WESTERN Australia snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in its opening Under 18 National Championships fixture on Saturday. The Black Swans scraped past Vic Country by three points at Mineral Resources Park thanks to Hudson Walker‘s set shot goal in the dying seconds.

The hosts clicked into gear after a slow start and led by no more than 18 points from midway through term two until the 17th-minute mark of the fourth quarter. Not even Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves‘ clutch conversions could get the Vics home in what was a thrilling opener to the weekend’s double-header.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA 1.2 | 5.6 | 10.7 | 12.9 (81)
VICTORIA COUNTRY 3.3 | 4.6 | 8.10 | 11.12 (78)

GOALS:
Western Australia: C. Curtin 3, F. Rodriguez 2, C. Banfield, J. Farrow, B. Kelly, S. Swadling, H. Walker, C. Watson, T. Whan
Vic Country: N. Hibbins-Hargreaves 4, W. Malady 2, T. Ah-Mu 2, J. Mellor, M. Neocleous, C. Smith

BEST:
Western Australia: F. Rodriguez, C. Curtin, H. Walker, T. Whan, J. Farrow, C. Banfield
Victoria Country: N. Hibbins-Hargreaves, H. Dean, J. Lindsay, W. Duursma, J. Mellor, W. Malady

WESTERN AUSTRALIA:

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

Stats: 7 disposals, 3 marks, 3 inside 50s

West Coast NGA

The stats show Williams only had seven touches, but he gave the team much more with his work rate and skill. Charging up the ground off half-forward, the Eagles Next-Generation Academy (NGA) member got his GPS ticking over to help provide connection for his side. He took a brave intercept mark in the opening term and produced a great moment in the last where he slid a crafty inboard pass on his left foot to Charlie Banfield, who couldn’t quite convert the chance.

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

Stats: 16 disposals, 7 tackles, 4 clearances, 1 goal

The match-winner for WA, perhaps the best word to describe Hudson’s game on Saturday is relentless, with the small midfielder/forward setting a great tone with his pressure. He rolled up through the stoppages as usual and was lively when hunting the ball, but truly shone by punching above his weight with several strong holding the ball tackles. Opponents couldn’t escape his grasp. His big moment came in term four after he had limped off the ground, returning to take a mark inside 50 and cooly slot the goal to put WA back ahead with the last kick of the game.

#7 Toby Whan (South Fremantle)
Midfielder | 184cm | 09/05/2007

Stats: 18 disposals, 4 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 1 goal

Fremantle NGA

Western Australia’s leading disposal getter with 18, Whan helped get his side going after a slow start. He started to get his hands on the stoppage ball and leant on his kick penetration to drive the ball forward. The Fremantle NGA prospect also used his strong frame to advantage, riding the bumps and dishing out clean ball – particularly at centre bounces where he won three of his four clearances. Whan also bagged a goal in the third quarter to keep Vic Country at bay.

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

Stats: 17 disposals, 6 tackles, 7 inside 50s, 2 goals

The West Australian skipper showed his intent from the start, saying ‘follow me boys’ as he booted the game’s first goal. He was combative at the fall of the ball and scrapped hard to get his side moving forward, even if he had to sacrifice efficiency by foot. Rodriguez sharpened up as the game wore on; hitting a nice inside 50 pass to assist Cody Curtin in term two, and driving his legs over the back to slot home a second goal on the run in the third quarter.

#12 Wesley Walley (Subiaco)
Forward | 182cm | 29/11/2007

Stats: 7 disposals, 2 tackles, 3 inside 50s

West Coast NGA

Much like fellow West Coast NGA prospect Williams, Walley’s stats hardly reflect his impact. He laid a fierce holding the ball tackle in the passage which led to Rodriguez’s opening goal, providing great pressure when his moments came. Walley wasn’t afraid to compete and while his finishing on goal remains an area for improvement, he managed to assist Banfield with a smooth baulk and handpass in term three. If he can lift his consistency and end product, the glimpses of talent are there.

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

Stats: 11 disposals, 5 marks, 4 inside 50s

Some of Mellody’s ball use is nothing short of exceptional, especially for a bottom-ager at this level. Among the wingman’s four forward 50 entries were bullet passes to hit up leading targets, showcasing terrific vision and the ability to execute on both sides of his body. Mellody’s composure was also clear as he straightened up when able to, helping deliver the right pass on the move.

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

Stats: 12 disposals, 3 marks, 3 tackles, 1 goal

Swadling threatened to be a key factor throughout the game and would have had a greater impact with straighter kicking. He had to work hard to get on the board with a major, applying repeat pressure efforts before finally prising the ball to snap home in term three. He finished with 1.3 and a shot out on the full, spending plenty of time forward where his size and stylish steps stood out. Perhaps that is his spot, given Jacob Farrow nicked his starting midfield position.

#24 Jacob Farrow (West Perth)
Midfielder/Defender | 188cm | 21/09/2007

Stats: 12 disposals, 6 tackles, 1 goal

Farrow was part of Western Australia’s starting midfield mix and used his power to bring the ball to the outside. He caught the eye most when bursting into space and delivering lateral kicks out of the middle, proving hard to contain with his big frame and speed. The rising West Perth prospect showed improved composure with his disposal and booted a quickfire goal to start the final quarter. He also has potential as an intercept/rebound double threat off half-back.

