WESTERN Australia has caused a major boilover to kick off the Under 18 National Championships, defeating South Australia by 12 points at Mineral Resources Park on Saturday. The hosts burst out of the blocks with five unanswered goals in the opening term and led all day, but had their buffer cut down to less than a goal with under eight minutes left to play. Up stepped bottom-ager James Artemis to slot the sealing goal on a day where the Sandgropers were inspired by instrumental skipper Leo Steed.

We took note of the top performers from either side.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA 5.5 | 7.5 | 9.8 | 11.12 (78)
SOUTH AUSTRALIA 0.1 | 4.3 | 6.5 | 10.6 (66)

GOALS:
Western Australia: J. Artemis 2, C. Maynard 2, L. McGlade 2, F. Rickson 2, O. Richardson, L. Steed, A. Walsh
South Australia: A. Long 3, G. Patterson 3, C. Florance, T. Garrett, J. Nelson, J. Slattery

RMC BEST:
Western Australia: L. Steed, G. Gale, J. Artemis, H. Banfield, B. van Rooyen, M. Collins
South Australia: H. Croker, A. Long, J. Eime, M. Webb, G. Patterson, C. Bradford

WESTERN AUSTRALIA:

#3 Benji van Rooyen (Claremont)
Ruck | 203cm | 17/09/2008

Stats: 11 disposals, 18 hitouts, 5 clearances, 4 inside 50s

WA had no shortage of talls and at the top of that tree was van Rooyen at 203cm. The mainline ruckman not only impacted in the initial contest, but also showed great desperation to follow-up and provide presence around the ground. van Rooyen prised five clearances and laid a couple of big holding-the-ball tackles, proving prepared to get stuck in on all fours. He also stood tall in marking contests to become an option down the line and his handling was clean in all phases of play.

#14 Maxim Collins (West Perth)
Key Defender | 194cm | 06/11/2009

Stats: 16 disposals, 5 marks, 4 rebound 50s

Part of a West Australian defence full of tall and dynamic options, Collins was rock solid. The bottom-ager showed composure defiant of his age, often sitting under high balls and clunking several intercept marks with a safe set of hands. His decision making and execution by foot were a little less assured, but the West Perth product more than held his own defensively. He was difficult to beat one-on-one and read the play nicely to impact in the air.

#22 Tom Brown (Claremont)
Defender | 188cm | 29/07/2008

Stats: 7 disposals, 2 marks, 2 tackles, 2 rebound 50s

An absolute monster in defence who attacks each contest with venom, Brown set the tone with his bravery down back. While his numbers don’t jump off the page, he positioned well across the back half and chose his moments to impact the contest, either holding his ground or peeling off to force intercepts. While slightly undersized as an aerial player, Brown applied great physicality and was able to bring the ball to ground each time for teammates to mop up. There was little fuss or fanfare about his game, but his brutal defensive acts were integral nonetheless.

#23 George Gale (Claremont)
Wing | 190cm | 06/09/2008

Stats: 27 disposals, 7 marks, 7 inside 50s

It was a classic wingman’s performance from Gale, who covered plenty of ground up and down the line. He dropped back to support WA’s defence but also spread hard forward as his side surged in transition. While not overly quick, Gale’s work rate platformed his overall running power and saw him rack up a game-high 20 uncontested possessions. He got to all the right spots to provide an outnumber or width, although ran at 38 per cent kicking efficiency. At 190cm, his overhead marking ability was a standout trait, while his long searching handballs were another.

#29 Harper Banfield (Claremont)
Midfielder | 181cm | 18/12/2008

Stats: 24 disposals, 3 marks, 4 clearances, 3 inside 50s

West Coast F/S

Banfield bookended his game strongly, posting 13 disposals in the opening quarter and popping up for a couple of crucial late moments. Part of WA’s starting midfield brigade, the West Coast father-son prospect distributed well by hand in the early stages before getting his kicking game going. He showed an ability to hit targets on the move after using his sharp turn of foot to explode out of contests. He hit a couple of targets heading inside 50 with great composure in the last quarter, while also chiming in with a desperate diving spoil as South Australia pushed for an unlikely lead.

