GEELONG Falcons pair James Tsitas and Lewis Taylor have steered Vic Country to a 63-point win over Tasmania on Sunday.
The midfielders were central to Country's 15.17 (107) to 7.2 (44) win, dominating at the stoppages, creating play and proving too much to handle for the Tasmanians.
Tsitas had 32 disposals and laid 12 tackles, while Taylor had 27 touches with six clearances. Both influenced the game in different ways: Tsitas set it up with clean hands and short kicks, while Taylor's pace and zig-zagging run cut through Tasmania.
Zak Jones, the younger brother of Melbourne midfielder Nathan, impressed for Vic Country. Jones mopped up across half-back and was hard to beat in the air, too.
He finished with 21 disposals, which included five rebound-50s, each with a good level of composure.
Nick Bourke has had an interrupted season since injuring his shoulder in March but, like his AIS-AFL Academy teammates Tsitas and Taylor, Bourke had too much poise for Tasmania.
The left-footer had 21 touches, and weighted many of his passes perfectly through the midfield and while transitioning play from half-back to the wing.
Forwards Dallas Willsmore and Clay McCartney each benefited, both booting three goals. Willsmore led at his marks strongly and could have had more goals if not for inaccuracy.
Tasmania avoided a large defeat by having an extra player in defence for the majority of the game, but was well outplayed.
Midfielder Eli Templeton had 30 disposals, and Kade Kolodjadhnij continued his strong form with 24 touches.
Toby Nankervis was again a standout as a versatile ruckman, gathering 18 disposals from nine marks.
More importantly, Nankervis again showed he had a strong presence against a division one side, marking well around the ground. In a NAB AFL Draft which does not possess many key prospects at the top end, Nankervis has done a good job of catching recruiters' eyes in the first two rounds of the championships.
Tasmania will have a better chance of securing its first win of the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships in two weeks when it hosts Queensland at Hobart, while Vic Country will be aiming to remain unbeaten when it faces South Australia next Sunday at Adelaide.
VIC COUNTRY 5.1 7.9 10.10 15.17 (107)
TASMANIA 1.1 4.1 6.2 7.2 (44)
GOALKICKERS
Vic Country: McCartney 3, Willsmore 3, McCartin 2, Saunders 2, Drummond, Heppell, Lang, Merrett, Tsitas
Tasmania: Dickenson 2, Joseph, Fox, Nankervis, Pearce, Willis
BEST
Vic Country: Taylor, Holman, Tsitas, Willsmore, Jones, Leslie
Tasmania: Templeton, Grey, Jones, K.Kolodjashnij, Nankervis, McGuiness
Follow AFL website reporter Callum Twomey on Twitter at @AFL_CalTwomey
