WA 18s come up short against South AustraliaSaturday, June 6, 2015 - 1:58 PM - by Chris Pike

WESTERN Australia's 18s team wasn’t able to back up its thrilling win over South Australia two weeks ago with the Croweaters running out 73-point winners on Saturday at AAMI Stadium in the AFL National 18s Championships.

WA produced a tremendous performance two weeks ago Lathlain Park in the opening game of the 2015 AFL National 18s Championships beating the two-time defending champions South Australia by a point.

However, last Sunday WA went down to Vic Country by 105 points at Medibank Stadium and now in their first away trip of the championships, came up short at AAMI Stadium in Adelaide with South Australia running out 18.15 (123) to 7.8 (50) winners.

WA kicked just the two goals in the first half, both coming in the opening quarter courtesy of Sam Petrevski-Seton and Luke Strnadica.

South Australia kicked four goals to those two in the first term, and then booted another six goals to nil in the second quarter to end up leading by 52 points at half-time.

The Black Swans certainly lifted in the third quarter and managed to kick four goals courtesy of Jesse Mirco, Cameron Zurhaar and Clark, but South Australia then again finished strongly with four goals to one in the final term to end up winning by 73 points.

Despite the final scoreline, WA had a host of players who still put in strong performances throughout the afternoon in Adelaide.

Captain Greg Clark again led from the front with the Subiaco midfielder playing a third straight strong game with 19 possessions, seven marks and a goal.

South Fremantle's Callum Ah Chee was also impressive with 20 disposals, five marks and four rebounds from the defensive 50 as he ran hard throughout the game.

Declan Mountford also had a good game for WA with 19 possessions and four defensive 50 rebounds with Jordan Snadden gathering 19 disposals, Jake Florenca 16, James Harrold 16 and Jesse Mirco 16.

Levi Ridley again showed some good signs in his 14 possessions and a goal while Michael Cronan worked hard in the ruck finishing with 10 disposals and 13 hit outs.

South Australia had some players who were simply outstanding, though, with Aaron Francis kicking four goals from 22 possessions and eight marks.

Jadyn Brind also had a game-high 27 disposals to go with three goals while Matthew Allen also booted three majors and Luke Partington two to go with 26 touches.

WA's National 18s Championships now continues next Saturday against Vic Metro back in Perth at Domain Stadium before then heading to Geelong's Simonds Stadium to play Vic Metro on Friday June 26 and then Vic Country on Thursday July 2.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA        2.2    2.3    6.5    7.8    (50)
SOUTH AUSTRALIA        4.2    10.7    14.11    18.15    (123)

WA– Goals: Clark, Mirco, Ridley, Petrevski-Seton, Strnadica, Ehlers.
Best: Ah Chee, Clark, Schoenfeld, Snadden, Mountford, Harrold.  
SA– Goals: Francis 4; Brind 3, Allen 3; Partington 2; Haysman, Bonner, Nunn, Olekalns, Markov, Redman.
Best: Brind, Partington, Francis, Haysman, Olekalns, Bonner, Dew.