Vic Country has fallen 22 points short of an inaccurate South Australia in Round 2 of the NAB AFL U18 Championships in Adelaide.
Despite a dominant first quarter and at one stage leading by 28 points early in the second, Vic Country were unable to halt a resurgent South Australia storming to a 9.21 (75) to 8.5 (53) victory.
The final margin of 22 points could have been much more had SA made more of their opportunities.
The hosts had at one stage had 16 scoring shots in a row but were unable to put Vic Country away with their poor conversion rate.
Rhys Mathieson (Geelong Falcons) was the standout for Vic Country, gathering 32 disposals that included five inside 50s and eight clearances.
Mathieson’s midfield partner Billy Evans (Bendigo Pioneers) also fought hard to finish with 28 touches and a match-high 11 clearances.
Evans’ 16 contested possessions was also a match high and illustrated his fighting qualities.
Dandenong Stingrays utility Tom Lamb picked up 20 touches and was one of eight individual goalkickers who all finished with one each in the absence of key forward Patrick McCartin.
Falcons duo Darcy Parish and Teia Miles, and North Ballarat Rebels talent Darcy Tucker all picked up 19 possessions, while Josh Dunkley (Gippsland Power) had gather 18 and bagged a goal.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA 1.4 4.7 6.15 9.21 (75)
VIC COUNTRY 5.2 6.4 6.4 8.5 (53)
GOALS:
South Australia: Francis 2, Durdin, Hamilton, Burton, Gore, Johnson, Gregson, Press
Vic Country: Lamb, Dunkley, Lonie, Butler, Webb, Schache, Goddard, Skinner
BEST:
South Australia: Ramsey, Johnson, Stretch, Hamilton, Spurling, Wigg, Hayes
Vic Country: Evans, Mathieson, Miles, Tucker, Parish, Butler
Division One - Round Three matches next weekend:
11am Saturday June 7
Western Australia v South Australia
Medibank Stadium
11am Sunday June 8
Vic Metro v Vic Country
Visy Park
Last Modified on 01/06/2014 17:59