U18 Championships

[one-eyed]

Vic Country still unbeaten
12:44:26 PM Wed 28 June, 2006
Matt Burgan
Exclusive to afl.com.au

VICTORIA COUNTRY: 1.0 7.1 12.4 13.8 (86)
SOUTH AUSTRALIA: 2.1 3.3 6.4 8.7 (55)

GOALS -
Vic Country: M.Brown 3, Harbrow 3, Ross 3, O'Keefe 2, Eddy, Tyler
South Australia: Turner 3, Thomas 2, Edwards, Hurley, Wright

BEST -
Vic Country: M.Brown, Grigg, Eddy, Harbrow, Ross, Frawley
South Australia: Gibbs, Hurley, Wright, Schmidt, Anderson, Turner

Umpires: Pattinson, McCarthy, Raven
at Skilled Stadium, Geelong

Undefeated Vic Country is right on track to win its first division one championship since 2003 after it accounted for South Australia by 31 points, but its quest to win this year's title in its final match against Vic Metro may be without young-gun Lachlan Hansen.

Hansen, one of the country's top young prospects, was injured as Country 13.8 (86) defeated the Croweaters 8.7 (55) in the first of the division one double-header at Skilled Stadium in Geelong on Wednesday.

The key defender, rated by some as a possible No.1 draft pick come November, was crunched in a contest by South Australian Chris Schmidt early in the final term and then carried off on a stretcher.

Running back with the flight of the ball, Hansen was met solidly by Schmidt, who collected him in the back of the head and neck. Hansen was temporarily knocked out from the incident.

On top of that, Mitchell Brown, who shone in the first half with three majors, left the field in the hands of the trainers, after he laid a tackle in the final term. Along with Brown, Jarrod Harbrow and Ben Ross also booted three majors each for Vic Country.

After shining in Vic Country's opening match, Shaun Grigg and Robert Eddy were again standouts, with the duo notching up 27 possessions and 23 touches respectively. James Frawley, nephew of Danny, also showed plenty to like about his game.

Young-gun and one of the country's best underage players - South Australia's Bryce Gibbs - was yet again a star for his side, winning 27 touches. Tom Hurley also backed up his first match with another terrific performance with 26 possessions.

James Turner was South Australia's leading goalkicker with three majors, while teammate Matthew Wright, with 22 touches was another fine player.

Scoring was tough to come by in the opening term and it was until the 14-minute mark that Vic Country posted the first score, when M.Brown kicked truly. South Australia didn't open its account until the 19-minute mark, but it added two quick goals to claim a seven-point lead at quarter-time.

But Vic Country took the ascendancy in the second term, slamming six goals to one, running out to a 22-point advantage at the long break. M.Brown was prominent during the first half, booting three majors.

Daniel O'Keefe increased Vic Country's margin to 27 points early in the third term, but South Australia fought back with three in three minutes - including two from Turner - to reduce the deficit back to just 10 points. But Vic Country steadied and answered with four in a row to bounce back out to a 36-point lead at three quarter-time.

Hansen's set-back occurred at the three-minute mark of the final term and play was halted for several minutes. Lindsay Thomas booted two majors for South Australia when play resumed, but with Vic Country's Matt Tyler the only other goalkicker during this period, the result was never in doubt.

http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=risingstarprogram&spg=u18champsdisplay&articleid=276704

[one-eyed]

All Victorian final
3:20:16 PM Wed 28 June, 2006
Matt Burgan
Exclusive to afl.com.au

VICTORIA METROPOLITAN: 2.6 4.6   9.14 12.16 (88)
WESTERN AUSTRALIA:        1.1 6.10 6.11  9.18 (70)

GOALS -
Vic Metro: Hawkins 3, Dawes 2, Houli 2, Veszpremi 2, Adams, Kelly, Kreuzer
Western Australia: Virgo 2, Collard, Dick, Foster, Gumbleton, Jetta, Moss, Sampey

BEST -
Vic Metro: Hawkins, Houli, Dawes, Veszpremi, Adams, Anderson
Western Australia: Jetta, Gumbleton, Virgo, Collard, Colbung, Masten

Umpires: Bowen, Ritchie, Craig
at Skilled Stadium, Geelong

Victoria Metropolitan has defeated the highly-fancied Western Australia by 18 points to set-up an all-Victorian division one final in this year's NAB AFL under 18 championships.

