THE UNDER 18 National Championships roll on with a double-header over the weekend, starting with Western Australia’s clash with Vic Country. Mineral Resources Park sets the scene for Saturday morning’s fixture, which sees last year’s second-place side make the toughest road trip up front.

NEED TO KNOW

WHO: Western Australia vs. Vic Country
WHEN: Saturday June 7, 10:00am AWST
WHERE: Mineral Resources Park
WATCH: Live stream via AFL website & app

PREDICTED LINEUPS

WESTERN AUSTRALIA:

B: 11. D. Sutherland – 34. L. Carpenter – 27. M. Becker
HB: 23. M. Thomas – 43. L. Cattalini – 24. J. Farrow
C: 13. H. Mellody – 17. S. Swadling – 26. C. Banfield
HF: 6. H. Walker – 39. C. Watson – 4. T. Williams
F: 1. W. York – 40. C. Curtin – 12 W. Walley
FOL: 38 B. van Rooyen – 7. T. Whan – 9. F. Rodriguez

INT: 10. B. Kelly, 19. G. Gale, 20. O. Willis, 21. H. Wilson, 28. T. Phillips

>> PREVIEW: 2025 AFL U18s – Western Australia

VIC COUNTRY:

B: 30. M. Lee – 34. H. Moon – 15. H. Dean
HB: 6. J. Lindsay – 28. D. Szerszyn – 26. M. Stevens
C: 4. Z. O’Keefe – 22. R. Onley – 11 T. Sinnema
HF: 3. N. Hibbins-Hargreaves – 35. J. Elek – 14 J. Mellor
F: 9. M. Neocleous – 37. T. Ah-Mu – 33. W. Malady
FOL: 38. Z. Harding – 7. W. Duursma – 19. H. Wright

INT: 5. H. Mikunda, 13 R. Aqulilina, 16. J. Scapin, 21. C. Walker, 29. C. Smith

>> PREVIEW: 2025 AFL U18s – Vic Country

ONES TO WATCH

WESTERN AUSTRALIA:

Jacob Farrow (West Perth)
Defender/Midfielder | 188cm | 21/09/2007

Farrow is a West Australian prospect on the verge of storming up draft boards, credit to comparisons drawn to Fremantle gun Hayden Young. The West Perth defender is around the same size and loves taking the game on in running forays, also utilising his penetrative kicking to break the lines. He can pinch-hit in midfield too, so offers a nice point of difference around the ground for WA.

Fred Rodriguez (Claremont)
Midfielder | 184cm | 10/07/2007

Rodriguez is Western Australia’s top prospect and captain, and one of three players in the squad with WAFL League experience. The South Fremantle midfielder in wonderfully balanced, able to kick on both feet and play inside or outside. Expect him to rack up plenty of possessions as a mainstay at the centre bounces, while also working hard on the spread and using his sharp skills heading inside 50.

Sam Swadling (West Perth)
Midfielder | 187cm | 16/01/2007

It has been hard to ignore Swadling’s sheer output this season, averaging an even 35 disposals in the WAFL Colts. While many recruiters rate his work as a forward, the West Perth midfielder knows how to accumulate through the middle and is a slick operator by hand. Expect to see Swadling feed Western Australia’s runners as they transition the ball on the outside, dropping back to drive forward.

VIC COUNTRY:

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

Duursma is considered a pick one contender and has an array of desirable footballing traits. His athleticism and ability to cover ground catch the eye, along with clean aerial work which lends to the versatility to impact down back or up forward. Having also cut his teeth on the wing, more midfield minutes should be in the offing for Duursma, though don’t be surprised to see him used in defence.

Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves (Dandenong Stingrays)
Forward/Wing | 186cm | 16/11/2007

Perhaps yet to hit top form this year after an injury interrupted start, Hibbins-Hargreaves possesses high quality. Along with Duursma, he broke into last year’s Country squad and is among the top prospects, likely to feature up forward or along the wing. Hibbins-Hargreaves is a tough matchup with his clean hands overhead and speed off the mark, complimented by sharp foot skills and a keen eye for goal.

Josh Lindsay (Geelong Falcons)
Defender | 183cm | 07/04/2007

Arguably the best ball user in the draft pool, Lindsay’s kicking is something to be admired. He put his name on the map with a best afield performance in last year’s National Futures match, and backed it up with another medal in the AFL Academy’s second exhibition game. Also capable of rolling up to the wing or midfield, Lindsay changes angles with his efficient kicking and sees the game like few others can.

WHERE IT’S WON

Vic Country’s defenders will have to be on their toes against a fleet-footed West Australian attack. WA’s smalls are incredibly lively and will keep the opposition accountable both up the ground and close to goal. Conversely, the Vics’ forward possess greater aerial ability and also match up well against the hosts’ defenders. Plenty of eyes will be on the midfield battle too, where WA’s starting mix boasts greater quality, though perhaps lacks the depth and versatility of Vic Country’s cohort.

PREDICTION

Vic Country is well and truly up against it with Western Australia having played recent trial games together and will not have to travel. That cohesion and freshness is likely to put the hosts in good stead, and their speed in the front half means they can score quickly. With a sunny day predicted in Perth, expect Vic Country’s marking forwards and hard-running smalls to also show out. WA by 15.