By Alice Barker
The Queensland team rounded out the NAB AFL U16 National Championships in blitzing fashion, dominating the Northern Territory en route to a 52-point win.
This win ensured the Queensland side finished the national campaign undefeated on home soil, and coach Leigh Harding said he was pleased with how the boys came together.
“From day one we wanted to concentrate on fundamental skills, I think that came into fruition in games two and three,” he told aflq.com.au
Noah MacFayden consistently proved his worth in the representative team throughout the Championships, cementing this as he rounded out the final match by booting eight goals, racking up 14 disposals and seven marks last Saturday at Voxsan Oval, Aspley.
Austin Harris finished the match with a massive 23 disposals, while Jye Lockett booted two goals for his side.
Adding 16 points to the scoreboard was Lochlan Harrop, his performance was integral in the match against the Northern Territory gaining 21 disposals, 11 kicks and four marks.
Harding says this high-performance program and competition is a way to introduce young talent to the AFL system and help them work towards their future footballing goals.
“We’ve got them at 16, by the time [the players] are 18 the foundations have already been set,” he said.
“Hopefully they can take the learnings all the way through. So that’s basically what we are trying to do, set up a high-performance program for a kid at 16, and then show them the way forward.”
The boys will now continue their club seasons, in preparation for potential selection in a couple of years.