Vic Metro 12.16 (88) defeated the Sandgropers 9.16 (70) in the second of the double-header at Skilled Stadium in Geelong on Wednesday.

Metro will now play Country in the final division one match on Sunday at MC Labour Park in Carlton, with the city slickers looking to win their third consecutive title - and their eighth since the competition went to under-18 level in 1996.

Western Australia will now play South Australia on Sunday, with both teams aiming for its first and only win of this year's carnival.

Soon-to-be Cat Tom Hawkins shone yet again. Resembling a young David Neitz, Hawkins booted three goals in Vic Metro's win and pulled in nine marks - included seven contested grabs.

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Champion Data confirmed that Hawkins has now taken the second most contested marks since these records have been taken in under 18 carnivals. Only St Kilda star Justin Koschitzke, who represented New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory in 2000, has taken more contested grabs (17) in this tournament.

During the second term when Hawkins kicked his first for the day, it drew much delight and grins from Geelong coach Mark Thompson and his assistants, as they watched on from the corporate boxes with glee. Hawkins has already been claimed by the club via the father/son rule.

Others to shine for Vic Metro included Bachar Houli, who was again prominent. He claimed 25 touches and booted two goals, while Chris Dawes (two goals) and Patrick Veszpremi (two majors) were also among its best.

For Western Australia, Leroy Jetta was again a beauty. He won 27 disposals - equal most for the match - along with teammate Shawn Colbung. The highly-rated Scott Gumbleton was once again impressive. Matthew Virgo was Western Australia's only multiple goalkicker.

Vic Metro peppered the scoreboard early but failed to fully capitalise. It had six behinds on the board - including three from Hawkins - before it registered its first major. In the meantime, Western Australia opened its account via Gumbleton. Metro kicked its first through Leigh Adams and when Dawes followed up soon after, the city slickers had an 11-point lead at quarter-time.

Western Australia gained the upper hand in the second term, booting five goals to two and by half-time the Sandgropers had a 16-point advantage.

Metro meant business early in the second half when Houli kicked truly and by three quarter-time the Vics had five goals to zip on the board. Consequently for the Sandgropers, they trailed by 21 points heading into the final stanza.

Vic Metro broke away to a 32-point lead early in the final term and although Western Australia registered three of the final four goals, it proved too late.

http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=risingstarprogram&spg=u18champsdisplay&articleid=276754

[one-eyed]

http://captured.net.au/gallery/view_album.php?set_albumName=natchamps06

Some photos from the U18 Champs Division One so far. No names come with the pics so you need to look at the teamlists on the first page of this thread to know who is who.

[one-eyed]

Thunder see off Rams
2:03:00 PM Sat 1 July, 2006
Matt Burgan
Exclusive to afl.com.au

NTHN.TERR: 4.6   7.12  12.19   14.22 (106)
NSW/ACT:    2.0   7.4    12.4     15.8 (98)

GOALS -
Northern Territory: Djerrkura 3, Calma-Holt 2, C.Rioli 2, Beugelaar, Campbell, Cubillo, Fittock, S.Rioli, Sharples, Wonaeamirri
NSW/ACT: Aalbers 4, Woods 3, McIntyre 2, Paine 2, Bird, Duryea, Stroobants, Wilsen

BEST -
Northern Territory: Djerrkura, Cubillo, C.Rioli, Cadona, Wonaeamirri, Calma-Holt
NSW/ACT: Aalbers, Bird, McIntyre, Paine, Wilsen, Woods

Umpires: Pattinson, Tuckett, Ritchie/Medlin (1/2 each)
at MC Labour Park, Carlton

Northern Territory has won the final two matches of its 2006 NAB AFL Under 18 Championships campaign, holding off a fast-finishing New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory by eight points on Saturday.

