SOUTH Australia took a major step towards claiming the Pool A title after defeating Vic Metro by 32 points in today’s Under 16 National Championships clash at People First Stadium. The Croweaters, now 2-0, remain the only undefeated side in their division with one game left to play on Friday.

A string of six unanswered goals during term two set up the victory, with South Australia proving clinical in front of goal while Vic Metro couldn’t buy a major. The Tricolours piled on 10 goals to one in the opening half, before the Vics responded to add respectability to the scoreboard thereafter.

VICTORIA METRO 0.5 | 1.8 | 4.11 | 6.12 (48)
SOUTH AUSTRALIA 3.1 | 10.2 | 11.3 | 12.8 (80)

GOALS:
Victoria Metro: A. Butler 2, M. Downes, S. Gayfer, F. Woolhouse, H. Van Hattum
South Australia: J. Miller 4, C. Florance 3, R. Davies, K. Edwards, T. Garrett, J. Leys, M. Webb

BEST:
Victoria Metro: L. Hicks, J. Surkitt, B. Wigmore, M. Matthews, J. Knapp, T. Hodgson
South Australia: D. Cochrane, A. Van Dyk, K. Edwards, M. Webb, Z. Young, J. Miller

VIC METRO:

#1 Jack Surkitt (Sandringham Dragons)
Forward | 175cm | 13/08/2008

Stats: 22 disposals, 6 marks, 4 inside 50s

Remarkably, Surkitt was Vic Metro’s leading disposal winner throughout the match despite playing forward in a side which kicked just one goal in the first half. He ventured high up the ground with spurts of dash and sharp evasion on the way back. Surkitt also worked into good spaces inside 50 and had his chances to score, registering two behinds and giving off a few opportunities.

#11 Arki Butler (Sandringham Dragons)
Forward/Midfielder | 180cm | 23/04/2008

Stats: 20 disposals, 5 marks, 2 goals

Despite limited opportunities at times, Butler often looked like the most talented player afield and showed out with consecutive goals in the third quarter. He started on-ball and got going with a chain of possessions to enter forward 50 from the opening centre bounce. Butler’s evasiveness turned several opponents inside-out and his versatility as a forward saw him impact both close to goal or high up the ground. He’s creative, athletic, and has some of the best tricks going around.

#12 Lachlan Hicks (Western Jets)
Midfielder | 181cm | 19/01/2008

Stats: 17 disposals, 6 marks, 4 clearances

Despite what the scoreboard showed, Vic Metro was not short on territory and Hicks’ work through the middle played a part in that. The onballer, who also rotated out to the wing, pumped his side forward with 14 kicks from 17 disposals. His ball use may have been scrappy at times but Hicks had little trouble finding it and was gutsy when backing in for overhead marks. He also had two set shot opportunities with one falling short and another going wide.

#13 Hunter Ryan (Eastern Ranges)
Wing | 181cm | 13/10/2008

Stats: 15 disposals, 3 marks, 3 inside 50s

Vic Metro had one more inside 50 entry than South Australia but struggled to connect with the final kick – something Ryan attempted to fix. His early pass to Surkitt with the outside of his boot was clever and Ryan opted to go by foot more often than not. He provided good energy and intent in attacking phases by surging the ball forward at all costs and hitting the hot spots inside 50.

#24 Tate Hodgson (Northern Knights)
Tall Defender | 193cm | 24/07/2008

Stats: 13 disposals, 4 marks, 6 rebound 50s

Alongside a raft of defenders who were besieged by the clinical Croweaters, Hodgson was resolute. He read the play well to reel in a series of clean intercept marks, either by holding his own one-on-one or peeling off at the right time. His assuredness in that regard and when distributing the ball made him a reliable part of the Vic Metro backline which tightened up after half time.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA:

#1 Jermaine Miller (Central District)
Small Forward | 171cm | 04/09/2008

Stats: 11 disposals, 6 marks, 4 goals

Leading South Australia’s scoring assault was Miller, who bagged three of his four first half goals in the second quarter. The lively small was absolutely clinical; converting a pair of set shots, one snap, and a fourth major on the run. Miller’s finishing rewarded teammates for feeding him when in position to score, and his agility saw Vic Metro’s defence struggle to contain him inside 50.

