U16 RAMS future stars

By Sam Canavan

NSW/ACT RAMS opened their campaign with a convincing win over Northern Territory, eked past Queensland in a closely fought encounter, and rammed home their standing as the premier outfit in Division 2, with an emphatic 92-point cowing of Tasmania.

With the elite 2015 AFL AIS squad to be named in the coming weeks, a raft of the region’s most talented youngsters will be closely considered for inclusion, here are a few names to look out for.

Connor Byrne | D.O.B: 16.6.98 | H: 179cm  | W: 68kg | Junior club: Lavington

The hard-nosed midfielder and RAMS skipper was the standout player of the championships, and was rewarded as the Division 2 MVP. PM Capital GIANTS Academy coach Mark Mcveigh rates him an “outstanding prospect,” and with his ball-winning ability and high work rate, Byrne made AFL recruiters in Queensland sit up and take notice.

Zac Sproule | D.O.B: 12.5.98 | H: 190cm | W: 77kg | Junior club: Albury

The laidback 16-year-old from Southern NSW showcased his formidable talent in all three games, presenting well as a forward, marking strongly, and using his combination of athleticism and size to great effect. A GIANTS Academy product, he produced some of his best football on the big stage; clearly Sproule isn’t easily overawed.

Mitch Maguire | D.O.B: 6.5.98 | H: 174cm | W: 69kg | Junior club: Northern Jets

Maguire saved his best showing of the championships for the final match against Tasmania, where he collected 23 disposals, kicked a goal, and had a hand in three more, playing an integral part in the big win. A mid-sized forward who thrives on physicality, Maguire’s also a veritable work horse, who can run all day.

Charlie Morgan | D.O.B: 7.4.98 | H: 183cm  | W: 72kg | Junior club: Glebe

A Glebe Greyhounds product, and one of nine Sydney Swans Academy players in the final RAMS squad, Morgan was among his sides’ best in wins over NT and Tasmania. A forward with a keen goal sense, who applies terrier-like pressure, and is strong overhead, Morgan booted an impressive ten majors for the carnival.

Kobe Mutch | D.O.B: 18.3.98 | H: 183cm | W: 76kg | Junior club: Wentworth

There’s much more to Kobe than a trendy first name. Hailing from Wentworth, in the far south west of NSW, Mutch comes from a more remote area than anyone else in the RAMS’ squad. A midfielder who’s often described as “clever” and “smart,” Mutch has excellent skills on both sides of his body, and the rare ability to find extra time and space amidst congestion.

Jake Brown | D.O.B: 19.3.98 | H: 179cm | W: 63kg | Junior club: Coffs Harbour

One of the older players in the RAMS’ squad, Brown certainly isn’t one of the biggest, at just 63 kilograms, but he plays well above his size as a defender. The only RAMS player hailing from Coffs Harbour, Brown is a good user of the football who reads the play well, and makes smart decisions coming out of defence. 

Will Setterfield| D.O.B: 5.2.98 | H: 187cm | W: 72kg |Junior club: Scot’s

Setterfield made the trip to Queensland from his Melbourne boarding school, and excelled in all three games at the National Championships. Close to best on ground in the opening win over NT, Setterfield went on to collect 14 disposals and pluck seven marks against Queensland, and finished with 15 touches, three inside 50s, and three rebounds from 50 in the victory over Tasmania. 

Lyndon Hupfeld| D.O.B: 21.2.98 | H: 186cm | W: 87kg | Junior club: Sydney Hills

Hupfeld matched teammate Charlie Morgan in kicking ten goals across the Championships’ three games. At close to 90kg, the Sydney Hills Eagles product is the heaviest of the RAMS’ side, and he used his big frame cleverly throughout the week. Hupfeld began his campaign with three goals against NT, added two more in the narrow win over Queensland, and finished with a bag of five to spearhead the big victory over Tasmania.

Under 16 National Championships 2014

NSW/ACT 17 19 121 defeated NT 9 7 61

Goal kickers: Morgan 5, Lambert 3, Hupfeld 3, Byrne 2, Gray 2, Page, Nettheim

Best: Byrne, Setterfield, Hupfeld, Nettheim, Lambert, Mutch, Morgan

NSW/ACT 9 5 59 defeated Queensland 7 8 50

Goal kickers: Hupfeld 2, Morgan 2, Fisher 2, Mutch, Gray, Sproule.

Best: Garthwaite, Sproule, Setterfield, Mutch, Clark, Brown

NSW/ACT 15 14 104 defeated Tasmania 1 6 12

Goal kickers: Hupfeld 5, Morgan 3, Lambert 2, Sproule, McGuire, Nettheim, Setterfield, Fisher.

Best: McGuire, Hupfeld, Sproule, Byrne, Morgan, Brown.

*NSW/ACT division 2 champions.*