South Australia vs. NSW/ACT

South Australia came into the match with a strong side to take on the NSW/ACT Rams but soon realised that this was not going to be a walk in the park. At quarter time the South Australian side led by just two points with the Rams controlling the midfield through Murray Bushranger Michael Gibbons while creating some offensive run from the half back line. It took until the second quarter for the South Australians to take control, booting six goals to two on the back of some great work from Matt Scharenberg around the ground and Darcy Hourigan up forward.

Jydon Neagle was providing a target for the Rams as he booted three goals for the match, but it was the grunt work of Gibbons who laid 12 tackles against the star studded midfield of Trent Dumont, Luke Dunstan and James Aish, all expected to go in the first round of this year’s draft. By three quarter time it was a 47 point margin and the favourites had got home, but to the Rams credit, they held in there, only losing the last quarter by one point and going down by 48 points.

Collingwood AIS Scholarship holder and pint-sized pocket rocket Elijah Edwards booted two goals for the Rams while Max King was also able to hit the scoreboard. Gibbons was a clear best for the Rams, amassing 29 disposals, nine clearances, four inside 50s and 12 tackles as well as a goal to impress recruiters. For South Australia, it was Scharenberg who topped the disposal count with 26 disposals, ten marks, seven rebounds and seven inside 50s. Hourigan, Dumont and Dunstan were all amongst the best as the South Australians prepare for the Victorians later in June.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA 17.13 (115)
NSW/ACT 10.7 (67)

SOUTH AUSTRALIA goals: Hourigan (4), Harvey (4), Karpany (3), Scharenberg, Spina, Dunstan, Johansen, Wilson, Reynolds
NSW/ACT goals: Neagle (3), Edwards (2), King (2), Gibbons, Eastman, Austin

SOUTH AUSTRALIA best: Scharenberg, Coome, Dumont, Spina, Hourigan, Dunstan
NSW/ACT best: Gibbons, Neagle, Perris, Watson, Clothier, Barrett

Western Australia vs Tasmania

Fresh off a win over the Western Jets at Highgate Recreation Reserve, Tasmania were keen to show what they could do on a national level, taking on Western Australia in the National Championships. It appeared the Sandgropers were also up to the challenge with the West Australians taking an inaccurate 31 point lead at quarter time. Luckily for Tasmania, the 14 scoring shots to three hadn’t completely put them out of the game. By half time it was 60 to 15 and looking more and more likely that it would be a blowout. The great work of Dominic Sheed who led a relatively inexperienced WA side compared to last year was killing those from the Apple Isle, creating many chances for the West Australian forwards.

The game finished with the favourites getting up with an inaccurate 14.17 to 5.9, a total of 31 scoring shots to 14 with a 62 point margin. The inaccuracy saved Tasmania from being on the end of a horrific defeat, but also showed how impressive WA can be, especially if they improve their goal kicking. Captain Sheed collected 32 disposals and eight clearances while being ably assisted by Matt Cripps and Jarrad Jansen in the midfield. For Tasmania, it was a commentators worst nightmare when the Kolodjashnij twins both put in impressive performances, Kade in particular collected 37 disposals. Ruck Toby Nankervis also continued his good form and will be a real dark horse coming into the draft.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA 14.17 (101)
TASMANIA 5.9 (39)

WESTERN AUSTRALIA goals: Bevan (3), Johnson (2), McCarthy (2), Abbott, Edwards, Waterman, Marsh, Sokol, Jansen, Cameron
TASMANIA goals: Boscott, Smith, Lee, Bones, Fox

WESTERN AUSTRALIA best: Sheed, Johnson, Cripps, Hodgson, Bevan, Jansen
TASMANIA best: J Kolodjashnij, Lockhart, Nankervis, K Kolodjashnij, Boscott, Hanson