#26 Charlie Banfield (Claremont)
Forward | 191cm | 18/07/2007

Stats: 11 disposals, 7 marks, 1 goal

West Coast F/S

Banfield was integral to Western Australia’s victory in the end, no less with the assist for Hudson’s game-winning goal. The West Coast father-son hopeful got on the board in term three running into an open goal under heavy pressure, but really made his mark in the fourth quarter. If a prospect only ever played with a one-wood, Banfield’s overhead marking is definitely his, and he stood tall to reel in six of his seven grabs during term four. Among them were several brave efforts backing into contact or to intercept and re-launch inside 50, showing the kind of intent WA needed to get home.

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

Stats: 9 disposals, 6 marks, 7 hitouts, 3 goals

Curtin may look laboured at times but is full of effort and physicality, which helps him shine at Under 18 level. Once he adjusted to the speed of the contest after being caught in possession a couple of times, the hulking utility began to get his marking game going. He dropped back into good positions behind the ball to intercept as a ruck, but was also a reliable leading target up forward. There, Curtin bagged three goals; two from set shots and one with a left-foot snap in the third term.

VIC COUNTRY:

#3 Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves (Dandenong Stingrays)
Wing/Forward | 186cm | 16/11/2007

Stats: 17 disposals, 6 marks, 4 goals

Hibbins-Hargreaves has a knack for kicking game-winning goals and very nearly did so once again on Saturday. His consecutive majors deep into the last quarter momentarily put Vic Country into the lead, lifting with each act to put his side on his back. Having started on a wing, his move forward produced moments of magic. Hibbins-Hargreaves plucked in a strong pack in the third quarter, slotted a sensational running goal on the wrong-side boundary for a right footer, and then laid a holding the ball tackle to snatch the lead. He’s a deadeye in front of goal and having threatened to get back to his best, showed just why he was so highly regarded coming into the year.

#6 Josh Lindsay (Geelong Falcons)
Defender | 183cm | 07/04/2007

Stats: 29 disposals, 8 marks, 3 rebound 50s

Lindsay led all comers on Saturday in his typically industrious style, racking up 21 uncontested possessions and looking to bring the game to Western Australia. The National Academy member didn’t have it all his own way though, with his usually immaculate ball use and composure tested by WA’s pressure. The hosts also looked to expose him on the defensive end as he hit up high off the back of the stoppage to provide overlap run. He still accumulates possessions at will.

#7 Willem Duursma (Gippsland Power)
Midfielder/Defender | 191cm | 21/06/2007

Stats: 26 disposals, 7 marks, 4 tackles, 4 clearances

It was a mixed bag for Duursma, who seemed to lift his level when Vic Country needed it after half time. While not an overly physical player, the top pick contender was in the thick of the action early on and fared well once he shifted behind the ball. Duursma showcased his aerial game with a nice-one handed grab and a couple of overhead attempts in the second half, also utilising his bullet-like kicking to set up the play. The numbers read well, but like Lindsay he can elevate to another level.

#14 Jesse Mellor (Geelong Falcons)
Forward | 185cm | 04/01/2007

Stats: 10 disposals, 6 marks, 1 goal

Geelong NGA

Mellor was among Vic Country’s most crucial forward targets, especially when they began to push against WA’s ascendancy. He clunked five of his six marks in the second half, presenting up the ground and proving difficult to defend on shorter leads inside 50. Mellor’s strong hands and frame were more assured than his goalkicking, as he managed 1.3 from mostly set shot opportunities.

#15 Harry Dean (Murray Bushrangers)
Tall Defender | 193cm | 13/11/2007

Stats: 14 disposals, 10 marks, 3 rebound 50s

Carlton F/S

Dean has been in magnificent marking form of late and snapped up just about everything that came his way on Saturday. The Carlton father-son prospect recovered from an uncharacteristic dropped chest mark to get into his work early, and was outstanding on the intercept – either peeling off his man or beating him one-on-one. Dean’s aerial range and reading of the play have him touted as one of the draft’s best pure defenders. He’s just so hard to beat when floating behind the ball.

#33 Wil Malady (Gippsland Power)
Tall Forward | 190cm | 12/10/2008

Stats: 6 disposals, 6 marks, 2 goals

Malady made a bright start with consecutive goals less than 15 minutes into his Under 18 representative debut. The bottom-age forward took some superb grabs inside 50 both on the lead and while tracking the flight of the ball, proving a reliable marking option. All six of his disposals came that way, so while he is an aerial threat, Malady can continue to add weapons to his game. His range, reach and athleticism form an exciting base to work with up forward.

#38 Zac Harding (Murray Bushrangers)
Ruck | 199cm | 01/01/2006

Stats: 13 disposals, 3 marks, 23 hitouts, 3 clearances

Arguably the most dominant ruck afield, Harding fulfilled his primary role before contributing around the ground. His three marks were examples of an expanding game outside the contest, taking the ball cleanly overhead in the company of opposition. Of Harding’s game-high 23 hitouts, 19 came from stoppages to highlight the over-ager’s strength and craft.