The Thunder 14.22 (106) defeated the Rams 15.8 (98) in the first of the final day's second division double-header at MC Labour Park in Carlton to finish the carnival with two wins and one loss against the red-hot Queensland.

Despite registering six consecutive majors - from late in the second term through to early in the third quarter - NSW/ACT was unable to chalk up its first win of this year's championships.

It capped off a disappointing finish for the combine, as NSW/ACT has not won a match in this tournament, since winning the second division title in 2003.

The dazzling Nathan Djerrkura was outstanding for the Territory. He finished the match with 25 touches, 10 marks and three goals in a highly entertaining performance. His ability to baulk, evade and take on opponents was testimony to the Northern Territory football flair.

Josh Cubillo, Cyril Rioli and Daniel Cadona were also key players for the Thunder with the trio racking up more than 70 disposals between them.

Rams captain Craig Bird was once again a key player for his side, winning 26 possessions, while Myles Aalbers was prominent up forward with four goals. Ben Woods also bagged three majors.

NSW/ACT kicked the opening goal of the match via Evan Duryea, as the Territory peppered the sticks early, but to no avail. The Thunder had five behinds on the board, before Djerrkura kicked two gems on the run. By quarter-time, the Thunder had four goals to two and an 18-point lead.

The Territory jumped out to a 26-point advantage early in the second term, but when NSW/ACT hit back with three in a row - including two in succession from Nick Paine -the Rams trailed by just eight points at the long break.

NSW/ACT continued its fightback early in the second half, when it landed the opening three goals of the third quarter. And when Woods booted his third, the Rams had opened up an eight-point lead.

But when Calma-Holt bobbed up with two in two minutes, the Territory was back in front and remained so for the rest of the quarter. Entering the final stanza, the Thunder led by 15 points.

NSW/ACT put up a fight in the final term, reducing the deficit to just three points, but when Charlie Sharples kicked truly just minutes before the final siren, the Thunder held on for victory.

http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=risingstarprogram&spg=u18champsdisplay&articleid=277573

[one-eyed]

Scorpions crowned champs
4:27:47 PM Sat 1 July, 2006
afl.com.au

QUEENSLAND: 3.4  4.7   7.12 12.16 (88)
TASMANIA:    1.1   3.4   5.4    7.7 (49)

GOALS -
Queensland: Eaton 3, Smith 2, Tippett 2, Urquhart 2, Dzufer, Petterd, Proud
Tasmania: Riewoldt 2, Williamson 2, Collier, Higgs, Kean

BEST -
Queensland: Petterd, Eaton, Kiel, Armitage, Urquhart, Proud,
Tasmania: Hislop, Thorp, Riewoldt, Mohr, Higgs, Kean

Umpires: Shepherdson, Craig, McCarthy
at MC Labour Park, Carlton


Queensland has won its first NAB AFL Under 18 Championships Division Two title since 1999, completing an undefeated run through this year's carnival by accounting for Tasmania by 39 points on Saturday.

The Scorpions 12.16 (88) defeated Tassie 7.7 (49) in the second match of the double-header at MC Labour Park in Carlton. Earlier in the day, the Northern Territory defeated New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory by eight points.

Queensland, a state that won these youth championships from 1953-58 and from 1963-73, has now won three titles in the under-18 format, as we know it today. It also won the 1997 second division championship.

It was Tasmania's second loss this year, with the Apple Isle going down to the Northern Territory and Queensland in its final two matches. The green and gold won the title in Division Two last year.

