Western Australia underlined its U16 National Championships title credentials with a dominant 37-point victory over Victoria Metro at People First Stadium on Tuesday.

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VIC METRO

4. FREDDIE HARDMAN (180cm midfielder, Hawthorn Citizens)

23 disposals, five marks, three tackles

Hardman began the game really sharply and raced to five disposals in the opening couple of minutes as he buzzed out of packs. A moved well out of stoppages and wasn’t afraid to commit his body to the cause, sprawling out for a diving handball at half-forward in the third term which helped Metro get a shot at goal.

12. LUAL DENG (184cm defender, Hoppers Crossing/North Melbourne NGA)

15 disposals, five marks, five rebound 50s

Deng played on talls and smalls and also was able to offer plenty of rebound with some tidy kicks off his right boot. He did well under siege in the second quarter to win a one-on-two and scramble an effective kick away to Nevon Eshwara when he was corralled up against the boundary line.

15. MAC HAMMERSTEIN (185cm mid/defender, Blackburn)

28 disposals, 10 marks, six rebound 50s

Quickly caught the eye as a tall and strong midfielder who can break the lines, and also did some important work in defence by cleanly swooping on a couple of loose ground balls. Hammerstein ran hard off half-back in the third term to win the ball in the corridor, put the burners on and kicked long inside 50 for Angus Dunstan to mark and goal from close range.

19. LUKAS KOUTOUFIDES (189cm forward/mid, Ivanhoe)

Six disposals, four marks, two tackles

Koutoufides came into the game with a bang in the second quarter, taking a mark on the wing and playing on with a laser-beam pass off his left boot which crashed off the chest of Finn O’Callaghan. He reeled in a big pack mark on the wing in the second quarter and exploited smaller opponents to take marks inside 50 in the second half, but was unable to convert his one set shot.

22. JESSE GROENEN (192cm defender, Montrose)

Nine disposals, three marks, three rebound 50s

A tall defender who was calm with the ball in hand and a clean distributor by foot on a busy day for Vic Metro’s backs. Peeled off for a couple of nice intercept marks and was able to take some heat out of the game for his side.

23. ANGUS DUNSTAN (192cm forward, Balwyn)

12 disposals, seven marks, two goals

Dunstan displayed some good speed to get out the back and slot a difficult snap goal running towards the boundary in the second quarter, and took a few more marks inside 50 including a great tumbling effort into the third quarter, from which he nailed a set shot goal.

25. FINN O’CALLAGHAN (196cm forward, Ashburton)

Six disposals, two marks, two goals

O’Callaghan was caught not getting the mitts out early on the lead but adjusted and took two important grabs and converted his chances to leave Metro in a significantly better position at halftime. He was the only key forward who didn’t catch the yips in front of goal. Boasts great reach and nice foot skills for his size.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

8. NOAH THOMPSON (192cm defender, Dunsborough/East Perth)

12 disposals, seven marks, five rebound 50s

Began the game really strongly by outmuscling Dunstan for a contested mark at the top of the square, and was difficult to beat in the air throughout the game. Thompson was also very assured by foot.

18. JAYKE TAYLOR (186cm forward, Willeton/East Fremantle)

15 disposals, 10 marks (six contested)

If he’d brought his kicking boots with him to the Gold Coast, Taylor could have had one of the great days out as he dominated the skies in WA’s forward half. He led out strongly for a big overhead mark on the wing in the first quarter, which set the tone for an imposing aerial performance. But he would be filthy about missing straightforward set shots as he finished with 0.6.

27. TROY WARNER (179cm mid/forward, Willeton/East Fremantle)

27 disposals, six marks, eight inside 50s

Warner appears to have all the tricks of his older brothers, and the same enthusiasm for wearing zinc in winter. His footwork at stoppages was excellent and he made good decisions about when to take on a tackler or release another teammate via handball. He took a nice lead-up mark inside 50 in the third quarter and then offloaded the ball neatly to a teammate in a better position.

28. XAVIER STEWART (180cm defender/wing, Collie/Peel Thunder)

15 disposals, two tackles, four inside 50s

Stewart began the game in defence and looked really comfortable putting his mix of pace and aerial ability to use. He gave great rebound early in the game and cleared packs with a couple of big spoils. He courageously put his body on the line in the second term to punch a bouncing ball into the path of Martignago, which led to a WA score.

32. JOSH OLDROYD (178cm forward, Quinns District/West Perth)

Six disposals, five tackles, two goals

Compared to cheeky Hawthorn playmaker Jack Ginnivan by his coach, Oldroyd lived up to that label early with two goals from his first two kicks. He didn’t have a heap of the ball after the first term, but provided great pressure inside 50.

34. AIDEN MARTIGNAGO (175cm midfielder, Willeton/East Fremantle)

29 disposals, nine clearances, five tackles

Martignago was best afield in a game where he displayed all the traits of a top-level midfielder. He was slick at ground level, pouncing on loose balls with one touch, and courageous in the air. He kicked an early goal and looked dangerous whenever he rotated forward, and the Metro midfielders were unable to stop his run offensively. He combined beautifully with Warner, who he has played a lot of junior football with.

40. ASHLEY CLAYTON (168cm forward, Belmont/Perth)

17 disposals, five tackles, three inside 50s

A half-forward with quick feet who got more involved as the game went on and made really nice decisions with the footy. Clayton has a classy right-foot kick and found plenty of the ball in the second half as he pushed up the ground.

Originally published as AFL U16 Championships: Full scouting notes from Western Australia’s victory over Vic Metro