By ZAC MILBANK
Inaccuracy in front of goal proved pivotal as South Australia succumbed to Victoria Country by eight points in Game 2 of its 2024 Marsh AFL U18 National Championships campaign.
Having conjured a gutsy come-from-behind victory against the Allies in Game 1, the Croweaters appeared set to repeat the dose when they booted the final four goals of the match in the fourth quarter.
After snatching the lead midway through the third term despite trailing at the opening two changes, Tony Bamford’s charges undid their hard work leading into three-quarter time when they booted a match-defining three behinds as their rivals kicked three goals.
It left the visitors with too much work to do in the final term, when they fell behind by as much as 27 points early in the last stanza.
But the South Aussies refused to give in as crafty forward Evan Bradley snapped truly, before Tyler Welsh nailed two of his four majors for the match either side of a Ned Bowman set shot to give the Croweaters an unlikely sniff of victory with five minutes to play.
However, the Country boys managed to steady as they chalked up a win in their first outing of the Carnival, leaving SA with a 1-1 win-loss record after two starts.
SA – which had 10 more inside 50 entries despite having 66 fewer disposals – was led strongly in the midfield by Ben Camporeale (27 disposals, five clearances) and Sid Draper (26 disposals, four clearances).
They received great service from ruck inclusion Alex Dodson, who impressed in his first SA U18 outing with 19 disposals, five marks, three clearances and 20 hit outs as he moved around the ground with ease.
Angus Clarke (19 disposals, six marks) and Tate Delmenico (13 disposals, five marks) were composed under pressure in defence while in attack, powerfully-built Jacob Newton was a constant threat at the feet of Welsh as he booted three goals to go with 13 disposals and six marks.
Crows father-son Welsh kicked 4.2 from his seven kicks and five marks while exciting bottom-age prospect Dyson Sharp was again solid with 17 disposals and eight clearances.
The Croweaters will now return home to host Western Australia (Sunday June 16) and Victoria Metro (Sunday June 30) at Alberton Oval.