WESTERN Australia’s Under 18 National Championships ended with a third competitive loss at Claremont Oval, after falling 11 points short of Vic Country today. The hosts were left to rue poor goalkicking in the final term, enduring a run of six straight behinds and 2.8 overall to go down 9.12 (66) to 11.11 (77).

Vic Country led at every break and moved to four or more goals up on two seperate occasions, only to have every challenge answered by the plucky Black Ducks. Claremont forward Hamish Davis booted two clutch goals to keep his side in the hunt, while Cooper Hynes helped ice the game for Vic Country.

Up until the fourth quarter, the Victorians dominated the territory battle with 51 inside 50s to WA’s 35. The Black Ducks broke even in clearances (26-26) and had their moments of ascendancy in midfield, but failed to translate that first sight of the ball to consistent and deep forward 50 entries.

The game broke open en route to a thrilling conclusion, as Western Australia began to transition the ball with incredible fluency from end to end. Having been within two goals of a comeback victory with 10 minutes on the clock, the Sandgropers’ stack of early misses came back to bite them in the end.

Hynes started steadily but found his groove to finish with 20 disposals, eight marks and two goals for the winning side. Dandenong Stingrays teammate Harvey Langford was also prolific through the middle with a game-high 29 touches, while Xavier Lindsay posted eight clearances with a chance to run on-ball.

Vic Country’s defence was humming as the likes of Harry Charleson (21 disposals, five marks) and Tobie Travaglia (19 and four) mopped up everything. Recent squad inclusion and rising prospect Alix Tauru also showcased his aerial ability on state debut with four high-flying marks.

Having absorbed plenty of pressure before counter-attacking with vigour, many of WA’s defenders were also among their best players. Claremont pair Clancy Dennis and Cody Curtin ruled the airways with a combined 10 marks, while Jaxon Artemis and Loch Mactaggart slingshotted away on the rebound.

WA captain Bo Allan led his side’s disposal tally with 23 to go with seven tackles, competing hard through midfield alongside Hugh Boxshall (21 disposals, one goal) and Luke Urquhart (17 disposals, six clearances), while Davis ended up with 3.3 from 15 touches up forward.

Also among those to boost their stocks for the Black Ducks included utility Cody Angove, high forward Will Hayes, and wingman Charlie Burke. Bottom-age debutant Wesley Walley was also lively with two goals from five marks as WA ended its campaign with a 1-3 record.

Vic Country, now sitting pretty at 2-0 and well in contention for the title, will move on to face the Allies in Brisbane on Sunday July 7. Before that clash goes down, Vic Metro takes on South Australia tomorrow morning at Alberton Oval, looking to establish a 3-0 record.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA 1.2 | 4.2 | 7.4 | 9.12 (66)
VICTORIA COUNTRY 2.2 | 5.6 | 10.8 | 11.11 (77)

GOALS:
WA: H. Davis 3, W. Walley 2, H. Boxshall, K. Gerreyn, F. Rodriguez, M. Rohr
VC: J. Alger 2, J. Berry 2, C. Hynes 2, F. Burmeister, A. Day-Wicks, W. Duursma, J. Faull, R. Stevens

BEST:
WA: J. Artemis, L. Mactaggart, C. Dennis, B. Allan, C. Curtin, C. Angove
VC: H. Langford, X. Lindsay, C. Hynes, H. Charleson, T. Travaglia, J. Ough

WA MVP: Jaxon Artemis (South Fremantle)