2011 U18 National Championships

[one-eyed]

Wingard leads SA to big win
By Katrina Gill
3:29 PM Sat 11 Jun, 2011

South Australia     5.4  10.9  14.14  19.19 (133)
NSW/ACT             2.3    5.4    6.4      9.4  (58)

GOALS
South Australia: McDonough 5, Kennedy, Mayes 4, Murdoch 2, Forster, Neale, Simpson, Toumpas
NSW/ACT: Flagg, Cunningham 2, Milne, Potter, Ryan, Morris, Moller

BEST
South Australia: Forster, Laird, Wingard, Raikiwasa, Toumpas, Grundy, Mayes, McDonough
NSW/ACT: Morris, Coward, Witts, Taylor

Stats:
http://www.afl.com.au/tabid/17944/default.aspx?cid=aflpromo_strip_u18s#fixtureid=5737&tab=Stats

---------------------------------------------------------------------

SOUTH Australian captain Chad Wingard has delivered on his promise as a potential top-five pick at this year's NAB AFL Draft, guiding the Croweaters to a comfortable 75-point win over NSW/ACT in week two of the Under-18 Championships at AAMI Stadium on Saturday.

Wingard picked up 24 possessions against the Rams, including 18 in a dominant first-half display to help set up the 19.19 (133) to 9.4 (58) win.

The Sturt onballer, who also won five clearances, was shifted out of the midfield when the floodgates opened in the second half, and finished the game on the bench.

SA's 'bottom-aged' forwards also played starring roles in the win.

Woodville-West Torrens forward Matt McDonough (five goals), Glenelg star Ben Kennedy (four goals) and lively Port Magpies utility Sam Mayes (four goals) combined to kick 13 of the team's 19 goals.

Mayes' performance equalled his four-goal haul in the team's win over Queensland last weekend.

Kennedy, 17, and McDonough, 17, are both ineligible to be drafted, but either (or both) can be listed by Greater Western Sydney as one/two of four 17-year-olds, who can then be on-traded to an interested club.

Kennedy, who was playing his first game of the championships, is the shortest player in the team (174cm) but his poise, pressure skills and neat left foot have already seen him become a star at SANFL level.

Mayes, who only turned 17 last month, doesn't fall into GWS' January-April , 1994 window and can't be drafted by an AFL club until next year.

The 187cm utility kicked the opening two goals of the game, displaying strong marking skills and also agility to win the ground ball.

Midfielder Mitch Grigg (23 possessions and six clearances), attacking defender Alex Forster (22 possessions and nine marks) and Rory Laird (19 disposals) were also instrumental.

Ashley Morris was lively across half-forward for the Rams, amassing 25 touches, six marks and a goal.

Defender Matt Lodge also gathered 25 possessions and showed great courage, taking an inspirational pack mark in the first quarter.

Collingwood scholarship holder Jarrod Witts (17 hit-outs and 18 possessions) enjoyed a good battle with Brodie Grundy (14 disposals and 20 hit-outs).

David Coward (17 possessions) also displayed good speed and poise.

The margin was only 19 points at quarter-time, but the home team doubled the visitors' score after the first change, kicking 14 goals to the visitors' seven to record its second win of the championships.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/116061/default.aspx

[one-eyed]

Vic Metro smash Queensland
By Jason Phelan
Sat 11 Jun, 2011

Vic Metro                    4.4   6.8   11.12  17.17  (119)
Queensland                 2.1   5.2   5.4       5.4     (34)

GOALS
Vic Metro: J Patton 6, T Curran 2, T Greene, L Sumner, T Totevski, H Crozier, D Markworth, D Tyson, B Ellis, S Frost, B Longer

Queensland: J Starcevich 2, L Russ, J Rolfe, A Sexton



BEST

Vic Metro: J Patton, B Longer, T Greene, J Viney, T Totevski, L Sumner
Queensland: R Newell, J Allen, A Boston, J Starcevich, J Wagner, T Fields

Stats:
http://www.afl.com.au/tabid/17944/default.aspx?cid=aflpromo_strip_u18s#fixtureid=5739&tab=Stats

--------------------------------------------------------------------

VIC METRO forward Jonathon Patton booted six goals to propel his team to an emphatic 85-point win against Queensland in the second round fixture of the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships at Visy Park on Saturday.

