WESTERN Australia’s Under 18 side notched an impressive 33-point victory over Claremont’s Reserves in their second and final trial on Saturday. Taking to Mineral Resources Park, the Black Swans kicked away with seven goals to two after being level pegging at half-time to win 12.10 (82) to 7.7 (49).

The result comes after last week’s seven-point loss to the WAFL Under 21 All-Stars, as Western Australia prepares to launch its Under 18 National Championships campaign against the Allies in Blacktown on Sunday. We noted some of the state’s top prospects from the weekend’s fruitful trial game.

WA U18s 3.2 | 5.4 | 7.8 | 12.10 (82)
CLAREMONT 3.0 | 5.4 | 6.4 | 7.7 (49)

WA GOALS: M. Champion 2, A. Riddle 2, C. McDonald 2, C. Burke, K. Gerreyn, M. Rohr, C. Angove, D. Roberts, B. Kelly

WA BEST: C. Curtin, L. Urquhart, A. Riddle, C. Burke, J. Artemis, C. Angove

>> Scouting Notes: WA U18s vs. WAFL U21 All-Stars

WESTERN AUSTRALIA U18:

#1 Cody Angove (Claremont)
Forward/Wing | 182cm | 28/05/2006

Angove’s energy made him an eye-catching feature in Western Australia’s attacking phases, as he constantly put speed on the ball and looked to move the play on quickly. He played the high forward role well, venturing high up the ground and biting on the way back, while also spending time on the wing in the second half. Perhaps Angove’s best moment was when he read an overlap opportunity for Claremont and shut it down with a smother, along with his running goal in the third quarter.

#2 Luke Urquhart (East Fremantle)
Midfielder | 183cm | 19/09/2006

After a relatively modest return last week, Urquhart was far more prominent through midfield in the absence of Bo Allan. He replaced the state skipper’s speed and burst from the contest to an extent, looking lively when sharking the ball in motion. Urquhart also contributed some strong defensive efforts and while his ball use on the run left a little to be desired at times, he was clearly one of the Under 18s’ better players on Saturday.

#3 Malakai Champion (Subiaco)
Small Forward | 176cm | 17/05/2006

Having done so last week, Champion again booted multiple goals (two) as one of his side’s most lively forwards. He snared both in the first half, finishing sharply on the run and displaying great instincts to catch opponents napping with his movement inside 50. Champion’s willingness to go quickly made him a threat, and his creativity came to the fore with a brilliant handball over his shoulder in a fourth quarter passage which saw Deian Roberts hit the scoreboard.

#13 Jaxon Artemis (South Fremantle)
Defender | 187cm | 27/07/2006

Artemis has somewhat gone under the radar across both trials but looms as an effective rebounder to slot into WA’s backline. He took on some of the kick-in duties and looked to utilise the length of his passes to break over the back of Claremont’s setup. Among an array of kick-first defenders, Artemis looked quite composed and polished before getting a late run up on the wing.

#17 Max Rohr (Claremont)
Key Forward/Ruck | 197cm | 16/04/2005

Rohr made a roaring start on Saturday, assisting the game’s first goal with a strong contested mark and booming kick over the back. He had his own chance to hit the scoreboard with a snap in the opening quarter, but went on to split the big sticks in term two with a set shot. The over-ager would miss a shot on the run after that, but provided another assist in the final stanza with a Hollywood handball for Roberts to run in and score.

#20 Cody Curtin (Claremont)
Key Defender | 197cm | 18/05/2007

Curtin had claims on being best afield for the Under 18s with an imperious display down back. The bottom-ager chimed in with a series of strong intercept marks, doing so with sturdy bodywork in one-on-one contests and sound reading of the play. Much like elder brother Dan, he was also productive on the rebound and moved well for a player his size, returning a well-rounded performance on Western Australia’s last line.

#23 Charlie Burke (Subiaco)
Wing | 188cm | 18/07/2007

Burke plays the wing role perfectly with his running capacity and willingness to work deep into both arcs. The latter was evident from the outset, as Burke got on the end of a long kick over the back to mark and kick the game’s first goal. He also assisted Kayle Gerreyn for the second and went on to accumulate possessions by holding his width to be the ideal outside receiver. While some of his ball use was rushed, Burke played to his strengths and did it well.

#24 Fred Rodriguez (South Fremantle)
Midfielder | 183cm | 10/07/2007

A relative mainstay in midfield, Rodriguez began to get going after quarter time and showcased his natural ball winning ability. The bottom-ager distributed the ball well by hand and after scuffing a few of his early kicks, began to make effective passes by foot, too. A couple of Rodriguez’s punchy kicks to leading targets caught the eye to compliment his stoppage craft.

#26 Kayle Gerreyn (West Perth)
Ruck/Key Forward | 199cm | 10/05/2006

With Aiden Riddle assuming the starting ruck role, Gerreyn started up forward before providing a chop-out at the centre bounces. He was less prolific and imposing in the ruck as usual, but clunked a couple of strong marks inside 50 and took toll with the game’s second goal. He had another chance to score from a set shot in term three, only to put it wide. Still, he should be a prominent figure alongside the likes of Rohr and Riddle.

#29 Aiden Riddle (Claremont)
Ruck/Key Forward | 199cm | 27/12/2005

Coming up against former Fremantle-listed ruck Eric Benning, Riddle more than held his own in said battle and was dominant at times. His tap craft and bodywork were excellent in the opening half, as the over-ager leapt well at centre bounces and held his ground in stoppages around the ground. He also booted a couple of goals in the second half; the first being a flukey shank from 50m, and the second from a strong pack mark at the top of the goalsquare.