WESTERN Australia’s Under 18s have suffered a heavy defeat in their first trial for the year, going down by 98 points to their Under 21 counterparts on Saturday. The undermanned junior outfit was blown off Fremantle Oval by a more seasoned outfit which featured 11 players with WAFL League experience.

A rampant seven-goal final quarter from the Under 21s accentuated the margin. Claremont high-flyer Sam van Rooyen dined out with six majors, while West Perth midfielder Kane Bevan filled his boots to be best on ground with two goals of his own from 31 disposals, 10 clearances, and 10 inside 50s.

The young Black Swans fielded a strong midfield, though went in without the likes of Toby Whan and Koby Evans – Fremantle and West Coast Next Generation Academy members respectively. The former is set to return for the Under 18s’ next trial against West Perth in Joondalup on Saturday morning.

WA U18 2.5 | 3.5 | 4.7 | 5.10 (40)
WA U20 5.3 | 10.6 | 14.9 | 21.12 (138)

GOALS:

WA U18: C. Banfield, C. Curtin, B. Hart, W. Walley, T. Williams
WA U20: S. van Rooyen 6, C. Bourne 3, K. Bevan 2, J. Cocking 2, D. Roberts 2, L. Yeo 2, C. Burke, A. Caldow, J. Cleaver, L. Kickett

DISPOSALS:

WA U18: S. Swadling (21), F. Rodriguez (20), H. Walker (19), B. Kelly (17), M. Becker (15)
WA U20: K. Bevan (31), J. Cleaver (24), C. Burke (22), A. Caldow (22), J. Artemis (16)

WESTERN AUSTRALIA U18:

#3 Tylah Williams (Swan Districts)
Small Forward | 175cm | 22/02/2007

Stats: 9 disposals, 6 marks, 1 goal

Despite storming into an open goal for his side’s first major, Williams ended up having his biggest impact in the second half. The West Coast NGA prospect showcased some classic small forward traits with his craftiness and movement, working high up the ground to earn six of his nine touches from marks. He got off the chain outside 50 as a leading option and connector between the arcs.

#6 Hudson Walker (Subiaco)
Forward/Midfielder | 179cm | 06/09/2007

Stats: 19 disposals, 5 clearances, 2 inside 50s

Walker was among the Under 18s’ absolute best in a heavy loss, proving a wildcard as he sliced through congestion. Starting up forward, the Subiaco product would often press high off the centre bounces and join in at stoppage, showcasing clean hands and a sharp turn of speed to bring the ball to the outside. He distributed cleanly in those instances and was clever in reading the fall of the ball. Hudson’s class and flair earned him time on-ball, while he also looked to apply pressure.

#9 Fred Rodriguez (South Fremantle)
Midfielder | 184cm | 10/07/2007

Stats: 20 disposals, 4 clearances, 7 inside 50s

Pegged as WA’s top draft prospect this year, the going was tough for Rodriguez but he showed moments of class. His ability to rove the ball and spin or break into space came in handy against more mature bodies in the cut and thrust of midfield. Rodriguez also provided energy and dash in attacking phases, possessing the ball in dangerous launch zones to use his foot skills going inside 50. Much of his work was tidy as usual in a side which felt the heat at times.

#10 Blake Kelly (Swan Districts)
Midfielder | 183cm | 03/01/2007

Stats: 17 disposals, 5 marks, 4 tackles

Kelly was, as expected, among WA’s top ball winners but didn’t solely rely on his guile around the contest. The Swan Districts onballer was made to work hard around the ground to rack up easier possessions, also fighting his way out of congestion through sheer will to combat a lack of explosive speed. He produced a positive moment in the opening quarter where he smothered a set shot before locking the ball up for a stoppage, showing great anticipation in the process.

#13 Heath Mellody (Claremont)
Wing | 181cm | 27/07/2008

Stats: 13 disposals, 5 marks, 3 rebound 50s

One of the state’s most promising bottom-agers in the early part of the season, Mellody played the wing role to a high level. He held his width to be a constant outlet in space, and when utilised, hardly wasted a kick. His creative and improvisational ball use was also complimented by safer, more conventional passes as Mellody covered plenty of ground up and back like all good wingers should.

#16 Basil Hart (Peel Thunder)
Forward | 186cm | 15/01/2007

Stats: 11 disposals, 1 goal, 2 behinds

With fellow forward livewire Wes Walley contained to just three touches, Hart stepped up with plenty of promising moments. He applied similarly determined defensive pressure and earned scoring chances as a result, going on to slot his lone goal in the final quarter. Hart only needs a split second to get a shot off, doing so rather casually at times. Some of his best work came when working high up the ground to help the Under 18s connect the lines as a productive leading target.

#17 Sam Swadling (West Perth)
Midfielder | 187cm | 16/01/2007

Stats: 21 disposals, 3 marks, 4 tackles

With an average of 35 disposals across six WAFL Colts games this season, it was no surprise to see Swadling top the Under 18s’ stats sheet. He ensured his size was a factor when absorbing tackles or applying his own, competing relatively well around the contest. His ability to accumulate away from stoppages led to some moments of poise, either wheeling around for a kick or drawing opponents before dishing off. Swadling’s pinpoint kicking continues to be an area for improvement, though he moved well and looked quite technically sound with ball in hand.

#27 Matthew Becker (Peel Thunder)
Defender | 191cm | 30/08/2007

Stats: 15 disposals, 2 marks, 5 rebound 50s

Likely to be among Western Australia’s designated kickers out of defence, Becker took on said role alongside Perth rebounder Dale Sutherland. The tall Peel Thunder prospect provided ample overlap run, playing the high role well to be fed off the back of stoppages as he charged forward. Becker also took on some of the kick-in duties and shapes as a handy marking outlet down back.

#38 Benji van Rooyen (Claremont)
Ruck | 202cm | 17/09/2008

Stats: 9 disposals, 36 hitouts, 6 clearances

While one van Rooyen ran riot for the Under 21s, the other was prominent in the ruck battle. The more junior Benji held his own with a game-high 36 hitouts and, remarkably, a team-high six clearances to impose himself at stoppages. Suffice to say, he had little trouble getting first hand to the ball with his ample reach and craft. van Rooyen also popped up with a strong intercept mark in term one and followed up with tackles. He could be WA’s frontline ruck as a bottom-ager this year.

#40 Cody Curtin (Claremont)
Key Forward/Ruck | 200cm | 18/05/2007

Stats: 11 disposals, 4 marks, 1 goal

Curtin worked himself into the game with acts of physicality, surprisingly doing much of his best work as a secondary ruck. He found a happy knack for outbodying his opponent before grabbing the ball and racking up four clearances. One such play saw him provide a goal assist for Charlie Banfield. Curtin got on the board himself in term three by marking after another strong bit of bodywork, and did his best to apply pressure at ground level when his side was up against it.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA U21:

Bevan ran riot, proving too big and strong around the ball to finish with an imposing stat line. East Fremantle’s Jack Cleaver was also prominent with 24 disposals, seven clearances and a goal, while Peel Thunder recruit Archie Caldow and Subiaco over-ager Charlie Burke slotted a goal each from their 22 respective touches. Reigning Under 18 MVP Jaxon Artemis (16 disposals) also had his moments. van Rooyen was the main event in attack, though South Fremantle’s Chase Bourne bagged 3.3. Jack Cocking and Luke Yeo were also among the multiple goalkickers with two each.