WESTERN Australia has produced a remarkable turnaround to defeat Vic Country by 16 points at Marvel Stadium on Friday evening. The Sandgropers were restricted to just one goal in the first half and trailed by 33 points early in term three, before piling on nine of the next 11 majors to bag their second win of the carnival. It was a masterclass in elevated pressure and pace.

WA now boasts a 2-1 record, although only Vic Country (1-1) stands a chance of taking the title out of Vic Metro’s waiting hands. Country will have to beat South Australia in Ballarat on Wednesday to set up a decider against Metro. Meanwhile, Western Australia could finish with an equal-high three wins, but lost its head-to-head battle with Vic Metro and thus cannot take the crown.

VIC COUNTRY 5.0 | 6.2 | 8.4 | 9.6 (60)
WESTERN AUSTRALIA 1.2 | 1.5 | 6.11 | 10.16 (76)

GOALS:
Vic Country: C. Templeton 3, X. Ladbrook 2, E. Drever, L. Macumber, W. Malady, J. Phillips
Western Australia: L. McGlade 3, H. Spawton-Guy 2, F. Yeo 2, C. Maynard 2, A. Walsh

BEST:
Vic Country: J. Phillips, O. Henwood, A. Sousa, E. Drever, G. Kennedy, T. Armstrong
Western Australia: H. Mellody, H. Banfield, L. Steed, G. Gale, B. van Rooyen, G. Kenh

VIC COUNTRY:

#2 Tanner Armstrong (Murray Bushrangers)
Small Defender/Midfielder | 178cm | 27/02/2008

Stats: 29 disposals, 6 marks, 6 rebound 50s

Richmond NGA

It was another typically industrious day for Armstrong, who led all comers in a high-volume role across the backline. The scrappy utility was prominent at ground level and showed his grit with a couple of firm fend-offs, but just as readily racked up a game-high 18 uncontested possessions. Armstrong was tasked with some of the kick-ins and dictated play with short-range passes, before eventually being thrown into the midfield amid WA’s second half clearance dominance.

#3 Gus Kennedy (Dandenong Stingrays)
Defender/Midfielder | 187cm | 21/02/2008

Stats: 23 disposals, 4 marks, 3 inside 50s

Another prominent playmaker in defence, Kennedy balanced his attacking power with tough defensive acts. The Dandenong captain helped set up a wall across the back half, intercepting and sparking rebound play with his powerful bursts. He also allowed Vic Country to hold possession in slow play and was trusted to make an impact with his midfield move in the second half.

#4 Ethan Drever (GWV Rebels)
Midfielder | 188cm | 10/07/2008

Stats: 17 disposals, 4 marks, 4 tackles, 1 goal

Drever did most of his heavy lifting in the opening half, looking at his explosive best through the middle. He tackled solidly and broke through WA’s return pressure with powerful side-steps before looking to take ground. There were signs of an improved outside game as Drever made a few gut-busting efforts to stay involved in transitional play, while he slammed home a trademark running goal in the third quarter. He faded out of the game a touch, but was best afield early in the piece.

#9 Wil Malady (Gippsland Power)
Tall Forward/Wing | 190cm | 12/10/2008

Stats: 10 disposals, 5 marks, 1 goal

Making up half of a fierce battle against Tom Brown, Malady sure had his moments. The high-flying forward leapt for a sensational speccy in the final quarter, which was one of his four contested marks. Malady was typically quick and clever on the lead, while also attacking the aerial ball with vigour and proving difficult to spoil. He converted an early set shot but couldn’t make the most of his several other chances and ended up being thrown up to the wing to get involved.

#10 Cody Templeton (Gippsland Power)
Forward | 181cm | 01/01/2008

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

Templeton made a terrific start to proceedings, signalling his intent with physicality and scoreboard impact. He booted two goals in the opening term; slotting a set shot from the pocket and then a checkside in open play. While perhaps overzealous in his desire to make a statement at times, Templeton wasn’t afraid to engage in a bit of niggle and swooped on a soccer goal for his third in term four. A positive start to his campaign with two games left to play.

#11 Jackson Phillips (Dandenong Stingrays)
Midfielder | 184cm | 30/01/2008

Stats: 18 disposals, 5 tackles, 5 clearances, 1 goal

There is arguably no more stylish player than Phillips in full flight, and he once again caught the eye with his smooth movement. Given a chance to start in the middle, he looked dangerous when able to bring the ball to the outside and take ground before delivering by foot. His best moment saw him scoop the ball up at speed, remain balanced and slam home a long-range goal in the first term. That kind of class and skill is hard to come by, but Phillips dishes it up every week.

#16 Oscar Henwood (Gippsland Power)
Midfielder | 186cm | 11/06/2009

Stats: 20 disposals, 8 marks, 7 inside 50s

Henwood has not looked out of place despite being a bottom-ager, and was given plenty of midfield exposure having spent time on the wing in game one. His clean hands and slick left-foot kicking were key features throughout the day, with Henwood backing his skills under pressure. He had no trouble picking up possessions in all parts of the ground but looked particularly potent when able to deliver inside 50. He has style and poise reminiscent of fellow Gippsland product Scott Pendlebury.

