THE SON of late Essendon player Merv Neagle has starred for NSW/ACT in the NAB Under 18 Championships, kicking six goals to propel his team to a huge win over the Northern Territory on Saturday.

Jydon Neagle, who plays for the Murray Bushrangers in the TAC Cup, had 21 possessions, took 12 marks and had 10 scoring shots in his team's 101-point demolition.

NSW/ACT finished 19.19 (133) to Northern Territory's 5.2 (32) at Blacktown.

Neagle, a mid-sized forward, started the game on fire, kicking three first-quarter goals in a seven-goal opening onslaught by the home team. 

Coached by former Sydney Swans player Jason Saddington, NSW/ACT dominated every facet of the game.

Midfield trio Jake Barrett, Michael Gibbons and Lloyd Perris each collected more than 30 possessions, helping Neagle enjoy a rich bounty in the forward line.

Matthew Eastman, Mitchell Mahady and Gibbons were also among the goals, all finishing with two apiece.

It was a tough day at the office for the visitors, who had trouble finding the ball and lost the possession count 431 to 249.


Midfielders Abraham Ankers and Braedon McLean battled hard all day, but they were simply overwhelmed by the midfield dominance of NSW/ACT.

Ankers worked his way into the game, pushing forward at times and finishing with two goals.

Willy Rioli also showed flashes of class for NT.

Neagle, who is eligible to become a father-son selection for the Bombers, is one of a trio of Neagle brothers on Essendon's radar.

All three – Jydon, Nathan and Matthew – are part of the James Hird Academy, which boasts a number of sons of former Bomber champs.

Merv Neagle lost his life in a truck accident in southern NSW in August last year, just before Jydon's 18th birthday.

NSW/ACT                 7.4   11.9       16.15       19.19 (133)
Northern Territory   0.2    2.2            4.2         5.2   (32)

GOALS
NSW/ACT: Neagle 6, Eastman 2, Gibbons 2, Mahady 2, Barrett, Clothier, Etto, Head, King, Thompson, Watson
NT: Ankers 2, McGill, McLean, Rioli, Cox

BEST:
NSW/ACT: Davis, Gibbons, Barrett, Perris, Neagle, Halse, Munro, Eastman
NT: Ankers, McLean, Stokes, Cox, Rioli