Comeback kids! State 18s Boys finish strong against Vic Country

The AAMI WA Football State 18s Boys produced a dominant second-half comeback to prevail by 16 points against Vic Country at Marvel Stadium on Friday night.

WA clawed their way back from 33 points down late in the first half to take the lead early in the final term in the midst of a nine-goals-to-three second half, finishing 10.16 (76) to 9.6 (60) victors for their second win of the carnival.

Claremont colts premiership stars Heath Mellody, George Gale, Harper Banfield, Benji van Rooyen and Noah Braun all impressed for Western Australia.

Mellody got some more midfield time in the absence of injured South Fremantle bull Lucas Robinson and made the most of it, finishing with 32 disposals including a 12-possesion third term to help turn the game on its head.

Gale (30) and Banfield (25) also lifted in the engine-room during WA’s stunning six-goals-to-one third quarter, while fellow son of a gun Noah Braun was lively on the wing in his State 18s debut and Benji van Rooyen continued his strong championships in the ruck.

East Perth and West Coast Next Generation Academy talent Lachlan McGlade was lively up forward, booting a game-high three majors to take his carnival tally to seven, while East Perth and Fremantle NGA livewire Finlay Yeo and South Fremantle’s Cam Maynard chimed in with two second-half majors apiece and West Perth tall Harvey Spawton-Guy (2.3) was the main focal point in an almost game.

South Fremantle’s Heath Wilson had some eye-catching moments across half-back, Subiaco and Eagles NGA Kyan Perera worked hard as a pressure forward and Royals and Eagles NGA gun Garrison Kenh had a strong return to the side.

WA were ambushed to start the contest, conceding the first three goals of the match before McGlade popped up for a much-needed major at the other end.

Coming off a strong performance against Vic Country last round, Claremont colts premiership defender Tom Brown had some massive moments early in defence, taking a couple of important intercept marks including a contested pack mark.

East Perth giant Axel Walsh was WA’s best in the opening term, racking up a team-high six disposals and two inside 50s splitting his time between the forward-line and ruck.

But it was the home side taking a 23-point lead into quarter-time on the back of a five-goals-to-one term.

WA managed to withstand a heap of Vic Country pressure in the second term before finally giving one up at the 17-minute mark.

Walsh drifted back and showcased his versatility, reading the play well.

Braun was making the most of his inclusion, finding plenty of the footy on the way to an equal team-high 13 disposals for the half alongside Tigers teammate Mellody who was playing a mix of half-back and midfield.

WA had their changes but couldn’t capitalise on the scoreboard, kicking just the four behinds to Vic Country’s 1.2.

Spawton-Guy continued to take marks inside attacking 50 but couldn’t convert his opportunities in front of the sticks.

The Black Swans finally got their second major at the nine-minute mark of the third quarter through McGlade, who was the beneficiary of a Vic Country turnover to kick his second of the match and sixth of the carnival.

Walsh then made it two in a minute after a strong mark on the lead after Banfield’s pinpoint pass inside 50.

Banfield provided more silver service from the midfield out of the next centre bounce but Spawton-Guy’s long-range set shot went wide to make it an even three-goal game midway through the third term.

Mellody was having an impact in the engine-room, providing a goal assist to Spawton-Guy who showed impressive ground-level skills for a nice crumbing major after East Fremantle livewire Finlay Yeo’s brilliant solo effort just minutes earlier.

WA then made it a five-goal term and five-point three-quarter time margin with dangerous small forward Maynard kicked truly from 45m out and pulled out his trademark backflip celebration.

McGlade’s third early in the final term gave WA the lead for the first time in the match with a close-range set shot as the visitors continued their second-half surge.

Yeo and Spawton-Guy then joined McGlade as multiple goal-kickers as the visitors ran away with the match.

WA’s carnival comes to an end against the Allies in Ballarat on Wednesday.

SCOREBOARD

West Aust 1.1 1.5 6.11 10.16 (76)

Vic Country 5.0 6.2 8.4 9.6 (60)

WA goals: L McGlade 3, F Yeo 2, H Spawton-Guy 2, C Maynard 2, A Walsh,

WA best: H Mellody, H Banfield, G Gale, B van Rooyen, L McGlade, L Steed, N Braun, H Spawton-Guy