Masten_Magic
21 Jun 2008, 20:11
Vic Country best in west
VICTORIA Country has bounced back from an upset loss to NSW/ACT a fortnight ago to defeat Western Australia by 27 points in the 2008 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships at Subiaco Oval on Saturday.
The visitors dealt WA their first defeat of this year's NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, running out 11.4 (70) to 6.7 (43) victors in a curtain raiser to the West Coast v Geelong match.
Country set up its win with an eight goal to three first half and kicked away in the final quarter against a lackluster WA.
WA won the inside 50 count 43-23 but were unable to find the space to deliver cleanly to spearhead Chris Yarran. Country on the other hand refused to cough up the ball and delivered to advantage with Nic Heyne (three goals) and Andrew Browne (two goals) the most productive of their forwards.
But Country were able to find options all over the ground with eight separate goal kickers in a low scoring affair.
For WA, Nick Naitanui was unbreakable around the stoppages doing it all for his team. He had 18 hit-outs and 10 clearances, but struggled to have the same influence around the ground.
Matt DeBoer (23 possessions) was clean for the home side across half-back while highly rated Daniel Rich (eight) struggled to shake the close attention he was given.
Victoria Country 3.3 8.3 8.3 11.4 (70)
Western Australia 0.0 1.1 4.4 6.7 (43)
GOALS
Vic Country: Heyne 3, Browne 2, Bucovaz, Christensen, McKenzie, Rockliff, Roughead, Sheahan
Western Australia: Daly 2, Hill, Rich, Walters, Yarran
BEST
Vic Country: Heyne, Sheahan, Ziebell, Browne
Western Australia: Naitanui, DeBoer, Jetta, Daly
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL.
makes me think twice about rich
Lynch takes a mark
21 Jun 2008, 20:24
Got to love Naita - 10 clearances from an 18 year old raw ruckman
I rate his ruck work but as I've said before - I rate him as an inside mid a lot more
Thanks MM for an informative and interesting report.
I thought in the first game Rich was lazy...didnt work hard enough.
Maybe that's true, but he's probably the only one getting tagged
Ryder Is God
21 Jun 2008, 21:23
Got to love Naita - 10 clearances from an 18 year old raw ruckman
I rate his ruck work but as I've said before - I rate him as an inside mid a lot more
I'm on the Naitanui bandwagon. I saw him last year and thought he was too raw for the hype, but he's been really impressive.
TheBigUnit
22 Jun 2008, 03:08
Saw the game. Chucked my report on the D&T board.
My Game Report:
WA 11.4 (43) defeated by VC 6.7 (70)
WA Best: DeBoer, Naitanui, Jetta, Hill
VC Best: Sheahan, Jones, Ziebell, Heyne, Christensen, Martiniello, Daniels
A pumped up VC defeated WA on the back of a superb 8 goals to 1 first half, where they dominated the stoppages (largely thanks to Sheahan, Martinello and Christensen) and contested ball, and cleared the ball out of defence quickly and cleanly (Jones was the standout in this department). WA had a massive 2nd half, where they regained ascendancy at the stoppages (Naitanui was very dominant in this regard) and won more contested ball as playing with greater overall intensity and applying greater defensive pressure. However, they couldn’t convert enough inside 50’s into goals, while VC were very efficient down the other end with their limited opportunities. In the end, VC did enough to keep the game out of reach and ran away jubilant winners in an upset victory.
My Player Report:
WA
Hill (HBF/wing/midfield) – He’s a real livewire. More an outside type, but very willing to put his slight body on the line if needed. He has explosive pace, runs the lines, works both ways, good workrate, has a nice leap and can take a good OH grab. Kicked 1 goal too. A bit quiet in the 1st half, but a very good 2nd half. Daisy-like, dare I say with his combination of flair and courage. A couple of BF posters earmarked him as this year’s U18 Championship bolter - I think you guys are bang on (3 very good games so far).
De Boer (wing/midfield) – Accumulated a large amount of ball (24 touches), through his hard outside running, ran and carried the ball through the middle and off the HBF well as per usual and was easily WA’s most consistent performer throughout the match – good in all quarters. His disposal was better this game (compared to vs. NSW/ACT). Get him in your DT next year fellas!
Rich (midfield/briefly forward) – Was well held (Daniels was the guy who I saw on him most the time, but VC may have rotated a few to run with him). Won most of his ball at the stoppages, but didn’t manage to breakaway and release those pinpoint, bullet passes he’s famous for (when he did he wasn’t always on the radar like he normally is). Got very little ball outside of the stoppages. There was a play in the last ¼, around 60m out from WA’s goal where he normally back himself to kick a long running goal, had it been September 2007, but instead kicked/sprayed it wide to the left FP to a contest (ended up dribbling OOB) – a sign he was down on confidence/form today.
Jetta (wing) – This guy is very classy. Quick, silky, balanced, clever and a lovely kick of the ball. Like Hill, put his slight frame on the line several times too, to get the ball moving forward for WA (there was a memorable example in the 1st half). I know chrsco’s has been a fan of him for a while, and he did him proud again today. I wish he’d play on the wing closest to me though! (He always seems to do his best work on the Mainwaring wing – did it last game too)
Lucas (midfield) – Under-aged for this draft, but look out for him next year. Ran hard (has quite good pace) and accumulated the ball well, however Decision making/disposal was a bit of a mixed bag today.
Walters (Midfield/HFF/FP) – He wasn’t as good as he was against NSW/ACT – didn’t have as much output. He’s clever, elusive and has very good disposal/decision making/vision that’s for sure – he can hurt you even with little time/space - kicked 1 to 2 and must’ve manufactured a couple of other scores/goals. I’m a fan of his, but was hoping for a little more when he was moved into the middle.
