U/18 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS, DIVISION 1 South Australia vs Vic Country City Mazda Stadium, SA Sunday June 16 SOUTH AUSTRALIA 4.3 6.8 9.10 11.13 (79) VIC COUNTRY 1.1 3.4 6.4 6.9 (45) GOALS South Australia: Harvey 4, Fantasia 2, Dumont, Hourigan, Knight, Reynolds, Spina Vic Country: McCartney 2, Willsmore 2, Saunders, McCartin BEST South Australia: Dunstan, Scharenberg, Knight, Pitt, Coombe, Battersby, Durdin, Spina Vic Country: Hartung, Fort, Gardiner, Holman, Jones, Herbert DRAFT WATCH South Australia came home with a big win against Country, which might’ve stunned a few on-lookers with just how simply they dismantled the Whites. For the Croweaters, they had leaders all over the ground as Vic Country opened with a poor first quarter which they struggled to over come from.The win was largly thanks to a phenominal display from SA captain Luke Dunstan, (right) who was everywhere for the home side, finishing the day with an elite 30 disposals, seven tackles and five clearances in a best a-field showing from the highly considered top 5 draftee prospect. Dunstan wasn’t alone, his fellow AIS-AFL academy member Matthew Scharenberg challenged Dustan for best on ground, and was instrumental off half back notching 27 disposals and propelling South Australia from defence with his attacking ball movement from the onset and throughout. More class came in the way of Trent Dumont – another South Australian considered to be a first round pick. Dumont showed class and poise beyond his years as he rolled through the midfield, helping himself to a truck load of touches and a goal to boot. James Battersby was pivotal across half back for SA, proving to be Scharenberg’s partner in crime, patrolling the defence and setting up from the back flanks. He was every bit a play-maker against Country, and did some nifty link-up work that gave SA plenty of drive from their backline. Mitchell Harvey featured for Vic Country, kicking four goals, whilst x-factor Orazio Fantasia did his draft hopes no hard, proving to be a headache for the Country defence.Other names who played a part were Alex Spina, James Aish and Dwayne Wilson – all three of which showed glimpses of brilliance throughout the game, but didn’t assert themselves across all four quarters. For the VICs, they desperately missed the class of Lewis Taylor through the middle, another considered to be top 10 material come November. 19 year old Billy Hartung had the big task to shut down the influence of potential number one pick James Aish, and successfully quelled his impact, keeping the SA ball magnet to just 4 possessions in the first half of the game, whilst also showing moments of sheer brilliance throughout, in a game that would’ve impressed the AFL scouts in attendance. Hartung has quickly been highlighted as a first round pick, displaying his abilities to run both ways. The AFL-AIS member has had the benefit of finishing high school in 2012, and whilst at University in 2013 – he has had more time to concentrate on his ambitions to become a professional footballer. Nick Holman racked up 18 disposals, and was influential for Country at the stoppages whilst Clay McCartney, Jarman Impey, and Alex Saunders worked hard and were busy up froward. Key play-makers, and younger brothers of current AFL stars Zak Jones (brother of Nathan) and Zac Merrett (brother of Jackson) continued to press claims as potential first round picks. The pair showed elite kicking abilities, fantastic game sense and read the play well, and made things happen when they had the ball; Merrett in particular capped off the day with 19 possessions. Vic Country captain James Tsitas led from the front all day, chalking up 6 tackles, and doing some crafty things with the football. His toughness has really become the hallmark of his game, unafraid to go back with the flight of the ball, and always putting his head over the footy when it’s his turn to go. His leadership was fantastic for Country, and was a big talking point for the visitors. Darcy Gardiner continues to mount claims as the best key defender in this years draft pool, he kept Darcy Hourigan quiet for the better part of the day, before injuring his ankle in the third quarter and leaving the field. Defenders Fraser Fort and Louis Herbert also battled willfully, and were under fire as SA controlled the inside 50′s. Fort has been Geelong Falcons’ stalwart in 2013, and will quite easily find himself on an AFL list at years end. Herbert, unlucky not to get drafted in 2012 has had a monstrous 2013 season with North Ballarat in TAC Cup, and has shown himself to be quite the “Mr. Versatile” this year. Despite residing himself to the forward line, and perhaps being seen as a one-dimensional player, he has had some big scalps in the TAC Cup this year playing all over the ground, notably in defence and on a wing, which has really improved his game sense, vision and awareness when he has gone forward. He’s really shaping up to become one of the better utility-type players in 2013. It was a poor way for the Victorian’s to open their Division 1 account in 2013, and the day was soured with injuries to Nathan Drummond (ankle) and Hugh Goddard (shoulder).
Posted on: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 08:52:54 +0000
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