VIC Country clinched the Pool A title via golden point yesterday in a dramatic conclusion to the Under 16 National Championships. After a six-goal third quarter put South Australia 21 points ahead at the final break, Country posted four unanswered majors in term four to see the scores tied up at the death.

With the match effectively being a Grand Final, time ticked past the regulation 23 minutes and made it a ‘next score wins’ scenario. Up stepped Victorian forward Wil Malady, who had already kicked two of is three goals in the quarter, to put through the all important minor score which handed his side the cup.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA 2.3 | 3.5 | 9.7 | 9.10 (64)
VICTORIA COUNTRY 2.4 | 4.8 | 5.10 | 9.11 (65)

GOALS:
South Australia: C. Florance 2, J. Miller 2, A. White 2, J. McNicol, K. Moir, M. Webb
Victoria Country: M. Prasad 3, N. Williams 2, W. Malady 2, X. Ladbrook, J. Pickett

RMC BEST:
South Australia: D. Cochrane, A. White, E. Herbert, J. Gordon, A. Van dyk, C. Florance
Victoria Country: C. Walker, T. Armstrong, M. Prasad, W. Malady, N. Williams, D. Szerszyn

SOUTH AUSTRALIA:

#9 Cain Florance (South Adelaide)
Midfielder/Forward | 189cm | 13/03/2008

Stats: 23 disposals, 6 marks, 2 goals

Florance bookended his game with eight disposals in both the first and last quarters, and even bagged the opening goal. The midfielder-forward ended with two majors, both set shot conversions, while using his size to be strong over the ball and surge it forward. While he ran at 56 per cent kick efficiency, Florance was clean by hand and straightened up when it mattered inside 50.

#11 Archie Van dyk (South Adelaide)
Midfielder | 185cm | 28/06/2008

Stats: 22 disposals, 5 marks, 3 clearances

Van dyk’s prolific carnival came to an end with 22 touches, as he covered good ground and proved typically polished. The midfielder swept back to support the defence in transitional play and was slick around the contest. His clean hands and balance combined with the running to track back made for a good weight of inside and outside work, and a well-rounded overall performance.

#15 Angus White (South Adelaide)
Midfielder/Forward | 183cm | 06/06/2008

Stats: 26 disposals, 5 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 3 goals

White left his best performance of the carnival until last and was integral to SA’s phenomenal third quarter, kicking three goals. While capable through midfield with power and lively movement, he made the most impact up forward. White struck each of his goals purely and was able to convert from long-range, proving clinical from set shots and in open play. His pressure game earned two of the majors with holding-the-ball free kicks, which helped set the tone for his side’s scoring assault.

#23 Jack Gordon (Central District)
Defender/Midfielder | 184cm | 05/01/2008

Stats: 19 disposals, 2 inside 50s, 4 rebound 50s

One of a couple of Croweaters to rotate through midfield from defence, Gordon took the game on in both roles. He could be seen mopping up on the last line of defence and using us speed to rebound, backing himself to carry the ball as a tall running type. Gordon was also quite balanced in contested situations and looked dangerous when driving his legs – like when he broke through the middle towards goal and levelled up the scores late in the final quarter, albeit with a behind.

#25 Douglas Cochrane (Central District)
Defender/Midfielder | 194cm | 02/05/2008

Stats: 28 disposals, 11 marks, 6 tackles, 6 rebound 50s

Cochrane deservedly took out South Australia’s MVP award and also claimed the Kevin Sheehan Medal as the best and fairest player in Pool A. He was at his best on Friday, gliding across the turf effortlessly and soaring through the air on intercept mark attempts. The tall defender racked up possessions in slow play but also showed dare with his transitional passages. He got a brief run in midfield but is most comfortable down back, and looks a top talent for the 2026 crop.

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

Stats: 21 disposals, 4 marks, 19 hitouts, 4 clearances

One of the most prominent key position players afield, Herbert imposed himself in the ruck and also had a say around the ground. He won 19 hitouts and four clearances at the contest, running at almost 100 per cent efficiency by hand to feed SA’s running players. Herbert was comfortable with ball in hand and showcased sharp skills for a player his size; the prime example saw him basketball bounce the ball to himself inside 50 before dishing off to Jermaine Miller for a first quarter goal.

VICTORIA COUNTRY:

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

Stats: 15 disposals, 5 tackles, 3 goals

Prasad’s impact was two-fold on Friday; as he booted three majors, while also providing menacing tackle pressure. The diminutive goalsneak put in repeat defensive efforts and was busy as ever up the ground, performing the high forward role well. He scored at important times with sharp finishes; including the goal to break SA’s third term blitz, and then to spark Vic Country’s fourth quarter run.

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

Stats: 30 disposals, 4 tackles, 5 rebound 50s

Racking up an equal game-high 30 disposals, Armstrong was integral to Vic Country’s rebound play. He took on the kick-in duties and provided plenty of run out of the backline, driving his legs and working tirelessly up the ground. The defender also got stuck in with smothers and tackles, while taking up good positions behind the ball as his side attacked. Armstrong was also given a run at the centre bounces in term four and his energy was infectious throughout the match.

#3 Noah Williams (Geelong Falcons)
Midfielder | 174cm | 22/01/2008

Stats: 14 disposals, 7 tackles, 5 clearances, 2 goals

After a steady start, Williams built into the game strongly with a huge second quarter. His hard running was outstanding, including in several end-to-end passages – even if unrewarded. He played with great energy and intent to surge the ball forward while connecting well with teammates. To compliment his outside running, Williams also prised five clearances and kicked a terrific set shot goal from the boundary in term two, before adding another late in the game.

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

Stats: 30 disposals, 5 tackles, 9 clearances, 6 inside 50s

Walker was instrumental in Vic Country’s final quarter turnaround and duly took out his side’s MVP award. The 2026 Carlton father-son and Richmond NGA prospect was shifted from defence to midfield after half time and got his hands on everything. He was immense at the contest with 17 contested possessions and nine clearances, extracting the ball cleanly and using his athletic gifts to break to the outside. Walker’s ability to glide across the turf was also evident down back, where he played a high line and launched attacks through the corridor with overlap run and booming kicks.

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

Stats: 8 disposals, 4 marks, 2 goals

Vic Country needed a hero and among the raft of players who lifted in term four was Malady. The tall forward had a relatively quiet day but only needs a few moments to impact, as he proved on Friday. He booted two final quarter goals and added a golden point after the siren to win his side the title, proving clutch with his conversion over the mark. Malady’s bravery in aerial contests stood out throughout the game, along with his mobility and team-lifting celebrations.

#19 Darcy Szerszyn (Dandenong Stingrays)
Defender | 187cm | 20/05/2008

Stats: 14 disposals, 4 marks, 4 rebound 50s

Szerszyn was rock solid down back, providing cover across the last line and an outlet high up the ground. He displayed sound intercept ability and a strong set of hands overhead, which came in handy both offensively and defensively. When Vic Country transitioned the ball, Szerszyn worked into good spaces for teammates to pull the trigger on aggressive wide kicks and attack.