The Croweaters have not won the championships since they changed from under-17s to under-18s in 1996. A win this Friday and again the following week against Western Australia would give them the title.
The two teams sit undefeated after the first three rounds of the championships and face off at Skilled Stadium this Friday.
AFL national talent manager Kevin Sheehan said the South Australians were a strong possibility to take out the title.
"They are going to be a real chance. They played unbelievably well to run over Vic Country a fortnight ago at Adelaide Oval," Sheehan told afl.com.au.
"They were inspired by Chad Wingard who kicked a brilliant goal. They are confident, they are in great form and teaming up well. They are going to be a chance."
South Australia goes in to the clash after a big win over Vic Country while Vic Metro had a 10-point win over WA at Patersons Stadium.
"With two great games last weekend there was nothing much between them. It was a great standard game. All the recruiters were saying they were two of the better games they had ever seen at this level," Sheehan said.
"There was not a lot between the whole four so we would expect something of that type again. It's a very even competition with enormous talent right across the board and playing some exciting brands of footy."
Sheehan said he had noticed an emergence of quality ruckmen in this year's championships.
"It's good to see ruckmen with a bit of size coming through. Billy Longer, Brodie Grundy and Myles Bolger have all impressed so far," he said.
"I think ruckmen might be the highest-ranked of any in the past 25 years. There's normally one in [the first round] and Grundy is too young to be picked this year. I don't think Bolger is in that bracket yet but Longer certainly is."
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.
