The Croweaters 14.8 (92) defeated Country 5.11 (41) in the first match of the division one double-header at Optus Oval on Sunday.
South Australia led for the entire match, but put the medal down in the last quarter, slamming on six goals to zip. The win was revenge of some sort after it lost to Vic Country in 2004.
Jace Bode gained the most touches for South Australia (25), while teammates Darren Pfeiffer, Sam Elliott and Tom Hurley were also prominent ball-winners.
Up forward, South Australian vice-captain Tom Rischbieth and Cleave Hughes bagged three goals each, while Alan Obst rebounded strongly out of defence.
Tom Redden, a NAB AFL Draft Camp attendee last year, was terrific in the first half with 12 touches and five marks, while Brad Sugars also impressed after he played in last year's carnival.
For Vic Country, Xavier Ellis was his side's best, as he won 23 touches - the most for the white and blue - while the much-talked about Joel Selwood showed why he will feature prominently at the NAB AFL Draft in November. Selwood is the younger brother of twins Adam (West Coast) and Troy (Brisbane Lions).
Lachlan Hansen also showed plenty to like about his game, as he took some strong marks in defence, while the highly-rated Marcus Drum - who was an All-Australian last year - was solid. Benjamin Fraser also finished with three of his side's five majors.
South Australia started the match strongly, booting four goals to one to gain an 18-point advantage at the first break.
Four majors were added in a low-scoring, goal-for-goal second term, with the Croweaters leading by 17 points at half-time.
South Australia added the opening two goals of the third term, to stretch the margin to 29 points, but when Fraser bobbed up with two in a row, Vic Country cut the deficit to 16 points at the final change.
Although the match was still within Vic Country's reach heading into the final term, South Australia added three in the first three minutes and was home. And another three goals for the South Australians rubbed further salt into Victorian wounds.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA: 4.2 6.3 8.5 14.8 (92)
VICTORIA COUNTRY: 1.2 3.4 5.7 5.11 (41)
GOALS - South Australia: Hughes 3, Rischbieth 3, Bricknell, Dutschke, Ebert, Elliott, Hurley, Lower, Sugars, Yeomans Vic Country: Fraser 3, Ellis, Simpkin
BEST - South Australia: Elliott, Bode, Obst, Pfeiffer, McEntee, Hurn, Hughes, Rischbieth, Sugars Vic Country: Ellis, Hansen, Bowe, Selwood, Drum, Fraser
UMPIRES - Elliott, Kelleher, Mills
At Optus Oval