Six months out from the NAB AFL Draft, Patton is widely regarded as the favourite to be claimed first overall by Greater Western Sydney and his performance in the 17.17 (119) to 5.4 (34) win only enhanced his credentials.

Patton took 11 marks and kicked 6.4 in a display that saw him adjudged best on ground by coach Rohan Welsh and earned him the praise of AFL national talent manager Kevin Sheehan.

"We saw today why he is talked of so highly," Sheehan said.

"Patton is a special talent up forward. His contested marking ability and his marking on the lead are excellent. He just tracks the ball so well in the air. He's got massive hands and just looks like he's not going to fumble the ball when it's in his area.

"He's got a great leap, takes off early to make it nearly impossible for the defender behind him to spoil and clunks the mark. He was a little bit off target today, but he was still the most important player on the ground."

Patton's ability to burst through packs has seen him likened to Brisbane Lions' forward Jonathan Brown and it was an attempt to do just that in the third quarter that saw the 197cm youngster come off second best.

He crashed to the ground in pain before limping from the field, but allayed fears of any serious damage when he came back on just a few minutes later.

Metro ruckman Billy Longer, a hard figure to miss at 202cm, used his height and bulk to his advantage and was also a key player in the win.

The Metro onball brigade took control of the contest in a second half in which the division two Queensland team was only able to muster two points against its division one rivals.

Toby Greene worked tirelessly throughout to finish with 24 possessions and a goal with Jack Viney, bound for Melbourne via the father-son rule, also busy with 17 touches and five clearances. Liam Sumner also caught the eye through the middle with 20 disposals.

Hawthorn father-son prospect Tom Curran, son of Peter, worked into the game after a slow start and finished with 15 possessions and two goals.

Richard Newell was Queensland's best player with 17 touches in an outgunned midfield with two other father-son eligible players in Jackson Starcevich and Tom Fields also ranked among their team's best players.

Starcevich is the son of Collingwood's Craig and Fields is the son of the Bombers' Neville and their progress through the carnival will be followed closely by the two AFL clubs after Saturday's performances.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/116074/default.aspx

[one-eyed]

Vic Country coast past NT
By Jason Phelan
11/06/2011 5:54 PM

Vic Country                    2.4   6.7   10.12  14.14  (98)



Northern Territory          0.4   3.6     7.6      9.11  (65)



GOALS

Vic Country: D Smith 6, F Dale 2, T Elton, S Wyatt, S Dobson, B O'Hanlon, S Deery, C Smith

Northern Territory: G Turner 3, L Lawler 2, J Anderson 2, A Tipungwuti, N Morrison  



BEST

Vic Country: D Smith, T Elton, C Smith, S Dobson, S Wyatt, N O'Brien
Northern Territory: J Neade, J Anderson, L Michell, B Rioli, B McLean, J Wilson

Stats:
http://www.afl.com.au/tabid/17944/default.aspx?cid=aflpromo_strip_u18s#fixtureid=5738&tab=Stats

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

VIC COUNTRY onballer Devon Smith kicked six goals to guide his team to a 33-point win against the Northern Territory in the second round of the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships at Visy Park on Saturday.

Smith was clearly best on ground, gathering 27 possessions in the 14.14 (98) to 9.11 (65) win.

The Geelong Falcon had seven clearances and went inside 50 on seven occasions in a display that caught the eye of AFL national talent manager Kevin Sheehan.

"Smith just gives the game energy every time he goes near the ball; he's electrifying," Sheehan said.

"He plays with great intensity and you top that off with great skill, pace and agility. He doesn't stop once it gets into his area.

"He's a prolific ball winner and just an exciting player to watch."

