By JARROD POTTER
UNDER 18 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS – ROUND 1
A SHAKY start to its title defence greeted Vic Country across the Nullarbor last Sunday.
Fighting hard for three stanzas, the final refrain emphatically belonged to Western Australia as the hosts booted nine of the last 10 goals to put Vic Country in its place 19.11(125) to 10.4(64).
It was fairly even throughout the day at Perth, as neither side delivered a decisive blow in the first half, but eventually the Swans started their rapid ascent away from the Victorians.
From the dying stages of the third – after Stingrays midfielder Myles Poholke jagged a goal to put the side within four points – it was all one-way traffic.
Nothing Vic Country had in the tank matched the resurgent Western Australians who show no remnants of the side that was thoroughly beaten and battered throughout last year’s carnival.
It was in stark contrast to the opening term where Vic Country held court and forced the Swans to fight it out.
Josh Battle (four goals) jagged three quick goals in the first term – on a difficult day for the Doveton/Dandenong forward.
He had support from Poholke, Sam Fowler and Geelong’s Brett Blair alongside him up front, while the streaming centremen Jarrod Berry, Tommy Jok and Will Brodie gave plenty of drive.
But such was the Western force that Vic Country assistant coach Wayne Siekman believes the Swans have bounced back from its 2015 low in an extraordinary manner.
“It was actually a really good game – high standard and really competitive for three quarters,” Siekman said.
“Myles Poholke kicked a goal with five minutes to go in the third to get four points down, but from there they won three centre clearances and booted three goals at the end of that term.
“Momentum just continued and from 14 points down to 61-point loss was a bit disappointing but their form had been exceptional and the positive for us is that we were competitive for three quarters against a very impressive side.”
Siekman was impressed with the performances of Jok, Poholke and Battle from the local ranks while also highlighting the hard yards Vic Country debutants Fowler and Mitch McCarthy put in against the high-calibre opposition.
“Battle was great for us,” Siekman said.
“Kicked three goals in the space of three minutes in the first quarter – found space and most importantly was his kicking.
“Three of his four goals were set shots, dead straight through the middle and was vital to our forward line structure.
“He didn’t get many opportunities – as we had 29 inside 50s – but they took the opportunity when they did.
“He had five first gamers in the forward line around him and that was another string to his bow and good to see him pushing them along.”
Vic Country hosted Vic Metro on Monday morning at Simonds Stadium, with the match all but dictating Vic Country’s chances of defending the national championship.
“It’s a good chance for the boys to get back into it and get back to the country way of playing contested footy and one on one battles,” Siekman said.
U18 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
WESTERN AUSTRALIA 4.1 8.4 12.8 19.11 (125)
VIC COUNTRY 4.0 7.1 9.4 10.4 (64)
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
GOALS: Strnadica 4, Powell-Pepper 3, Wright 2, Baker 2, Bolton 2, Zurhaar 2, Guelfi, Waterman, Fisher, Clarke.
BEST: Powell-Pepper, Guelfi, Wright, Fisher, Waterman, Baker.
VIC COUNTRY
GOALS: Battle 4, Poholke 2, Jok, Brodie, Fowler, Blair.
BEST: McCluggage, Atley, Jok, Brodie, Battle, Poholke.