Yarran (forward) – I was prepared for the Yarran show pre-game, but it must’ve been called off. He didn’t handle the ball as cleanly as he normally does. There were a couple of plays which showed his class, but not enough. Like Rich, not a game he’ll want to remember.
Pearce (HBF/wing) – Had another good game, without being outstanding. Provided good drive off the HB line again. Big bodied outside type, that isn’t pacy, which may work against him. He has a unique (powerful stab-like) kicking action – could probably get a bit of extra distance if he followed through (not that he can’t kick long!).
Mather (HBF) – He’s certainly a goer/dasher. Another that’s more than willing to throw around a small frame. Played his best footy in the 1st quarter/half. Some memorable plays (HBG + run and carry with pace) and some forgetful (kicked the ball into the man on the mark and poor disposal/ran his way into trouble a couple of times).
Bennell (FP/HFF) – Had a poor game. Handling wasn’t clean and didn’t have the impact he had in the NSW/ACT game. A few on BF were talking about his massive vertical leap earlier this week - in one passage of play he had a massive fly near WA goal, if he pulled it in it would’ve been a classic. Apart from that ‘almost highlight’ there were nothing much to speak of.
Naitanui (Ruck) – Was average in the 1st half, clearances were largely going the other way, but changed the tide in the 2nd half through his dominance at the stoppages, with his ruckwork, weaving through traffic with a smart feed to a runner (his trademark) and a few 'grab out of ruck' + a dash through the pack + kick (a rarity - most of his disposals were handballs). Tackling was again very good once again as is the norm. The umpires were a bit harsh on him on a few occassions (one holding the ball which he disposed off and another tackle he laid which was HTB, wrongly called PIB). Had an incredible lift in a 3rd quarter ruck contest, where he must’ve been nearly standing on the other ruckman’s shoulders (lot’s of Ooo’s and Ahh’s)! Resulted in a free for somehow (didn’t catch why) at a critical stage (would’ve brought WA within 2 goals), right FP, 40m out, approx 45-60 degree angle, which he didn’t even make the distance on - you’d expect gun players to slot those. The VC boys certainly targeted him, there were a fair few sledging and niggling Nick, which did provoke reactions from him (quite entertaining to watch).
Shepheard (CHB/FB) – I thought he did a solid job down back. He moves nicely for a big man and provided some good rebound of the backline in the 2nd half (him and Duncan seem to work well as a team). Genuine KPP height too. The WA coach mentioned he was very happy with his game as he thought he did some good jobs on a couple of the VC forwards.
Vic Country
Sheahan (midfield/HFF) – He was a force at the stoppages (particularly in the 1st half) and was one of the main reasons VC led by as much as they did at half time. May be pint sized but his attack on the footy was excellent. Disposal was good and most of it was from congested plays or inside/grunt work. Nice pace too – there was one passage of play in the 1st quarter where he ran through the corridor with speed/attitude/aggression and hit the leading target, resulting in a goal.
Martinello (midfield) and Christensen (midfield/HFF) – Both supported Sheahan well by winning a good amount of ball from contests/ at the stoppages in the 1st half. Martiniello rotated on Rich. Christensen looked handy on the HFF too.
Daniels (midfield) – played on Rich rotating with Martiniello. He teamed up well at the stoppages in the 1st half with Martinello, Christensen and Sheahan.
Jones (HB) – Rebounded excellently in the first half. Won a lot of contested ball to set up runners from defence, as well as doing plenty of the run and carry himself (looks to have good pace). Like I said the rebound and clearing from defence from VC was a standout particularly in the 1st half and Jones led the way in this aspect.
Heyne (forward) – Was VC best forward. Presented well and took some good grabs (nice leap) and kicked an unbelievable scissor kick goal (Didak-esque) in the 2nd quarter.
Ziebell – I now know why you Vics rate him highly. He stood up at important stages in the last ¼ - when WA had the momentum and confidence, and looked like they may overrun VC. He won several important clearances/contested balls including a memorable burst run from a stoppage on the Mainwaring wing and a pinpoint delivery to the forward without breaking stride (ended up in a tide-stemming goal). Also took a strong 1 on 1 contested mark 45m out and then unselfishly laid it off to a leading forward, who kicked the goal from straight in front, 20m out and made the win a certainty. He was decent in the 1st half without standing out to me, but his last ¼ was high quality.
Sidebottom (BP) – Didn’t notice him much in general play. Did a fair few of the kick-outs and certainly looks to have an accurate and penetrating kick on him – was hoping to see him further up the ground.
Roughead (Ruck/FF) and Browne (FF/Ruck) – Roughead did the large majority of the rucking with Browne FF. He competed well with Naita, but didn’t have an impact around the ground bar one pack mark and goal in the 1st half. Browne mostly played FF, kicked a couple of goals, with one from a nice pick up below the knees. Didn’t notice him much when in the ruck/around the ground.
Rockliff (FP/midfield) – he’s a clever player. His kicking/decision making was good and took some good grabs for a man of his size. Had a good 1st half, but I didn’t notice him much in the 2nd. Seems a bit on the slow side with his pace.
Suban (BP) –I barely noticed him apart from in the warm-up (playing BP when I did)! Played on Yarran and held him very well. Got little, if any on-ball rotation.
Feel free to send any specific questions my way (if you have any).
Willow_2000
22 Jun 2008, 12:17
Good to see Jones have a good game for Vic Country, Went to school with him last yr.
mitchzz
22 Jun 2008, 12:42
I really want to see Rich show us his best in this carnival. Also is Hill a midfielder or forward?
I want Natanui, but as a midfielder. Imagine a 200cm guy in the middle. Get his fitness up and he will go bang. He would be untaggable.
So would you say WA choked??