Although Smith was the standout, Country had plenty of contributors.

Tall forward Todd Elton is an imposing figure at 197cm, but moved like a midfielder in gathering 23 disposals and booting two goals. Sam Dobson and Brett O'Hanlon were also impressive in forward roles and took nine and eight marks respectively.

Jake Neade was the Territory's best player with 21 touches and six inside 50s with Jed Anderson, whose 22-disposal effort was punctuated by a brilliant pack mark, also prominent. 

Anderson has been claimed by Greater Western Sydney as part of the new club's zone concessions, but will spend this year back in the Territory before returning for the Giants' inaugural season.

"He's only 17 still so he's got plenty of time," Sheehan said of Anderson's return home.

"He was spectacular at times today. His mark would have been contender for mark of the week in the AFL. He showed some great athletic ability and competitiveness and just played with excellent spirit throughout."

http://www.afl.com.au/tabid/17944/default.aspx?cid=aflpromo_strip_u18s#fixtureid=5738&tab=Recap

[one-eyed]

WA too good for Tassie
By Nathan Schmook
4:30 PM Sun 12 Jun, 2011

Western Australia    5.3  9.5  12.7  17.13 (115)

Tasmania                0.0  0.1   3.4     4.4 (28)

GOALS
Western Australia: Yarran 5, Coniglio 4, Hamling 3, Taylor 2, Gault, Peters
Tasmania: Riley 2, Hislop, McNab

BEST
Western Australia: Coniglio, Garlett, O'Meara, Yarran, Gault, Taylor
Tasmania: Lonergan, Allison, Hislop, Musicka   

Stats:
http://www.afl.com.au/tabid/17944/default.aspx#fixtureid=5740&tab=Stats

-------------------------------------------------------------------

WESTERN Australia midfielder Stephen Coniglio has put in a dominant 22-possession performance against Tasmania to drive his side to an emphatic 87-point win in round two of the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.

Coniglio, who is regarded as the best junior midfielder in the country and a likely top-two draft pick six months out from the NAB AFL draft, also booted four goals as WA beat Tasmania 17.13 (115) to 4.4 (28) in a one-sided match at Patersons Stadium.

The talented 17-year-old is yet to decide if he will pursue cricket or football, but his family has denied reports that he will sit out of this year's draft because he doesn't want to play for Greater Western Sydney, which has the first three selections.

Coniglio did his best work in tight at the stoppages, winning a game-high seven clearances despite close attention from his Tasmanian opponents.

He headlined a long list of star performers for WA, with talented forward Chris Yarran, who is not eligible for this year's draft, booting 5.3 and taking 10 marks.

Damaging left-foot midfielder Dayle Garlett starred in the first half and finished with 28 possessions and 10 inside 50s, while tough onballer Jaeger O'Meara had 26 possessions, five clearances and six inside 50s.

They are also ineligible for this year's draft, but, along with Yarran, can enter a one-off draft during the 2011 trade period and join an AFL club a year before they would otherwise be eligible.

Players born between January 1 and April 30, 1994 are eligible for the 'mini draft', which is part of GWS's concessions. Clubs can then trade players to the new franchise in exchange for the right to select one of the 17-year-olds.

Tasmania midfielder Jesse Lonergan was clearly his side's best player, finishing with 19 possessions and six clearances.

Martyn Allison (20 possessions), Zac Hislop (11 and five clearances) and Michael Musicka also put in eye-catching performances.

WA kicked the first nine goals of the match, with Tasmania kicking its first goal five minutes into the third term.

