State 16s defeated in a thriller

The DEPPRO WA State 16s were narrowly defeated by South Australia in a tight contest at AAMI Stadium in the first round of the NAB AFL National 16s Championships on Saturday, June 25.

WA started the game well and led at every change before a big final quarter from South Australia saw the home team edge ahead to claim a hard-fought seven point win sealed with a goal moments before the final siren.

Tom Joyce, Ian Hill, Jason Carter, Louis Miller, Regan Spooner and Max Murphy were named as WA’s best players, while Dylan O’Reilly led the way on the scoreboard with two goals

Coach John Hancock said he was proud of his players’ efforts and also highlighted the leadership of captain Rylie Morgan both on and off the field.

“We were led very well by Rylie Morgan and I thought he was also one of our best,” Hancock said.

“The professionalism of the whole group in the lead-up to the game, during the week and on the day of the game was outstanding.

“The physical pressure they applied early in the game was great and they set the tone with relentless attack on the ball.

“We won the tackle count early which was an emphasis pre-game, along with contested possessions, so to deliver on both of those was great.

“They were also exciting with the speed of their ball movement, which allowed us to lead for most of the game. Unfortunately South Australia got the momentum late in the game and finished very well.

“It was an enormous learning curve but the players can take a lot out of the game in terms of their ability to compete at that level and play away at a ground they’ve never played at,” he said.

The State 16s play their remaining two games on the Gold Coast against Victoria Country and Victoria Metro.

SCOREBOARD

South Australia 3.5 4.8 4.12 10.14 (74)
Western Australia 4.2 5.4 8.7 10.7 (67)

GOALS

SA: Rozee 2, Martin 2, Rankine 2, Lewis, Irra, Kennerley, Gould
WA: O’Reilly 2, Morgan, Hill, Stack, Carter, Medhat, Peacock, Chambers, Moore

BEST
SA: Flinn, Lewis, Lochowiak, Rankin, Wilkinson
WA: Joyce, Hill, Carter, Miller, Spooner, Murphy

Played Saturday, June 25 at AAMI Stadium

FIXTURES

Monday, July 4, 3.15pm – WA v VIC Country at Metricon Stadium

Friday, July 8, 10am – WA v VIC M at Southport

*all times are local