SOUTH AUSTRALIA was crowned the 2022 Under 16 National Championships winner on Saturday, after thumping Vic Country to the tune of 63 points at Thebarton Oval. The victory rounded out an entertaining Division 1 double-header in Adelaide, which saw Western Australia down Vic Metro in the day’s opening fixture. We noted some of the top performers from either clash.

All notes are the opinion of the individual author.

>> MATCH REPORT: Western Australia 11.8 (74) def. Vic Metro 7.16 (58)
>> MATCH REPORT: South Australia 14.15 (99) def. Vic Country 5.6 (36)

WESTERN AUSTRALIA:

By: Michael Alvaro

#5 Anthony Hansen (Swan Districts)

Somewhat a ‘moments’ type of player, Hansen produced plenty of them in his usual small forward role. Hitting up to the attacking 50 arc, he consistently gathered the ball cleanly and turned back towards goal on a dime, either using his speed to snatch ground or darting a clever pass inboard. His exploits helped put teammates in scoring positions, but Hansen also got on the board himself with a breakaway foray into the open goal during term three.

#11 Chayse Martinson (Swan Districts)

Western Australia’s MVP for the carnival, Martinson managed another solid game in representative colours and for pure accumulation factor, was arguably best afield. The Swan Districts midfielder was a touch scrappy with his disposal, but constantly plugged away to win the ball on both sides of the contest and help his side break forward quickly. You cannot fault him for effort either, with Martinson’s pressure another key feature of his game.

#14 Harry Jones (Swan Districts)

In what was an entertaining battle with Metro livewire Isaac Kako, Jones shone with his outstanding one-on-one work and reading of the ball in flight. He beat his direct opponent in the air several times, rising to take clean intercept marks from both front and back position. Kako may have won out with his speed at ground level, but Jones’ crisp overhead exploits really caught the eye in defence.

#16 Deian Roberts (Peel Thunder)

With a turn of speed akin to standout Under 18s prospect Elijah Hewett, Roberts rounded out a promising carnival with more of the same play in midfield. His ability to break escape opponents’ clutches both sideways and straight was impressive, with the Peel Thunder ball winner adding a handy point of difference to WA’s uncompromising core midfield group. While overzealous a couple of times, Roberts also offered the physicality which saw his side get on top at the source.

#18 Otis Harvey (Swan Districts)

Perhaps one of the more developed ball winners afield, Harvey utilised his strong frame to power out of congestion and set his side on the front foot. On multiple occasions, he was the final chain in centre bounce exits, being released out the front of stoppages and driving his legs towards forward 50. He was hard to stop once backed by a full head of steam, and even found the goals twice with a pair of composed finishes.

#28 Trent Hiscock (West Perth)

Having previously partnered Thomas Cathcart in defence, Hiscock ventured forward for game three and did so to good effect. Yet another promising Swan Districts prospect, he got on the board early with a 45-metre set shot conversion – the first goal of the day. Hiscock was super clean both in the air and below his knees, presenting strongly inside 50 and showing enough dexterity to make good on the delivery which came his way.

#31 Xavier Walsh (East Perth)

Western Australia’s spearhead may not have had his most prolific game, but still provided some excitement with his eye-catching ability to fly for the ball. Though he could not quite hold onto his array of marking attempts, Walsh attacked the aerial contest hard and showcased a springy leap in doing so. He also nabbed a goal for his efforts, marking while going back with the flight in term three and slotting his shot.

#37 Lucas Ravenhill (Claremont)

The Black Ducks’ primary ruck was again on song with his tap work, but also followed up nicely to further have a say on the contest. Ravenhill’s clean hands allowed him to dish off to his midfielders or boot away clearing balls himself, before also popping up with some strong marks around the ground. He positioned well behind the ball on those occasions, and seemed to rise in confidence with each grab.

VIC METRO:

By: Ed Pascoe

#2 Isaac Kako (Calder Cannons)

The ever dangerous Essendon Next-Generation Academy (NGA) prospect was again one of Vic Metro’s most likely goal scorers with his speed and energy in the forward half a real handful for the West Australians defenders notably Swan Districts defender Harry Jones who had a terrific dual with the enigmatic small forward with Jones having some fantastic one on one wins against Kako but despite that as good small forwards often do Kako still managed to bob up for a team high two goals all coming from excellent forward craft. If Kako did not win the ball he often pressured well and always made the opposition nervous and he will likely be rewarded with All-Australian honours for this years under-16 championships.

#3 Jayden Nguyen (Calder Cannons)

Another NGA prospect for Essendon the classy wingman was impressive once again backing up his strong game against South Australia earlier in the week with a performance just as impressive showing his smaller light frame wasn’t going to be an issue having no problems finding his own ball and doing well to deliver around the ground by hand and foot. Nguyen composure in tight situations was impressive often hitting contests at pace and using his composure and agility to some up his options and deliver well under pressure.