Play was held up for three minutes at the start of the third quarter after Tasmania's Trad Duggan was concussed in a contest and taken from the field on a stretcher.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/116118/default.aspx

[one-eyed]

Eye-catchers from week 2 of the U18 Champs:

http://bigpondvideo.com/AFL/362745/u18s-eye-catchers/

Devon Smith (Vic Country)
Jed Anderson (NT)
Jonathan Patton (Vic Metro)
Jackson Starcevich (Qld)
Chad Wingard (SA)
Ashley Morris (NSW/ACT)
Stephen Coniglio (WA)
Jessie Lonergan (Tas) ... only 16 y.o. and nephew of Sam at Essendon

[one-eyed]

South Aust.    19.9-123
Vic Country    11.11-77

SA
Goals: Kennedy 4, McDonough 4, Grigg 3, Wingard 2, Mayes 2, Hender 2, Toumpas, Grundy

Disposals: Wingard 27, Grigg 21, Kennedy 20, McKenzie 20, Neale 19

Vic C
Goals: Whitfield 2, Pongracic 2, Gordon 2, O'Brien, C. Smith, Elton, D.Smith, Wright

Disposals: Whitfield 20, Crouch 20, O'Brien 19, C.Smith 19, Adams 19

http://www.afl.com.au/tabid/17944/default.aspx#fixtureid=5741&tab=Stats

[one-eyed]

SA upsets Vic Country
By Katrina Gill
4:55 PM Sat 18 Jun, 2011

A BEST-ON-GROUND performance from skipper Chad Wingard has inspired South Australia to an upset 46-point win over Victoria Country at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships at Adelaide Oval on Saturday.

Vic Country dominated the play in the first half and deserved to be more than 22 points in front at the main change, but left the door open for SA with some errant goalkicking.

Led by Wingard, tough onballer Mitch Grigg, left-footer Brad McKenzie and influential ruckman Brodie Grundy, the home team started winning the ball out of the centre in the third quarter and piled on 14 goals to four in the second half to record a convincing 19.9 (123) to 11.11 (77) win.

Wingard, who has been touted as a potential top-five pick in this year's draft, accumulated 27 possessions (12 contested), five clearances and two goals, including a brilliant left-foot snap from the boundary line to put SA within a point of Vic Country in the third quarter.

Grigg gathered 21 touches, three goals and a game-high nine clearances, while McKenzie finished with 20 disposals playing across half-back and through the midfield.

Grundy (36 hit-outs) was the dominant ruckman on the ground and defenders Rory Laird and Alex Forster, and big man Aseri Raikiwasa continued their
impressive championships.

Glenelg star Ben Kennedy worked his way into the game, picking up 11 handball receives in a midfield/forward role. He also finished the day with four goals, including two in SA's last-quarter blitz.

Kennedy is ineligible to be drafted this year, but can be pre-listed by Greater Western Sydney as one of four 17-year-olds, who can then be on-traded to an interested club.

Woodville-West Torrens forward Matt McDonough, who can also be pre-listed as a 17-year-old by GWS, backed up his impressive five-goal haul against NSW/ACT last weekend, with another four goals on Saturday.

Defender Josh Tynan starred in defence for Vic Country, picking up 17 possessions (12 contested) and displaying a clean pair of hands to take eight marks.

Midfielders Clay Smith (19 possessions and a goal) and Brad Crouch (20 possessions) worked hard, and 16-year-old sensation Lachie Whitfield (20 disposals and two goals) once again showed his class.

The win means South Australia remains undefeated at the championships, and move to the top of the division one ladder.

The other two unbeaten teams at the tournament, West Australia and Vic Metro, will meet at Patersons Stadium on Sunday.

South Australia     2.1  4.5  14.14  19.9 (123)
Victoria Country   3.5  7.9  8.10    11.11  (77)

GOALS
South Australia: McDonough, Kennedy 4, Grigg 3, Hender, Mayes, Wingard 2, Grundy, Toumpas
Victoria Country: S.Gordon, Pongracic, Whitfield 2, Elton, N.O'Brien, C.Smith, D.Smith, Wright

BEST
South Australia: Raikiwasa, Grundy, McKenzie, Wingard, Laird, Kennedy, Forster
Victoria Country: Tynan, N.O'Brien, C.Smith, Whitfield, Wright

INJURIES:
South Australia: Hender (ankle)
Victoria Country: Buntine (corked quad)

