SOUTH Australia opened its account at this year’s Under 16 National Championships with a 23-point win over Vic Country at People First Stadium on Tuesday. In what was an enthralling high-scoring shootout, the Croweaters simply had too much firepower and made their opportunities count to notch up a triple-figure score.

The win was spearheaded by tall forward Harry Schubert (four goals), the brother of 2025 Hawthorn draftee Aidan. He was among 10 individual goalkickers for South Australia, while Vic Country livewire Isaac Brown snared three majors to be among his side’s best. We took note of the top performers from either side.

VIC COUNTRY 4.2 | 6.4 | 9.6 | 12.8 (80)
SOUTH AUSTRALIA 3.1 | 7.3 | 12.3 | 16.7 (103)

GOALS:
Vic Country: I. Brown 3, A. Farr 2, L. Sims 2, C. Whelan 2, H. Brown, H. Greene, D. Rizzoli
South Australia: H. Schubert 4, J. Allan 2, K. Saracino 2, F. Vogt 2, S. DePalma, L. Dudley, R. Lindner, J. Munday, Z. Rooney, L. Treverton

BEST:
Vic Country: C. Whelan, E. Hyde, I. Brown, H. Metcher, L. Sims, Z. Blythe
South Australia: H. Schubert, J. Westley, T. Schultz, J. Treverton, J. Gallagher, C. Jolly

VIC COUNTRY:

#1 Isaac Brown (Gippsland Power)
Forward/Midfielder | 174cm | 19/02/2010

Stats: 12 disposals, 4 inside 50s, 3 goals

Brown’s electric start provided the spark for Vic Country’s opening quarter charge, booting two of his three goals in quick succession. The lively small forward displayed phenomenal ground level craft, positioning expertly at the base of packs to take possession and find every pocket of space to escape into. Brown’s wicked evasive technique was central to his first two goals, and he went on to have an impact further up the ground before eventually having a run in midfield. While patchy at times and prone to forcing the issue, his creativity and energy were unmatched all day.

#4 Lenny Sims (Murray Bushrangers)
Forward/Midfielder | 179cm | 28/08/2010

Stats: 17 disposals, 6 marks, 5 tackles, 2 goals

Sims worked into the game and stood out with his willingness to take the game on. His first of two goals was a prime example, as he marked atop the forward 50 before immediately taking off and finishing on the run. That kind of play made him a threat when working up the ground, putting speed on the ball as he turned for goal. Sims was also prepared to get stuck in with repeat efforts at ground level, which helped him snare his second goal in the third quarter. He ended up being thrown into the centre ball-ups to start term four, but seems like a natural forward.

#9 Zen Blythe (Dandenong Stingrays)
Defender/Wing | 187cm | 30/04/2010

Stats: 13 disposals, 6 marks, 4 rebound 50s

An inclusion for game two, Blythe took no time to get into his work. He consistently moved into positions to provide overlap run, supporting teammates on the outside and finding plenty of width in the expanses of People First Stadium. His running patterns allowed Vic Country to move the ball fluently out of stoppage or in transition, even becoming an option on the switch. To ensure that kind of play didn’t come unstuck, Blythe was strong overhead and kept his feet nicely.

#10 Harry Metcher (GWV Rebels)
Utility | 186cm | 15/07/2010

Stats: 17 disposals, 6 marks, 3 inside 50s

Metcher’s magnet was thrown around and he had an impact in each third of the ground, starting from his base on the wing. The stylish left-footer provided an outlet as his side moved out of defensive 50, often wheeling onto his favoured side to control possession or gain quick metres. Metcher showed nice poise to fire off classy handballs under pressure and even rose to take a pack mark in term two. He started the second half in the middle and impacted in the forward half late on, including with a clever low bullet kick to find his teammate inside 50.

#13 Chase Whelan (Sandringham Dragons)
Tall Forward | 192cm | 06/01/2010

Stats: 18 disposals, 8 marks, 4 inside 50s, 2 goals

Arguably best on ground in a losing side, Whelan was central to much of Vic Country’s scoring. The 192cm powerhouse hit up on several successful leads, often gaining separation but also proving strong enough to clunk the ball under physical pressure. His sheer size and presence drew free kicks, too. As a focal point across centre half-forward, Whelan was prepared to take the onus and finish his chances – ending up with 2.3 – but just as readily set up teammates in better positions. He was very much the player who looked most likely to inspire his side in the second half.

#14 Jackson Butterworth (Bendigo Pioneers)
Midfielder | 178cm | 05/02/2010

Stats: 11 disposals, 6 tackles, 4 inside 50s

It was a scrappy, competitive kind of outing from Butterworth, who provided a bit of grunt on the inside. He was made to be strong over the ground ball and fought to extract it, refusing to be tackled easily in the process. He also dished out pressure of his own and while not as prolific as other midfielders, played an important role in ensuring Vic Country had the clearance advantage.

#16 Eamon Hyde (Murray Bushrangers)
Tall Defender | 190cm | 21/02/2010

Stats: 15 disposals, 6 marks, 5 rebound 50s

You’d think Hyde was out there wearing the opposition’s tricolours given how often he got on the end of South Australian kicks. Reading the flight of the ball expertly and attacking it with genuine ferocity, Hyde made a greater aerial impact than anyone afield. Whether clunking intercept marks or crashing packs to keep his side in the play, he wore plenty of hard hits and was prepared to dish them out himself. He absorbed plenty of pressure throughout the day, although some of it was self-inflicted via rushed or skewed rebound kicks from the Vic Country co-captain.