But it is set to be a huge year for Queensland, as a number of players are expected to be drafted in November - including Ricky Petterd, Albert Proud, David Armitage, Gavin Urquhart, Brent Renouf, Kurt Tippett and Jesse White, while the likes of Hayden Kiel and Daniel Dzufer will be right in the mix.

Against Tasmania, Petterd shone with 23 touches in a best-on-ground display, while Kiel, Armitage and Ryan Holman all won 20 possessions or more. Dane Eaton (three goals), Chris Smith (two), Tippett (two) and Urquhart (two) were also among the goals for Queensland.

For Tassie, Tom Hislop and Mitch Thorp were again fine players for their state, capping off a strong week. Jack Riewoldt and Mitch Williamson (two goals each) were the only multiple goalkickers for the Apple Isle.

Queensland started strongly, booting the opening three goals of the match. This included two goals from Smith. Tassie managed to open its account when Tom Collier kicked truly, just before the quarter-time siren. At the first break, the Scorpions led by 15 points.

The second term was a low-scoring affair, with the Apple Isle adding two goals to one. And when Kristan Higgs converted just before the half-time siren, the deficit was narrowed to nine points.

Queensland controlled the majority of the third term, with the Maroons booting four goals to one, which included two goals from Petterd.

As the Scorpions took a 20-point advantage into three quarter-time, a scuffle developed between both sides, after it had threatened to throughout the match. But after some pushing and shoving between the two teams, it petered out after about a minute.

Yet any thought of Tasmania knocking over Queensland was thwarted in the final term, when the Maroons added five goals to two, capping off a memorable week in Victoria for the Scorpions.

http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=risingstarprogram&spg=u18champsdisplay&articleid=277586

[one-eyed]

Round 3 results:

VICTORIA METROPOLITAN: 0.2 3.5 4.6 4.10 (34)
VICTORIA COUNTRY: 1.3 1.3 2.8 2.9 (21)

GOALS - Vic Metro: Gray 2, Horne, Mackay
Vic Country: M.Brown, Hansen

BEST - Vic Metro: Vasilevski, Adams, Veszpremi, Varsamakis, Gray, Kreuzer
Vic Country: Grigg, Eddy, Weeks, N.Brown, Williams, Ryan

Umpires: Raven, Dalgleish, Bowen
at MC Labour Park, Carlton

Match report:  http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=277729
---------------------------------

SOUTH AUSTRALIA: 1.2 4.8 6.8 9.11 (65)
WESTERN AUSTRALIA: 1.2 2.3 4.9 4.9 (33)

GOALS - South Australia: Thomas 3, Boyd, Button, Cunningham, Millar, Pfeiffer, Turner
Western Australia: Reimers 2, Browne, Masten

BEST - South Australia: Gibbs, Sellar, Hurley, Thomas, Schmidt, Caire, Jacobs
Western Australia: Masten, Reimers, Leuenberger, Virgo, Jetta, Hawksley

Umpires: Walker, Medlin, Ritchie
at MC Labour Park, Carlton

Match Report:  http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=277701

[one-eyed]

U18 Awards

LARKE MEDAL - DIVISION ONE:        Tom Hawkins (Victoria Metropolitan)
HARRISON MEDAL - DIVISION TWO: Ricky Petterd (Queensland)

2006 U18 ALL-AUSTRALIAN TEAM:

NSW/ACT:           Craig Bird
Northern Territory: Nathan Djerrkura
Queensland:         Ricky Petterd, David Armitage, Daniel Dzufer
South Australia:     Bryce Gibbs, Tom Hurley
Tasmania:           Mitchell Thorp, Tom Hislop
Victoria Country:   Nathan Brown, Daniel Connors, Robert Eddy, Shaun Grigg, Lachlan Hansen
Victoria Metro:      Leigh Adams, Jarryd Allen, Tom Hawkins, Patrick Veszpremi
Western Australia: Scott Gumbleton, Leroy Jetta, Matthew Leuenberger, Garry Moss


http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=277739