WESTERN AUSTRALIA has taken another step towards defending its NAB AFL under-18 title with a 60-point thrashing of Tasmania at Casey Fields.

In the first of a triple-header of under-18 action on Saturday, WA was simply too strong for Tassie, winning 14.16 (100) to 6.4 (40) on a crisp but sunny morning at the Cranbourne complex.

The Apple Isle side was kept scoreless in the opening term with Western Australia racing to a 24-point lead.

From there, Tasmania was never really in the game as WA moved steadily ahead each term to set up its 10-goal win.

Kane Lucas was the primary ball-winner for WA with 20 disposals, while Mitch Marsh topped scored with four goals, Michael Walters booted three and Chris Yarran two with his seven tackles.

Highly-touted WA pair Nick Naitanui and Daniel Rich had solid games with the former dominating in the ruck with 19 hit-outs, and the latter having 16 touches, including seven entries into the forward 50.

Rich then complemented his day with an impressive running goal in the fourth.

For Tasmania, 2008 HC Harrison Medal winner Mitch Robinson had a game-high 28 disposals, and Jesse Crichton was the side's only multiple goalkicker with two.

Aaron Cornelius was impressive with a big second quarter.

Western Australia     3.6   7.8   10.12   14.16 (100)
Tasmania     0.0   3.3   4.3   6.4 (40)

GOALS
Western Australia: Marsh 4, Walters 3, Yarran 2, Lucas, DeBoer, Rich, Duncan, Jetta
Tasmania: Crichton 2, Cornelius, McCulloch, Salter, Shade

BEST
Western Australia: Yarran, Lucas, Naitanui, Fiegert, DeBoer, Rich
Tasmania: Robinson, Crichton, Allwright, Cornelius, Weller, Salter