#18 Aidan Farr (Dandenong Stingrays)
Tall Utility | 191cm | 07/04/2010

Stats: 8 disposals, 2 marks, 2 goals

Impacting at both ends of the ground and out on a wing, Farr caught the eye with his two third-quarter goals. The mobile tall provided an aerial influence up and down the line, even chipping in with a strong early intercept on defensive wing. He was also able to recover the ground ball and showed class in possession, most noticeably with a baulk and snap for his opening goal.

#20 Daniel May (Geelong Falcons)
Midfielder | 187cm | 06/11/2010

Stats: 15 disposals, 4 marks, 4 tackles

A calm and balanced midfielder, May was able to find the ball both at and away from the contest. His clean set of hands were evident through clean extraction work and strong marks around the ground, as the Vic Country co-captain presented nicely on the lead. He spread hard and was a viable target for the rebound 50 kick. While not blessed with searing pace, May looked to drive his legs when possible but South Australia did a good job at applying pressure around the contest.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA:

#8 Josh Allan (Glenelg)
Wing/Forward | 179cm | 22/01/2010

Stats: 11 disposals, 5 marks, 2 goals

Allan provided a useful connection piece for South Australia, energetically shifting the ball towards attacking 50. He marked solidly on the lead and overhead before craftily finding targets by foot to keep the chain moving or set up scoring chances. He got on the end of a couple of majors himself, showing good smarts to recover ground balls inside 50 and snap truly through the big sticks.

#12 Jacob Westley (Sturt)
Defender/Midfielder | 179cm | 26/02/2010

Stats: 24 disposals, 4 clearances, 8 inside 50s

A trusted ball user in all parts of the ground, Westley had claims on being South Australia’s best. His sharp foot skills and turn of pace helped spark successful transitional forays, setting up play from deep in defence and out of stoppage. Westley was able to win his own ball but also thrived off being released by hand to then launch forward by foot. His compact nature on the inside was complimented well by that ability to put speed on the play and hurt the opposition on the outside.

#14 Jack Gallagher (Glenelg)
Wing/Forward | 174cm | 07/09/2010

Stats: 18 disposals, 4 marks, 4 tackles, 5 inside 50s

Along with Allan, Gallagher provided an express avenue towards goal with his work up and down the wing. His leading patterns were excellent, often gaining separation or finding pockets of space to mark and surge his side forward. He was even sighted picking the ball up in defensive 50, finding a short target, and eventually latching onto an overlap handball on the wing. That kind of connectivity, backed by strong marking ability, made Gallagher a force in the attacking phase.

#16 Tyson Schultz (Woodville-West Torrens)
Defender | 175cm | 13/04/2010

Stats: 19 disposals, 5 tackles, 8 rebound 50s

Schultz was a real eye-catcher with his speed out of defence, often sighted driving the ball forward at full tilt. He gained plenty of meterage throughout the day, starting from the kick-ins and working hard to stay involved in launching counterattacks. Along with his straight-line forays, Schultz showed great poise to evade oncoming pressure and buy time to find a target. That ability to shift gears and pick his moments made Schultz all the more effective in his playmaking role.

#22 Zane Rooney (Glenelg)
Midfielder | 186cm | 07/01/2010

Stats: 17 disposals, 4 tackles, 5 inside 50s, 1 goal

Inside ball winners often go under the radar, but not Rooney. The big-bodied midfield bull used all of his power and strength to prise a game-high 12 contested possessions, getting first hands on the ball and absorbing pressure to shovel it out to teammates. The South Australian skipper was also able to crash out of packs and drive his legs on occasion, although thrived in the heat of stoppage play. He even nabbed a goal on the end of a 50-metre penalty in the final quarter.

#23 Ryder Lindner (Glenelg)
Midfielder/Forward | 186cm | 25/08/2010

Stats: 16 disposals, 3 tackles, 1 goal

Another important member in South Australia’s midfield rotation, Lindner got his game going early on with quick and clean stoppage work. His one-touch handling on the inside was a highlight along with his ability to impact up forward. Lindner got to show more of his foot skills in that space and even wheeled around to snap a goal late in the third quarter.

#29 Logan Treverton (Central District)
Midfielder/Forward | 183cm | 23/10/2010

Stats: 23 disposals, 6 marks, 4 clearances, 1 goal

Treverton was yet another South Australian midfielder whose fundamentals saw him excel in close quarters. The Centrals prospect used his solid frame to buy time in possession having won plenty of clean ball around the stoppages. He also racked it up around the ground, showcasing his punchy foot skills in the process. Like Lindner, Treverton had an impact up forward in the second half and popped up to slot the final goal of the day, earned via a strong overhead mark.

#33 Cooper Jolly (North Adelaide)
Ruck | 196cm | 16/08/2010

Stats: 9 disposals, 4 tackles, 20 hitouts

Jolly continues to show signs of upside as South Australia’s mainline ruck. The wiry tall showed good touch below his knees and sustained his impact around the ground, either offering a target down the line or getting a hand in during open play. His follow-up efforts and willingness to compete were there, along with some terrific taps to advantage among his game-high 20 hitouts.

#34 Harry Schubert (Central District)
Tall Forward | 191cm | 25/01/2010

Stats: 14 disposals, 3 marks, 4 goals

Schubert was the most prolific forward afield, booting four goals and having a major say on proceedings. The brother of Hawthorn draftee Aidan possesses similar qualities, reading the play well and drawing into the space with terrific timing inside 50. He led strongly and attacked the aerial ball when opportunities presented, attracting free kicks when unable to mark cleanly. Schubert’s ability to stay upright and follow up gave him further scoring chances, which he generally took with aplomb. His set shot conversion was particularly reliable on Tuesday.