Thumping win for WA over Vic Country to open 18s ChampionshipsTuesday, June 7, 2016 - 9:05 AM - by Chris Pike

WESTERN Australia made a strong start to its National 18s Championships for 2016 kicking 10 of the last 11 goals against Victoria Country to win by 61 points at Domain Stadium on Sunday.

WA started strongly with four of the first five goals but Vic Country caught fire with four goals to Josh Battle either side of quarter-time.

But WA managed to steady to lead by nine points at half-time and then finish full of running with the last three goals of the third quarter, and seven goals to one in the last to end up winning 19.11 (125) to 10.4 (64).

East Fremantle big man Luke Strnadica was impressive for WA playing as a key forward kicking four goals from seven possessions and six marks.

Sam Powell-Pepper also kicked three goals from 15 disposals for the Black Swans while Stan Wright kicked two goals to go with 18 possessions, seven tackles and five inside-50 entries. Cameron Zurhaar, Liam Baker and Shai Bolton all kicked two goals as well for WA.

Claremont's Matt Guelfi finished with 19 possessions, six clearances and five tackles for WA with Jake Waterman impressive with 19 disposals and seven marks despite kicking 1.5.

Fisher also had 17 possessions and eight clearances showing the benefits of playing league football at Perth so far this season with Baker gathering 15 disposals and Quinton Narkle 14.

Jeremy Goddard worked hard in the ruck for seven possessions and 30 hit outs with support from Tim English who had nine disposals, 10 hit outs and three clearances.

Battle kicked four goals for Victoria Country and Myles Poholke two while Hugh McCluggage picked up 27 possessions, Joseph Atley 22 and Tom Jok 20.

WA made a good start with Strnadica kicking his first goal of the day at the three-minute mark. Vic Country got the next goal but then the next three came to the home side courtesy of Fisher, Bolton and Guelfi. 

That saw WA lead by 19 points before Battle caught fire with three late goals for Vic Country before quarter-time, and then the first of the second term to put his side up by five points.

The Black Swans were able to steady with goals to Wright, Strnadica and Bolton, but Vic Country remained in the contest with the next two majors to Brett Blair and Sam Fowler.

WA steadied just before the break with Kyle Russell kicking truly to see them hold a nine-point half-time advantage.

A string of behinds for WA started the second half but they eventually found the major opening courtesy of Zurhaar to make the margin 19 points. A couple of quick Vic Country goals to Poholke meant the game was right up for grabs.

WA led by four points only at the 20-minute of the third quarter but then kicked three goals in two minutes before the last change with Aidan Clarke, Powell-Pepper and Wright all booting truly.

It was then all WA in the final term with Powell-Pepper booting his third of the game just 22 seconds into the quarter.

Just over a minute later saw Strnadica kick his third and then Baker booted two quickly for WA to stretch the lead to 47 points. It was then out to 53 points when Zurhaar kicked his second.

After a Vic Country goal to Jok, Waterman goaled for WA finally after five behinds before Strnadica's fourth secured WA's impressive 61-point triumph.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA        4.1    8.4    12.8    19.11    (125)
VICTORIA COUNTRY        4.0    7.1    9.4    10.4    (64)

WA – Goals: Strnadica 4; Powell-Pepper 3; Wright, Baker, Bolton, Zurhaar 2; Clarke, Guelfi, Waterman, Fisher.
Best: Guelfi, Wright, Powell-Pepper, Strnadica, Baker, Waterman, Bolton.
VIC COUNTRY – Goals: Battle 4; Poholke 2; Jok, Brodie, Fowler, Blair.
Best: McCluggage, Atley, Jok, Poholke, Battle, Brodie.