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/116543/default.aspx

[one-eyed]

Vic Metro shades WA
By Nathan Schmook
3:44 PM Sun 19 Jun, 2011


Western Australia    2.2   7.3   9.6   11.9 (75)
Vic Metro               1.6   5.9   8.10   12.13 (85)

Goals
Western Australia: Yarran 3, Coniglio 2, Newman 2, Garlett 2, Eardley, Hamling
Vic Metro: Crozier 4, Patton 4, Viney, Tyson, Hoskin-Elliot, Bussey  

Best
Western Australia: Coniglio, Bolger, Garlett, Newman, O'Meara, Nelson
Vic Metro: Patton, Viney, Longer, Crozier, Hoskin-Elliot, Greene

Full stats:
http://www.afl.com.au/tabid/17944/default.aspx#fixtureid=5742&tab=Stats
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

VIC METRO forward Jonathon Patton has continued his standout form in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, kicking four goals to lead his side to a 10-point win over Western Australia at Patersons Stadium on Sunday.

In a heavyweight clash involving the cream of this year's underage talent, Patton stood up in the second half and reaffirmed his status as the likely No.1 pick at this year's NAB AFL Draft.

The talented youngster took nine marks for the game, including six contested, and kicked a superb running goal from tight on the boundary late in third quarter.  

Patton's main rival to be claimed with Greater Western Sydney's first pick, WA midfielder Stephen Coniglio, was the game's other standout player, finishing with 25 possessions (11 contested), two goals and eight inside 50s.

The talented 17-year-old is yet to decide if he will pursue football or cricket, but he reaffirmed his status as the best junior midfielder in the country, willing his side to fight back from a four-goal margin late in the fourth quarter.

In a highly entertaining clash, Western Australia took a two-point lead into the final quarter before tiring and conceding four straight goals to the visitors.

Vic Metro forward Hayden Crozier, who kicked four goals, provided the highlight of the carnival so far, taking a soaring pack mark late in the second quarter.

The 17-year-old ran back with the flight of Patton's long forward entry, leaping over three WA opponents and getting a boost to take a classic mark.

Another highlight of the match was the battle between highly rated ruckmen Billy Longer from Vic Metro and WA's Myles Bolger.

Longer, who finished with 28 hit-outs and four contested marks, took the points and firmed as a top three pick for Greater Western Sydney, but Bolger was impressive.

At ground level, Victorians Jack Viney (23 possessions, 14 contested and eight clearances), Will Hoskin-Elliot (eight inside 50s and a goal) and Toby Greene (22 possessions and six inside 50s) were excellent.

WA youngsters Jaeger O'Meara (22 possessions and six clearances), Dayle Garlett (two goals) and Chris Yarran (three) continued to impress, but are ineligible for this year's draft.

They can, however, enter a one-off draft during the 2011 trade period and join an AFL club a year before they would otherwise be eligible as part of GWS's concessions.

Players born between January 1 and April 30, 1994 are eligible for the 'mini draft', which will see clubs trade players to the new franchise in exchange for the right to select one of the 17-year-olds.  

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/116601/default.aspx

[one-eyed]

Queensland too good
By Michael Whiting
4:00 PM Sat 25 Jun, 2011

Queensland:               3.2     6.3    9.7    15.9 (99)
Northern Territory:      2.1    4.6    7.7      9.7 (61)

GOALS
Queensland: Cameron 2, Michael 2, Starcevich 2, Oxley 2, Thurlow 2, Boston, Davidson, Fields, Rolfe, Russ
Northern Territory: Turner 4, Collinson, Nundhirribala, Stokes, D.Williams, Tipungwuti

BEST
Queensland: Michael, Boston, Newell, Tucker, Fields, Overington, Allen
Northern Territory: Turner, Neade, Stokes, Wilson, Anderson, Stafford

---------------------------------------------------------------

A DOMINANT performance from highly-rated half-back Jackson Allen has spearheaded Queensland's 38-point win over the Northern Territory in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships at Metricon Stadium on Saturday.

