2024 Academy Spotlight - Leonardo Lombard (Broadbeach/Burleigh)

[GC2015]

2022 NAB AFL National Development Championships U16 Boys All-Australian Team

The AFL has today announced the 2022 NAB AFL National Development Championships U16 Boys All-Australian Team.

www.afl.com.au

The next exciting prospect coming through our academy program announced himself to the football world on the national stage in 2022 with selection in the U16 All-Australian team. Leo is a Burleigh junior who has developed in leaps and bounds over the last 12 months by taking place in the victorious U18 Allies program as a bottom ager, Broadbeach's QAFL season and even taking part in our VFL program that will hopefully end in a premiership medallion. Lombard is an explosive athlete that possesses elite strength and speed but also shows signs of composure most commonly found well beyond his age. For those who don't know, Leo's father is a famous Cuban UFC fighter named Hector which probably explains his genetic gift but make no mistake this is a very talented footballer. There are already indications that Leo is considered a top 10 prospect in the 2024 draft class so it'll be an interest watch over the next 12 months.

Leonardo Lombard
Height: 178cm
Weight: 76kg
Position: Midfielder
Junior Club: Broadbeach (QAFL) / Burleigh (QFA)

 

[Supersuns]

Surely we can just use the academy thread. No need to make a thread for individual players

 

[RedmanWasHere]

I've dubbed him "my man" for 2024.

 

[MarcLocksCrustySock]

Could be our Paddy Ryder.

Not sure how we fit all of King, Chol, Andrew, Walter, Nancarrow and Lukosius in years to come though. Andrew in particular might have to stay a defender.

 

[Supersuns]

Could be our Paddy Ryder.

Not sure how we fit all of King, Chol, Andrew, Walter, Nancarrow and Lukosius in years to come though. Andrew in particular might have to stay a defender.

Max King too when he asks for a trade.

 

[MarcLocksCrustySock]

Max King too when he asks for a trade.

By that point we will have salary dumped the rest of those guys anyway.

 

[MarcLocksCrustySock]

Academy product, Ryan Pickering, of to play in the SANFL with Central Districs. View attachment 1550644


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Put it in the Ryan Pickering thread mate, god damnit.

 

[SUN OF A GUN]

Put it in the Ryan Pickering thread mate, god damnit.

Haha. Thought this was the academy thread.


Sent from my iPhone using BigFooty.com

 

[MarcLocksCrustySock]

Haha. Thought this was the academy thread.


Sent from my iPhone using BigFooty.com

[emoji23]

 

[GC2015]

OP updated in anticipation of Leo's VFL grand final appearance this Sunday.

 

[RedmanWasHere]

OP updated in anticipation of Leo's VFL grand final appearance this Sunday.

Wasn't this originally a Nancarrow thread?

I'm confused.

 

[Choppers]

Wasn't this originally a Nancarrow thread?

I'm confused.

Quite understandable for your confusion.........you support Essendon.....

 

[Supersuns]

Wasn't this originally a Nancarrow thread?

I'm confused.

We have an actual academy thread so the individual threads for players makes no sense

 

[RedmanWasHere]

We have an actual academy thread so the individual threads for players makes no sense

I don't mind the individual threads.

It'll go gangbusters for 2025.

It's just my initial confusion thinking this was the Nancarrow thread.

 

[GC2015]

I don't mind the individual threads.

It'll go gangbusters for 2025.

It's just my initial confusion thinking this was the Nancarrow thread.

The OP initially focused mostly on Nancarrow with a reference to both he and Lombard being our standouts after being named in the U16 AA team last year, but 12 months later it's become more obvious that Leo is developing at a quicker rate than Nanc and is now on the verge of becoming a VFL premiership player at 16 years of age. I still think we probably draft Nancarrow but Lombard is the one being talked about as a potential top 10 pick right now. I'm sure we'll hear plenty about Lombard and Nancarrow next year anyway because both should play together in both the academy series as well as the defending champion Allies team. I also wouldn't be surprised to see Nancarrow end up playing several VFL games for us next year when we're playing away games in Victoria. The two will have some synergy after playing with each other so much and I'm envisioning Lombard winning the ball in the midfield, using his elite speed to get space on his opponents before hitting a leaping Nancarrow lace out at full forward and of course Nanc kicks truly for a major.

