WA 18s impress despite loss to champions Vic MetroWednesday, June 29, 2016 - 5:21 PM - by Chris Pike

WESTERN AUSTRALIA might have lost its final match against Division 1 champions Victoria Metro in the NAB AFL National Championships but not without some exciting moments including a spectacular mark by Josh Rotham and star performance by Sam Petrevski-Seton.

WA's final match of the 2016 championships took place on Wednesday at Geelong's Simonds Stadium with Vic Metro winning 12.9 (81) to 8.10 (58) to claim the Division 1 title for 2016.

The WA State 18s team opened the championships with an impressive 61-point win over Victoria Country at Domain Stadium before suffering a 37-point defeat at the hands of South Australia at AAMI Stadium.

WA bounced back strongly back on home turf beating the Allies 10.9 (69) to 7.10 (52) at Domain Stadium on the back of kicking six goals to two in the first half, and another three to two in the third.

Then on Wednesday, WA fell behind early not kicking its first goal until early in the second quarter. They trailed by 12 points at half-time but Vic Metro had the answers winning in the end by 23 points. 

A spectacular mark to Josh Rotham provided one of the highlights of the championships for WA. The West Perth key defender had a good day overall with 15 possessions, four tackles and five rebounds from the defensive 50.

Claremont's Sam Petrevski-Seton did hopes of being selected with the No. 1 selection in the draft later this year with an impressive performance with 18 possessions, five inside-50 entries, four tackles, two clearances and a goal.

West Perth's Liam Baker had another strong showing as well with the small left-footed midfielder ending up with 19 disposals and four tackles.

Perth's Quinton Narkle kicked two goals to go with 17 possessions as well for WA with his Demons teammate Zac Fisher impressing again with 17 touches, five tackles and a goal.

Claremont's Matt Guelfi was a strong performer in the middle again with 16 disposals and four clearances with Jake Waterman contributing 15 possessions, Sam Powell-Pepper15, Shai Bolton 13, Jake Patmore 13, Bailey Banfield 13 and Noah Hura 13.

South Fremantle ruckman Tim English showed encouraging signs again with 11 possessions, five marks and 14 hit outs.

Patrick Kerr kicked three goals for Vic Metro, Sam Hayes two, Daniel Venables two and Jordan Gallucci two.

Luke Bunker racked up 25 possessions, Andrew McGrath 24, Tim Taranto 24 and Dylan Clarke 23.

WA had the first couple of scoring shots in the game but both were behinds before Vic Metro kicked the opening goal courtesy of Taranto at the 11-minute mark.

That was the only goal of the opening term with WA answering an early goal to Metro with one of their own through Fisher at the two-minute mark.

Vic Metro answered again shortly after before Petrevski-Seton nailed WA's second of the game after a 50m penalty. Luke Strnadica kicked truly soon after to bring the Black Swans level with Metro but Metro booted the final two goals of the first half to lead by that margin at the main break.

Gallucci then gave Vic Metro the first goal of the second half before WA responded through Aidan Clarke. Two more for the Victorian team and they led by four goals but Narkle did kick truly for WA not long before three quarter-time.

Griffen Logue moved forward in the final quarter for WA and kicked an early goal with Narkle and Bolton also kicking majors for the Sandgropers in the final quarter to limit Vic Metro's final winning margin to 23 points.

WA finished the impressive and improved National 18s Championships for 2016 with good wins over Vic Country and the Allies, and competitive performances on the road in losses to South Australia and Vic Metro.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA        0.3    3.6    5.7    8.10    (58)
VICTORIA METRO        1.4    5.6    9.8    12.9    (81)

WA – Goals: Narkle 2; Petrevski-Seton, Fisher, Bolton, Logue, Clarke, Strnadica.
Best: Petrevski-Seton, Baker, Narkle, English, Rotham, Guelfi, Fisher, Bolton.
VIC METRO – Goals: Kerr 3; Hayes, Venables, Gallucci 2; Taranto, Lyons, Daicos.
Best: Bunker, Taranto, McGrath, Kerr, Clarke, Gallucci, Brown.