Allen had 10 disposals in the first quarter, 11 in the second and finished with 30 and 12 marks in a dominant display in the back half.

After a tight contest all day - in which the hosts led by seven, nine and 12 at each change - Queensland powered away with a six goals to two final term to win 15.9 (99) to 9.7 (63).

They dominated possession (368-254 disposals and 127-72 marks) and deserved the final margin of victory.

Allen ran without an opponent for much of the day and made the Territory pay, with his superb ball use setting up much of Queensland's good play.

National talent manager Kevin Sheehan was full of praise for the 18-year-old.

"His elite kicking was superb, just his use of the ball," Sheehan said.

"He showed he could take an overhead mark by standing on their shoulders in the first quarter and his work from setting up the game in the back half was super.

"He was the most influential player on the field."

Tom Fields, son of former Essendon player Neville, would be making Bombers fans happy with his continued good form in the carnival.

Fields had 27 disposals and 13 marks and his strong left boot was featured best with a 55m goal in the final term to put Queensland out of sight.

Midfielder Tom Overington worked hard for his 31 disposals.

For the Northern Territory, forward Gibson Turner almost was a standout in the first half, kicking three goals, and finishing with four for the match.

Turner led and jumped at the ball well for his eight marks and 12 disposals.

Gun midfielder Jed Anderson was kept quiet in the first quarter by Richard Newell but worked his way into the match with 15 disposals.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/117075/default.aspx

[one-eyed]

U18s: Tassie pips NSW/ACT

Tasmania    3.2    6.8    12.13    13.13 (91)
NSW/ACT    2.2    4.5    5.9       10.13 (73)

GOALS
Tasmania: Dobosz 4, McCulloch 2, McKenzie 2, Jenkins, Joseph, Smith, Webster, Musicka
NSW/ACT: Johns 2, Hampton 2, Cunningham, Breust, Lynch, Potter, Guthrie, Ryan

BEST
Tasmania: McKenzie, Mihocek, Hislop, Brown, Dobosz, Webster
NSW/ACT: Lynch, Black, Guthrie, Stevens, Milne, Cunningham

----------------------------------------------------------------------

IMPRESSIVE performances by John McKenzie and Ben Brown helped Tasmania record their first victory of the NAB U18 AFL Championships, defeating NSW/ACT by 18 points at Aurora Stadium on Saturday.

The victory was set up for the home team in the first three quarters as ruckman Ben Brown dominated all over the ground, accumulating 12 possessions and 12 hit-outs before injuring his shoulder early in the third term to take no further part in the team’s 13.13 (91) to 10.13 (73) victory.

Midfielder John McKenzie elevated his NAB AFL Draft prospects with a scintillating first half, racking up 19 of his 25 disposals while Brody Mihocek was lively with 24 possessions and 7 marks.

Julian Dobosz was also influential in the victory with the forward kicking four goals from his 17 touches.

The game appeared out of reach for NSW/ACT at three-quarter-time with the team trailing by 46-points, but an inspired eight possession quarter by Tom Stevens got the RAMS to within two straight kicks before time got the better of them.

Forward Jack Lynch played a consistent four-quarter match with one goal among his 14 touches while Beau Black competed well all game.

NSW/ACT started well, kicking the first goal of the match but Tasmania hit back almost instantly as Ben Brown started to find plenty of the football while winning the centre bounce and clearances. Tasmania appeared to be harder at the football and went into the first change with a six-point lead.

With the momentum behind them, Tasmania continued their high intensity game kicking the first three goals of the quarter as McKenzie continued to win the ball out of the midfield. The home team had an opportunity to go into the main break with a comfortable lead but squandered their chances, kicking six behinds and two out-of-bounds on the full for the term.
Two goals to Tasmanian John McKenzie in the third quarter all but put the game out of reach for the RAMS as the home team piled on six goals to one to head into the last break with a 46-point lead.

