Exciting young AFL talents Kyle Smith and Josh Sugden lined up for the Brisbane Lions reserves in their State League clash against Southport at the Gabba on Saturday afternoon.
Both players were called into the Lions side after impressive starts to the season for the Toowoomba Crows U18’s and were part of a comprehensive 80 point thrashing over competition front runners Southport.
Smith played 3 games for the Lions last year and this experience seemed to hold him in good stead as he looked more than comfortable mixing it with the likes of Travis Johnstone, Brad Dalziell, Scott Harding and co where he accumulated 15 possessions off a forward flank.
Sugden, on the other hand was making his debut for the Lions and while he started nervously he worked his way into the game very well in a tagging role off the half back line.
Recruiting manager Ian McCrae was more than pleased with the effort of both Toowoomba players. McCrae stated that “To beat a team like Southport by 80 points, you have to have everyone in your team contributing and that’s what happened on the weekend”. McCrae has also shown an interest in gaining the services of these players for upcoming matches so that they qualify for finals this year.
Smith exclaimed that ”the opportunity to experience a game where you are running around with guys who have played AFL level football was fantastic, especially someone like Travis Johnstone, who is a former number 1 draft pic and has played 200+ AFL games”.
Both players will be back to business as usual this weekend when they line up for the Toowoomba Crows who are on the road against Caboolture. The Crows are in a tie for first place in the U18 North Division 2 ladder and a solid win this weekend may secure a home final for the Crows who are looking to improve on their current 5 game winning streak.
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22.14-146
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Brisbane Lions
Selected Team
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3:20 PM
Sat 11/Jul
Gabba (Map)
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def.
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9.6-60
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Southport
Selected Team
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Brisbane Lions
Goal Kickers: S. Harding 4, T. Johnstone 3, T. Rockliff 3, J. Bruekers 2, M. Tyler 2, B. Dalziell 2, L. Henderson 2, J. Tippett, D. Murray, A. Cornelius, B. Boland
Best Players: B. Dalziell, T. Johnstone, S. Harding, T. Rockliff, A. Spackman, P. Hanley
Southport
Goal Kickers: D. Lynch 2, J. Kahlefeldt 2, B. Merrett, D. O''Brien, B. Headland, D. Charleston, J. Thompson
Best Players: J. Kahlefeldt, D. O''Brien, D. Lynch, J. Thompson, B. McCauley, B. Merrett
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Last Modified on 10/03/2010 14:57
