DARREN MONCRIEFF
Sunday, September 4, 2011
WESTERN Australia has the best under-15s team in the country after winning on the Gold Coast yesterday.
WA remained unbeaten throughout the qualifying rounds of the inaugural national Indigenous championships.
The boys from the west kept that record intact when they defeated Queensland 13.19 (97) to 7.14 (56) to become national age champions in front of a growing crowd at Metricon Stadium.
While the championships play a largely developmental role, there were nevertheless standout performers with obvious talent.
Jermaine Miller-Lewis showed his class this week as a mobile and imposing target for WA and he added several goals to his tally in the grand final. He kicked three goals in the second half as WA extended their lead over the Queenslanders in the third quarter.
Taking advantage of the strong, southerly breeze, the West Australian midfield peppered their forwards with quality delivery.
Strong first and second quarters gave WA an imposing lead at half-time. Jermaine kicked two quick goals early in the third quarter.
Queensland's Samuel Charles pegged one back with a superbly roved ball and a goal from a smart left-foot snap.
Queensland were again on the board inside the first minute of the final term when Henjo Mareko kicked his side's fifth goal.
However, Dylan Nelson (pictured), Jarrod Garlett, Brandon Colbung were steady as rocks in WA’s defence, Warrick Wilson was a force in the ruck, and Daniel Barnard provided good rebound. Against that, this was as close as the Queenslanders could get.
Any thoughts of a late revival by the hosts were evaporated when WA’s Anthony Champion kicked a goal and shortly after Brent Gore executed a brilliant scoop followed by a fantastic spin out of heavy traffic and goal. Brett was swamped by his team-mates who were thrilled with his skilful show.
WESTERN POWER: WA, winners of the inaugural National Indigenous Under-15 Championships, with coach Des Headland (left) and assistant coach Trevor Stack (right).
Championship MVPs
NORTHERN Territory's Nakia Cockatoo and Western Australia's Jarrod Pickett have tied to win the National Indigenous Under-15 Championships' MVP award.
The pair earned eight votes each over five games in three days to share the honours.
It was a triple-treat for Jarrod who, after winning the championship title with WA, was also named as his State's MVP.
Also tying for an MVP were South Australia's Michael Coombe and Tyler McKenzie.
NSW/ACT's Elijah Edwards won his team's MVP, as did Bohdi Walker for Victoria/Tasmania.
Isaac Rokeby was awarded the MVP award for Queensland.
All the championship results can be found here.
AboriginalFootball@westnet.com.au
Last Modified on 04/09/2011 09:25