State 18s start with a win

NAB AFL 18s National Championship

WESTERN Australia's State 18s made a sensational start to the NAB AFL 18s Championship with a convincing 46-point win over South Australia on Saturday.

Played at Subiaco Oval as the curtain-raiser to the Fremantle and Richmond AFL game, the 18s produced a high quality contest with WA stamping their authority in the third term to run away with a 46-point win.

WA was led by outstanding performances from Anthony Morabito, David Swallow, Mark Hutchings, Brandon Matera, Kane Lucas and Anthony Collica, while leading goal-kickers were Matera with four and Jack Darling, also with four.

Morabito played an outstanding game on the wing where he used his skills and leg speed to constantly trouble the South Australian midfield. He was instrumental in setting up numerous goal scoring opportunities with his long kicking into the forward 50 and finished off well also with two goals.

Swallow displayed a real hardness at the contest and attacking run off half back and was rarely beaten in one-on-one contests, showing tremendous poise under pressure.

Hutchings played a real captain's game in the midfield and was constantly in the thick of the action and feeding the ball out to his running midfielders.

Matera was dangerous all day across half forward and finished with four goals, worrying the South Australian defenders with his pace and ability to create space.

Lucas put in a hard-working display across half forward and through the midfield, proving dangerous in the forward 50m and finishing his good work with two goals.

Collica also put in a terrific display and continues to grow in confidence with every outing. He also showed excellent pace and great finishing skills.

WA's State 18s will depart for Darwin to play the Northern Territory on June 5, which will be followed by a clash with Victoria Metro at Subiaco Oval the next weekend.

The final two contests will be played in Victoria against Tasmania at Casey Fields on June 25 and Victoria Country at Etihad Stadium on July 1.

SCOREBOARD

Western Australia 5.1 8.2 14.6 19.12 (126)
South Australia 1.2 5.6 7.6 12.6 (78)

GOALS: Western Australia - Darling 4, Matera 4, Lucas 2, Duncan 2, Morabito 2, Houghton 2, Collica, Gartlett, Foster. South Australia - Panos 3, Tapscott 2, Giddings 2, Lycett 2, Carey, Sumner, Silverlock

BEST: Western Australia - Morabito, Swallow, Hutchings, Matera, Lucas, Collica. South Australia: Trengove, Panos, Wilson, Craig, Jolly.

Fixtures - NAB National 18s Championship

May 30: WA v SA - Subiaco Oval (curtain raiser to FRE v RIC)

June 5: NT v WA - TIO Stadium

June 13: WA v Vic Metro - Subiaco Oval

June 27: Tas v WA - Casey Fields

July 1: Vic Country v WA - Docklands.