Classy midfielder Brandon Parfitt delivered a best on ground performance for Northern Territory to show why he will be highly sought after at this year's NAB AFL Draft.
Parfitt, who has played at league level with SANFL club North Adelaide, was involved in everything as NT kicked off its division two NAB AFL Under-18 Championships campaign with a comprehensive 69-point win over Tasmania at TIO Stadium on Friday night.
In sweltering 30-degree heat in Darwin, the experienced NT outfit steamrolled a Tasmanian side fielding 12 under-age players.
Parfitt had the ball on a string, showcasing the type of efficient disposal that saw the 18-year-old picked in the All Australian team last year as a bottom-aged player.
Parfitt is a top-25 prospect at this year's draft and is comfortable doing the grunt work in the middle of the ground or as an outside mid.
Another player to impress for the NT was ruckman Tony Olango.
The 17-year-old kicked a couple of goals when pushed into the forward line and impressed with his athleticism and marking ability.
The 201cm big man is still learning Australian football having grown up playing soccer.
Defender Ben Long, the nephew of Essendon great Michael, impressed onlookers with his clean disposal and Jamie Hampton provided plenty of pace out of the backline. Forward Ezekiel Frank was strong overhead and kicked three goals.
It was a quiet night for AFL Academy member Ben McGuinness. The 17-year-old Tasmanian midfielder and younger brother of Brisbane Lions player Josh McGuinness, had little impact on the game.
Half-back Nick Dodge, who had more than 30 touches in Tasmania's past two TAC Cup matches, was also quiet in the stifling conditions.
Ruckman Tim Auckland was the visitors' best player with a strong performance in a beaten side.
The first round continues when NSW/ACT hosts Queensland at Blacktown International Sports Park on Sunday.
NT 6.4 11.9 14.11 17.12 (114)
TASMANIA 3.2 4.2 4.2 6.9 (45)
GOALS
NT: Bricknell 3, Frank 3, Hagan 2, Grant 2, Shannon 2, Olango 2, Farrell-Nelson, Totham, Lawrance
Tasmania: C Smith 2, L Smith, Clifford, Buechner, Pearton
BEST
NT: Parfitt, Grant, Hampton, Frank, Long, Armstrong
Tasmania: Auckland, Tyrrell, Thompson, Palmer-Hughes, Gadomski, Clifford
