VICTORIA completed the double at the School Sport Australia 15 and Under Championships in Ballarat over the weekend as the Vic Navy boys defeated Western Australia to take out the title. Going undefeated throughout the tournament, Vic Navy followed up the girls’ victory with one of their own, having to hold off a fast-finishing Western Australia by five points, 4.11 (35) to 5.0 (30).

Both teams went into the match undefeated across their respective round robin pools, and then being successful in their semi-finals. Kicking with the breeze in the first term, it was clear Vic Navy had the upper hand by doing so, and after an early behind, a series of handballs led to Cody Walker kicking a ripping goal on the run from just inside 50.

That was largely due to the fact Mitch Toner won a hardball, spun in traffic to get it to Sam Harris who fired off quick handball to Downes on the move. Though Western Australia’s pressure was great, the Navy boys found a way through.

Then, it happened again. A long kick inside 50 saw Lachlan Hicks collect it well off hands and dish off a clean handball to a running teammate. That teammate was Joshua Djatschenko who made no mistake with a low, penetrating kick straight through the middle. Though Vic Navy had missed some chances, they lead 16-0 at the first break.

Western Australia did not take long to respond in the second term with Matthew Edgelow producing a brilliant little left foot kick into Koby LeCras on the lead. He marked and with his own accurate left foot kick, made no mistake with the set shot.

Though the Sandgropers had the breeze, and the likes of Lucas Robinson and Leo Steed were starting to get their hands on the ball, Vic Navy took forward half possession and peppered the goals. With the West Australians defending the central corridor, Navy had to go wide and several tough chances went begging. Then along came Max Downes who clunked a great pack mark and converted the set shot on the edge of half-time.

It handed the Navy side a 19-point buffer at half-time, and thought inaccuracy threatened to be a concern later in the game, they were firmly in control. The likes of Western Bulldogs father-son Levi West was influential in winning it around the contest, while Jack Surkitt and Lachlan Hicks were also busy.

The third term was expected to be the one where Navy ran away with the contest. Except Western Australia did not get the memo, and Thatcher Simmons ripped up the script. Kicking two fantastic goals in the space of three minutes, Western Australia had closed the gap to just seven points with five minutes on the clock, against the breeze.

Just as all the momentum was with the Sandgropers, Vic Navy won the crucial next clearance and going inside 50 after a rushed kick from a West Australian defender landed within scoring range, the ball spilled out to Matthew D’Amico who made no mistake on the run.

Continuing the free-flowing nature of the game, it was the Sandgropers’ turn again, with the next centre clearance well gathered by LeCras inside 50 and he handed it off to Edgelow to return the favour from earlier in the game to cut the final break deficit to just eight points.

It was game on in the final term with Western Australia having the breeze, and the pressure stakes ramped up when Simmons went long towards goal, and though it was bouncing home, Garrison Kenh made sure of it, soccering it off the half volley to trim the margin to just two points midway through the quarter.

From there, it was tense and tight for the remaining eight minutes, as Vic Navy had their fair share of chances but could never quite drive in the final nail. Instead, the door was left ajar for Western Australia, and though the Sandgropers did get some chances, also could not capitalise. In the last minute, Vic Navy held onto the ball and even had the last shot on goal before they could finally celebrate a heart-stopping five-point win.

VICTORIA NAVY 2.4 | 3.7 | 4.8 | 4.11 (35)
WESTERN AUSTRALIA 0.0 | 1.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 (30)

GOALS:
Victoria Navy: M. Downes, C. Walker. J. Djatschenko, M. D’Amico
Western Australia: T. Simmons, K. LeCras, M. Edgelow, G. Kenh

BEST:
Victoria Navy: L. West, C. Walker, L. Hicks, S. Harris, L. Houndsome
Western Australia: L. Robinson, L. Steed, M. Edgelow, J. Debono, N. Scott