#8 Jagga Smith (Oakleigh Chargers)

The classy captain of Vic Metro once again showed why he is considered one of 2024 best draft prospects with the slippery midfielder winning plenty of clearances and his skill and composure in general play also a real highlight of his game. Often a regular goal kicker from the midfield Smith did not hit the scoreboard but instead set up many scoring chains with some slick handballs released to teammates in better spots, Smith’s agility is superb which he showed in the last quarter taking on a player on the mark with ease and delivering well by foot showing his rare mix of speed and skill for a player often positioned at stoppages as a predominant clearance player.

#10 Levi Ashcroft (Sandringham Dragons)

The talented father-son prospect made a statement earlier in the week with a huge second half once moved into the midfield and this time around would spend more time in the middle and although he wasn’t as dominant this time around against Western Australia he still managed to win plenty of clearances while also being the major defensive player in the midfield with some strong tackles and pressure at stoppages. Ashcroft’s efforts in the coalface were often brought down by an opponent just get a finger to effect an often clean Ashcroft disposal but Ashcroft would do well to butter up his efforts often getting involved in forward chains, the younger brother of a high end pick Will Ashcroft, Levi looks to be on a similar trajectory with an impressive championships.

#26 Josh Smillie (Eastern Ranges)

Despite a slow start the tall utility from Eastern Ranges Smillie ended up having a huge game against Western Australia doing everything he could to try and get his team over the line, although he is able to play key posts forward or back Smillie played as a big bodied midfielder and played the role to perfection with his ability to win ground balls and release well by hand but also get around the ground and give a marking target to even intercept himself to make up for the lack of talls Vic Metro had. Smillie’s kicking was superb all day often kicking long and accurate with his only blemish unfortunately leading to the sealer for the opposition but the risk was worth it to try and get Vic Metro a shot after trailing all game, after a strong championships Smillie was awarded Vic Metro’s MVP which was well deserved.

#28 Harry O’Farrell (Calder Cannons)

Before Vic Metro squads where selected O’Farrell was a classy key defender for Calder Cannons and looked destined to play that role for Vic Metro as well but with some solid form in the APS competition as a forward O’Farrell would give the Metro coaches something to think about and the forward role would prove a winner against Western Australia despite only kicking the one goal O’Farrell was the standout key forward for Metro providing a great target with his workrate leading up the ground and running hard back to forward 50 to either back up as a marking option again or help pressure inside 50, a few behinds could have snuck in for O’Farrell but his only goal would come from an impressive pack mark showcasing a great leap and would back it up in the air again in the third quarter floating from the side to take the pack mark.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA:

By: Michael Alvaro

#2 Will Thomas (Sturt)

While he lacked the finishing touch on a few occasions, Thomas proved a lively member of South Australia’s forward line and would lean on his creativity to produce several shots on goal. He ended up with two majors, both kicked in the second half, including a classy snap in term four which he loved straight off the boot. Thomas’ speed and evasiveness caused Country headaches all afternoon, in what was a good small forward’s game.

#5 Ben Camporeale (Glenelg)

Utilised out on the wing like his twin brother, Camporeale got to showcase his own running capacity before shifting back. He was another who could have been a touch more polished with his kicking on the move, but was generally clean by hand and proved composed in tight spots with his sideways shifts. On the occasions where Camporeale’s kicks did not quite work out, he still worked hard to make amends each time.

#6 Lucas Camporeale (Glenelg)

The stand-in skipper returned another strong game on the wing, where his work rate was admirable. Much like his brother, Camporeale was clean by hand and kept a cool head under pressure. He shook off a head clash in term two to run out the game strongly, working his side forward and sending spearing kicks inside 50.

#11 Louie Montgomery (North Adelaide)

Another of South Australia’s father-son prospects, Montgomery had a strong case for being South Australia’s best afield, particularly in the first half. Pushed up to the wing after two terrific displays up forward, the North Adelaide product utilised his athleticism to snatch meterage with serious dash and clunk a range of clean overhead marks. He was deceptively solid in contested situations and absorbed contact well when winning the ball, but looked most dangerous out in space. A goal during SA’s dominant final quarter proved reward for effort.

#12 Ned Atkinson (Sturt)

Spending plenty of time in attack for South Australia, Atkinson donned the zinc once more and proved a solid operator. Pushing up the ground, his overhead marking was an asset between the arcs and while a touch scrappy by foot, Atkinson worked hard all day for his side and was hardly beaten one-on-one. He even snared a goal for his efforts via a set shot in the third term, and would have had some of the higher score involvement numbers.

