A GOAL in the dying seconds to Cooper Horsnell has helped South Australia to an opening round win in the National Under 16 Championships. With the final two rounds to be played on the Gold Coast on July 9 and July 13, South Australia claimed a vital win over a very competitive Western Australia side by just three points.

The Black Swans led by four points at quarter time, but a four goals to two second term saw the Croweaters hit the front by seven as they headed into the main break. Both teams capitalised on their opportunities in the third term, booting three goals apiece, before a final quarter thriller saw the home side just scrape home. Western Australia hit the front with a Lewis Evans-Thomson goal in what was a thrilling opening eight minutes which saw the Black Swans boot two majors and South Australia boot one. The Black Swans will rue missed opportunities in the final stanza, kicking a number of behinds before Horsnell split the middle and gave South Australia a crucial two-point lead. From there, the Croweaters held on for the 11.3 (69) to 9.12 (66) victory, despite having seven less scoring shots.

South Australian captain Kaine Baldwin was dominant up front, booting four majors, while Isiah Dudley and Ethan Schwerdt were dangerous at his feet, booting two majors. Corey Durdin was the standout player on the ground, amassing a game-high 23 disposals, five marks, seven tackles, four clearances and eight rebounds for the home side, while Riley Thilthorpe showed great ground coverage, playing through the ruck to record 30 hitouts, but have a Brodie Grundy-like game with 17 touches, eight marks and four tackles to go with it. Henry Nelligan assisted Durdin through the middle with 19 disposals, three marks and seven clearances to be a threat on the inside.

For Western Australia, tall forward Logan McDonald booted three goals, while fellow key position player Jack Allen finished the game with two majors. Ira Jetta was among Western Australia’s best with 19 disposals, two marks, four clearances, four inside 50s and eight tackles, while David Yaccob was deemed the Black Swans’ best with 15 disposals, three marks, four inside 50s and two rebounds. Full-back Denver Grainger-Barras had almost one-third of his team’s rebounds, racking up seven from his 13 disposals and three marks. Brandon Walker (17 disposals, two marks and three rebounds) was used effectively off half-back, while Zane Trew (16 disposals and five clearances) and Taj Schofield (14 disposals and 10 tackles) were other top players for the visitors.

South Australia go on to face the other winner in Vic Metro, while Western Australia will look to bounce back with a victory against Vic Country. Both games will be played at Southport on July 9. The final round of action will see South Australia take on Vic Country and Vic Metro face Western Australia, which is played at the GABBA on July 13.

For more specific information on South Australia’s victory, head to the game wrap by Zac Milbank on the SANFL website.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA  2.0  6.1  9.2  11.3 (69)
WESTERN AUSTRALIA  2.4  4.6  7.8  9.12 (66)

GOALS:
South Australia: Baldwin 4, Schwerdt, Dudley 2, Wright, Dumesny, Horsnell.
Western Australia: McDonald 3, Allen 2, Western, Curley, Bellchambers, Evans-Thomson.

BEST:
South Australia: Durdin, Nelligan, Baldwin, Thilthorpe, Roberts, Schwerdt.
Western Australia: Yaccob, Grainger-Barras, Walker, Trew, Schofield, Jetta.

…

Meanwhile at Ikon Park, Vic Metro came from behind to record a memorable eight-point win on Saturday. Vic Country booted five goals to three in the first term, then extended its advantage to 27 points at the main break. Metro made serious inroads in the third quarter, piling on four goals to one to cut the deficit to six points by the final break, then finished the game off strong with another four-goal quarter, while restricting its opponents to two goals, in order to win 12.9 (81) to 11.7 (73).

Western Jets’ Lucas Failli was the key up forward with three majors for the winning side and was a clear standout up the attacking end. Oakleigh Chargers’ Lochlan Jenkins and Sandringham Dragons’ Jake Bowey were also able to hit the scoreboard with multiple goals, the latter of which was also named among the best.

Northern Knights’ Ben Major was deemed the top Metro player on the day, named among the best with Oakleigh Chargers’ Will Phillips (one goal), Sandringham Dragons’ Darby Hipwell and Eastern Ranges’ Connor Downie. The Metro victory was a crucial one, ahead of its clash with South Australia at Southport on July 9.

For Vic Country, talented forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan was a live-wire up the attacking end, booting three goals and looking creative and dangerous. Gippsland Power’s Thomas Fitzpatrick also booted three majors, while Bendigo Pioneers’ Sam Conforti and Murray Bushrangers’ forward Elijah Hollands booted two in a strong offensive effort by the Country side.

GWV Rebels’ Nick Stevens was named as Country’s best, booting a goal and combining well between midfield and half-forward. Hollands, Ugle-Hagan and Murray Bushrangers’ full-back Ethan Baxter were also impressive, as were Geelong Falcons’ pair midfielder Charlie Lazzaro and half-back Tanner Bruhn.

VIC METRO          3.0      4.3       8.6        12.9 (81)
VIC COUNTRY    5.2      8.6        9.6        11.7 (73)

GOALS
Vic Metro: Failli 3, Bowey 2, Jenkins 2, Varagiannis, Laurie, Phillips, Raak, Hart
Vic Country: Ugle-Hagen 3, Fitzpatrick 3, Conforti 2, Hollands 2, Stevens

BEST
Vic Metro: Major, Failli, Phillips, Hipwell, Bowey, Downie
Vic Country: Stevens, Hollands, Ugle-Hagen, Baxter, Lazzaro, Bruhn