HIGHLY touted South Australian youngster Matt Scharenberg has been the standout player in his team's 48-point win over NSW/ACT in the opening round of the NAB AFL Under 18 Championships.
 
South Australia, courtesy of five unanswered goals in seven minutes in the third quarter, cruised to victory in the clash played in fine conditions at Blacktown International Sportspark on Saturday.
 
Scharenberg, who recently visited Europe as part of the AIS-AFL Academy's tour, took 10 marks and had 26 disposals, including seven inside 50s and seven rebounds.
 
The 2012 All-Australian and former baseball player stood out with his game across half back after being played up forward in practice matches.
 
Also among the best for South Australia was Norwood teenager James Aish, who had 13 disposals and three clearances.
 
Aish played 50 per cent of the game in what was his first hit-out for the year after shoulder surgery.
 
Darcy Hourigan booted four goals – three of which came in the seven-minute burst in the third term that broke the game open – while his fellow forward Mitch Harvey also contributed four.
 
Indigenous pair Malcolm Karpany and Dwayne Wilson were also prolific with their clean handling and ability to set up opportunities for their team.
 
For NSW/ACT, Jydon Neagle – the son of late Essendon premiership player Merv and brother of former Bomber Jay – led his side with three goals and six inside 50s.
 
The Murray Bushranger was lively in the forward line and ended as his team's best player, along with Michael Gibbons.
 
Gibbons had a game-high 29 disposals and 12 tackles, and showed great intensity around the ball to accumulate nine clearances.
 
NSW/ACT                  3.1 5.2 7.410.7 (67)
South Australia        3.3 9.6 14.9 17.13 (115)
 
GOALS
NSW/ACT: Neagle 3, Edwards 2, King 2, Gibbons, Eastman, Austin
South Australia: Harvey 4, Hourigan 4, Karpany 3, Scharenberg, Spina, Dunstan, Johansen, Wilson, Reynolds
 
BEST
NSW/ACT: Neagle, Gibbons, Perris, Green, Barrett, Watson
South Australia: Scharenberg, Reynolds, Coombe, Johansen, Aish