West Australian Football

WA will look to take a number of positives out of Saturday’s 27-point loss to Vic Country in the third round of the NAB National 18s Championships.

After two weeks of soul searching following an upset loss to NSW/ACT, the Victorian side got away to an unassailable lead in the first half and then managed to hold off a fast finishing WA side to secure their first win of the championships, 11.4 (70) to WA 6.7 (43).

WA has named a near full strength team of 22 for its Round 3 NAB National 18s Championships game against Vic Country tomorrow at Subiaco Oval.

AFL / AIS Academy scholarship holder Anthony Morabito returns to the squad after a five-week lay off with a hamstring injury. Morabito played his first game back from injury last weekend for Peel Thunder colts and emerged from the game feeling confident of his chances in the upcoming NAB National 18s Championships.

Western Australia has completed a successful interstate trip to Adelaide by producing a commanding 64 point victory over South Australia in the second round of the NAB National 18’s Championships.

The game began as a physical affair with the South Australian side attempting to unsettle the WA team. After handling the early physical approach with aplomb, the WA side were always in control of the contest and eventually blew the South Australians away with a nine goal to one second half.

The WA State 18s started their defence of the NAB National Championships in fine style, with a 70-point victory over NSW/ACT at Subiaco Oval on Sunday.

Played as the curtain-raiser to the Fremantle and Port Adelaide match, the game was played in fine conditions following torrential rain the previous day. While the surface was slippery underfoot, the relatively dry conditions suited the WA team who relished the opportunity to play on the wide expanses of Subiaco Oval, winning 15.7 (97) to 4.3 (27).

The final squad of State 18s players has been selected ahead of the 2008 team’s first NAB 18s Championship encounter this Sunday.

The WA side takes on the NSW/ACT side at Subiaco Oval as the curtain-raiser to the Fremantle versus Port Adelaide clash. The game starts at 11.30am.

On the back of a five-goal win over the WA State Country side in their final practice game, the WA boys are ready and raring to defend the National title they won last year.