VIC COUNTRY held off a late South Australian surge to win its opening Under 18 National Championships fixture at IKON Park. The result marked two Victorian wins in Sunday’s double-header, with every team having now made an appearance in the tournament. We noted some of the top performers.

>> Match report: Vics beat all comers in dour double-header

VIC COUNTRY:

#1 Jasper Alger (Oakleigh Chargers)
Forward | 182cm | 17/12/2006

Stats: 12 disposals, 4 marks, 3 goals

Somewhat of a surprise packet, Alger popped up with three goals as one of Vic Country’s most viable scoring avenues. He looked a sure thing in front of the big sticks with a snap and set shot goal in the opening quarter, before adding another in the third term. With classy finishing and lively patches inside 50, Alger stepped up to the occasion.

#9 Joe Berry (Murray Bushrangers)
Forward | 180cm | 18/04/2006

Stats: 12 disposals, 4 marks, 3 goals

Berry is just about a lock for multiple goals each week and transferred his form from the Coates Talent League to bag three alongside Alger. The lively forward was crafty as ever when the ball hit the deck, troubling South Australia’s defenders with his pace and smarts. His clinical conversion also came to the fore with two set shots, and another major out the back.

#12 Harry Charleson (GWV Rebels)
Defender | 182cm | 26/06/2006

Stats: 23 disposals, 7 marks, 3 rebound 50s

A key connection piece out of defence, Charleson racked up the touches an shared them well with his teammates. The prolific rebounder posted 18 uncontested possessions and 14 handballs to signify the method he used when transitioning the play, with his kicking only really coming to the fore in the late stages. He’s one who may fly under the radar at the championships.

#13 Tobie Travaglia (Bendigo Pioneers)
Defender | 187cm | 26/10/2006

Stats: 24 disposals, 7 marks, 3 rebound 50s

Travaglia made a massive start to proceedings and ended with a clutch overhead mark inside defensive 50 to help ward off South Australia’s late surge. Posted in defence, his intercept game was a feature from the get-go and sparked productive chains out of the backline with a sharp turn of speed. He’s developing a happy knack for stepping up in close final quarters.

#15 Xavier Ivisic (Geelong Falcons)
Midfielder | 180cm | 01/06/2006

Stats: 27 disposals, 5 clearances, 5 inside 50s

Earning a berth in Vic Country’s starting centre bounce mix, Ivisic repaid the faith as his side’s leading disposal winner. He was prolific out of the centre bounces with three clearances there before leaning on his running capacity to accumulate possessions on the spread. His exit kicks were usually effective and he even snuck forward to snap home a goal in the second quarter.

#22 Harvey Langford (Dandenong Stingrays)
Midfielder/Forward | 190cm | 15/03/2006

Stats: 25 disposals, 7 marks, 6 clearances

Just as capable of impacting up forward as he is trough the middle, Langford started in the guts on Sunday. He most often showcased his penetrative kick, being the one to launch the ball inside 50 as the final chain in Vic Country’s transitions. While capable of sending it deep, he also pulled off a couple of sharp short kicks and was generally quite clean in the clinches.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA:

#3 Ben Camporeale (Glenelg)
Midfielder | 185cm | 21/06/2006

Stats: 28 disposals, 7 marks, 5 clearances

Camporeale went about his usual business on Sunday, leading all comers with 28 touches through South Australia’s engine room. The Carlton father-son prospect was prominent in the middle stages of the game, amassing 17 of his 28 disposals in the second and third terms. His inside-outside balance was evident as he waxed with teammates between the arcs and had a stoppage presence.

#7 Sid Draper (South Adelaide)
Midfielder | 182cm | 05/06/2006

Stats: 26 disposals, 4 clearances, 5 inside 50s

Draper continues to build and produced some typically slick work both at stoppages and around the ground. All four of his clearances were from the centre bounces, where he used his sharp turn of speed and composure to exit effectively. His kicking inside 50 was also a feature, proving all class with his execution and decision making on the move – something he has been working on.

#16 Angus Clarke (Glenelg)
Defender | 188cm | 02/11/2006

Stats: 19 disposals, 6 marks, 7 rebound 50s

A genuine emerging prospect out of the South Australian pool, Clarke showed out with some outstanding intercept marking and distribution by foot. The Mount Gambier native set up the play with booming kick-ins but also won his own ball with strong grabs which defied the soggy conditions. Things would have looked a lot worse without him inside defensive 50.

#17 Jacob Newton (Norwood)
Small Forward | 178cm | 20/03/2006

Stats: 13 disposals, 6 marks, 3 goals

Newton has gone under the radar in this South Australian team but produced plenty of handy moments among his three-goal game. The punchy left-footer slotted two set shots and steered home a snap in the third quarter to give his side the lead, helping turn the game on its head. His deceptive strength made for solid work in traffic and solid overhead marks with a waterlogged ball.

#25 Charlie Nicholls (Central District)
Key Forward | 197cm | 08/06/2006

Stats: 11 disposals, 9 marks, 1 goal

Nicholls’ modus operandi was quite clear, with nine of his 14 possessions coming from marks. Four of them were contested as the Central District prospect provided a focal point on the lead. He took advantage of a favourable matchup to dominate the aerial battle, and while his conversion was slightly off with one goal and three behinds, Nicholls proved an important scoring avenue.

#42 Tyler Welsh (Woodville-West Torrens)
Tall Forward | 191cm | 15/08/2006

Stats: 7 disposals, 5 marks, 4 goals

Welsh was once again quite economical when it came to converting his touches to goal, converting four set shots on the end of as many marks inside 50. While not always thrilled with the delivery that came his way, Welsh looked most effective when he actively led at the kicker rather than waiting for the ball to be put on his head one-out. His two goals in the last 10 minutes put pressure on Vic Country to see out the game, highlighting his game-winning potential.

>> Scouting Notes: Vic Metro vs. Allies

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