SOUTH Australia hosts Western Australia in Sunday’s standalone AFL Under 18 National Championships fixture at Alberton Oval. The Croweaters are looking to bounce back from last week’s loss to Vic Country, while the Sandgropers are in action for a second time after losing to the Allies in game one.

NEED TO KNOW

Who: South Australia vs. Western Australia
When: Sunday June 16, 10:05am AEST
Where: Alberton Oval, Alberton
How to watch: via AFL website & app

PREDICTED LINEUPS

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

B: #23 H. Dodd – #34 J. Sheean – #16 A. Clarke
HB: #22 J. Hasting – #26 H. Ramm – #9 L. Montgomery
C: #2 L. Camporeale – #7 S. Draper – #8 K. Herbert
HF: #4 N. Bowman – #25 C. Nicholls – #17 J. Newton
F: #42 T. Welsh – #41 C. West – #5 E. Bradley
FOL: #40 A. Dodson – #3 B. Camporeale – #24 D. Sharp

INT: #6 B. Barrett, #11 P. Hargrave, #14 S. Cumming, #19 H. Barker, #28 T. Delmenico, #29 J. Phillipou, #31 T. McKay, #37 R. Borlace

IN: C. West, H. Dodd, B. Barrett*, R. Borlace*, J. Phillipou*
OUT: T. Rosenzweig, N. Howes

* – denotes named on extended bench.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA:

B: #18 C. Dennis – #21 D. Petersen – #30 J. Douglas
HB: #10 A. van der Struyf – #20 C. Curtin – #27 T. Hiscock
C: #23 C. Burke – #12 B. Allan – #1 C. Angove
HF: #11 H. Davis – #26 K. Gerreyn – #19 K. Evans
F: #5 W. Hayes – #17 M. Rohr – #3 M. Champion
FOL: #29 A. Riddle – #2 L. Urquhart – #6 B. Kelly

INT: #8 C. Banfield, #13 J. Artemis, #16 L. Mactaggart, #24 F. Rodriguez, #28 H. Boxshall

IN: B. Allan, H. Boxshall, L. Mactaggart
OUT: M. Becker, D. Roberts, J. Rigoll

ONES TO WATCH

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Angus Clarke

A rising defender out of Glenelg, Clarke showed out with six marks in tough conditions last week. He offers defensive and offensive flair, capable of soaring for intercepts and distributing the ball powerfully with his booming boot. The Mount Gambier native promises to play a key role once again as Western Australia looks to shuffle more height into its forward structure.

Alex Dodson

Having featured in this segment last week, Dodson returns after his breakout performance on the big stage. He posted 19 disposals, 19 hitouts and nine inside 50s in an outing littered with promising moments. A high level basketballer, the 203cm ruckman is full of untapped potential with his athletic upside and ability to cover the ground. He certainly has the attention of recruiters off a small sample size.

Jacob Newton

Newton may have be flying under the radar as a genuine difference maker for South Australia, but perhaps not after last week’s effort. The dynamite forward packs a punch at 178cm, proving deceptively strong for his size and capable overhead. His clean handling, creativity in the forward half, and ability to hit the scoreboard with a sweet left foot make for traits which have only boosted his stocks.

The Inclusions

Both sides have restructured their forward lines and in the case of South Australia, more versatility looks to be the move. Talls Tallan Rosenzweig and Noah Howes come out of the side, with only one of them directly replaced. Charlie West is the like-for-like, while small defender and Eagles teammate Harry Dodd also comes in. The Croweaters may add another change to the side upon cutting their extended bench.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Bo Allan

The state captain and top prospect makes his return after missing game one with a back injury. He’ll slot straight into midfield, looking to add genuine size and power to a centre bounce rotation which was competitive last time out. His pure athleticism, highlighted by an explosive turn of speed, should make the Sandgropers’ stoppage exits all the more dynamic and dangerous.

Cody Angove

Angove has spent a lot of time in the forward half for Claremont but got his chance up on the wing in game one and showed his class. The speedy small likes to run and carry, capable of taking ground and executing sharp passes into leading forwards. While others may be more prolific throughout the day, Angove is sure to catch the eye with his glimpses of potential and ability to spark scoring chains.

Hamish Davis

Western Australia has flagged a change to its forward structure, with Davis’ height at the centre of it. Having spent much of game one on-ball, the 190cm prospect adds aerial prowess and physicality to not only provide a chop-out for his side’s tall targets, but also help form a connection piece between the arcs and bring the Sandgroper’s dangerous smalls into the game more often.

The Inclusions

Western Australia has made three changes to its game one lineup, with Allan coming in alongside Claremont midfielder Hugh Boxshall and small Perth defender Loch Mactaggart. The latter pair have been rewarded for form after overcoming early-season injuries. Together, they replace midfielders Deian Roberts and Jayden Rigoll, and bottom-age wingman Matthew Becker in the squad of 23.

WHERE IT’S WON

With one more game in the bank, South Australia has a great understanding of its side’s balance and makeup after a pair of promising outings. At 1-1, the Croweaters’ tall forwards have shone so far and while a different look is imminent, they should again be well fed by a strong midfield group.

Western Australia will undoubtedly be buoyed by the addition of its skipper, who brings plenty of pop to the midfield group. His inclusion, along with a couple of hard working players, will ensure the Sandgropers can manufacture a better forward balance and remain competitive on each line.

Conditions look like being relatively clear in Alberton on Sunday, meaning ball use and conversion forward of centre will be paramount. Both sides have proven to be up for the fight, but with some changes and five bottom-agers on the visiting team list, four-quarter concentration is paramount.

PREDICTION

South Australia has a good run into this match having shown plenty of fight in a rain-affected loss last week. Western Australia may take a little longer to get going but should be fresh off an extended break and willing to play a tough brand of footy to keep things close. SA is quite strong at home and should get over the line with a little more depth of talent and experience. Croweaters by 18.

REMAINING AFL U18s FIXTURE