Jordan Roberts
Best - Taipans: Joseph Pearce, Tom Breen, Samuel Bennett, Jonte Henley, Sam McClennan Colts: Taishi Yamamoto, Camryn Lloyd, Liam Detering, Josh Smith, Nick Coombes
Game 2
Kookaburras 16.6.102 def. PNG 5.7.37
Goals - Kookaburras: Stannis Agita 3, Damien Dewis-Jackson 3, Aquila Gela 2, Jermaine Wardle 2, Jock Oates 2, Aiden Hearn, Kallan Mazengarb, Riley Blundell, James Markham PNG: Brendan Beno 2, Nathan Malbak, Jacob Kanga, Patrick Atu,
Best – Kookaburras: Chris Keeling, Aiden Hearn, Jermain Wardle, Stannis Agita, Kallan Mazengarb, Jock Oates PNG: Gideon Simon, Noel Maguna, Theo Garuvi
Game 3
Bushies 13.16.94 def. Power 6.2.38
Goals – Bushies: Luke Morgan 2, James O’Donnell 2, Angus Hubert 2, Nick Davidson, Brian Coleman-Broome, Tyson Dowling, Daniel Cullen, Matthew Edwards, Josh Gunn Power: Hayden Smoothy 3, Jake Hooper, Damon Chapman, Brendan Fraser
Best - Bushies: Nick Davidson, Jake Knezevic, Luke Morgan, ,Angus Hubert, Josh Mazoletti Power: Damon Chapman, Jye Fitzpartick, Aidan Sauvage, Hayden Smooothy, Brendan Fraser
Game 4 – Grand Final
Stingrays 7.9.51 def. Raiders 5.5.35
Goals - Stingrays: Zane Smith 2, Kingsley Krebs 2, Tom Davidson, Trent Landgren, Andrew Boston Raiders: Jordan Flitcroft 2, James Ives 2, Tom Waibel
Best - Stingrays: Team Effort Raiders: Jordan Fuller, Shaun Crooks, Daniel Brown, James Ives, Josh Stiller
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