WESTERN Australia outlasted Vic Country to notch a 27-point win in damp conditions at People First Stadium on Tuesday. It was the Sandgropers’ first win of this year’s Under 16 National Championships, and one of the more competitive games in the Queensland leg of the carnival to-date.

After WA got an early run on, Vic Country hit the front in term two, only to concede a pair of late majors and head into half-time eight points adrift. Another three-goal spurt saw the victors pull away, but Wil Malady‘s goal late in the third quarter gave the Vics a sniff – 20 points down at the final break.

Things began to get interesting as Vic Country bagged the opening goal of term four. Once again, Western Australia had all the answers and broke through to create a bridge too far, before Angus Abbonizio put the cherry on top his side’s victory with the final major of the day.

VICTORIA COUNTRY 2.2 | 6.4 | 7.5 | 9.6 (60)
WESTERN AUSTRALIA 3.1 | 7.6 | 10.7 | 13.9 (87)

GOALS:
Victoria Country: W. Malady 3, M. Neocleous 2, J. Phillips, J. Pickett, M. Prasad, C. Templeton
Western Australia: L. McGlade 3, K. LeCras 2, T. Simmons 2, A. Abbonizio, T. Faithfull, S. Hill, K. Ormerod, C. Ramsay, B. van Rooyen

BEST:
Victoria Country: T. Armstrong, M. Neocleous, E. Drever, W. Malady, M. Prasad, C. Walker
Western Australia: L. Robinson, G. Kenh, L. Steed, K. Ormerod, C. Ramsay, J. Nathan

VICTORIA COUNTRY:

#1 Marcus Prasad (Dandenong Stingrays)
Small Forward | 167cm | 23/03/2008

Stats: 14 disposals, 5 tackles, 1 goal

One of a couple tricky small forwards for Vic Country, Prasad showed out with slick work both up the ground and close to goal. He slotted a classy snap in term two and was clean at ground level all day, while also punching above his weight in the way of tackling. Prasad got a late run through midfield and displayed the same kind of traits on-ball, proving slick and evasive.

#2 Tanner Armstrong (Murray Bushrangers)
Defender | 175cm | 27/02/2008

Stats: 23 disposals, 4 marks, 9 rebound 50s

Vic Country’s defence absorbed a good amount of pressure from WA and Armstrong helped release it with his work on the rebound. He provided plenty of drive and energy, getting busy with ball in hand and having a dip across the back 50. For all his flair and speed on the counter, one of Armstrong’s best moments was a well judged one-on-one mark as the last man back in term one.

#7 Marlon Neocleous (Gippsland Power)
Small Forward | 167cm | 26/02/2008

Stats: 16 disposals, 4 marks, 2 goals

Another of Vic Country’s crafty smalls, Neocleous was difficult to contain with his sharp movement and creative flair inside 50. He took turns with Prasad to either roll up beyond forward 50 or wreak havoc close to goal, ending up with two majors in the first half. His favoured left foot was a point of difference in those situations, and he cut onto it with great agility to get a sight on goal.

#8 Cody Walker (Bendigo Pioneers)
Midfielder | 183cm | 26/01/2008

Stats: 26 disposals, 3 tackles, 7 clearances

After a stunning performance in game one, Walker was arguably Vic Country’s best once again. He had a massive first half, collecting 18 disposals – including 12 in the opening term – and ended up leading all comers. The Carlton father-son and Richmond NGA prospect showcased his athleticism and power at the contest, able to extract the inside ball and explode to the outer. Though Walker’s ball use was hit or miss at times, he handled it cleanly and glided from contest to contest.

#14 Cody Templeton (Gippsland Power)
Defender/Forward | 181cm | 01/01/2008

Stats: 14 disposals, 4 tackles, 1 goal

When Templeton snapped a goal at the start of term four, it seemed as though Vic Country was on track for an unlikely comeback. The usual defender was swung forward in the second half and brought similar energy to his work down back. In the first half, he provided great speed and energy in transition, competing hard and driving his legs to generate forward momentum.

#18 Wil Malady (Gippsland Power)
Forward | 188cm | 12/10/2008

Stats: 9 disposals, 3 marks, 3 goals

Finishing with a team-high three goals, Malady popped up at crucial times. His first major put Vic Country ahead in term two, while his second gave his side a sniff heading into the final change. The rangy forward fittingly kicked Country’s closing goal in the fourth quarter and displayed great aerial ability. His strong hands and spring-heeled leap give him the look of a tall inside attacking 50.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA:

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

Stats: 20 disposals, 4 marks, 4 inside 50s

Much like Cody Angove in WA’s Under 18 setup, Clarke seemed to spark all his side’s scoring chains from out on the wing. He got into great positions as an outlet on defensive 50 exits, before driving his legs on the outside and finishing off with rangy kicks. Clarke worked his opponent over through gut running and evasion, and even had several chances on goal but couldn’t convert.

#2 Lachlan McGlade (East Perth)
Small Forward | 173cm | 06/10/2008

Stats: 9 disposals, 6 inside 50s, 3 goals

McGlade was rewarded for his outstanding creativity and dare in the form of an equal game-high three goals. The skilful small forward took the game on with running bounces and baulks, carving up the opposition with his sharp turn of foot. He made them pay with great finishing too, converting one on the run, a snap, and a set shot across what was a lively performance. Has plenty of tricks.

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

Stats: 11 disposals, 6 marks, 2 goals

If the name looks familiar, LeCras is the son of six-game North Melbourne player Brent and nephew of champion West Coast goalkicker, Mark. While not tied to either club, he shares some similar traits as a natural forward with strong marking ability on the lead. The left-footed talent was consistently found presenting to the top of attacking 50, where he struck a couple of sweet goals from range.

#11 Joshua Nathan (East Fremantle)
Midfielder | 177cm | 19/06/2008

Stats: 14 disposals, 2 tackles, 2 clearances

Nathan produced a relatively balanced game on Tuesday, operating both on the wing and through the centre bounces. He showed good poise with deft steps through traffic and looked a smooth mover overall. While not a primary ball winner, Nathan was effective when fed the ball by strong inside types, and had some nice moments with his 11 uncontested possessions.

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

Stats: 14 disposals, 3 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s

Kenh was outstanding in WA’s backline, able to both win the ball back with defensive efforts and carve up Vic Country in transition. His athleticism proved too much for some, sitting one opponent down with a baulk in term four and showing many others a clean set of heels. Kenh also competed hard and once possession changed hands, he was aggressive with his ball use and rebound run. The best example of that was an end-to-end chain of possessions through the corridor late on.

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

Stats: 13 disposals, 2 inside 50s, 2 goals

Simmons’ day was cruelly cut short late in the third quarter as he was helped off the ground with what looked like a serious knee injury. He made an impact beforehand though, booting two goals in the second term to help WA take the ascendancy. Simmons also got to showcase his ability to impact when released from the contest, having been part of the Sandgropers’ starting midfield mix.

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

Stats: 25 disposals, 7 tackles, 8 clearances

Robinson was named best afield for the second time in as many games, imposing himself at the source with 21 contested possessions and eight clearances. Seven of his clearances were won at the centre bounce, with Robinson’s size and strength troubling Vic Country. While capable of exploding to the outside, he sometimes bit off too much but was super clean in the clinches and played with the right kind of intent throughout four quarters.