SOUTH Australia overcame horrid conditions at Southport to put Vic Metro to the sword in the Croweaters’ final AFL Under 16 Championships match. Needing a percentage-boosting win to give themselves a chance at lifting the trophy, they did just that, edging 0.8 per cent ahead of Western Australia before the second match of the double-header. While the Sandgropers ended up winning their match to make it irrelevant, the 65-point thrashing was a great way to finish off the national carnival.

After four goals to one with the breeze, the Croweaters piled on a ridiculous seven goals into the breeze – including three to Fergus Vogt – during the second term to put the result beyond doubt. A lightning delay had the second half reduced to 15-minute terms, though it was always going to be a question of how much, rather than who. In the end, South Australia had 23 scoring shots to 13, and were remarkably accurate given the conditions.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA 4.2 | 11.3 | 14.3 | 17.6 (108)
VIC METRO 1.1 | 4.2 | 5.6 | 6.7 (43)

GOALS:
South Australia: F. Vogt 4, Z. Thomson 3, R. Lindner 2, S. DePalma, 2, J. Gallagher, Z. Rooney, L. Dudley, J. Munday
Vic Metro: A. Dunstan, L. Koutoufides, J. Millar, F. O’Callaghan, M. Stewawrt, T. Tritton

RMC BEST:
South Australia: L. Treverton, J. Westley, Z. Thomson, H. Schubert, F. Vogt
Vic Metro: F. Hardman, L. Basil, L. Grinter, L. Hooper, N. Eshwara

SOUTH AUSTRALIA:

#3 Levi Dudley (Central District)
Wing/Forward | 167cm | 16/01/2010

Stats: 10 disposals, 4 marks, 1 goal

The explosive small was eye-catching on the wing, having greater impact than his numbers might suggest. His ability to turn and weave out of traffic was very good, and he was clean in the wet conditions. While he did make a couple of mistakes by foot under pressure, Dudley managed to hit the scoreboard through some nice running and positioning, marking at close range and delivering from the set shot in the second term.

#4 Liam Bell (South Adelaide)
Wing | 174cm | 28/04/2010

Stats: 12 disposals, 2 marks, 4 inside 50s

An industrious performance from the hard-running Bell who spent the bulk of his time on the opposite wing to Dudley. He worked well to get into ball-winning positions and was able to keep the ball moving in transition. A couple of times he copped bumps but bounced straight back up, and though not always pinpoint with his passes, continued to work hard and thrust the ball forward.

#5 Zephyr Thomson (Norwood)
Utility | 175cm | 13/10/2010

Stats: 16 disposals, 3 marks, 3 goals

A strong-bodied forward who was lively throughout, he first appeared setting up Schubert with a nice kick to the tall in the goalsquare, before finding space in the same goalsquare to slot a major of his own from point-blank range. He had a couple of chances along the way, but booted two second half goals to finish with three for the match. His aerial strength and clean hands were features, and he also worked up the ground to get involved.

#6 Samuel De Palma (West Adelaide)
Forward/Midfielder | 170cm | 10/01/2010

Stats: 12 disposals, 5 tackles, 2 goals

Another player who just kept popping up and playing his role, DePalma was industrious rotating between attack and midfield, starting in the latter across the first half before recording more minutes inside 50 in the second half. He had an ‘almost’ chance in the second term with a clever kick off the outside of the right boot, but it was marked on the goalline. A half later and DePalma found himself running into an open goal to get on the board.

#7 Tyler Hitch (Norwood)
Midfielder/Forward | 174cm | 04/05/2010

Stats: 16 disposals, 5 tackles, 5 inside 50s

The dynamic left-footer seemed to thrive the wetter the conditions got, continuing to get his hands on the ball and be involve in a number of fierce defensive efforts. His lovely pass into Thomson on the lead during the second term was a well-weighted effort despite being under pressure, while he continued to heap more pressure on the opposition with thumping kicks going deep inside 50.

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

Stats: 18 disposals, 6 clearances, 4 rebound 50s

One of the standouts for South Australia on the day, his clearance work and ability to extract the ball from the stoppage is what really stood out. He would rotate behind the ball at times, laying some fierce tackles, then also found the ball and began scoring chains from behind halfway. Always looking to switch or open up the angles when given the chance, he was consistent throughout the match and always involved.

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

Stats: 18 disposals, 3 marks, 2 goals

One of a number of South Australians who got their hands on the ball when the foot was firmly down, Lindner converted his production into scoreboard efficiency. He slammed home two goals – including an important late one to ensure the Croweaters’ percentage continued to rise – while also running an elite 89 per cent efficiency. He seemed to bob up in all thirds of the ground, defending the back 50, winning it around the stoppage and also going forward and creating goals directly or indirectly, making it a well-rounded performance.