NSW/ACT came out determined to get their way back into the contest in the final quarter and despite getting to within two goals, Tasmania steadied to record their first win of the championships.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/117074/default.aspx

[one-eyed]

The top two - SA vs Vic Metro - play each other this weekend...

Kevin Sheehan's players to watch this week:

SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Mitchell Grigg:
Shifter says: A left-footer from Norwood who has averaged 21 disposals a game. He kicked three goals against Vic Country and had 15 contested possessions so he is winning the inside footy. He also had eight clearances, three tackles and nine inside 50s so those numbers show he's been a key player in the middle of the ground.

Brodie Grundy:
Shifter says: Has been giving great supply to the South Australian mids. He is a 17-year-old and is a vastly improved young player who was picked out of the under-16s last year into the AIS Academy as a guy who hadn't played much footy. He had been a basketballer but he has improved rapidly in each of their three games. His hit-outs to advantage have been sensational to Grigg and Ben Kennedy. He will have an interesting duel with Vic Metro captain Billy Longer.

VIC METRO
Will Hoskin-Elliott:
Shifter says: 182cm midfielder from the Western Jets. He is such a clean ball-handler, runs all day and can kick long on his right and left. His gathering of the ball in congested situations is great. He can break out of those with his pace and was a terrific player over at the big open spaces of Patersons Stadium.

Sam Frost:
Shifter says: Can be the swingman. He can play centre half-back and has pushed forward to play well. He is 193cm from the Sandringham Dragons.
He has a volleyball background and that showed when he performed a 'dig' in a game. It came to him at waist height and he dug the ball like you would in volleyball.

VIC COUNTRY:
Clay Smith:
Shifter says: A left-footer from Gippsland Power. He is an 180cm, 78kg inside midfielder. He is averaging 18 disposals, six clearances and four tackles. 60 per cent of his footy is contested so he goes after the hard ball. His leadership has been very obvious out on the ground. You can see from over the fence the way he brings the group together.

Josh Tynan:
Shifter says: Also from Gippsland Power, Tynan is a very composed player across half-back. He stood up very well when they were beaten by SA. He is cool and composed in defence and courageous in the air.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Myles Bolger:
Shifter says: A ruckman from South Fremantle. Missed all of last year with an injured foot but has really started to come good recently. He had a great clash last week with Billy Longer and there are a couple of ruckmen to keep an eye on.

Dale Garlett:
Shifter says: He is in that trade incentive age bracket and he really is a classy player. A left-footer averaging 19 disposals. He is the cousin of Carlton's Jeff and has really clean hands, smart goal sense and special awareness. He stands out with his game sense and moves beautifully. He has a great feel for the game and is a classy mover. Clubs can trade with GWS to choose him.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/117320/default.aspx

[one-eyed]

Patton stars in Vic Metro win
By Ben Guthrie
Fri 01 Jul, 2011

Vic Metro               3.2   4.5   9.7   10.16 (76)
South Australia      1.3   3.4   6.5     7.8   (50)

Goals:
Metro: Patton 5, Frost, Curran, Woodward, Viney, Tyson
South Australia: Hender 2, Kennedy 2, McDonough, Grigg, Mayes

Best:
Metro: Patton, Longer, Ellis, Sumner, Kennedy, Newnes, Greene, Viney
South Australia: McKay, Amato, Mayes, Neale

Stats:
http://www.afl.com.au/tabid/17944/default.aspx#fixtureid=5745&tab=Stats
--------------------------------------------------------------------

Gun Vic Metro forward Jonathon Patton has booted five goals as his team prevailed by 26 points over South Australia in round four of the NAB U18 AFL Championships at Skilled Stadium.

Patton was again a class above the competition leaping for high balls and utilising strong body-work in marking situations, as he grabbed eight marks (five contested).

Metro are now the only unbeaten side in the Division One competition, which puts them in a commanding position going in to their clash with Vic County next Wednesday.

Highly-rated South Australian draft prospect, Chad Wingard, was concussed in the first quarter after his head was slammed in to the turf in a strong tackle.