#35 Heath Mellody (Claremont)
Defender | 186cm | 27/07/2008

Stats: 21 disposals, 3 marks, 3 tackles

The methodical Mellody was posted across half-back on Saturday, leaning on his usual playmaking instincts. While he dished out a few uncharacteristic clangers, Mellody was WA’s most trusted distributor from kick-ins and when peeling off into transition. His clean hands and lateral movement forged the time and space for him to get creative by foot, showing class nearly every time he took possession. Mellody also leant on his running power to get up the ground and link up down the line.

#40 James Artemis (East Fremantle)
Midfielder | 180cm | 05/03/2009

Stats: 21 disposals, 3 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s, 2 goals

Another of WA’s impressive bottom-agers, Artemis showed his killer instinct with what was the game-sealing goal. He was full of running throughout the day, using his speed in the attacking phase to get involved in waves of forward handballs. His combination work was a key feature when running on-ball, before a second half switch out to the wing. Artemis popped up with a couple of shrewd intercepts late in the piece, showing great instincts and the pace to act on them.

#43 Lachlan McGlade (East Perth)
Small Forward | 179cm | 06/10/2008

Stats: 12 disposals, 5 tackles, 6 inside 50s, 2 goals

West Coast NGA

Often working in tandem with Kyan Perera, McGlade caused headaches for the South Australian defence with his speed and smarts. He looked dangerous each time he took possession, working up high and swooping on the loose ball before looking to make something happen heading inside 50. His ground level craft and tackling technique were terrific, along with eye-catching lateral movement to buy time in possession. Importantly, McGlade kept his feet and roved well to hit the scoreboard with two majors, including one effort where he recovered his own spill in the goalsquare.

#44 Leo Steed (Swan Districts)
Midfielder | 177cm | 07/03/2008

Stats: 30 disposals, 4 tackles, 4 clearances, 1 goal

Steed was the standout player on the ground and continues to solidify his first round credentials. The skipper ran riot in midfield, balancing combative inside ball-winning with a knack for breaking clear out the front of stoppages. Steed knew when it was his time to go, but also got busy when teammates won the ball by spreading forward to receive and accelerate into open grass. The latter made him a threat all day long, along with his ravenous work rate to provide an outnumber and accumulate all around the ground. Steed’s ball handling was truly outstanding and his competitive nature was outlined as he lifted once again when SA stole the momentum in term four.

#45 Cameron Maynard (South Fremantle)
Small Forward | 173cm | 14/08/2008

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

It was only fitting that WA flipping the script on the reigning champions started out with a celebratory backflip from Maynard. The electrifying forward, who is a real ‘moments’ player, swooped to snap home a quality opening goal before his acrobatics lit up the home crowd. Maynard didn’t see too much of the ball thereafter but took a brave mark to slot his second goal in term two, and looked lively each time it entered his area.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA:

#5 Sam Tassone (North Adelaide)
Defender/Midfielder | 180cm | 12/02/2008

Stats: 19 disposals, 4 marks, 3 rebound 50s

A real playmaker with strong running ability, Tassone was particularly productive against the flow of play in the first half. He worked hard to provide an outlet for teammates, finding space across the backline and looking to forge a way forward with combination play. His pace and foot skills posed threats, albeit if guilty of trying too much at times, eventually earning him a run in midfield.

#6 Jake Eime (Central District)
Defender/Wing | 183cm | 29/07/2008

Stats: 18 disposals, 3 marks, 4 rebound 50s

Along with Tassone, Eime provided spurts of dash and dare out of the South Australian defence. His raw pace helped force a way through pressure situations, immediately flicking the switch into attack mode on turnover. There were moments where Eime tried to be a little too cute by foot, but that was a product of his attempts to shift the angles and break through Western Australia’s setup. While lightly built, he had a couple of combative moments to show he was up for the fight.

