Wonderful conditions greeted the Youth players in both Auckland and Wellington over the weekend as they strapped on their footy boots and took the field for week four of the AFL New Zealand Youth competition.
During the week, a number of the Youth players represented their Schools to take part in the Junior Hawks Cup where a record number of Schools attended.
Auckland
The result in the Youth Girls competition went to Bulldogs who trumped the Lions in what was a fantastic game of footy this week. Player of the day Emma Collins (Massey High School) was sensational for the Bulldogs as she gathered many possessions and kicked two goals. Another Massey High School student Daina Brazier was named the best for the Lions for her all round efforts during the game. Brazier listened to the coaches instructions and put them to the test during the game.
Notable mentions go to Killarney Morey and Sam Shrimpton for the Lions and Jasmine Paki and O’Shea Macmillan for the Bulldogs.
Goalscorers:
Bulldogs: Jasmine Paki 3, Emma Collins 2, Charley Green 2, Mary Hislop 2, O’Shea Macmillan
Lions: Killarney Morey 4, Daina Brazier 2, Jolyn Collins 2
Player of the day:
Bulldogs: Emma Collins
Lions: Daina Brazier
The Tigers took the honours over the Magpies this week in the U14 competition in Auckland. Consistent all rounder Tom Hack was terrific again as he slotted four goals for his side. In defence, Joe Foster from Selwyn College provided great pressure while at the other end of the ground, Brodie Richardson (Stonefields School) showed great attacking play. Albany Junior High School student Luke Buckley was player of the day for his all round effort along with his accurate skills. For the Magpies, Whangaparaoa College junior Bom Verkade was awarded player of the day for giving it his all.
Goalscorers:
Tigers: Tom Hack 4, Oliver Parsons 1, Hadley Murray 1, Brodie Richardson 1, Will O’Brien 1, Spencer Jones 1
Magpies: Flynn Roberts 2, Harry Upton 1, Joel Hetherington 1, Levi Wilson 1
Player of the day:
Magpies: Luke Buckley
Tigers: Bom Verkade
A big win for the Crows in the U17 competition as the majority of the players continue to show their development in the sport. Player of the day Daniel Howie (Takapuna Grammar) once again impressed as he showed off his vertical leap in the ruck for the Crows and dominated his opponents. Northcote College student Jake Tucker gave his all with his first and second efforts and teamed well with school mate Lewis Barrow-Young. For the Suns, Aidan Anthony Collins (Massey High School) made several tackles and threw his body into every contest along with Luke Miller who was also unstoppable in defence. James Dakin (Western Springs College)was seen to be everywhere during the game as he worked hard to position himself to receive the ball.
Goalscorers:
Suns: Maxwell Hicks 3,Joey Aleisich-Tamariki 1, Dawson Nanai 1
Crows: Jackson Hemmingsen 4, Jake Tucker 2, Dan Howie 2, Lewis Barrow-Young 1, Argyle Morling 1
Player of the day:
Suns: Harry Forbes
Crows: Dan Howie
Wellington
The Bulldogs got the result they were after as they overcame a strong Lions team in the Wellington Youth Competition. Bulldogs player Cameron Kerr (Palmerston North Boys) was awarded player of the day for his efforts all around the ground while Hari Below (Heretonga College) was player of the day for the Lions, kicking a goal up front and for his accurate kicking and handpassing.
Notable mentions went to William Anderson (Karori Normal) and Alexander Kempt (St Brendans) for the Bulldogs and Aidan Christians (Raroa Colege) and George Hopkins (Heretonga College) from the Lions.
Goalscorers:
Bulldogs: Douglas McJorrow 2, Jonah Christians 1, Orlando Pender 1, Rico Tuhua 1
Lions: Hari Below 1, Beren Goodwin 1, George Hopkins 1
Player of the day:
Bulldogs: Cameron Kerr
Lions: Hari Below
