SA U18 Team defeat Western Australia in Game 3

By ZAC MILBANK

South Australia’s unbeaten run in the 2025 Marsh AFL U18 National Championships has continued in fine style after executing a crushing 76-point victory against Western Australia at Alberton Oval.

Already with impressive wins against the Allies (seven points) and Victoria Metro (61 points), the Croweaters again put on a clinical display of unselfish, team-orientated football to claim the points in Game 3.

Leading comfortably at each change, Tony Bamford’s charges effectively had the game in hand by the first change after breaking out to a 22-point lead on the back of nine scoring shots to two.

With laser-like left-foot forward Cameron Nairn hitting the scoreboard with a match-high seven majors and captain Dyson Sharp again having a massive impact through the midfield, the Croweaters continued to increase their advantage on the back of a 47-37 inside 50 count.

Accumulating 63 more disposals and 21 more marks, SA had a multitude of strong performers contributing to the cause.

Nairn booted seven goals without a miss from his 11 disposals and six marks to underline his efficiency while skipper Sharp had a match-high 33 disposals, six marks, six clearances and seven tackles in another eye-catching display.

SA joint vice-captain Sam Cumming continued his consistent carnival with 15 disposals and a goal as defenders Bayln O’Brien and Bryce Sanders were also heralded by the match committee.

Tall utility Aidan Schubert again showed off how he can contribute in multiple ways with 21 disposals, seven marks, 12 hit outs, four clearances and a goal while Richmond father-son prospect Louis Kellaway was clean with his 21 disposals.

The Croweaters will now turn their attention toward their final match of the tournament against Victoria Country on Sunday June 29 at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne to finish off their campaign.

All matches in the 2025 Marsh U18 AFL National Championships will be live streamed via the match centre on the AFL website and AFL Live Official App.

South Australia  4.5  7.8  12.12  17.14 (116)

Western Australia  1.1  3.1  4.2  6.4 (40)

BEST – SA: Cameron Nairn, Dyson Sharp, Sam Cumming, Bayln O’Brien, Bryce Sanders, Harley Barker, Aidan Schubert, Sam Ainsworth, Mitchell Marsh, Louis Kellaway.

GOALS – SA: Cameron Nairn 7, Dyson Sharp, Mitchell Marsh 2, Aidan Schubert, Zane Peucker, Jesse Nye, Sam Cumming, Tim Alver, Sam Ainsworth 1.

At Alberton Oval