SOUTH Australia will look to finish its Under 18 National Championships campaign on a high when Vic Metro comes to town for a clash at Alberton Oval. The 1-2 Croweaters are coming off a 67-point loss to Western Australia, while the Vics are 2-0 after beating the Sandgropers last week.

NEED TO KNOW

Who: South Australia vs. Vic Metro
When: Sunday June 30, 10:05am ACST
Where: Alberton Oval
How to watch: via AFL website & Fox Footy

RECORDS

South Australia: 1-2 | WLL
def. Allies 13.9 (87) to 11.9 (75)
def. by Vic Country 11.13 (79) to 13.9 (87)
def. by Western Australia 6.12 (48) to 17.7 (109)

Vic Metro: 2-0 | WW
def. Allies 9.13 (67) to 6.15 (51)
def. Western Australia 15.16 (106) to 10.13 (73)

PREDICTED LINEUPS

SOUTH AUSTRALIA:

B: #22 J. Hasting – #34 J. Sheean – #16 A. Clarke
HB: #18 R. Burgoyne – #28 T. Delmenico – #9 L. Montgomery
C: #2 L. Camporeale – #24 D. Sharp – #13 D. Sterzl
HF: #4 N. Bowman – #17 J. Newton – #8 K. Herbert
F: #41 C. West – #42 T. Welsh – #27 N. Atkinson
FOL: #40 A. Dodson – #7 S. Draper – #3 B. Camporeale

INT: #1 R. Lane-Ellis, #5 E. Bradley, #6 B. Barrett, #11 P. Hargrave, #15 M. LeRay, #23 H. Dodd, #25 C. Nicholls, #26 H. Ramm, #31 T. McKay

EMG: To be confirmed.

IN: N. Atkinson, R. Burgoyne, R. Lane-Ellis, M. LeRay, D. Sterzl
OUT: H. Barker, R. Borlace, S. Cumming, J. Phillipou

South Australia has made at least four changes to the squad which was thrashed by WA last time out, with a handful of depth players in line to make their state debuts. Of them, three have been named in the starting 18 while two feature on a nine-man interchange which is set to be trimmed to five.

Port Adelaide father-son hopeful Rome Burgoyne (son of Peter) slots in at half-back for his first game of the carnival, while South Adelaide’s Dakota Sterzl (wing) and Sturt’s Ned Atkinson (forward) also take up starting spots. Central District’s Matthew LeRay and Ryan Lane-Ellis could earn berths from the bench.

VIC METRO:

B: #21 L. Hofmann – #32 A. Cole – #16 L. Grego
HB: #7 H. Oliver – #26 L. Trainor – #17 Z. Johnson
C: #8 M. Reid – #10 L. Ashcroft – #11 C. Moraes
HF: #3 J. Dattoli – #23 A. Ludowyke – #15 T. Gross
F: #1 I. Kako – #35 T. Sims – #22 H. Armstrong
FOL: #33 L. Emmett – #9 J. Smith – #24 J. Smillie

INT: #2 J. Nguyen, #5 D. Hollow, #13 C. Anderson, #14 N. King, #20 B. McKenzie

EMG: #4 J. Dolan, #34 L. Tovey, #40 B. Findlay

IN: C. Anderson, L. Emmett, L. Hofmann, D. Hollow, A. Ludowyke, B. McKenzie
OUT: J. Dolan, P. Retschko, C. Richardson, G. Stumpf, L. Impey (injured), H. O’Farrell (injured)

Vic Metro has again rotated its lineup, with four unforced changes being made along with two injury replacements. Ruckman Lucas Impey and key defender Harry O’Farrell are the forced changes, making way for relative straight swaps in Louis Emmett and Lennox Hofmann respectively.

After a top outing in game one, Damon Hollow comes back into the side along with Hofmann and forward Bailey McKenzie. Midfielder Cody Anderson also gets his chance and may yield a shuffle of the magnets, while bottom-age key forward Archie Ludowyke rounds out the inclusions.

