THE NSW/ACT Rams will try to maintain their giant-killing run when the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships move to Casey Fields for a triple-header this weekend.
NSW/ACT will take on Vic Metro in what looms as the match of the day after the Rams' victories in their past two matches – including an upset win over Vic Country – to move to second on the division one ladder.
Vic Metro is unbeaten from three matches and appears to be on a collision course for a championship-decider with Western Australia next week.
But first they must overcome a talented NSW/ACT side.
While NSW/ACT captain Ranga Ediriwickrama is in doubt with a hamstring injury, AFL youth and high performance coordinator Jason McCartney says Collingwood NSW Scholarship holder Scott Reed is another the home team will have to watch.
“His flexibility is great, being able to hold down a key position or push into the midfield,” McCartney said.
Vic Metro’s side is jam-packed with stars.
While Metro is blessed with talent on every line, its big men have perhaps shone brightest during the championships.
Key forward Jack Watts has stamped his class in a couple of matches, booting four goals in his side’s opening win over Vic Country before a powerful five-goal display against South Australia.
“He has great agility, great lateral movement and the ball just melts into his hands,” McCartney said.
The day will kick off with a clash between Tasmania and Western Australia.
While Tasmania hasn’t won a match in the carnival, it too has plenty of emerging players with Tom Salter among the class performers in these championships.
Western Australia has generated plenty of interest with some highly-touted youngsters likely to feature prominently at draft time later in the year.
They have all performed strongly, helping the Sandgropers to a 3-0 record from three matches.
Fans who turn out to Casey Fields on Saturday will be able to see the much-talked about Nick Naitanui.
McCartney said while he would like to see the hugely-athletic youngster win more of the ball, he was an excitement machine.
“Because he shows so much we tend to mark his card a bit harshly … but anything he does in contested situations is quite extraordinary,” McCartney said.
Vic Country and South Australia will meet at 12.15pm, with both sides in search of their second win of the championships.
Teams won’t have much time to back up from Saturday’s matches, with another triple-header at Telstra Dome on Wednesday to conclude the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.
Broadcast guide for next Wednesday
Twelve of the standouts from this year's NAB AFL Under-18 Championships
NAB AFL Under-18 Champioinships Footy Record (pdf version)
