VICTORIA Country has sent coach Nathan Buckley out with a bang, trouncing South Australia to win Saturday's NAB AFL Under-16 Division One Grand Final at Visy Park.
After leading all day, Vic Country eventually settled for a 50-point victory: 11.16 (82) to 4.8 (32).
With Devon Smith (25 possessions) among the best players, Rory Taggert and Wil Pomorin kicked two goals each for the winners.
Adam Treloar, who played in Friday's TAC Cup grand final, became a joint recipient of the Kevin Sheehan Medal - awarded to division one's best and fairest player. He shares the honour with Western Australia's Tom Mitchell.
Treloar was also named Vic Country's most valuable player, with Chad Wingard earning South Australia's best.
Victoria Country 3.2 6.9 6.13 11.16 (82)
South Australia 1.4 1.5 3.7 4.8 (32)
GOALS
Victoria Country: W. Pomorin 2, R. Taggert 2, T. Bugg, S. Gordon, N. O'Brien, D. Shiel, D. Smith, A. Treloar, D. Watchorn
South Australia: M. Ialeggio 2, M. Appleton, J. Hombsch
BEST
Victoria Country: D. Smith, J. Kelly, R. Taggert, T. Bugg, W. Pomorin, S. Gordon, P. Wright
South Australia: B. McKenzie, J. Growden, C. Wingard, M. Appleton, D. McCallum, D. Galland
The decision to move the game from the MCG to Visy Park was made late on Friday because of poor weather, but winners from both under-16 finals will be presented at half time of the Toyota AFL Grand Final between St Kilda and Geelong.
Earlier in the day, Queensland came back from a scoreless first quarter to win the NAB AFL Under-16 Division Two Grand Final against NSW/ACT by 21 points.
It had to wait until the second term to kick its first goal - its only one of the first three quarters before booting five with the breeze in the final term to take the victory.
The win secured Queensland's fifth under-16 division two title to make it the most successful state for that pool in the history of the championships.
A tough yet skilful contest wasn't ruined by the conditions.
Queensland's all-round effort would have pleased Gold Coast recruiters who were watching on and have the job of planning the new franchise's list development.
Among Queensland’s best was Papua New Guinean David Meli, an international scholarship holder with Essendon.
Luke Reynolds starred in defence and attack, while Aaron Laskey was named most valuable player for Queensland. Sam Milne was deemed the standout for NSW/ACT.
The McLean Medal for best player in the championships went to another Queenslander, Jackson Allen.
Queensland 0.0 1.3 1.5 6.12 (48)
NSW/ACT 2.1 2.3 3.8 3.9 (27)
GOALS
Queensland: L. Reynolds 2, J. Ives, J. Allen, J. Wallin, W. Bacon
NSW/ACT: S. Milne, J. Brooks, A. Birch
BEST
Queensland: L. Reynolds, P. Yagmoor, L. Chitty, J. Matthews, A. Laskey
NSW/ACT: S. Milne, J. Gordon, J. McInerney, J. Brooks, D. Cowerd, H. Cunningham, J. Potter
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
