WESTERN Australia has downed South Australia in Saturday’s low-scoring Under 16 National Championships clash at HIF Health Insurance Oval. After conceding the opening two goals, the Sandgropers held SA without one until 20 minutes in the final quarter to run out 12-point winners.

Wet conditions in Joondalup made for an entertaining slog, as both sides attacked the contest with vigour and did their best to impress amid the downpour. Despite converting only four of their 18 scoring shots, WA controlled much of the territory after quarter time and sealed the result late on.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA 0.2 | 2.7 | 3.13 | 4.14 (38)
SOUTH AUSTRALIA 2.1 | 2.2 | 2.6 | 3.8 (26)

GOALS:
Western Australia: W. Blaxell, T. Warner, K. Inferrera, A. Clayton
South Australia: T. Garrett, Z. Pilot, B. Whimpress

BEST:
Western Australia: A. Walsh, C. Creyk, J. Artemis, R. Williamson, F. Tomasini, T. Warner
South Australia: H. Chapman, Z. Pilot, L. Andriani, H. Semmler, T. Garrett, Z. Rooney

WESTERN AUSTRALIA:

#3 Troy Warner (East Fremantle)
Small Forward | 173cm | 18/03/2010

Stats: 15 disposals, 6 inside 50s, 1 goal

The next Warner blazing his way through the pathway, Troy impressed despite being an bottom-ager in the Under 16 category. After a disposal-less opening quarter, the brother of Chad and Corey began to send dangerous passes inside 50 and linked up with teammates creatively. Warner’s evasiveness and vision made for crafty play across half-forward, and he ended up bagging the sealing goal in term four after drawing a high free kick inside attacking 50.

#4 Tarkyn Eichner (Peel Thunder)
Midfielder | 173cm | 17/10/2009

Stats: 13 disposals, 14 tackles, 4 clearances

Eichner laid a game-high 14 tackles and was seemingly unfazed by the dour conditions, getting his hands dirty at stoppages. He combined with the likes of Artemis to prise loose balls and drive the play forward from congestion, or to prevent South Australia from doing so. Eichner’s competitiveness was particularly felt in the first half, when he had 11 of his 13 disposals.

#7 James Artemis (East Fremantle)
Midfielder | 176cm | 05/03/2009

Stats: 15 disposals, 11 tackles, 4 clearances

A player with genuine speed, Artemis constantly looked to accelerate away from the packs and break open the heavy congestion. He played with attacking intent, sometimes even stepping back into traffic if it meant he could take on an opponent. Artemis’ explosive bursts were also felt defensively as he laid 11 tackles, proving fierce when pinning his opponent to the ground.

#14 Campbell Creyk (West Perth)
Midfielder | 181cm | 03/04/2009

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

Creyk was Western Australia’s most prominent inside midfielder, prising a team-high seven clearances and moving powerfully though the contest. He often looked to take ground or drive his legs, which helped him break out of tackles and launch long kicks away. Creyk went by foot with 18 out of 20 possessions, although was a little scrappy at times in his pursuit to gain territory. Still, his strong frame and urgency suited the contested flow of the match.

#24 Kye Inferrera (Perth)
Midfielder | 184cm | 05/09/2009

Stats: 9 disposals, 2 marks, 1 goal

The stats don’t flatter Inferrera, but he produced some impactful moments throughout the day. He and Creyk, being bigger bodies at the contest, were able to impose themselves and absorb pressure where others couldn’t. Inferrera took a couple of strong overhead marks, including one which led to his set shot goal in term two, and to the amusement of most others even slotted a running shot at the wrong goals in term three. It was one of the great rushed behinds.

#29 Rafe Williamson (West Perth)
Defender | 187cm | 26/02/2009

Stats: 21 disposals, 2 marks, 5 rebound 50s

Williamson was rock solid across the defensive half, both intercepting off a high line and helping Western Australia restart from the kick-ins. He positioned nicely behind the ball and reacted quickly to attack the contest at speed, carrying his momentum into the attacking phase. The West Perth product got good length on his kicks with the heavy ball and distributed it relatively well, going by foot with 17 of his 21 disposals. He was one of WA’s most important and direct playmakers.

#30 Fynn Tomasini (Perth)
Defender | 187cm | 20/05/2009

Stats: 15 disposals, 5 tackles, 5 rebound 50s

Operating alongside Williamson, Tomasini did everything in his power to thwart South Australian attacks. He was influential aerially, attacking the ball with vigour and at least halving the contests he arrived at, proving a competitive and mobile defensive wall. In a tight and scrappy affair, Tomasini’s game-high eight one-percenters would have been extremely pleasing to WA’s coaching staff.

