SOUTH Australia will look to put one hand on the Under 18 National Championships title when it hosts Western Australia at Alberton Oval on Sunday, looking to move to 3-0. We preview the clash between the competition’s only two remaining undefeated teams, and a pair of traditional rivals.

NEED TO KNOW

WHO: South Australia vs. Western Australia
WHEN: Sunday June 15, 12:00pm ACST
WHERE: Alberton Oval
WATCH: Live stream via AFL website & app

PREDICTED LINEUPS

SOUTH AUSTRALIA:

B: 17. J. Dahlitz – 38. B. Sanders – 22. B. O’Brien
HB: 2. J. Cook – 18. K. Matthews-Hampton – 14. L. Candy
C: 24. H. Barker – 29. D. Sharp – 25. M. LeRay
HF: 28. C. Nairn – 26. M. Marsh – 10. N. Roberts-Thomson
F: 3. J. Nye – 37. A. Schubert – 11. Z. Peucker
FOL: 40. S. Ainsworth – 7. L. Kellaway – 16. S. Cumming

INT: 4. J. Kelly, 6. J. Reichelt, 15. T. Alver, 23. B. Oudshoorn-Bennier, 27. E. Duffield

IN: K. Matthews-Hampton
OUT: N. Daw

Having remained unchanged between games one and two, South Australia has brought squad inclusion Kale Matthews-Hampton straight into the 23. Fellow tall defender Noah Daw makes way for the bottom-ager after a solid couple of contributions. Sturt’s Matthews-Hampton is perhaps best known for his wicked left-foot kicking, and is also a very talented state basketballer.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA:

B: 20. O. Willis – 34. L. Carpenter – 27. M. Becker
HB: 11. D. Sutherland – 30. J. Hopkyns – 23. M. Thomas
C: 13. H. Mellody – 7. T. Whan – 26. C. Banfield
HF: 4. T. Williams – 39 C. Watson – 6. H. Walker
F: 1. W. York – 40. C. Curtin – 12. W. Walley
FOL: 38. B. van Rooyen – 9. F. Rodriguez, 24. J. Farrow

INT: 10. B. Kelly, 15. L. Hallett, 17. S. Swadling, 19. G. Gale, 28. T. Phillips

IN: L. Hallett, J. Hopkyns
OUT: L. Cattalini, H. Wilson

Western Australia has reinforced its midfield and defence with two changes. Having recovered from a broken jaw, over-age tall defender Joseph Hopkyns is a straight swap for Lucas Cattalini, while midfielder Luke Hallett has shaken off concussion to replace Heath Wilson. Speaking of, bottom-age ruck Benji van Rooyen passed a concussion test and will be available for selection.

ONES TO WATCH

SOUTH AUSTRALIA:

Kale Matthews-Hampton (Sturt)
Key Defender | 198cm | 18/05/2008

A recent addition to the South Australian squad, Matthews-Hampton will likely slot straight into a key defensive post. The Sturt bottom-ager can impact both in the air and at ground level, with his left-foot kicking a particular highlight. He has been juggling his footballing commitments with that of basketball and starred for South Australia Country at this year’s national basketball championships.

Aidan Schubert (Central District)
Key Forward/Ruck | 198cm | 21/12/2007

Schubert has been one of the steep risers come National Championships time having booted seven goals in South Australia’s opening two games. The contested marking machine has been difficult to stop in the air and while hit or miss at times, is getting the job done in front of goal. He’ll take WA’s best defender and should provide competitive fold for Sam Ainsworth in the ruck.

Dyson Sharp (Central District)
Midfielder/Forward | 187cm | 23/05/2007

Sharp is coming off a best afield performance in South Australia’s dismantling of Vic Metro – an outing which certainly caught the eye of casual observers. With Sunday’s forecast wedged between two rainy days in Adelaide, Sharp’s clean extraction work should shine through. He sets the tone for a strong contested unit and has long been one for the big games – this one is no different.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA:

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

There has been plenty of hype around Farrow lately, whose power and size have been handy additions to the West Australian engine room. He helped swing the momentum in his side’s favour against Vic Country with penetrative left-foot kicking and some explosive passages through the middle. If he can build on that performance, whether on-ball or across half-back, watch out.

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

Mellody is a genuine prime mover among the bottom-age crop, possessing wicked foot skills on both sides of his body. He plays the wing role to a t, able to cover plenty of ground on the outside and using the ball brilliantly in transition. Watch for the Claremont product to steady and send sharp kicks inside 50, even under pressure, to bring WA’s ball movement to life.

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

Western Australia’s hero in game one, Walker’s performance was more than just his match-winning goal. The Subiaco prospect is one of a few players with senior experience and has taken to the top Under 18 level well, bringing relentless tackling pressure and crafty ground level work. WA’s midfield has been bolstered in this game, but expect him to pinch-hit through the middle.

WHERE IT’S WON

South Australia has been strong at the contest across its first two games, led by Sharp and a deep on-ball rotation. Their ability to move the ball out of the middle and feed key forwards like Schubert and Mitchell Marsh has led to high-scoring performances. Western Australia has quality on-ball, albeit slightly less depth, but attack in a slightly different way. The Sandgropers’ speedy small forwards, especially those who work high up the ground, will test the South Australian defence.

PREDICTION

It is hard to ignore South Australia’s form and with another home game, 3-0 could well be on the cards. The Croweaters seem like a tight-knit group and have found cohesion throughout the campaign, though if any side can challenge them in that regard it’s Western Australia. The Sandgropers usually start slowly but had the benefit of a home game and got the job done. They’ll only be better for it. Expect a pretty competitive, free-flowing match with plenty of forward firepower. SA by 9.