WESTERN Australia broke a nine-year title drought by taking out the Pool A crown at this year’s Under 16 National Championships. The Sandrgropers remained undefeated after their 29-point win over Vic Country in Southport on Friday, inspired by co-captain and competition best and fairest Troy Warner.

Despite again proving inaccurate in windy conditions, WA showed flexed its scoring muscle while restricting Vic Country to a single goal in each quarter. Athletic forward Jayke Taylor was best on field for the victors, booting 3.3 from 22 disposals and 13 marks.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA 3.3 | 6.8 | 8.13 | 8.15 (63)
VICTORIA COUNTRY 1.3 | 2.4 | 3.8 | 4.10 (34)

GOALS:
Western Australia: J. Taylor 3, A. Wilson 2, S. Gooch, J. Keene, J. Oldroyd
Victoria Country: E. Hyde, A. Ingham, J. McGinness, D. Rizzoli

BEST:
Western Australia: J. Taylor, A. Clayton, T. Warner, A. Wilson, A. Martignago, J. Holland
Victoria Country: D. May, L. Sims, E. Hyde, H. Brown, A. McGinness, H. Lindsay

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WESTERN AUSTRALIA:

#11 Jack Holland (East Fremantle)
Key Forward | 190cm | 08/01/2010

Stats: 10 disposals, 5 marks, 2 inside 50s

It wasn’t Holland’s turn to hit the scoreboard on Friday, but he certainly made an impact in the air. Amid tough marking conditions, the West Australian co-captain remained competitive and flew at everything in his area. He got on his bike to present high up the ground, splitting packs and getting his hands to plenty of high balls at full extension. Holland owned front position and managed to hold his grabs more frequently as the game wore on, working hard throughout.

#18 Jayke Taylor (East Fremantle)
Forward | 186cm | 26/02/2010

Stats: 22 disposals, 13 marks, 8 inside 50s, 3 goals

Taylor was best on ground, registering six scoring shots for the second game running but proving a little more assured in front of goal. The powerful forward was impossible to stop on the lead, presenting up the ground as his side’s most viable connection piece. Taylor’s speed and leap were observed time and time again as he provided a mobile target up the line, while using his penetrative kicking to enter the final third. He was utterly relentless and played his role perfectly.

#21 Owen Hodge (East Fremantle)
Defender | 187cm | 13/11/2010

Stats: 11 disposals, 4 marks, 4 rebound 50s

It was a slightly less prolific outing from Hodge in game three, although he ticked the same kind of boxes. Switching between deep-lying and high positions, he mopped up across the defensive half and clunked a couple of clean intercept marks before distributing the ball reliably. Hodge’s ability to playmake and join the attack also shone through in spurts throughout a solid showing.

#27 Troy Warner (East Fremantle)
Forward/Midfielder | 179cm | 18/03/2010

Stats: 22 disposals, 2 marks, 2 tackles, 2 clearances

Warner was crowned the Pool A best and fairest to go with his state MVP award, fitting of a third magnificent performance. He was absolutely everywhere in the first half, showing all his class to carve the Vics up in transition and evade their tackles at will. His spatial awareness, mixed with wicked agility, got him out of tight spots, while his running power allowed him to rack up possessions in all parts of the ground. While Warner ran into trouble at times, he was usually good enough to work his way out of it and got his own back through pressure acts.

#29 Aiden Wilson (East Fremantle)
Wing | 178cm | 26/10/2010

Stats: 20 disposals, 5 marks, 2 goals

Wilson was phenomenal in the early stages of the game, slotting two long-range running goals and dominating the outside. Capable of marking with the flight and putting his body on the line, Wilson blended his class with grit and was a constant outlet between the arcs. Whether receiving out of defensive 50 or launching the ball into the final third, the wingman provided great width and run.

#33 Jai Keene (Peel Thunder)
Midfielder/Forward | 176cm | 17/06/2010

Stats: 16 disposals, 5 marks, 4 clearances, 1 goal

Keene has played in every third of the ground for WA and rotated forward from his midfield base in this game. He had a knack for finding space between the arcs, covering plenty of ground to help his side control possession up the field. The co-captain even snuck free inside 50 to slot a long-range set shot goal in the third quarter. His composure and fast hands under pressure helped in the cut and thrust of midfield, while he wasn’t afraid to fly the flag for teammates.

#34 Aiden Martignago (East Fremantle)
Midfielder | 175cm | 06/05/2010

Stats: 22 disposals, 3 marks, 5 clearances

Martignago backed up a strong game two with more of the same slick handling and distribution. He won 14 contested possessions and dished out 13 handballs, helping either shift the ball out of the contest or help his side move in waves. His compact frame and core strength made such play all the more easy, while he also showed an ability to cover the ground and get involved in running forays.