#12 Gabriel Patterson (Glenelg)
Forward | 185cm | 26/03/2008

Stats: 9 disposals, 2 marks, 2 tackles, 3 goals

Arguably South Australia’s most talented player, Patterson popped up with moments of inspiration after a slow start. After failing to find the ball in term one, the National Academy member got on his bike to present hard up the ground and slotted a ripping goal in the second quarter. His ability to swoop on the ground ball and break clear with an electric turn of speed caught the eye despite a low-volume outing. Patterson continued his knack for making things happen with two more goals after half time, and showed great desperation with his repeat efforts on the deck.

#15 Kodah Edwards (South Adelaide)
Midfielder/Forward | 184cm | 25/07/2008

Stats: 19 disposals, 3 marks, 4 clearances, 3 inside 50s

It was somewhat of a struggle for South Australia’s skipper at times, but not for a lack of trying. Edwards was typically quick and clean by hand at stoppages, winning four clearances, but also showed he could pose a threat in the forward half. His impact increased after the main break with more penetration on his clearances and an uptake in possessions around the ground. Often a dogged competitor, he went off with the blood rule in term four amid attempts to lift his side.

#18 Harvey Croker (Glenelg)
Wing | 185cm | 15/08/2008

Stats: 22 disposals, 7 marks, 4 inside 50s

Croker was the best in a losing side, providing frequent support and outside run on the wing. He picked up a team-high 19 uncontested possessions and 10 handball receives, highlighting his method of holding width and being fed the ball out of stoppage or in space between the arcs. Croker was then often the player to take ground and go forward by foot, gaining territory for his side – particularly in a first half when it was difficult to come by.

#25 Anthony Long (West Adelaide)
Forward | 185cm | 23/03/2008

Stats: 8 disposals, 3 marks, 3 goals

Adelaide NGA

Scoring was the name of the game for Long, kicking 3.3 from just eight disposals. While his eyes lit up anywhere in range of goal, sometimes resulting in blaze-away shots, the powerful forward’s intent gave his side a chance at applying scoreboard pressure from fewer opportunities. He pounced on WA’s defensive 50 errors and was a viable target on the lead. After some earlier misses, Long straightened up with a pair of set shot goals in the final quarter to give SA a sniff at victory.

#30 Harvey Chapman (Sturt)
Key Defender | 195cm | 10/08/2009

Stats: 13 disposals, 4 marks, 7 rebound 50s

A steady head in defence, Chapman showcased his aerial prowess in combination with reliable ball use. The bottom-ager extended to take the ball cleanly overhead, holding his own in one-on-one situations and chiming in with intercepts. Even when the ball came to ground, Chapman remained solid and was able to distribute the ball with his usual composure.

#31 Charlie Bradford (West Adelaide)
Key Forward | 193cm | 08/02/2008

Stats: 11 disposals, 3 marks

Along with Jack Slattery, Bradford was a key marking target as South Australia transitioned into attack. He utilised his mobility to search high up the ground, competing well aerially to provide a contest and bring his side’s outside runners into play. Bradford’s presentation proved a key connective link as he gained separation and extended out at the ball. Unfortunately the opportunity to impact deeper and hit the scoreboard didn’t present, but he was important nonetheless.

#38 Mitchell Harris (Woodville-West Torrens)
Key Defender | 196cm | 01/07/2008

Stats: 7 disposals, 2 marks

After clunking a huge mark in his first contest, Harris looked on track for a big day. He went on to consistently put his body on the line and crash packs, helping his side contain front half territory with his intercept efforts up the ground. While it wasn’t a high-volume game, Harris’ pair of strong marks and sheer presence in the back half showed the kind of player he can be.

#39 Ethan Herbert (North Adelaide)
Ruck/Key Forward | 199cm | 01/11/2008

Stats: 9 disposals, 7 hitouts, 4 clearances

Starting in a slightly unnatural key forward role with 205cm giant Jobe Janeway posted up in the centre, Herbert was held to one touch in the first half. Once he was more frequently used in the ruck, he managed to impact with his ability to craft hitouts and win clearances. His clean hands, foot skills and presence at the contest were all key features throughout the second half. Herbert may be one who splits a few recruiters given he is slightly undersized for how he plays in his best position.