STUNNING home state victories by Western Australia and South Australia has really spiced up the competition following the opening round in division one of the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships on the weekend.
At Subiaco Oval on Saturday, as the curtain-raiser to the Fremantle and Carlton clash, the Western Australians outran and outplayed Vic Metro in an impressive 47-point win.
Elusive left-footed Rhys Palmer ran rampant with 34 possessions and five goals for the Sandgropers as Western Australia searches for its first title since 1999.
The Victorians have had a strangle hold on these championships – Vic Metro has won five and Vic Country has won two – as they have won all seven titles since Western Australia last won in 1999.
Palmer also had plenty of mates also run rings around more fancied opponents.
Defenders David Myers (28 disposals), Simon Starling (13 possessions and six hard-ball gets), Alex Rance (17 touches and four marks) and Tayte Pears (18 possessions) conceded little to their opponents and provided great rebound.
Chris Masten, Pat McGinnity and Cale Morton delivered the level of skill and hard-running necessary and set up constant supply to the forwards.
Vic Metro ruckman Matthew Kreuzer (17 possessions and 23 hit-outs) and captain Jack Grimes (20 disposals and two goals) were among the few players to get anywhere near their capabilities.
At AAMI Stadium on Sunday, South Australia jumped Vic Country with six goals to one in the first quarter and ran out equally impressive winners by 50 points in a twilight match, which followed the West Coast and Adelaide clash.
South Australia provided swift movement of the ball and team orientations under new coach Brenton Phillips (ex-Essendon and Brisbane).
Rebounding defenders Levi Greenwood (23 possessions) and Jared Petrenko (12 disposals) were outstanding for South Australia.
The Croweaters were also well led by skipper Brad Ebert – the cousin of Port Adelaide's Brett. He rotated from deep in the forward line to midfield and was impressive.
Creative small forwards Hamish Hartlett (three goals) and Matthew Wright (four majors) added class to their set-up, along with Lee Staple, who provided a mobile target.
Vic Country's Dan McKenna worked hard for his team, both back and forward, with 25 possessions, while Ben McEvoy (25 touches and 10 marks) was also a valuable contributor.
Under the round robin format of the competition, winners from round one play the losers at Skilled Stadium in Geelong on Friday, which promises to be a fascinating group of matches.
Western Australia will play Vic Country at 11am and South Australia will take on Vic Metro at 1:30pm.
The final round of division-one matches will be held at MC Labour Park on Wednesday, July 11, when the ultimate title holder will emerge.
