South Australia’s Will Gould a standout in last-kick, one-point loss to a Brodie Kemp-led Vic Country at the Under-18 championships

A last-kick, one-point loss to Vic Country means South Australia’s chase for back-to-back Under-18 titles is over. But after a standout performance, Glenelg’s Will Gould’s draft prospects have risen again.

The Phantom

2 min read

June 28, 2019 - 4:23PM

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Despite a standout performance from Glenelg’s Will Gould, South Australia’s back-to-back title hopes are over after a heartbreaking one-point loss to Vic Country in Round 4 of the Under-18 Championships.

After Gould put the Croweaters in front with three minutes to play with a long-running goal, profilic Vic Country midfielder Brodie Kemp (27 disposals) won the game with the last kick of the day — a set shot, following a terrific mark running back with the flight.

Vic Country’s Brodie Kemp of Vic Country celebrates his match winning goal against South Australia at GMHBA Stadium in Geelong, Australia. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

In a seesawing, low-scoring affair at GMHBA stadium, Gould — South Australia’s top draft prospect — was a rock across half-back, while also providing plenty of drive from defence, in a performance which enhances his top-10 credentials.

The 191cm, 98kg 18-year-old, whose game resembles that of West Coast skipper Shannon Hurn, finished with 26 disposals and was clean and precise with the ball in hand as he pushed up the ground to help out at the stoppages.

But it wasn’t enough as the two sides traded blows in a tight final term.

Power father-son prospect Jackson Mead, who had an influence in the midfield all day, finishing with 22 disposals, booted the first goal of the quarter for South Australia, with a clever right-foot snap.

Lachlan Williams of Vic Country beats South Australia’s Dylan Stephens to the loose ball in Geelong. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Vic Country answered immediately with small-forward Cody Weightman — who is considered the best small-forward in this year’s draft pool — booting his fourth goal for the afternoon, before Mead put his side back in front with a second major.

But it didn’t last long as Gippsland’s Sam Flanders (28 disposals) made no mistake from the forward-pocket with a Stevie J-like snap, after a chase-down tackle.

Just as Gould’s heroics look as if it would get his side over the line, dashing defender Lachie Ash, who was a standout across half-back for the undefeated Vic Country, found Kemp inside 50 with under a minute on the clock.

Woodville-West Torrens’ Harry Schoenberg led the midfield charge for South Australia finishing with 32 disposals, while the run of Dylan Stephens, who tallied 20 disposals of his own, was a highlight.

Vic Country’s Sam Flanders gets a kick away in front of Jed McEntee of South Australia. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Adelaide’s 2020 father-son prospect Luke Edwards finished with 23 touches, while fellow bottom-ager Corey Durdin, who was awarded the Kevin Sheehan Medal as the best player in division one of last year’s Under-16 championships, also had an impact, booting two goals, again showing he’s one to watch for next year.

For the victors, midfielder Caleb Serong, who has drawn comparison to Port Adelaide star Robbie Gray, tallied a game-high 33 disposals and 10 clearances.

Highly-rated Norwood forward Cam Taheny made his return after missing last week’s clash with Vic Metro but the young gun, who has booted 11 goals from three senior games at SANFL level this year, failed to have an impact.

With just one win from its first three matches, South Australia travel to Marvel Stadium next week to take on the Allies, out of the title chase.