#14 Jacob Newton (Norwood)

Newton’s style suited the championships atmosphere, as he drove low and hard to win plenty of contested ball through midfield. The Norwood talent was often sighted sliding in on the ground ball and scooping it up, but also contributed defensively with desperate lunging tackles and physical work at the contest. He was another who joined in the final term onslaught with a single goal.

#15 Benny Barrett (South Adelaide)

It is hard to miss Barrett when he’s at his best, with his typically clean hands and turn of speed both evident once again on Saturday. Working up the ground off half-forward, the South Adelaide prospect showed good smarts and evasion when wheeling back towards goal, putting his side in dangerous spots. What lacked this time around was his finishing touch, with many of Barrett’s inside 50 forays not delivered as cleanly as he would have liked.

#21 Jake Agnew (South Adelaide)

In a defence which already has its standouts, Agnew popped up as once to watch with his aggressive work behind the ball. Not only did he clunk his fair share of intercepts, but Agnew also set off with run and carry on the rebound. He proved composed in possession and chained his touches coming out of the back half, also releasing others as South Australia got going in transition.

#26 Tyler Welsh (Woodville-West Torrens)

The tall centrepiece of South Australia’s attack, Welsh may not have found the big sticks this time around but displayed just why he is regarded as a top key position prospect. He presented up the ground strongly and in better conditions than game two, was able to clunk marks overhead with relative ease. While not as effective on goal, Welsh also hit a couple of nice passes inboard to put the Croweaters into scoring positions, and looked threatening despite his lack of scoreboard impact.

VIC COUNTRY:

By: Ed Pascoe

#3 Xavier Lindsay (Gippsland Power)

The speedy Gippsland defender did not have a bad first half, but he really started to make an impact in the second half, taking more kick-outs and using his long left boot to his advantage – able to hit targets with ease, and with his run and carry he gained meterage for Vic Country. A surprising highlight of Lindsay’s game was his marking ability taking a strong pack mark as the smallest player, yet was also the furthest back from the pack and a strong one on one mark in the last quarter also showed his class in what was a rough day to be a Vic Country defender his endeavour never wavered despite the scoreline.

#4 Finn O’Sullivan (Oakleigh Chargers)

The superb Oakleigh midfielder and Vic Country co-captain could not have done anymore for the winless Vic Country side with his composure and skill in the midfield an absolute highlight and arguably more composed than any player across the whole championships which is high praise considering the talent across the championships. O’Sullivan was a smooth operator never fumbling or losing his feet and his ability to waltz around opponents effortlessly was a sight to see, his workrate was also stellar able to work back defensively to take some nice marks but also took advantage of a free kick to slot an easy goal in the third quarter. O’Sullivan to no surprise won Vic Country’s MVP while also winning the Kevin Sheehan medal as the best player in the whole Division 1 Championships.

#7 Xavier Ivisic (Geelong Falcons)

The hard running and classy wingman was not as prolific as he was against Western Australia earlier in the week but still managed to have some exciting bits of play none better than his first leading to Vic Country’s first goal taking the ball at half back and taking multiple running bounces to nail a shot from just inside 50 in a fantastic individual effort. There was much flashiness to come for Ivisic who got to work using his workrate to help behind the ball and offer drive and skill and a few goal saving plays in the second quarter getting on the last line to rush the ball despite playing on the wing.

#12 Archie Caldow (GWV Rebels)

After missing the earlier game against Western Australia at Metricon Stadium, Caldow would make his presence felt early winning plenty of the ball as a high half forward taking plenty of marks up the ground and often quickly playing on and keeping the play moving. A great link up player with a nice mix of size and mobility Caldow proved a difficult opponent for South Australia with his frame and speed on the lead hard to stop and with his regular leads he was often well ahead of his direct opponents .

#16 Sam Lalor (GWV Rebels)

Co-captain with fellow midfielder Finn O’Sullivan, Lalor offered the grunt and defensive intent to balance the skill and attacking nature of O’Sullivan to form a great partnership that has been prevalent for Vic Country. The GWV Rebels prospect tackled with intent and an unwise opponent decided to try and take him on in the second quarter and was rightfully stopped in his tracks from an impressive Lalor tackle. The defensive side to Lalor’s game continued in the air with some great spoils most defenders would be proud to see especially from an inside midfielder.

#18 Brady Hall (Geelong Falcons)

It was a superb game from the Geelong falcons prospect who wasn’t hard to miss with the long sleeves and he would set the tone early in the game with his ability to take impressive intercept marks and offer clean and concise rebound with his skill and composure by hand and foot. What was even more impressive was that Hall would play on the dangerous and powerful key forward Tyler Welsh keeping him goalless and nullifying a lot of one on one marking contests which Welsh has destroyed in every game he has played for South Australia and considering the supply and speed of which South Australia moved the ball it was a Herculean effort from Hall with the 189cm defender certainly a player to watch for the future.