World Footy News

VFL team the Box Hill Hawks have defeated the Australian Under 18 team by 31 points in the curtain raiser to Richmond v Carlton at the MCG today.

In an entertaining game, after being down by nine points at half time, the stronger and more experienced Hawks overcame the Australian youngsters, kicking five goals in the last quarter to win convincingly.  Clearly their upcoming European opponents will have their hands full with these young Aussie guns. 

Best on the ground was Hawthorn’s rising star Liam Shiels who was returning from a thigh injury.  Shiels gathered 28 posessions, receiving strong support from new draftee Brad Hill who kicked four goals and had 23 disposals.

The Australian boys were well served by key defender Lachie Plowman and highly promising midfielder Lachie Whitfield, as well as captain Joe Daniher who marked impressively and kicked four goals.

The Australian Under 18 team, all members of the AIS-AFL Academy will head to Europe on Saturday March 31 for a 13-day tour.

Lead by High Performance Coach Michael O’Loughlin, the Australian squad will take on European combination teams in London and Paris.

Results:

Australia U18             5.3 (33)            7.6 (48)            9.7 (61)            10.7 (67)           
Box Hill Hawks          3.2 (20)            6.3 (39)            9.9 (63)            14.14 (98)

GOALS
Australia U18: J.Daniher 4, J.Bourke 2, T.Menzel, J.Stewart, J.Toumpas, J.Viney
Box Hill Hawks: B.Hill 4, T.Schneider 2, J. Cass 2, A.Clifford, S.Cust, A.Frank, B.Monkhorst, K.Post, L.Shiels

BEST
Australia U18: L.Plowman, L.Whitfield, N.Wright, J.Daniher, O.Wines, J.Toumpas, N.Vastuin
Box Hill Hawks: L.Shiels, L.Andrews, T.Schneider, B.Hill, T.Gilchrist, J.Cass