SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS 9.9 (63)
OAKLEIGH CHARGERS 11.15 (81)

OAKLEIGH announced itself as a team to watch in the 2022 NAB League Boys season after cruising to an 18-point win over powerhouse Sandringham in the opening round at RSEA Park on Sunday.

The Chargers took the ascendancy with four goals to none in the first quarter and held off a five-goal-to-two Dragons comeback in the second term to effectively seal the win with another five goals to one in the third, holding on to a comfortable win despite going goalless in the last term.

Blake Drury was the star for Oakleigh and could have had a real day out after kicking 3.5 from 21 disposals, eight marks and five inside-50s, while Elijah Tsatas was fantastic with 27 possessions and six marks, George Wardlaw had 24, five marks, eight tackles and a goal, Jack O’Sullivan fired with 22 and a goal, Jed Rule had 20, 11 marks and a goal, Max Gruzewski earned 16 touches, nine marks and five rebounds in defence, Josh Weddle took eight marks, Angus Currey laid 10 tackles and Nick McLarty had 21 hitouts.

Archie Roberts was terrific in defence for Sandringham with 22 disposals and eight marks, Cam Mackenzie gathered 18 touches and a goal, Brisbane Lions father-son prodigy Will Ashcroft gathered 18 and five tackles and Lachlan Benton kicked three goals from 17 disposals.

Northern Knights' Josh Hamilton handballs during the Round 1 NAB League Boys match against Sydney Swans Academy at Highgate Reserve on April 2, 2022. Picture: Martin Keep/AFL Photos

GEELONG FALCONS 9.14 (68)
GOLD COAST ACADEMY 9.13 (67)

A LATE goal from George McCulloch pinched Geelong a thrilling one-point win over Gold Coast Academy at Highgate Reserve on Sunday.

There were six lead changes in the see-sawing contest, with the Falcons’ biggest lead being just 15 points and the Suns getting out by as much as 11 with 12 minutes to go before Geelong found the last two goals to get over the line in a thriller.

Ted Clohesy starred for the Falcons with a gutsy 27-disposal, 14-tackle effort that also yielded seven inside-50s, while Archie Sinnot had 21 and eight rebounds in defence, Cooper Hayes earned 20, seven marks, five inside-50s, six rebounds and a goal and ruckman Olivier Northam was terrific with 18, seven marks, 34 hitouts, five inside-50s and two goals.

Jed Foggo was Gold Coast’s best player, picking up 19 disposals, 11 tackles, nine rebounds and a goal, Riley Stone had 18, five marks and a goal, Jake Rogers earned 18 and five tackles and Louie McLennan had 17 and six marks.

Sydney Swans Academy's Tye Gander is tackled by Northern Knights' Jacob Naismith during their Round 1 NAB League Boys match at Highgate Reserve on April 2, 2022. Picture: Martin Keep/AFL Photos

CALDER CANNONS 8.8 (56)
GWS GIANTS ACADEMY 7.10 (52)

CALDER held on for a thrilling four-point win over GWS Academy at Highgate on Sunday.

The Cannons jumped out of the blocks with four goals to one in the first quarter before the Giants gradually work their way back into the game with two goals to one in each of the next two terms, but the home team twice steadied in the last and held off rallying goals from the NSWelshmen.

Jack Newitt was the star for Calder, winning 28 disposals and five marks, sticking five tackles, having seven inside-50s and kicking two goals, while Joey Dimasi (25 disposals, five marks, six tackles, five inside-50s), Harry Andronaco (24, nine tackles, one goal) and Matt Pellegrino (22, one goal) won plenty of the ball, Josh Misiti was brilliant in defence with 19 touches and 11 rebounds and Rye Penny had 18 and took 11 marks.

Luke Lawrence was terrific in defence for the Giants with 29 possessions, 11 rebounds and five tackles, with Nicholas Newton (25 disposals, six rebounds), Ethan Grace (25 touches, six inside-50s, 1.3), Luke Fellows (28 disposals), Harry Rowston (20, eight tackles, five inside-50s), Patrick Ryan (19, eight marks, seven tackles) and giant ruckman Nick Madden (16, four marks 25 hitouts) also prominent.

Sydney Swans Academy's Indhi Kirk clears by foot during the Round 1 NAB League Boys match against Northern Knights at Highgate Reserve on April 2, 2022. Picture: Martin Keep/AFL Photos

DANDENONG STINGRAYS 12.9 (81)
EASTERN RANGES 9.13 (67)

DANDENONG got its season off to the perfect start with an impressive 14-point win over a wasteful Eastern Ranges at Skybus Stadium on Sunday.

Eastern had the chance to put the game to bed by quarter-time, but kicked 2.7 to the Stingrays 2.1 and paid the ultimate price as the home team controlled the rest of the game and kicked clear in the third term to win despite having one less scoring shot.