#20 Andrio Sousa (Dandenong Stingrays)
Wing | 179cm | 11/08/2008

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

It was an energetic outing from Sousa, who helped his side connect the lines from out on the wing. He was like a bee in a bottle, crashing and bashing his way through congestion with crafty movement and plenty of vigour. He also found space to be that link player between the arcs, proving erratic at times but playing with the right intent and attacking instincts.

#24 Darcy Harrington (Geelong Falcons)
Small Defender/Forward | 177cm | 17/11/2008

Stats: 18 disposals, 5 marks, 2 tackles

A richly deserved inclusion for this game, Harrington repaid the faith. He was agile and smart in tight confines, but also showed his work rate to provide an outlet for teammates on the overlap, gathering 10 handball receives. Harrington’s run was matched by gutsy efforts to mark overhead and combative work when the ground ball was there to be won. He was switched forward in the final term but definitely found the most success as a playmaking type down back.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA:

#1 Axel Walsh (East Perth)
Ruck/Key Forward | 202cm | 20/01/2009

Stats: 14 disposals, 4 marks, 11 hitouts, 1 goal

Continuing to show his raw talent as WA’s secondary ruck, Walsh impacted in each third of the ground. He leapt well at centre ball-ups and used his reach to access the ball, while following up with great touch and mobility. The bottom-ager also provided a marking target deep inside 50 and dropped back to support the defence, extending well overhead or standing tall under high balls. He slotted a goal in term three on the end of a lead as WA began to make its move.

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

Stats: 16 disposals, 4 marks, 27 hitouts, 4 clearances

van Rooyen continued his strong state campaign, winning as many hitouts as every other ruck combined. He soared at the centre ball-ups, and much like Walsh, had the reach to get first access to the ball. The top-ager mixed up his hits with a few thumps to clear the packs, while also making an impression with his pair of strong intercept marks. That same clean handling translated to van Rooyen’s follow-up work at stoppage, where he prised four clearances.

#10 Harvey Spawton-Guy (West Perth)
Key Forward | 196cm | 08/09/2008

Stats: 9 disposals, 4 marks, 2 goals

It looked like it simply wasn’t going to be Spawton-Guy’s day until late in the third term, as he had squandered several set shot opportunities for a haul of three behinds. Things turned as he finally split the big sticks with a snap, and continued to provide a focal point in Western Australia’s forwardline. The strong-marking tall added a second goal in open play to continue his side’s fourth quarter surge, eventually finding reward for his efforts.

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

Stats: 30 disposals, 6 marks, 5 rebound 50s

Gale was central to WA’s second half revival, shifting out to the wing having started on-ball. He had no trouble accumulating possessions between the arcs and had to use all of his poise to avoid wasting the ball amid Vic Country’s early dominance. Once moved to the outside, his running ability and overhead marking began to shine throughout a 20-disposal second half.

#26 Garrison Kenh (East Perth)
Defender | 182cm | 19/04/2008

Stats: 22 disposals, 3 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s

West Coast NGA

It defies belief that Kenh was left out for the first two games given the pure talent he showed on Friday. A creative rebound defender, he showed great composure under pressure and leant on his athletic gifts to forge paths up the ground. He wasn’t shy in taking the game on with his foot skills and did so stylishly as he advanced into dangerous positions. The contested and defensive sides of the game remain growth areas for Kenh, who is part of West Coast’s Next Generation Academy.

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

Stats: 25 disposals, 9 tackles, 6 inside 50s

West Coast F/S

Another West Coast-tied prospect in the fold, Banfield played a crucial hand in WA’s come-from-behind win. He rolled up his sleeves to lay a game-high nine tackles and provided just as much value with ball in hand. The midfielder was often seen surging the ball forward out of packs, using his burst speed to escape to the outside and deliver bullet-like kicks to leading targets. While hit or miss at times, Banfield produced some eye-catching plays indicative of a big-game performer.

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

Stats: 32 disposals, 5 marks, 4 rebound 50s

Having produced some uncharacteristic clangers in his usual half-back role, Mellody went berserk once unleashed into the midfield. The prolific playmaker racked up 19 second half disposals en route to a game-high 32 overall, proving full of run and creative energy. He sparked and contributed to several waves of possession through the corridor, putting speed on the ball and linking up with his clean set of hands. Hopefully more midfield exposure is in the offing for game four.

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

Stats: 7 disposals, 3 goals

West Coast NGA

Working alongside the likes of Cameron Maynard and Kyan Perera, McGlade added a crucial spark to Western Australia’s cause and cashed in with three goals. He kicked his side’s first two majors and added a third to snatch the lead in term four, certainly making the most of his few chances. His shrewd positioning and finishing helped WA maintain scoreboard pressure and eventually salute.

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

Stats: 24 disposals, 6 clearances, 4 inside 50s

With his side well and truly beaten in the first half, Steed came out of the main break with a point to prove. The steely skipper set the tone with five centre clearances and some ferocious work at the contest, including a few enforcer-like pressure acts. Steed’s intensity and work rate translated to his influence on the outside, where he ran hard and became involved in waves of transitional ball movement through the middle. He could well end up the All-Australian captain.