For those who don't know, Leo Lombard and Jake Rogers are/were a part of the Varsity College's AFL ASPIRE excellence program and I reckon the school deserves some credit for only recently introducing an AFL excellence program that has helped in producing two top 10 male picks over the next 12 months as well as some very good AFLW players in Havanna Harris and Sienna MccMullen.

Our Senior ASPIRE AFL Players Kicking Goals

Varsity College Australia

varsitylife.com.au

 

[GC2015]

Check out Dimma's smile at the end.

 

[GC2015]

Slightly off topic but, incredibly, Leo's father (Hector) is STILL fighting at the professional level in MMA at 45 years of age and had his most recent pro fight in November. Bit of a silly stoppage considering Hector was clearly winning the fight / his opponent was tapping but I suspect we'll see him fighting again in 2024 as you wouldn't want your career to end like that. To put in perspective, this guy competed in the Judo competition at 2000 Sydney Olympics and here he is 24 years later still competing professionally. That's some serious longevity and genetics definitely plays a part in that so hopefully that means Leo is going to have a long and successful career for us!

 

[Phlanispo]

The Suns board needs to crowdfund a blue headband for Leonardo to wear, he already plays like a Teenage Ninja.

 

[noobermensch]

Popping this in here as well. I imagine I'll be creating a number of Leo vids this season, feel free to let me know where you'd prefer them linked.

 

[GC2015]

Lombard takes out the Allies MVP award after a strong National Championships that has most likely catapulted him into top 10 draft calculations, possibly even top 5. What a remarkable 12 months Leo has had after taking part in the victorious Allies program last year and also becoming a VFL premiership player with our 2s. This kid is special.

Baseline on Instagram: "Gold Coast Academy prospect Leo Lombard keeps building!! He took home the Allies MVP award at the National Champs, consistently dominating with 26.3disp and 5tackles per game!! 😤⭐️ @leojlombard"

6,980 likes, 13 comments - baselinefooty on July 8, 2024: "Gold Coast Academy prospect Leo Lombard keeps building!! He took home the Allies MVP award at the National Champs, consistently dominating with 26.3disp and 5tackles per game!! 😤⭐️ @leojlombard".

www.instagram.com

 

[Phlanispo]

There's been a tonne of Leo Lombard highlights uploaded to the main Academy thread, never know whether or not to cross-post them here. The lad has had a great campaign at Allies and Talent League level, and that campaign should be rewarded on draft night.

 

[Big Red Machine]

There's been a tonne of Leo Lombard highlights uploaded to the main Academy thread, never know whether or not to cross-post them here. The lad has had a great campaign at Allies and Talent League level, and that campaign should be rewarded on draft night.

Just do it mate, The more content the better.

 

[sunsofanarchy]

Joint Larke Medalist, Congratulations Leo. Huge honour and well deserved

 

[GC2015]

Anyone know if Lombard is done for the year? I see the Broadbeach seniors aren't competing in the QAFL finals but their reserves are. Would it be a stretch to suggest Lombard may suit up for the Broady 2s in their finals campaign next week and potentially beyond? Are there any other U18 rep games this year or is that completely done for season 2024?

If he is done, then you'd have to say it's been a remarkable season for Leo. Quite possibly the best draft season an academy prospect has ever put forward for us, with Walter being the lone challenger for that title. The Larke medal alone is certainly a massive achievement from a Queensland prospect.

Well done, Leo

 

[SUN OF A GUN]

Anyone know if Lombard is done for the year? I see the Broadbeach seniors aren't competing in the QAFL finals but their reserves are. Would it be a stretch to suggest Lombard may suit up for the Broady 2s in their finals campaign next week and potentially beyond? Are there any other U18 rep games this year or is that completely done for season 2024?

If he is done, then you'd have to say it's been a remarkable season for Leo. Quite possibly the best draft season an academy prospect has ever put forward for us, with Walter being the lone challenger for that title. The Larke medal alone is certainly a massive achievement from a Queensland prospect.

Well done, Leo [emoji122]

Leo wouldn’t have played enough (any) ressies games for Broady to qualify for finals.