By JARROD POTTER
AFL UNDER-18 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS – Round 6
PUTTING the icing on the cake, Vic Country’s amazing winning streak was extended to six as it wrapped up the AFL Under-18 National Championships title.
Finishing the carnival on Thursday afternoon at the Cattery – Simonds Stadium, Geelong – Vic Country notched a 32-point triumph to secure a rare unbeaten record.
Western Australia put up a dogged effort – improving dramatically on their last performance against the Big V earlier in the carnival, where a 100-point thrashing was doled out to the Swans.
The early possession belonged to Vic Country as Darcy Parish (29 disposals), Jarrod Berry (22) and Joe Maishman (21) had it on a string. But their best efforts weren’t rewarded as the forwards failed to kick truly and ended up clunking 15 behinds in a lacklustre day in front of goals.
Despite battling back into the match in the third term – kicking three goals to one – the Swans just didn’t have the tank to go with Vic Country as the home side kept them goalless in the final term to earn the national championship.
For starring up forward throughout the carnival booting 18 goals – Murray’s mountainous forward Josh Schache was named both the Vic Country MVP and the Larke Medallist for best Division-1 player in the championships.
Gippsland in-and-under forward Ben Ainsworth was exceptional up front for Vic Country – swooping on anything in his area to boot five goals and cap off an exceptional carnival that will have selectors keen to call his name come November’s draft.
Dandenong midfielder Kurt Mutimer relished his chance through the midfield, snaring 20 possessions in his best performance for Vic Country while Gach Nyuon had 29 hit-outs and toiled all day against Western Australia’s talls.
Vic Country coach Paul Henriksen – who also coached many of these players at the under-16 Vic Country level – said it was fantastic to take the side back to another national championship.
“It’s been a fantastic effort and the players have to take full credit for that,” Henriksen said.
“They were always a talented group and I had them at under-16 level and we had success there… to have the opportunity to have them and coach them again this year, thanks to Leon Harris who appointed me, has been everything I’ve asked for.”Vic Country also toasted the success with Dandenong Stingrays trio Keiran Collins, Jacob Weitering and Gach Nyuon along with Gippsland Power’s Ben Ainsworth earning their selections in the All Australian side.
UNDER-18 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
VIC COUNTRY 2.6 7.9 8.10 8.15 (63)
WESTERN AUSTRALIA 0.3 1.3 4.5 4.7 (31)
Vic Country Goals: B. Ainsworth 5, J. Scache, J. Berry, J. Maishman.
