SOUTH Australia kicked off its 2024 Under 16 National Championships with a resolute 10-point win over Western Australia at Thebarton Oval on Saturday. The Croweaters fought back from deficits at the first two breaks to set up the victory with three goals to one in term three.

Both sides added 2.3 to their tallies in the fourth quarter to see the result sit 10.8 (68) to 8.10 (58) in favour of the hosts. Western Australia closed to within the final margin with eight minutes left to play, but could not quite carry its momentum over the line in a tense crescendo.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA 1.2 | 5.3 | 8.5 | 10.8 (68)
WESTERN AUSTRALIA 2.2 | 5.4 | 6.7 | 8.10 (58)

GOALS:
SA: J. McNicol 2, Z. Pilot 2, K. Moir 2, J. Miller, T. Garrett, A. Van Dyk, B. Bretones
WA: K. LeCras 2, L. McGlade 2, K. Ormerod 2, D. Newry, J. Barnard

BEST:
SA: A. Van Dyk, D. Cochrane, E. Herbert, J. Gordon, A. White, K. Moir
WA: L. Robinson, J. Clarke, D. Newry, K. LeCras, E. Dennis, L. Steed

SOUTH AUSTRALIA:

#1 Jermaine Miller (Central District)
Small Forward | 171cm | 04/09/2008

Stats: 11 disposals, 3 inside 50s, 1 goal

Miller had his moments both high up the ground and close to goal, proving busy at ground level and coming to life with ball in hand. He drew a free kick inside 50 to notch his only goal of the game in term two, and was quite dangerous when joining in at stoppages further afield. His pace and evasive technique gave Western Australia trouble in those instances.

#10 Kodah Edwards (South Adelaide)
Midfielder | 175cm | 25/07/2008

Stats: 18 disposals, 5 tackles, 6 clearances

Given the captaincy honours for South Australia, Edwards helped set the tone with some strong centre bounce clearances. His kicking lacked polish, with only one of 11 being effective, though that was perhaps a product of his crash and bash contested style. When he wasn’t forcing the ball forward with first possession, Edwards was quite clean by hand and worked hard on the spread.

#11 Archie Van dyk (South Adelaide)
Midfielder | 185cm | 28/07/2008

Stats: 29 disposals, 8 clearances, 1 goal

Van dyk led all comers on Saturday with 29 disposals, and was South Australia’s top clearance winner alongside fellow Panther, Edwards. He looked lively when released from the stoppages, driving his legs on the way forward and launching the ball inside 50. He moved quite well laterally with classy baulks and hit the scoreboard on the end of a 50-metre penalty in term three.

#22 Koby Moir (Glenelg)
Forward | 184cm | 22/01/2008

Stats: 11 disposals, 2 inside 50s, 2 goals

The brother of 2023 Carlton draftee, Ashton, Koby Moir is also paving his way through the Glenelg and South Australian pathways. He looked a likely type up forward; booting goals via a set shot in the first quarter, and a great finish on the run during term two. Moir’s speed off the mark and finishing ability were reminiscent of his elder sibling, who was a mercurial junior.

#25 Dougie Cochrane (Central District)
Tall Defender | 194cm | 02/05/2008

Stats: 19 disposals, 4 marks, 4 rebound 50s

Another leader in the South Australian camp, Cochrane brought the attack from his key defensive post. He showcased a strong ability to fly for marks and clunked four for the day, but arguably impressed most with his coverage of the ground. At 194cm, he took up aggressive positions outside defensive 50 and provided overlap run, moving with speed and intent on the rebound.

#31 Zemes Pilot (South Adelaide)
Tall Forward | 191cm | 08/06/2009

Stats: 7 disposals, 3 marks, 2 goals

Booting two goals from five scoring shots, Pilot was a constant threat inside South Australia’s attacking 50. The dynamic forward found his radar with two majors within the first 10 minutes of term two, doing so with his strong work on the lead and dangerous work at ground level. With those scores, and the ones he put wide, Pilot proved he could make things happen from any situation.