Ned Moodie was the difference up forward for the Stingrays, kicking five goals straight from eight disposals, while big-bodied mid Jai Culley was tough in and under to win 27 disposals, four marks, five tackles, six inside-50s and three goals in a best-on-ground display.

Dandenong’s two hypenators, Taj Campbell-Farrell (31 disposals, seven tackles, six inside-50s) and Finn Emile-Brennan (30, six marks, seven rebounds) were also brilliant, while Mitch Szybowski (26), Collingwood VFL captain Campbell Hustwaite’s brother Henry (24) and Nick Collier (22) got down and dirty.

Lewis Hayes (20 disposals, seven marks, six rebounds) and Zac Greeves (20, seven inside-50s) worked hard for Eastern, while Mitchell Sruk (18, five marks, seven rebounds), Hayden Smith (19, one goal) and Josh Bennetts (14, seven inside-50s) were also good and Nicholas Watson (four goals) and Matthew Aldous (three) finished their good work.

Northern Knights' Aleksandr D’Arro runs with the ball during the Round 1 NAB League Boys match against Sydney Swans Academy at Highgate Reserve on April 2, 2022. Picture: Martin Keep/AFL Photos

WESTERN JETS 14.5 (89)
BRISBANE LIONS ACADEMY 10.6 (66)

WESTERN Jets blew the Brisbane Lions Academy away in the second term before holding off a third-quarter rally to win by 23 points at Highgate on Sunday.

Leading by four points at the first break, the Jets kicked five goals to none in the second quarter to take a 34-point gap into half-time before the Queenslanders charged back to within three points with six of the first seven goals of the third term.

But Harry Miller (three goals) and Jovan Petric snagged two majors in a minute in the shadows of three quarter-time and the Jets added two goals to one in the last quarter to cruise home.

Massimo D’Ambrossio was terrific for the Jets with 28 disposals, six marks and six rebounds, while Jaelen Pavlidis (21, eight tackles) was also outstanding and Billy Kolyniuk (six marks, one goal), Jake Whybrow (10 tackles), Cameron Kizan (eight tackles), Nathan Dowdy (26 hitouts) and Jhett Gaskett (five inside-50s) made their presence felt.

Father-son prospect Jackson Fletcher (19 disposals, seven marks, seven inside-50s, two goals) had Lions fans salivating with his output, while Ben McCarthy (19, eight marks), Bailey Tome (17, 10 tackles, five inside-50s) and Liam Hude (13, six marks, three goals) were also impressive.

Sydney Swans Academy's Toby Alker wins the ball during the Round 1 NAB League Boys match against Northern Knights at Highgate Reserve on April 2, 2022. Picture: Martin Keep/AFL Photos

BENDIGO PIONEERS 8.11 (59)
GWV REBELS 13.12 (90)

GWV overcame a slow start to run away from Bendigo in the last quarter, winning by 31 points at Queen Elizabeth Oval on Saturday.

The Pioneers took first advantage of the breeze with four to goals to two to lead by 11 points at quarter-time before the Rebels hit back with four to one of their own for a four-point advantage at the main break.

The visitors held Bendigo to two goals each in the third and charged away with five to one in the last for a convincing first-up victory sparked by four goals each to Aaron Cadman and Brady Wright, while Tristan Maple (23 disposals, six marks), Jamieson Ballantyne (21, five tackles), Beau Tedcastle (17, six marks, seven inside-50s, one goal), James Van Es (16, five marks, six rebounds) and Hugh Bond (16, nine tackles, one goal) also played their part.

Jason Gilbee was magnificent in a losing team for Bendigo with 25 disposals, six marks, five inside-50s and two goals), Charlie Barnett (20, five marks, two goals), Michael Kiraly (21, five rebounds) and Corbin Anderson (18, nine marks) provided strong support, while Harley Reid had 22 and five marks but kicked 1.6 to miss his first chance to be a matchwinner.

2:18:39

NAB League Boys Match Replay: Bendigo Pioneers v GWV Rebels

The Pioneers and Rebels clash in round one of the NAB League U18 Boys Competition

Published on Apr 2, 2022
Northern Knights' Cooper Harvey tries to get a handle on a loose ball during the Round 1 NAB League Boys match against Sydney Swans Academy at Highgate Reserve on April 2, 2022. Picture: Martin Keep/AFL Photos

MURRAY BUSHRANGERS 7.5 (47)
GIPPSLAND POWER 14.12 (96)

GIPPSLAND blasted Murray in the first quarter, running away to a 49-point victory at La Trobe University on Saturday.

The match was over by the first break after the Power piled on 6.3 to 0.1, and while the Bushrangers held the line with 7.4 to 8.9 after that, there was never any danger of a comeback.