#39 Eli Wirrpanda (East Perth)
Small Defender | 170cm | 15/12/2010

Stats: 16 disposals, 2 tackles, 3 rebound 50s

An inclusion for game three, Wirrpanda came in with added attention given his famous family name. The son of 227-game Eagle David showed his wares down back with plenty of composed moments. He mopped up the loose ball and distributed it neatly, providing spurts of run in the process. Perhaps Wirrpanda’s best moment was his one-on-one battle against Isaac Brown, as the two tenaciously jostled for possession out on the wing in term four with neither player letting up.

#40 Ashley Clayton (Perth)
Forward/Wing | 168cm | 01/04/2010

Stats: 23 disposals, 6 tackles, 9 inside 50s

After showing glimpses in the first two games, Clayton well and truly broke out on Friday. The diminutive utility was electric in the forward half, vigorously chasing up ground balls with a slew of repeat efforts. His speed and intensity were outstanding, seeing him bring down opponents in fierce tackles when unable to prise possession himself. From there, Clayton showed a sharp turn of foot to carry the ball towards forward 50 before lowering his eyes to hit targets on the move. He was incredibly clean all day, blending class with a high level of competitiveness.

VIC COUNTRY:

#1 Isaac Brown (Gippsland Power)
Small Utility | 174cm | 19/02/2010

Stats: 8 disposals, 4 tackles, 2 inside 50s

While the end result wasn’t quite there for Brown on this occasion, his work rate and energy certainly were. Operating up forward, on the wing, and eventually in midfield, the speedy small was a threat whenever the ball entered his area. He attacked each contest hard and craftily found his way out of congestion looking to be creative even under enormous pressure. His own pressure was terrific, hastily closing in on opponents and competitively vying for possession.

#3 Hudson Brown (Dandenong Stingrays)
Midfielder | 179cm | 31/07/2010

Stats: 20 disposals, 5 marks, 5 clearances, 5 inside 50s

Rolling through Vic Country’s midfield rotation, Brown provided spurts of speed and drive. Whether accelerating off a standing start or latching onto an overlap handball, he put speed on the ball and helped launch plenty of attacks. His ability to find space and connect between the arcs was complimented by clean and efficient work at stoppage, winning five clearances.

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

Stats: 16 disposals, 2 marks

Sims played his usual role up forward in the first half before having a run in midfield. He provided that connection piece with his ability to work up the ground and find separation on the lead, before bringing the ball towards goal. The crafty utility was quite efficient by hand and fared well in packs, keeping his arms free to absorb pressure and flick the ball out into space.

#5 Harry Lindsay (Geelong Falcons)
Wing/Defender | 180cm | 07/04/2010

Stats: 18 disposals, 4 marks, 7 tackles, 4 rebound 50s

There were plenty of opportunities for Lindsay to prove his distributive skills as he was one of Vic Country’s most trusted users out of defence. He had no trouble finding outside possessions, and while hit-or-miss at times, was quite slick at his best. Lindsay also showed a hard edge despite his role, sitting under high balls and laying hard tackles having been caught himself on occasion.

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

Stats: 12 disposals, 4 marks, 1 goal

Having already proven himself to be one of the finest interceptors in the budding 2010-born crop, Hyde tried his hand up forward. The aerial specialist had fewer opportunities but still attacked each contest with vigour and handled being made to swap ends in-game well. He bagged a goal in the final term but looked most comfortable in defence where his playreading shone through.

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

Stats: 18 disposals, 8 marks, 7 tackles, 6 rebound 50s

May has shown his qualities in defence at Talent League level and impressed when shifted behind the ball on Friday. He was competitive and tackled hard while running on-ball, also providing a marking outlet around the ground. That same aerial ability was evident in the second half as he took several strong overhead grabs, showing great desperation and courage in the process.

#22 Fletcher Adams (Gippsland Power)
Ruck | 196cm | 10/11/2010

Stats: 9 disposals, 16 hitouts, 3 clearances

Continuing his role as Vic Country’s primary ruck, Adams showed his considerable upside. The athletic tall immediately caught the eye with his spring-heeled leap in the centre, rising high to get first hands to the ball. Adams was also nimble on the follow-up and spread well for a player his side, remaining involved at stoppage and around the ground. His potential is highly rated internally.

#23 Jack McGinness (Geelong Falcons)
Forward | 185cm | 11/03/2010

Stats: 13 disposals, 3 marks, 5 inside 50s, 1 goal

McGinness did most of his work in the second half, picking up 10 of his 13 disposals after the main break. He became a focal point with his work rate and leading patterns, providing an avenue inside 50 and playing slightly tall. McGinness also applied great pressure inside 50, forcing several turnovers which led to scoring chances. He finished with one goal but could have had more.

#26 Angus Jones (Dandenong Stingrays)
Tall Defender | 194cm | 26/08/2010

Stats: 13 disposals, 5 marks, 2 rebound 50s

Another mobile tall the Vic Country program has high hopes for, Jones shows great versatility for a tall defender. He took on some of the kick-in duties and was able to repeatedly join the attack, moving well to pick up the ball in advanced positions. Jones helped his side control possession in moments of pressure and showed handy aerial nous to boot.