Cobram junior Eamon Hyde enjoyed a stellar under-16 national championships with Vic Country. Photo: Maddie Green.
Cobram Football Netball Club juniors Eamon Hyde and Riley Thompson have returned from the AFL under-16 National Development Championships on the Gold Coast with a swag of silverware, having both put together stellar campaigns with Vic Country and GWS Academy, respectively.
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Lining up in the backline for Vic Country in Pool A, Hyde did his reputation no harm during his two outings in the Sunshine State, further adding to what is already a glittering junior footballing resume.
Having been named Vic Country’s best in the first game of the championships against Vic Metro last month, Hyde started the second leg of games strongly against South Australia on Tuesday, July 14 at People First Stadium, home of the AFL’s Gold Coast Suns, starring despite his side going down 12.8 (80) to 16.7 (103).
A towering intercept defender, Hyde showed off his aerial prowess with six marks, while tallying 15 disposals and five rebound-50s in what was a complete display as Country’s main distributor off half-back.
He followed it up against Western Australia in the final game of the championships on Friday, July 17 too, with a third straight appearance in his side’s best against Western Australia.
Eamon Hyde was awarded the Bartram Medal as Vic Country’s best player at the titles. Photo: Murray Bushrangers/Facebook.
Despite suffering a second consecutive loss, going down 4.10 (34) to 8.15 (63) at Fankhauser Reserve in Southport, Hyde was named Vic Country’s best yet again while showing off his versatility at either end of the ground.
The 190cm talent was swung predominantly forward for the final outing and didn’t look at all out of place, floating in front of a big pack for a monster grab inside forward-50 in the second term while nabbing a pair of intercept marks in defence in the third.
Generating four shots on goal throughout the contest, Hyde finished his campaign off in style with a major in the fourth quarter, having racked up 12 disposals and four marks in another supreme outing.
After what was a phenomenal three games from the Cobram junior, Hyde was awarded the Bartram Medal as Vic Country’s MVP of the championships, a just reward for what was a stunning performance at the level.
It is one that is already turning heads, too, with AFL.com.au’s Callum Twomey reporting that Hyde’s display at the titles had garnered the attention of recruiters, with the Cobram local among a group of contenders for Tasmania’s pre-listed player spots at the end of next season, with the Devils having access to 17-year-old talents next year as they prepare to enter the AFL.
Cobram junior Riley Thompson returned from the Gold Coast having secured the Pool B AFL under-16 National Championship with GWS. Photo: Sherrene Thompson.
Thompson too returned from the Gold Coast with a medal around his neck, with the Cobram junior and Tocumwal local experiencing the ultimate success with GWS Academy in Pool B.
Having starred with three goals and a spot in the best during the Giants’ victory over Tasmania on Monday, July 13, Thompson again pulled on the orange and charcoal on Thursday, July 16, as GWS took on the also-undefeated Gold Coast Academy at Fankhauser Reserve.
Riley Thompson (front row, centre, #3 guernsey) holds the National Championship Cup aloft with his GWS teammates. Photo: Sherrene Thompson.
While he didn’t have the same scoreboard impact as he enjoyed against Tasmania, Thompson still caused headaches for the Suns on the wing, showing brilliant leg speed and game awareness to play an important role in his side’s 10.12 (72) to 9.3 (57) victory.
The win proved significant too, as the Giants remained the only undefeated team through three games, earning a first ever Pool B National Championship, with Thompson having been a valuable contributor throughout the campaign.