#40 Axel Walsh (East Perth)
Ruck | 200cm | 20/01/2009

Stats: 23 disposals, 7 marks, 29 hitouts

Walsh may well be a very early contender for the best tall in the 2009 crop having imposed himself in a best afield performance. The 200cm unit showcased his strong leap at the centre bounces but was just as impressive when dropping back to clunk several clutch intercept marks. His aerial presence and attack on the ball were real highlights, indicative of a key position prospect with the competitiveness required to make it far. While it was a difficult day to showcase skills, Walsh followed up well at ground level and tackled hard. He’s WA’s co-captain, and the brother of Port Adelaide rookie Xavier.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA:

#1 Laurence Andriani (West Adelaide)
Midfielder | 170cm | 19/08/2009

Stats: 30 disposals, 10 tackles, 8 clearances

Bolting about like the Energizer Bunny, Andriani had little trouble racking up 30 disposals. He defied his size with scrappy work on the inside, able to win his own ball with game-high numbers of 18 contested possessions and eight clearances. He also got stuck in defensively and was deceptively strong against bigger opponents, truly holding his own. Andriani’s running power and ability to accumulate possessions everywhere made him a key driver of South Australia’s play.

#6 Charlie Best (Norwood)
Wing/Defender | 180cm | 23/02/2009

Stats: 12 disposals, 2 marks, 3 inside 50s

Starting out on the wing before dropping back to defence, Best showed his class in tough conditions. He tracked deep into defensive 50 and hung around the back of stoppages to allow South Australia to go back before heading forward. The Norwood prospect took up good positions to intercept and set his side moving forward. One of his best moments was a chasedown effort on Warner in the final quarter to prevent a clean shot at goal.

#12 Taj Garrett (Sturt)
Midfielder | 182cm | 05/01/2009

Stats: 30 disposals, 10 marks, 1 goal

A classy operator for South Australia during last year’s championships, Garrett continues to impress at the level. He has graduated to playing full-time midfield, working hard to win possessions on the inside and outside. Garrett had a knack for being the exit option from defensive 50, finding space at half-back to mark and keep the play moving. He was effective around the contest with a clean set of hands to and smooth spins to escape tackles, while not being afraid to lay his own. He managed to soccer an opportunistic goal in the opening quarter before the clamps were tightened on SA.

#19 Zane Rooney (Glenelg)
Defender | 183cm | 07/01/2010

Stats: 13 disposals, 3 marks, 8 tackles

A handy scrapper in defence, Rooney was aggressive on the intercept and willed his side forward under plenty of duress. He hit the contest with speed and power, able to turn the ball over before setting off into attack with driving run. Technically a bottom-ager at this level, his intent and willingness to compete defied that status – he wasn’t overawed by the competition.

#29 Zemes Pilot (South Adelaide)
Forward/Midfielder | 190cm | 08/06/2009

Stats: 21 disposals, 6 marks, 9 tackles

A standout prospect when it comes to pure traits, Pilot has bucketloads of potential. He started out as SA’s main target in attack, presenting up the ground and showcasing his leap in aerial contests. Pilot’s athleticism extended to speed when applying defensive pressure, and his rangy frame made him difficult to evade in open play. He quickly got a run in midfield and maintained his level, displaying smooth movement and silky skills in the stifling conditions. One to watch.

#30 Harvey Chapman (Sturt)
Tall Defender | 194cm | 10/08/2009

Stats: 33 disposals, 10 marks, 18 rebound 50s

It’s easy to see why Chapman was chosen as captain for SA, and he marshalled a besieged defence with the utmost authority. You would be forgiven for thinking his 31 kicks and 18 rebound 50s were solely a product of the kick-in duties – and WA’s 14 minor scores – but Chapman proved capable of winning his own ball. He read the play supremely well to take several intercept marks, relieving pressure and initiating slow play to restart his side’s ball movement. The ball kept finding a way to return to Chapman’s hands, no matter how many times he repelled with booming left-foot kicks. While it was tough to always be effective, he did his best to get his side out of trouble.

#31 Hugo Semmler (Central District)
Ruck | 199cm | 01/09/2009

Stats: 10 disposals, 3 tackles, 14 hitouts

Facing stiff opposition in the ruck, Semmler may not have necessarily won that battle but showed plenty of nice traits throughout the day. He was a reliable target down the line, competing in packs and bringing the ball to ground in tough marking conditions. The Centrals prospect also showcased clean foot skills and a strong leap, while also holding his own in ruck jostles around the ground.