State 18s lose thriller to South Australia

WA’s State 18s fell just five points short of an undefeated South Australian side in Round 3 of the NAB AFL National 18s Championships at Medibank Stadium last weekend.

WA’s most influential player was Jarrod Pickett with three goals and 21 disposals – 10 contested – and seven inside 50s.

Rated as one of WA’s best draft hopes, Pickett received good support from Tyler Keitel, who also kicked three majors from 13 touches and was a strong marking target.

Defender Dylan Winton collected the most disposals for WA with 22, while Clayton Giblett had 13 touches and four marks.

Potential West Coast father-son draftee Alec Waterman had 16 disposals.

WA plays Victoria Country at Fremantle Oval this Sunday, June 15 at 11am before heading east for the final two games of the Championships against Vic Metro at Simonds Stadium on Friday, June 27 and Vic Country at Etihad Stadium on Wednesday, July 2.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA 2.2 5.4 7.9 9.12 (66)

SOUTH AUSTRALIA 2.1 3.4 6.7 10.11 (71)

Goals – WA: Pickett 3, Keitel 3, Stewart, Cripps, Bevan

SA: Press 3, Johansen 2, Burton 2, Neal-Bullen 2, Hone

Best – WA: Giblett, Watson, Stewart, Keitel, Bevan, Winton, Pickett

SA: Stretch, Hamilton, Durdin, Press, Wigg, Neal-Bullen, Johansen