#33 Ethan Herbert (North Adelaide)
Ruck | 197cm | 01/11/2008

Stats: 15 disposals, 14 handballs, 19 hitouts

Playing somewhat of a lone hand in South Australia’s ruck division, Herbert won a game-high 19 hitouts and followed up nicely at the contest. He often landed on his feet and stayed with the play, using his size to extract the ball and dish it off cleanly. Of Herbert’s 15 disposals and 10 contested possessions, 14 were handballs to highlight the style of play he adopted.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA:

#1 Jayden Clarke (Perth)
Wing | 174cm | 05/03/2008

Stats: 19 disposals, 3 clearances, 5 inside 50s

Cementing his spot out on the wing, Clarke was a slippery customer on Saturday. He looked to utilise his speed and evasion to burst forward, escaping the clutches of opponents as he arched his back and launched the ball inside 50. Clarke pace and skill made him an effective outlet in transition, especially when he was afforded enough space to use the ball creatively.

#5 Koby LeCras (West Perth)
Tall Forward | 190cm | 26/04/2008

Stats: 12 disposals, 3 marks, 2 goals

The son of former North Melbourne and West Perth player, Brent, Koby LeCras is somewhat a chip off the old block. Already the same height as his father, who played six AFL games, junior was an asset inside 50 for Western Australia. The left-footer sunk two goals in the first half and had more chances thereafter, showcasing good craft on the lead and a strong set of hands.

#7 Leo Steed (Swan Districts)
Midfielder | 174cm | 07/03/2008

Stats: 16 disposals, 8 tackles, 3 clearances

While others were more prolific in Western Australia’s engine room, Steed put in a noble effort. 12 of his 16 disposals were collected in the first half, as the midfielder either gritted his teeth to crash his way through packs or darted away on the exit. With a sharp turn of speed, he was difficult to tackle but hunted down the opposition with some desperate closing efforts, playing a well-rounded game.

#12 Garrison Kenh (East Perth)
Defender | 180cm | 19/04/2008

Stats: 13 disposals, 3 marks, 5 tackles

A prospect with raw speed and potential, Kenh is the type of player who can make the opposition panic. He shut down well defensively with five tackles and almost produced some exciting plays in transition. If not for a few fumbles, he would have taken off on damaging runs through the corridor. Kenh ran out the game strongly with seven of his 13 touches coming in term four.

#18 Thatcher Simmons (Subiaco)
Midfielder | 182cm | 18/01/2008

Stats: 25 disposals, 6 marks, 8 inside 50s

A mainstay in midfield and Western Australia’s leading ball winner, Simmons’ movement caused headaches for South Australia. While capable of keeping his balance at the contest, he came to life when released into space with 13 handball receives and 20 uncontested possessions. Simmons’ run-and-carry was great to watch, though he could have finished his work a little better by foot.

#23 Lucas Robinson (South Fremantle)
Midfielder | 188cm | 13/02/2008

Stats: 24 disposals, 7 marks, 10 clearances

Another of Western Australia’s prominent midfielders, Robinson had a case for being best afield in the losing side. His size was a factor at the contest, scooping the ball up cleanly and shrugging off opponents to clear it 10 times. He also moved quite smoothly and was able to follow up his initial efforts (15 contested possessions) to get busy on the spread and mark strongly around the ground.

#28 Damien Newry (Claremont)
Small Forward | 174cm | 07/01/2008

Stats: 13 disposals, 5 tackles, 1 goal

One of the liveliest small forwards afield, Newry snared a single goal but had plenty of opportunities inside 50. He attempted to make something happen with each possession, turning opponents inside-out and putting the ball into dangerous areas. For a small, he held his space well and judged the aerial ball beautifully to take a couple of strong one-on-one marks.

>> Scouting Notes: Vic Metro vs. Vic Country (U16 Pool A)