Vic Country has all but sewn up this year's Division One U18 National Championships title with a 28-point win over South Australia on Sunday at AAMI Stadium.
The Croweaters held the lead at the first two changes after a wasteful opening half from the visitors. But Country eventually righted its radar in front of goal, booting 10 goals to four after half-time to run out comfortable winners.
Vic Country remains the only undefeated team of this year’s carnival.
Josh Schache kicked five goals for the victors and midfield pair Darcy Parish and Rhys Mathieson also starred as Vic Country advanced two games clear of South Australia after four rounds of the AFL U18 National Championships.
Schache, a key forward likely to be an early selection at this year's NAB AFL Draft, found his rhythm as the game wore on and finished with 5.2 from 14 disposals and nine marks.
In his second game of the championships after missing the first two rounds with a broken thumb, Parish again underlined his class through the midfield by collecting 24 disposals.
His Geelong Falcons teammate, Mathieson, offers a more combative approach around the contest, and collected 23 disposals, four clearances and a goal as he pieces together a consistent carnival for Country.
After leading SA to its past two victories, captain Will Snelling was again terrific for the Croweaters with 32 disposals and 10 tackles. Luke Partington was also effective with 30 touches, five marks and six tackles as he tried to keep his side in the game.
Riley Bonner's run off half-back (he had nine rebound 50s), Stephen Tahana's disciplined defending and Aaron Francis' class were among the other South Australians to take the eye.
Woodville-West Torrens key forward Luke Hoare, who played his first match of the Championships, was South Australia's only multiple goalkicker with two majors.
South Australia now has a 2-2 overall record for this year’s Championships.
The teams will meet again in less than two week’s time for Round Five of the Championships, this time at Simonds Stadium. South Australia will then close it’s 2015 U18 National Championships campaign against Vic Metro on July 1 at Etihad Stadium.
The Division Two U18 competition kicks off next weekend, with NSW/ACT facing Tasmania and Queensland clashing with the Northern Territory in Southport on the Gold Coast.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA 2.1 5.5 6.6 9.9 (63)
VIC COUNTRY 1.6 3.10 9.12 13.13 (91)
GOALS
South Australia: Hoare 2, Allen, Bonner, Combe, Francis, Dew, Milera, Parella
Vic Country: Schache 5, McKay 2, Simpkin 2, Mathieson, Johnston, Cox, Ainsworth
BEST
South Australia: Snelling, Partington, Bonner, Nunn, Tahana, Dew
Vic Country: Parish, Schache, Mathieson, Berry, McKay, Tucker
