{"id":22136,"date":"2016-06-07T18:37:34","date_gmt":"2016-06-07T08:37:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/afldraftcentral.com.au\/?p=22136"},"modified":"2016-06-07T18:37:34","modified_gmt":"2016-06-07T08:37:34","slug":"upsets-galore-in-division-one-championships-opening-round","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/2016\/06\/07\/upsets-galore-in-division-one-championships-opening-round\/","title":{"rendered":"Upsets galore in Division One championships opening round"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"West<\/a>
West Australian Sam Powell-Pepper representing the AFL academy. (Photo by Scott Barbour\/AFL Media)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

UPSETS & BLOWOUTS were the story of the opening round in the Under 18 Division One championship.<\/p>\n

The two highly touted teams the Allies<\/strong> and Vic Country<\/strong> both suffered at the hands of their home opposition, both being comfortably defeated.<\/p>\n

South Australia<\/strong> kicked the carnival off against the championships newest side the Allies on Saturday<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The home\u00a0sides\u00a0captain Jack Graham<\/strong> was the highest disposal winner for the match, with 29 disposals and eight clearances. Graham’s work on the inside was well supported by Jonty Scharenberg<\/strong> (22 disposals) and Jake Pitman<\/strong> (27 disposals).<\/p>\n

The Allies found it hard after quarter time with SA kicking 13 goals to six to finish the game as 44-point winners<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

202cm ruckman Peter Ladhams<\/strong> gave SA a big advantage in the ruck with 32 hit-outs whilst bottom ager Darcy Fogarty<\/strong> kicked four goals inside 50 in a strong showing.<\/p>\n

The away team were missing the presence of tall midfielder Will Setterfield<\/strong>, who stayed in Victoria and played school football. His fellow NSW\/ACT teammates Kobe Mutch<\/strong> (22 disposals, 11 tackles) and Harry Perryman<\/strong> (18 disposals, five tackles) were the Allies’ best.<\/p>\n

Highly rated Queensland<\/strong> midfielder Jack Bowes<\/strong> was quiet on his Division Two output with just nine disposals.<\/p>\n

Across in Western Australia<\/strong> on Sunday, the Sandgropers smashed Vic Country by 61-points.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

AFL Academy member Sam Powell-Pepper<\/strong>\u00a0was WA’s best, with 15 disposals and three goals.<\/p>\n

Powell-Pepper used his power and aggression in the midfield in the absence of Sam Petrevski-Seton<\/strong>, who was missing through a hamstring injury.<\/p>\n

Matt Guelfi<\/strong> (19 disposals, six clearances) and Zac Fisher<\/strong> (17 disposals, eight clearances) were also in the best for WA.<\/p>\n

For Vic Country<\/strong>, tall forward Josh Battle<\/strong> booted four goals in the space of six minutes but was reasonably quiet other than that. Midfielder Hugh McCluggage<\/strong> (27 disposals, six marks) was one of the few Victorians that played well in the contest.<\/p>\n

\"Hugh<\/a>
Hugh McCluggage representing the AFL Academy in April. Photo by Scott Barbour\/AFL Media)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Possible number one pick Will Brodie’s<\/strong> output was limited with an early knee injury, finishing with 16 disposals while Joe Atley<\/strong>– the brother of current North Melbourne player Shaun, had 22 disposals and eight tackles in the centre.<\/p>\n

West Australia<\/strong> ran away with the contest after half time, with 11 goals to three to see them sitting pretty on top of the ladder.<\/p>\n

\n

The first round of the Div I #NABAFLU18s<\/a> was completed today with WA def Vic Country. Allies have the bye next week. pic.twitter.com\/1LAbaOoFOl<\/a><\/p>\n

— Rookie Me Central (@RookieMeCentral) June 5, 2016<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n