WESTERN Australia has outlasted an inaccurate Vic Metro outfit to give itself a chance at taking out the 2022 AFL Under 16 Championships, winning by 16 points at Thebarton Oval today. After the Sandgropers lost to South Australia in the opening round, they toppled both Victorian teams, and will lift the trophy aloft if the winless Vic Country can defeat South Australia – or retain a higher percentage than the Croweaters – later today. Western Australia booted five unanswered goals from late in the second term through to three quarter time, before weathering the Metro storm in the last quarter to win 11.8 (74) to 7.16 (58) victory.

In a highly entertaining game, and particularly accurate one in the first half, Western Australia was able to get on the board in the opening two minutes through Trent Hiscock after Zak Johnson missed a chance moments earlier up the other end. Dynamic pocket rocket Isaac Kako would return serve for Metro with a clever snap in traffic, but then the Sandgropers would slot four of the next five goals, with a lovely play from Malakai Champion to set up a running Tyler Lindberg in the final few minutes to hold a 19-point lead at quarter time.

Metro had the wind in the second term, and quickly played catch up with Kako crumbing it off hands for his second goal, and then Harry O’Farrell kicking a more conventional set shot to cut the deficit back to single digits. Western Australia looked to limit the influence of prime ball-mover Jagga Smith in the middle, but the exciting talent still found his fair share of the ball, with Lucas McInerney and Nash King also providing some nice plays through the middle. When Otis Harvey kicked his second goal, the Sandgropers had a bit of momentum, but impressive goals from Levi Ashcroft and Johnson cut the margin to just two points.

From that point on though, Western Australia simply made the most of their chances, slotting five consecutive goals over the next hour – and then weathering the Vic Metro storm to take the win. Anthony Hansen provided a huge highlight with a nice running performance in the third term to put his team up by 14 points, then inclusion Albert Esterhuysen, fellow bigman Xavier Walsh and the goal smart Cooper Moore all added to their total. That was enough to put them up by 27 points at the final break, with Metro only able to add three behinds to their total in the third term.

That inaccuracy for Metro would continue into the final term, with behind after behind despite having plenty of chances on goal. Eight consecutive behinds were finally broken by Smith who snapped a great goal, albeit consolation, which was the only major one of the last quarter. The two bookend terms could not be more different with the sides kicking 7.3 in the first quarter, compared to 1.11 in the fourth term. The 11.8 (74) to 7.16 (58) victory ultimately meant that Western Australia is in with a chance to win the overall title depending on the later result between South Australia and Vic Country.

In finishing the carnival, the two Most Valuable Player (MVPs) were announced, with Western Australia’s Chayse Martinson and Vic Metro’s Josh Smillie awarded the medals. Both were among the best players for the Sangropers and ‘Big V’ respectively, whilst Kako, King, Smith and Ashcroft had strong carnivals. Tadhg McCarthy was strong in defence against a multitude of tall opponents, whilst for WA, Hansen and Malakai Champion were lively throughout, and Lindberg and Walsh also busy.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA 5.2 | 8.3 | 11.5 | 11.8 (74)
VIC METRO 2.1 | 6.5 | 6.8 | 7.16 (58)

GOALS:

WA: O. Harvey 2, T. Hiscock, C. Ryan, H. Boxshall, T. Lindberg, M. Bell, A. Hansen, A. Esterhuysen, C. Moore, X. Walsh
VM: I. Kako 2, T. Kitchell, H. O’Farrell, L. Ashcroft, Z. Johnson, N. King

RMC BEST:

WA: C. Martinson, X. Walsh, H. Jones, O. Harvey, A. Hansen, L. Ravenhill
VM: J. Smillie, J. Smith, L. Ashcroft, I. Kako, J. Nguyen, H. O’Farrell