#7 Zackariah Young (North Adelaide)
Defender | 178cm | 30/04/2008

Stats: 12 disposals, 3 inside 50s, 4 rebound 50s

His stats don’t jump off the page but Young had some nice moments playing as a high back. He provided plenty of drive with his pace on the outside and was often in good positions to be released on the counter-attack. While still quite light, Young was quick and daring enough to take on opponents on his tail and bring South Australia’s transitional play to life.

#8 Taj Garrett (Sturt)
Wing | 187cm | 05/01/2009

Stats: 17 disposals, 7 marks, 4 inside 50s

A bottom-ager at this year’s Under 16 carnival, Garrett showed just why he has been included in a strong South Australian squad. He proved to be a key connection piece between the arcs, jetting forward off the wing and having a happy knack for hitting targets inside 50. Garrett also got over the back for a goal himself, not breaking stride after a mark and slotting the ball home from 50. Class.

#9 Cain Florence (South Adelaide)
Forward/Midfielder | 189cm | 13/03/2008

Stats: 9 disposals, 4 tackles, 3 goals

Florence produced somewhat of a purple patch during South Australia’s second quarter surge. Having already kicked the first goal of the game, he got going with a second six-pointer on the run and assisted Miller soon after, only to snap through another to cap off what was a scintillating five-minute period. Florence spent time in midfield but had his greatest impact inside 50.

#10 Kodah Edwards (South Adelaide)
Midfielder/Forward | 175cm | 25/07/2008

Stats: 19 disposals, 5 tackles, 4 clearances

Somewhat of a tone-setter for his side, Edwards brought his teammates into the game and made them better for it. The skipper did the tough stuff in midfield and made a difference when rotating forward. He converted a set shot in term one and was involved in scores thereafter, though again was a little scrappy by foot as he rushed to clear or send the ball long into hot spots.

#11 Archie Van Dyk (South Adelaide)
Midfielder | 185cm | 28/07/2008

Stats: 25 disposals, 4 marks, 4 inside 50s

After leading all comers in game one, Van Dyk was again prolific for the winning SA side. He covered ground well to accumulate possessions with smart running, and while not overly quick, he knew where to find the ball. Van Dyk also had a good understanding of where his opponents and contact would come from, which helped him navigate pressure situations around the ground.

#17 Harvey Chapman (Sturt)
Tall Defender | 191cm | 10/08/2009

Stats: 20 disposals, 6 marks, 6 rebound 50s

Another impressive bottom-ager in the South Australian squad, Chapman assumed a key role down back. He stood up when Douglas Cochrane went into midfield, rising for intercept marks inside defensive 50 and bringing the ball back into play via the kick-ins. Chapman backed his distributive skills and waxed well with Cochrane on the rebound in what was a sound all-round performance.

#22 Koby Moir (Glenelg)
Forward | 184cm | 22/01/2008

Stats: 12 disposals, 2 marks, 3 inside 50s

Moir made a strong start to proceedings and looked dangerous with his athleticism as a high forward. Presenting up the ground, Moir’s movement made him difficult to contain and he had the smarts to win the ball in crafty ways one-on-one. The brother of Carlton’s Ashton saw the game brilliantly with ball in hand and executed kicks at wicked angles, boasting the freakish talent to match his creativity. He could be anything with a little more consistency.

#25 Douglas Cochrane (Central District)
Tall Defender | 194cm | 02/05/2008

Stats: 25 disposals, 5 marks, 6 clearances

Cochrane was outstanding in the Croweaters’ defence and even gained some exposure through midfield. The tall talent flew confidently for his marks and seemed to be in everything on the rebound. He took up aggressive positions, moving the ball forward with vigour constantly taking the game on – even at the centre bounces. Cochrane sometimes ran into trouble and can work on his kick execution, but has some rare traits and raw athleticism for a player his size. He’s the son of former North and Port player Stuart, though is not tied to either club via father-son rules.