SOUTH Australia is in line to secure it first AFL Under 18 National Championships title since 2018 when it faces Vic Country at Marvel Stadium on Sunday. The Vics are the only side left with hope of usurping the Croweaters, who have put together an undefeated campaign to date. We preview the decisive clash.

NEED TO KNOW

WHO: Vic Country vs. South Australia
WHEN: Sunday June 29, 11:00am AEST
WHERE: Marvel Stadium
WATCH: Live stream via AFL website & app

PREDICTED LINEUPS

VIC COUNTRY:

B: 25. A. Taylor – 34. H. Moon – 26. M. Stevens
HB: 6. J. Lindsay – 15. H. Dean – 7. W. Duursma
C: 4. Z. O’Keefe – 22. R. Onley – 11. T. Sinnema
HF: 3. N. Hibbins-Hargreaves – 33. W. Malady – 5. H. Mikunda
F: 1. T. Byrne – 37. T. Ah-Mu – 14. J. Mellor
FOL: 38. Z. Harding – 24. B. Atkins, 29. C. Smith

INT: 16. J. Scapin, 21. C. Walker, 27. J. Varlet, 28. D. Szerszyn, 30. M. Lee

IN: B. Atkins, T. Byrne, A. Taylor, J. Varlet
OUT: R. Aquilina, J. Elek, M. Neocleous, H. Wright

Vic Country has opted for four changes from the squad which went down to WA, including a pair of promotions from outside the initial squad. Powerful Dandenong Stingrays utility JayDe Varlet and dogged Gippsland midfielder Brodie Atkins get their chance on the back of strong Coates Talent League form, while speedy GWV Rebels smalls Archie Taylor and Talor Byrne fill gaps at either end of the ground. Hunter Wright (ankle) is the only forced change, while the remaining three omissions have been rotated.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA:

B: 17. J. Dahlitz – 27. E. Duffield – 22. B. O’Brien
HB: 2. J. Cook – 38. B. Sanders – 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, 15. T. Alver, 18. K. Matthews-Hampton, 23. B. Oudshoorn-Bennier, 32. B. Thredgold

IN: B. Thredgold
OUT: J. Reichelt

Only one change for the 3-0 Croweaters, who have rushed in defender Blake Thredgold. The Sturt tall is a courageous aerial player who has played in every key position post for the Double Blues and won’t shy away from taking the tough matchups. He returned to action from a broken hand last week with nine disposals, four marks and six rebound 50s to replace rebounder Joshua Reichelt for game four.

ONES TO WATCH

VIC COUNTRY:

Talor Byrne (GWV Rebels)
Small Forward/Midfielder | 174cm | 14/11/2007

One of the four inclusions for Vic Country, Byrne is made for representative footy. He’s as energetic as they come; explosively quick across the ground and desperate in his defensive efforts. While he has spent plenty of time in midfield this year, expect Byrne to gain exposed as a high or pressure forward in the Big V jumper. His gutsy style and smarts are sure to drag a few teammates along.

Willem Duursma (Gippsland Power)
Utility | 191cm | 21/06/2007

Even the most casual observer will go into this match aware of Duursma’s credentials, though we may see a slightly different side to the pick one contender. Having mostly been utilised in midfield last time out, could his recent Coates Talent League exposure in defence be a sign of things to come? SA boasts a trio of dynamic tall forwards, so don’t be surprised to see Duursma revert back to a familiar role.

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

Along with Murray teammate Harry Moon and the likes of Darcy Szerszyn, Dean will likely have his hands full with one of South Australia’s in-form tall forwards. It looms as a great test for the Carlton father-son prospect, who clunked 10 marks in Vic Country’s loss to WA. He thrives when able to play loose and intercept, but may not have that luxury given the Croweaters’ strength in midfield.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA:

Louis Kellaway (Sturt)
Midfielder | 180cm | 16/03/2007

While others have enjoyed a great deal of exposure in South Australia’s undefeated run to date, Kellaway has quietly ticked along. That being said, Richmond fans and recruiters have kept a keen eye on the father-son prospect, who has shown a blend of class and toughness in each outing. He is often part of a strong starting midfield mix and can chain possessions with hard-running through the centre.

Cameron Nairn (Central District)
Forward | 189cm | 15/10/2007

Nairn grabbed all the headlines with seven goals against Western Australia and plenty of onlookers will be keen to see how he backs that performance up. The medium-tall forward is strong overhead and difficult to stop on the lead, able to venture up the ground or threaten closer to goal. He’s a deadeye when he gets the opportunity to score, and could be a big mover among the top 30.

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

It’ll be Larke Medal watch for Sharp on Sunday, with the South Australian skipper potentially having two best afield performances under his belt. Well performed teammates may steal votes, though. The crash-and-bash midfielder has beaten all comers in the way of contested footy, but is beginning to add weapons in the form of scoreboard impact, a better outside game, and cleaner ball use.

WHERE IT’S WON

The quality of South Australia as a unit will have plenty of sway on this result. They have had the benefit of getting on a roll with games in consecutive weeks, gelling better than any other side. The Croweaters’ strong, dogged midfield unit has been able to supply their prolific marking forwards, as has their ball movement in transition. They can score big. Vic Country may have the answer with a physically big on-ball brigade and resolute key defenders. This will be as big a test as any, though.

PREDICTION

It is hard to look past the juggernaut that is South Australia, having knocked off the pre-series favourite before breezing past Vic Metro and Western Australia. The Croweaters’ potency is a level above all-comers, but Victoria’s Country footballers won’t give it up that easy. Still, complacency is likely the only thing standing in the way of a breakthrough title for the tricolours. SA by 30.