CTF Catch-Up: WA 18s Boys win thriller over fast-finishing SA

The AAMI WA Football State 18s Boys opener their AFL National Championships campaign with a hard-fought victory over South Australia at Mineral Resources Park on Saturday.

An improved Black Swans, coming off the back of an increased lead-up where they won five out of six trial games, kicked the first five goals of the match on the way to a 12-point triumph – 11.12 (78) to 10.6 (66) – against a fast-finishing SA who responded strongly either side of three-quarter time.

SA didn’t go down without a fight, getting to within two points at the eight-minute mark and four points at the 17-minute mark of a see-sawing final term.

Claremont son of a gun Harper Banfield stood tall late with a couple of big defensive moments on the wing before East Fremantle’s James Artemis sealed the win with his second goal on the run from 45m out.

Co-captains – Swan Districts gun Leo Steed and Claremont talent George Gale – led from the front with massive midfield performances, finishing with 30 and 26 disposals respectively.

Fellow leadership group member Banfield (24) was another big performer, despite being off the ground during the second term due to an ankle issue.

South Fremantle bull Lucas Robinson (25) got better as the game went on, with his work at the stoppages particular important as he combined with Tigers big man Benji van Rooyen.

South Fremantle livewire Cam Maynard and East Perth small forward Lachlan McGlade were exciting in attack, combining for four majors and a couple of backflip celebrations, while Claremont half-back Heath Mellody showcased his silky skills from the back half.

WA dominated the opening term, booting five goals to none to open up a 34-point quarter-time advantage.

Midfield duo Banfield and Steed ran amok, combining for 24 first-quarter disposals with the latter kicking a classy goal to go with his impressive stat line.

Maynard opened the scoring with a cracking goal from the pocket, followed by his trademark backflip celebration.

Subiaco tall Frazer Rickson provided the goal assist with a clever tap and was prominent early, taking a strong mark inside 50 soon after and being involved in the second goal which last year’s State 16s MVP James Artemis slotted through from a free kick.

Artemis caught the eye on the wing, finding plenty of the footy and using it well.

Steed then kicked a beauty on the run late in the first term with WA doing all of the attacking as East Fremantle’s Oscar Richardson and highly-rated East Perth giant Axel Walsh followed suit before quarter-time to make it 34 points the difference.

SA finally got on the board early in the second but the home side cancelled that goal out pretty much straight away through McGlade.

The Croweaters were better in the second but WA still had all the answers for every punch they threw as Maynard’s second made the margin 34 points midway through the term.

SA got some momentum before half-time with back-to-back majors to cut the deficit back to 20 at the main break, despite Steed’s midfield dominance with the Bunbury product up to 21 disposals.

McGlade steadied the ship for the Black Swans early in a low-scoring third term with his second major, joining his forward-line partner in crime Maynard among the multiple goal-kickers.

South Australia got as close as 14 points late in the third quarter before a much-needed goal from Rickson from the pocket made it 21 with a quarter to play.

Rickson was again the momentum stopper in the last with SA clawing back to within two before the Subiaco league regular nailed his free kick from 30m out directly in front at the 10-minute mark of the last.

SCOREBOARD

WA 5.5 7.5 9.8 11.12 (78)

SA 0.1 4.3 6.5 10.6 (66)

WA goals: C Maynard 2, L McGlade 2, F Rickson 2, J Artemis 2 L Steed, A Walsh, O Richardson,

WA best: L Steed, G Gale, H Banfield, C Maynard, L McGlade, L Robinson, J Artemis, F Rickson

Brought to you by Construction Training Fund – Major Partner of the WA Football Talent Program