Wingard, who is renowned for his athleticism and ball use, left the field just before the quarter time siren and did not return for the rest of the game.

It was a major blow for his team’s chances, and Wingard’s absence seemed to spark Metro who started to generate crucial outside run and carry.

Metro midfielder Toby Greene was pivotal in this area racking up 23 possessions and seven clearances, while Alex Woodward took his chance with 19 possessions and six inside 50s.

Metro led by seven points at half time and had extended that margin to 20 at three quarter time, by booting five goals to three in the third quarter as Patton began to assert himself on the contest.

South Australian forward Lewis Hender tried to keep his team within striking distance with two goals in the third quarter, but Metro’s weight of inside 50 entries (49-29) proved difficult to defend.

Through the midfield, Mitchell Grigg (17 possessions) also toiled hard for the Croweaters, along with Sam Mayes who showed his strong aerial skills with 13 possessions and eight marks

In the end, it was Patton’s dominance up forward coupled with the constant supply from the Metro midfield that was the difference.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/117587/default.aspx

[one-eyed]

Vic Country teaches WA a lesson
By Ben Guthrie
Fri 01 Jul, 2011

Vic Country             3.1    7.2     9.8    12.13 (85)
Western Australia    2.1    4.3     5.4      5.6 (36)
   

Goals:
Vic Country: Whitfield 3, O’Brien 2, Whitfield 2, Adams, C.Smith, Pongragic, Crouch, O’Hanlon, Ross
Western Australia: O’Meara 2, Yarran 2, Schloithe


Best:
Country: Docherty, Schache, C. Smith, Pongragic, O’Hanlon, Kelly
WA: Schloithe, Jupp, Nelson, Bulger, Eardley

Stats:
http://www.afl.com.au/tabid/17944/default.aspx#fixtureid=5746&tab=Stats
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Vic Country have put in a dominant team performance triumphing by 49-points against Western Australia in round four of the NAB U18 AFL Championships at Skilled Stadium.

Country played as a tight unit and gave Western Australia a footballing lesson, their hard work allowing them to create a number of scoring opportunities.

Country midfielder Taylor Adams encapsulated his team’s display with 20 hard earned possessions (nine contested) and six tackles.

Another to impress was Sam Docherty who repelled solidly from defence with 21 possessions and five rebound 50s.

It was his first game of the championships, but the occasion did not appear to faze him as he displayed good composure in defence.

The win was engineered during the second quarter as Country kicked four goals to Western Australia’s two.

Country were prepared to block for each other which allowed them to create space through the centre corridor and develop a number of scoring opportunities.

Country easily won the tackle count (51-33) which highlighted their strong work ethic and intense mindset.

They were also efficient with their ball use, often pin-pointing passes to team-mates in dangerous positions.

Small forward Clay Smith kicked two goals to go along with his 21 possessions, while highly rated 17-year-old Lachlan Whitfield showed his class with three goals and 17 possessions.

For Western Australia Haiden Schloithe worked hard through the middle with 17 possessions, while Shane Nelson was prolific with 35 possessions

In the back half, Riley Hutchinson was creative and provided some overlap from the back half.

Country booted three goals to Western Australia’s nothing in the last quarter, as they put their stamp on a clinical team performance.

It was a snapshot of the entire game, and will give Country much needed confidence going in to their clash with Vic Metro next Wednesday.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/117601/default.aspx

[one-eyed]

Round 5
Wednesday July 6
5.35pm Vic Metro v Vic Country - Etihad Stadium
7.35pm SA v WA - Etihad Stadium

Bump.

Just a reminder the final round of the U18 Champs is on tonight at Etihad.

The Vic Metro vs Vic Country match will be shown live on Foxsports from 5.30pm.

[one-eyed]

Half-time

Vic Metro     3.8-26
Vic Country  1.6-12


What's people's thought of Andrew Boseley (VC's FB) on Jonathon Patton (VM's FF)?