Huge congratulations are in order for three of our Lions Academy members who this week were named in a 62-man squad of the nation’s best young footballers to comprise the sixteenth AIS-AFL Academy intake.

Cain Tickner (Noosa), Liam Dawson (Redcliffe) and Matthew Hammelmann (Morningside) were further recognised for their football prowess with their inclusion in the prestigious Academy which also brings with it an Australian Institute of Sport scholarship.

Tickner, described as a 193cm, 89kg medium forward with great athleticism was selected in the Level 2 intake which is made up of 32 players who will turn 18 in 2013 and are eligible to be drafted. This group will be managed by AIS-AFL Academy High Performance Coach Michael O’Loughlin and will again tour Europe in April next year.

It was his versatility that caught the eye of recruiters, being labelled “a physical player with strong hands that competes well both in the air and at ground level”. And with the ability to play through the midfield and cover the ground at pace, he seems the prototypical footballer of tomorrow.

Dawson and Hammelmann in the meantime will tour New Zealand in January as part of the Level 1 intake which consists of 30 players selected from the recent NAB AFL Under-16 Championships held in Sydney.

Dawson, 187cm and 83kg is “a medium forward/defender with excellent overhead marking ability either on the lead or in the contested situation.” In today’s possession-orientated style of play, his work rate, reading of the game and great decisions by hand or foot should stand him in good stead.

Hammelmann, 194cm and 79kg is a tall forward with excellent marking ability and very clean hands, even below the knees - no mean feat for a man of his height. Described as “a very reliable set shot for goal with a good understanding of where to lead and find the ball”, his radar boot would be much sought after considering today’s dying art of goal-kicking.

On behalf of everyone in the Brisbane Lions family, congratulations and good luck to Cain, Liam and Matthew.