Bailey Humphrey (23 disposals, five marks, five inside-50s, three goals, Coby Burgiel (25, eight inside-50s, two goals), Mitchell Moschetti (21, nine tackles, one goal), Jonti Schuback (21), Paddy Cross (20) and Lachlan Rathjen (17, seven marks) were all prominent for Gippsland, while the third Duursma sibling – Zane – kicked three goals and defender Rhys Galvin had six rebounds.

Brayden George did everything he could to drag the Bushrangers back into the game with five marks and five goals, rewarding the efforts of 16-year-old Coby James, who had 24 disposals and nine rebounds at the other end, while Ryan Eyers (18, nine marks), Max Clohesy (18, five tackles, five inside-50s, one goal) and Ashtyn Atkinson (16, six marks) also played well and Gold Coast No.7 pick Elijah Hollands’ brother Ollie laid six tackles.

Northern Knights' Nate Caddy kicks for goal during the Round 1 NAB League Boys match against Sydney Swans Academy at Highgate Reserve on April 2, 2022. Picture: Martin Keep/AFL Photos

NORTHERN KNIGHTS 14.11 (95)
SYDNEY SWANS ACADEMY 3.8 (26)

NORTHERN Knights kicked 10 goals to two in the second half to thrash Sydney Academy by 69 points at Highgate on Saturday.

The Knights got better as the game went on, working their way to a 22-point lead at the main break before stepping it up with five goals to one in each of the third and fourth quarters.

Patrick Dozzi led the way for the Knights with 26 disposals, 10 marks, seven tackles and a goal and Jonathan Tomasiello wasn’t far behind with 24, five marks, five tackles and five inside-50s, while Darcy Edmends (17, eight marks), Ben Ham (19, five marks, six inside-50s), Charlie Naish (15, seven marks, six inside-50s) were important and Nate Caddy (six marks), Rohan McKenzie and Jack Chubb kicked three goals each.

Luke Giacometti was easily the Swans’ best player with 27 disposals, seven marks, five inside-50s and six rebounds, while the son of club legend Brett Kirk, Indhi, also impressed with 20 touches, six tackles and a goal and Christian Webster worked hard in defence with 19 possessions and nine rebounds.

TASMANIA DEVILS bye

Twitter: @BRhodesVFL

Sydney Swans Academy's William Edwards has his marking attempt spoiled in a pack during the Round 1 NAB League Boys match against Northern Knights at Highgate Reserve on April 2, 2022. Picture: Martin Keep/AFL Photos

CHECK OUT THE LADDER AFTER ROUND ONE HERE

THIS WEEK

ROUND 2: Friday, April 8: Murray Bushrangers v GWS Giants Academy (Lavington, 6pm). Saturday, April 9: Northern Knights v Oakleigh Chargers (Preston City Oval, 11.30am); Geelong Falcons v Bendigo Pioneers (Deakin University, 1pm); Calder Cannons v Sandringham Dragons (Highgate, 2pm). Sunday, April 10: Sydney Swans Academy v Tasmania Devils (Blacktown, 12pm); Dandenong Stingrays v Brisbane Lions Academy (Ikon Park, 12.15pm, Herald Sun); Gippsland Power v Western Jets (Morwell, 1pm); Eastern Ranges v Gold Coast Suns Academy (Ikon Park, 2.45pm). GWV Rebels bye.

NEXT WEEK: ROUND 3: Thursday, April 14: GWV Rebels v Geelong Falcons (CE Brown Reserve, Wendouree, 7pm). Friday, April 15: Sandringham Dragons v GWS Giants Academy (Wilson Storage Trevor Barker Beach Oval, 11.45am); Tasmania Devils v Northern Knights (Dial Park, Penguin, 12.30pm); Gippsland Power v Sydney Swans Academy (Wilson Storage Trevor Barker Beach Oval, 2pm). Saturday, April 16: Calder Cannons v Western Jets (Highgate, 10am); Murray Bushrangers v NT Thunder (Highgate, 12.30pm); Bendigo Pioneers v Dandenong Stingrays (Queen Elizabeth Oval, 1pm); Eastern Ranges v Oakleigh Chargers (Box Hill City Oval, 2pm).

THEN: ROUND 4: Saturday, April 23: Sandringham Dragons v Tasmania Devils (RSEA Park, 12pm); Murray Bushrangers v Northern Knights (Deakin Reserve Shepparton, 1pm); Gippsland Power v Dandenong Stingrays (Morwell, 1pm); Calder Cannons v Oakleigh Chargers (Highgate, 2.30pm). Sunday, April 24: NT Thunder v Geelong Falcons (TIO Stadium, 11.30am); Bendigo Pioneers v GWS Giants Academy (Highgate, 11.45am); Brisbane Lions Academy v Eastern Ranges (South Pine, 11.45am); GWV Rebels v Sydney Swans Academy (Highgate, 2.15pm); Gold Coast Suns Academy v Western Jets (South Pine, 2.15pm).

(All games are streamed live on the NAB League app except for the Herald Sun game, which is on that website).