Mariners Ready For Lions Clash

The Tasmania Mariners Under 18 team has been selected for this weekend’s National Academy Series match with the Brisbane Lions Academy on the Gold Coast. 

The Mariners enter the match with two wins from two matches to start the series, accounting for the Gold Coast by 45 points a fortnight ago and the Northern Territory by 15 points last weekend in Dandenong. 

Mariners coach Lance Spaulding was pleased with how every member of the team applied themselves against the Northern Territory, particularly after a 30-point lead in the second term was cut back to just eight points at three-quarter time. 

“The Northern Territory certainly took it up to us. We were challenged, but managed to dig deep and find a way to win.

“All our blokes responded individually, and as a collective. We are a tough team to beat – every player really wants to win,” Spaulding said. 

Tarry Thomas starred in the win, kicking three goals, while Mitchel Anderton, Nicholas Baker, Baxter Norton, Alec Wright and Chayce Jones also impressed. 

Spaulding is confident the team will be able to deliver another solid performance against the Brisbane Lions. 

“Our focus has been on playing a team-first and team-oriented game.

“To play well and to win you need to know that your teammates have your back and all of our players are on the same page at the moment,” he said. 

Launceston’s Joseph Chaplin and Kingborough Tiger Oliver Burrows-Cheng are in line to play their first games for the series. 

 TASSIE MARINERS U18s v BRISBANE LIONS ACADEMY U18s

 Broadbeach – 10:00am Saturday 28 April 2018

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