WA finish strong AFL U16 Champs with impressive win over Vic CountryFriday, July 18, 2025 - 12:12 PM - by Jordan McArdle

Western Australia have finished their AFL National Under-16s Championship campaign in style, defeating Vic Country at Southport’s Fankhauser Reserve on Friday.

WA produced a strong six-goals-to-three second half to prevail by 23 points – 11.10 (76) to 8.5 (53) – for their second win out of three games.

Their only loss of the carnival came earlier in the week, a heart-breaking three-point defeat to Vic Metro.

Subiaco ball magnet Angus Abbonizio was sensational for the victors, especially in the opening half when he racked up a game-high 32 disposals - including 25 in the first half - and seven clearances.

Claremont goal-kicker Charlie Williams was the main focal point with three second-half majors, while Sharks young gun Oscar Richardson kicked two and had a hand in several others in a lively performance.

Perth defender Fynn Tomasini’s (25 disposals and nine marks) ability to read the play was outstanding, taking intercept mark after intercept mark in the back half.

Perth’s Kye Inferrera (18 disposals, four inside 50s and two score assists) was the connector between the midfield and forward-line, driving the ball with class inside 50 and putting pressure on the Vic Country defence, while West Perth’s Campbell Creyk’s (20 disposals and two goals) run and ability to hit the scoreboard also important.

East Fremantle big man Noah Hannaford performed admirably in the ruck after captain and first-choice ruckman Axel Walsh was ruled out with a knee issue in the lead-up, while club teammate and midfielder James Artemis (19 disposals, 10 tackles and five clearances) capped off a strong carnival with another fine display on the way to winning WA's MVP award.

Artemis follows in the footsteps of his cousin and South Fremantle gun Jaxon Artemis by winning an MVP award for WA, with Jaxon claiming one in last year's National Under-18s Championship.

It was a see-sawing opening term in blustery conditions on the Gold Coast

After conceding an early major, WA kickstarted their day with an excellent team goal finished off by Swan Districts speedster Djayvian Narrier.

Richardson levelled the scores once again late in the term with a well-placed mid-range set shot, using the breeze to perfection.

Abbonizio continued his hot form from game two against Vic Metro, amassing 11 first-quarter disposals in a strong midfield display.

But it was Vic Country up by six points at the break.

After a first-quarter goal, Richardson then turned provider early in the second, firing off a quick handball to Creyk to cap off an excellent passage of play for the Black Swans whose pressure was up.

Inferrera’s forward-line intercept resulted in a goal to Demon Beau Mepham (two goals) late in the second quarter.

After absorbing some pressure at the other end, WA made it back-to-back majors with Creyk running into an open goal after excellent work from Richardson and Claremont’s Will Blaxell.

The Black Swans’ lead was out to eight points late in the half before Vic Country cut it back to two just before half-time.

The ball movement from WA was excellent to start the second half with Creyk, Inferrera and Artemis all involved and Williams getting on the end of it.

Williams nailed his second for the quarter as WA’s margin extended to 15, but Vic Country continued their trend of late goals to make it a nine-point game at three-quarter time.

The result was beyond doubt by midway through the final term as Williams and Richardson continued to wreak havoc inside 50, with Mepham also hitting the scoreboard.

SCOREBOARD

WA 2.1 5.4 8.7 11.10 (76)

VC 3.1 5.2 7.4 8.5 (53)

WA goals: C Williams 3; O Richardson, C Creyk, B Mepham 2; D Narrier, A Clayton.

WA best: A Abbonizio, K Inferrera, C Creyk, F Tomasini, C Williams, N Hannaford, O Richardson,J Artemis.