VIC METRO forward Jonathon Patton has continued his standout form in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, kicking four goals to lead his side to a 10-point win over Western Australia at Patersons Stadium on Sunday.
In a heavyweight clash involving the cream of this year's underage talent, Patton stood up in the second half and reaffirmed his status as the likely No.1 pick at this year's NAB AFL Draft.
The talented youngster took nine marks for the game, including six contested, and kicked a superb running goal from tight on the boundary late in third quarter.
Patton's main rival to be claimed with Greater Western Sydney's first pick, WA midfielder Stephen Coniglio, was the game's other standout player, finishing with 25 possessions (11 contested), two goals and eight inside 50s.
The talented 17-year-old is yet to decide if he will pursue football or cricket, but he reaffirmed his status as the best junior midfielder in the country, willing his side to fight back from a four-goal margin late in the fourth quarter.
In a highly entertaining clash, Western Australia took a two-point lead into the final quarter before tiring and conceding four straight goals to the visitors.
Vic Metro forward Hayden Crozier, who kicked four goals, provided the highlight of the carnival so far, taking a soaring pack mark late in the second quarter.
The 17-year-old ran back with the flight of Patton's long forward entry, leaping over three WA opponents and getting a boost to take a classic mark.
Another highlight of the match was the battle between highly rated ruckmen Billy Longer from Vic Metro and WA's Myles Bolger.
Longer, who finished with 28 hit-outs and four contested marks, took the points and firmed as a top three pick for Greater Western Sydney, but Bolger was impressive.
At ground level, Victorians Jack Viney (23 possessions, 14 contested and eight clearances), Will Hoskin-Elliot (eight inside 50s and a goal) and Toby Greene (22 possessions and six inside 50s) were excellent.
WA youngsters Jaeger O'Meara (22 possessions and six clearances), Dayle Garlett (two goals) and Chris Yarran (three) continued to impress, but are ineligible for this year's draft.
They can, however, enter a one-off draft during the 2011 trade period and join an AFL club a year before they would otherwise be eligible as part of GWS's concessions.
Players born between January 1 and April 30, 1994 are eligible for the 'mini draft', which will see clubs trade players to the new franchise in exchange for the right to select one of the 17-year-olds.
Western Australia 2.2 7.3 9.6 11.9 (75)
Vic Metro 1.6 5.9 8.10 12.13 (85)
Goals
Western Australia: Yarran 3, Coniglio 2, Newman 2, Garlett 2, Eardley, Hamling
Vic Metro: Crozier 4, Patton 4, Viney, Tyson, Hoskin-Elliot, Bussey
Best
Western Australia: Coniglio, Bolger, Garlett, Newman, O'Meara, Nelson
Vic Metro: Patton, Viney, Longer, Crozier, Hoskin-Elliot, Greene
By Nathan Schmook courtesy of afl.com.au
Last Modified on 20/06/2011 09:44
