AAMI SA U18 Team defeated by WA in Game 1

By ZAC MILBANK

A spirited second-half comeback wasn’t enough for the AAMI SA U18 Team after it succumbed to Western Australia by 12 points in Game 1 of the 2026 Marsh AFL National Championships in Perth.

Trailing by as much as 34 points midway through the second quarter, the Croweaters – who conceded the opening five goals of the game – lifted their intensity and ball use to get within a kick twice in the final term.

Exciting SA forward Anthony Long booted two of this three majors in the last stanza while fellow forwards Jack Slattery and Gabe Patterson were also looking dangerous whilst also putting their teammates into positions of advantage.

SA vice-captain Cain Florance picked the ball up beautifully on the half-volley to stream into a goal on the run from 40m inside the opening five minutes of the fourth quarter.

Patterson nailed his set shot from the goal square after receiving a 25m penalty only for WA to steady through Frazer Rickson.

But Long still had other ideas when he calmly slotted through his set shot from 20m to put the Croweaters within four points with eight minutes to play.

Each time the visitors closed the gap, WA steadied and the dying stages were no exception as James Artemis kicked the sealer in the 21st minute.

SA midfielders Harvey Croker (22 disposals) and Memphis Webb (24 disposals, six clearances) were ranked high among SA’s best while Slattery was also a strong performer with his clean passing and workrate further up the ground a feature.

Hard-running pair Sam Tassone and Jake Eime impressed with 18 disposals each for the Croweaters while bottom-age wingman Taj Garrett was solid with 15 disposals and a goal.

The Croweaters will now turn their attention toward hosting the Allies at Alberton on Sunday June 21 before finishing with away clashes against Victoria Metro (Friday July 3) and Victoria Country (Wednesday July 8).

WA  5.5  7.5  9.8   11.12 (78)

SA  0.1  4.3  6.5  10.6 (66)

BEST – SA: Harvey Croker, Sam Tassone, Jack Slattery, Mitch Harris, Memphis Webb, Taj Garrett.

GOALS – SA: Anthony Long, Gabe Patterson 3, Cain Florance, Jack Slattery, Jack Nelson, Taj Garrett.

At Mineral Resources Park, Perth