ONES TO WATCH

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Alex Dodson

It’s a wonder that Dodson wasn’t in South Australia’s game one side given how talented he is, and how much he has developed over a short amount of time. He topped the hitout count in both of his two appearances to date, averaging 21 to go with 20 disposals, four clearances, and four marks. He covers the ground nicely and has clean fundamentals for a player his size, so could be the best ruck in the pool.

Tyler Welsh

It is no surprise to see Welsh leading the championships’ goalkicking tally with seven from three games, but the fact is made more impressive given he had the clamps firmly placed on him in a three-disposal game last time out. The Adelaide father-son gun will hope to bounce back and end his carnival with a bang, only needing a few moments to impact with his powerful marking and clinical goalkicking.

Dakota Sterzl

Somewhat of a wildcard here, Sterzl is among South Australia’s latest batch of state debutants. The South Adelaide product has some nice traits with his marking ability, sharp kicking, and versatility. He’ll likely slot in on a wing but can also roll forward and hit the scoreboard. He recently earned a SANFL Reserves debut, with his best Under 18s game yielding 20 disposals, 13 marks and four goals.

VIC METRO

Cody Anderson

If one thing’s for certain on Sunday, it’s that Anderson will give 100 per cent. The midfield bull attacks the ball harder than arguably anyone in the draft pool, burrowing in hell for leather at the contest and laying punishing hits on the opposition. He may be utilised in a secondary position, likely up forward given Metro’s midfield depth, but is sure to make an impression either way.

Jesse Dattoli

It’s easy to identify the genuine top-end prospects in Vic Metro’s lineup, but Dattoli has been sneaky good in his specialist high forward role thus far. The crafty Northern Knights talent has averaged 13 disposals, eight marks and a goal across his first two games, helping connect his side into attack and lighting up when scoring opportunities present. Watch for him to impress once again.

Jagga Smith

Smith is on track to run away with the Larke Medal if he can continue his form in game three. He arguably has two best afield performances under his belt, racking up enormous hauls of 32 and 37 disposals in a pair of wins. He is supremely clean and balanced at the contest, has rare vision and skill, and is difficult to contain with his blend of agility and hard running. A real Nick Daicos-type operator.

WHERE IT’S WON

It’ll be said ad nauseam, but Vic Metro’s starting midfield is elite. They smashed WA at the coalface last week and will likely do the same to every other side – particularly those who aren’t accountable defensively. They also bat deep and can operate with a range of looks throughout each game.

In the same area of the ground, South Australia suffered from a lack of flexibility last time out. The Croweaters hardly strayed from their primary rotation and were found out as a result. There are some fresh faces in the squad, but it seems like the same players will remain at the core of SA’s lineup.

Perhaps it’ll be a clash of Metro’s potential overchoice against South Australia’s set structure. With the Victorians making six changes and having to travel interstate, it’ll be a tough ask to regroup against a refreshed tricoloured outfit which has the benefit of three home fixtures and plenty of time together.

PREDICTION

Football math makes for an ugly equation if you’re in the South Australian camp. While both sides beat the Allies, Vic Metro also trumped Western Australia by 33 points, only a week after they smashed the Croweaters by 67 – at the same venue as Sunday’s clash, no less.

It is hard to look past Metro’s top-end talent, especially through the middle of the ground, and the versatility they have. South Australia boasts the home ground advantage and some stability, but have also made a raft of changes for its final match of the carnival.

Expect the Croweaters’ leaders to spark a response, but it will have to be equal parts fierce and consistent against such a quality opposition. Vic Metro’s class has shone through in both games to date and it should serve them well again here. Metro by 24 points.

REMAINING AFL U18s FIXTURE

DATE	MATCH	VENUE	TIME
Sat, June 29	WA vs Vic Country	Revo Fitness Stadium	10:30am
Sun, June 30	SA vs Vic Metro	Alberton Oval	10:05am
Sun, July 7	Allies vs Vic Country	Brighton Homes Arena	10:35am
Sun, July 14	Vic Metro vs Vic Country	IKON Park	10:35am