By JARROD POTTER
UNDER 18 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
SURGING Stingrays guided Vic Country to a whopping 62-point win over Western Australia.
The Victorians kept the home side off the scoreboard impressively – conceding only two goals to three-quarter-time – as Fremantle Oval only saw the visitors shine in the conditions.
Jack Lonie continued his rampage at the champions and reaffirmed the point to selectors that size isn’t everything.
The 174cm Dandenong Stingrays co-captain earned another national championship’s best-on-ground nod in his 24-possession, four-goal haul for the state team.
With scoreboard contributions from Dandenong team mates Aaron Wilson (2 goals) and emerging ruckman Gach Nyuon, Vic Country proved too strong for the lacklustre Western Australians in the 14.13 (97) to 5.5 (35) demolition.
Vic Metro’s 14-point victory over the South Australians leaves Vic Country to face South Australia in Round 5 of the national championships. With both sides on three wins currently and two rounds remaining, all signs point to this being the decider for the Australian crown.
The fifth round will be held at Simonds Stadium, Geelong, with Vic Metro clashing with Western Australia at 12.35pm before the blockbuster championship decider between Vic Country and South Australia at 2.35pm.
UNDER-18
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
WESTERN AUSTRALIA 0.1 2.2 2.4 5.5 (35)
VIC COUNTRY 4.6 7.7 11.8 14.13 (97)
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Goals: Stewart, Pickett, Watson, Bevan. Best: Hardisty, Watson, Winton, Dent, Blakely, Smith.
VIC COUNTRY
Goals: Lonie 4, Butler 3, Webb 2, Wilson 2, Parish, Nyuon, Marchbank. Best: Lonie, Dixon, Tucker, White, Goddard, Nelson.
