SOME Jack Lukosius magic has inspired South Australia to a hard-fought win over Vic Country in round two of the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships on Sunday.
The highly touted forward, who is being spoken of as a potential No.1 draft pick, kicked three goals and showed flashes of brilliance in the Croweaters' 27-point win at Adelaide Oval.
It was a tough, entertaining affair, and the difference was South Australia’s potent forward line, with Izak Rankine and Hugo Munn also booting three goals.
ALL THE SCORES Latest from the NAB AFL U18 Champs
Vic Country trailed by 25 points at three-quarter time, and narrowed that margin to 14 in the final term, but South Australia steadied to record an impressive victory.
Playing across half-back, seventeen-year-old Will Gould (16 possessions, six rebound 50s) was outstanding for the winners, as was Jez McLennan (17 touches, five marks).
SA captain Luke Valente led from the front with 16 disposals, 14 tackles and six clearances.
Opposing skipper Sam Walsh was similarly brilliant for his side. Walsh ended up with 25 possessions, 10 tackles and three clearances.
Xavier Duursma, the son of former Sydney and Melbourne-listed player Dean Duursma and the nephew of Jamie Duursma (59 games between Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne), showed plenty of dash from defence for Vic Country.
Duursma had 16 touches, five marks and four rebound 50s.
Other players to impress for Vic Country were Caleb Serong (15 possessions, two goals), who handled the conditions well, and Cooper Stephens (12 touches, four tackles, three clearances).
SOUTH AUSTRALIA 2.1 5.2 9.4 11.7 (73)
VIC COUNTRY 1.3 4.5 4.9 6.10 (46)
GOALS
South Australia: Lukosius, Rankine, Munn 3, Kennerley, Colwell
Vic Country: Serong, Garoni 2, Barzen, Flanders
BEST
South Australia: Gould, McLennan, Valente, Lukosius, Jarvis, Kennerley
Vic Country: Duursma, Walsh, Stephens, Reid, Serong, Berry