#25 Fergus Vogt (South Adelaide)
Forward | 182cm | 25/01/2010

Stats: 10 disposals, 3 marks, 4 goals

Got his chance to feast in a dominant second term that essentially ended any chance of a Vic Metro comeback. After kicking his first goal from a snap after a front-on contact free, Vogt went on a tear, slotting a hattrick of majors in the second quarter against the breeze, all in different ways. He didn’t need to do much after that with his haul in the bank, and while he was to able to have as much impact in the second half, still presented.

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

Stats: 29 disposals, 9 clearances, 9 inside 50s

Deservedly winning the South Australian MVP, Treverton was massive in the final game. He racked up a match-high 29 disposals, nine clearances and nine inside 50s, while also amassing the most contested and uncontested possessions in the match. Considering the game was cut short by 16 minutes, to still accumulate those kind of numbers is ultra-impressive. It goes without saying that Treverton’s stoppage craft was the highlight, and he played to the conditions exceptionally well.

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

Stats: 12 disposals, 4 marks, 2 goals

The younger brother of Hawthorn’s Aidan showed some similar traits to his brother with is leading patterns and marking ability, but projects as a more readymade prospect than his sibling thanks to his impressive field kicking. Not only could the tall forward wheel around and hit long passes, but there was one instant where his chipped short to Zane Rooney for a goal, also setting up Thomson and Vogt with lace-out passes too. Add his in couple of majors, and the promising talent finished off his national carnival on a high.

VIC METRO:

#2 Nevon Eshwara (Sandringham Dragons)
Wing | 177cm | 25/05/2010

Stats: 11 disposals, 4 marks, 3 inside 50s

Starting on the wing and getting involved early, Eshwara found his fair share early, and set the tone with a brilliant run-down tackle on Treverton who was about to take a shot 15 metres out. He had some clever moments darting forward, and while he did make a few mistakes by foot under pressure and missed a running shot on goal, still kept trying throughout the match.

#4 Freddie Hardman (Oakleigh Chargers)
Midfielder/Forward | 180cm | 04/11/2010

Stats: 16 disposals, 2 marks, 3 tackles

Clean as a whistle, Hardman was one of Vic Metro’s best in the loss, starting on-ball before rotating behind the ball to help out. After the delay, he was one of the few who looked like he still had a dry ball, and was able to flick off quick handballs in an instant, or deliver with high efficiency going forward. He didn’t panic under pressure, and while not big, still laid some strong tackles.

#6 Liam Basil (Sandringham Dragons)
Midfielder | 181cm | 22/04/2010

Stats: 18 disposals, 3 clearances, 4 inside 50s

Vic Metro’s top disposal winner on the day, Basil finished with 18 disposals as well as three clearances and four inside 50s, showing quick hands and a knack to extract the ball from congestion to the outside. He had a really big first term, accumulating seven disposals, and after not initially starting on-ball, rotated in there and stayed for the bulk of the match. Had a flying shot on goal during the third term that just missed.

#16 Jonathan Millar (Oakleigh Chargers)
Forward | 185cm | 14/02/2010

Stats: 10 disposals, 3 inside 50s, 1 goal

Millar found the ball up both ends of the ground, and while predominantly he impacted in attack – kicking a classy goal in the second term after returning from a rest after being clobbered on the wing – he did work his way back to assist the defence. He started the second half on the wing and covered ground well. While another one who did not have a stack of it, did catch the eye with his ability to get into ball-winning positions.

#17 Louis Hooper (Sandringham Dragons)
Defender | 186cm | 11/08/2010

Stats: 15 disposals, 4 marks, 4 rebound 50s

One of the few defenders who stood up against the South Australian onslaught, Hooper had a number of crucial intercept marks and goal-saving plays. He was defiant from the beginning with a great goal-saving smother in the back 50 and then three big grabs in the first quarter alone. He took another strong mark in the third quarter, and continued to battle against the resistance, running at 87 per cent disposal efficiency.

#18 Louis Grinter (Oakleigh Chargers)
Midfielder | 187cm | 04/12/2010

Stats: 17 disposals, 5 clearances, 2 inside 50s

The Vic Metro MVP was another player steadfast against the South Australian attack, racking up a team-high five clearances to go with 17 disposals. He had an early change on goal that drifted wide, but continued to work through the middle of the ground getting the ball forward into scoring zones. He was a touch hit and miss with his disposal, but was often under immense heat around the coalface, and did his best to link up with teammates.