NOAH Anderson's exciting start to the season has continued after the midfielder led the NAB AFL Academy to a 105-point win over the New Zealand Hawks in Wellington on Tuesday.
The contest is the centerpiece of the Academy's six-day trip in New Zealand, where a selection of the country's best 2019 draft prospects have been on tour. They highlighted their talent in the 21.21 (147) to 6.6 (42) victory.
Anderson already looms as an early selection next year and was named captain for the Academy against the Hawks, where he kicked two goals and starred through the midfield in front of AFL club recruiters who also made the trip across the Tasman.
TOP PROSPECT DOES ACL: Potential number one pick to miss rest of season
Anderson is the son of former Hawk and Saint Dean Anderson, but the youngster won't qualify as a father-son given Dean played 83 games for Hawthorn (including the 1991 premiership) and 67 games for St Kilda.
Hayden Young and Matt Rowell were voted as vice-captains for the Academy in its clash under head coach Luke Power, with hard and consistent midfielder Rowell continuing his excellent start to the season.
Young was also very good across half-back and on Tuesday evening was awarded the Cameron Ling Medal as the player best representing the Academy's values.
Rhai Arn Cox, a small Indigenous forward from Western Australia, was scintillating in attack with four goals, while fellow forward Hewago Oea, the first Papua New Guinea player to be picked in the national academy, was also lively.
Tall target Emerson Jeka kicked two goals and provided an option deep in attack, as the Academy's class came to the fore across the contest after a tight opening term.
The Academy will return home on Wednesday, after attending an Anzac Day service in New Zealand.
NAB AFL Academy 2.2 10.4 15.9 21.21 (147)
New Zealand Hawks 2.1 4.3 6.5 6.6 (42)
GOALS
NAB AFL Academy: Cox 4, Serong 2, Anderson 2, Rossiter 2, Delahunty 2, Jeka 2, Davis 2, Pickett, Mohony, Robertson, Stephens, O'Neill
New Zealand Hawks: Lefau 2, Faimalo, Howison, McKenzie, Miller
BEST
NAB AFL Academy: Cox, Anderson, Rowell, Young, O'Neill
New Zealand Hawks: J.Johnson, Staunton, Lefau, Howison
