AFL Draft 2022: Vic Country plays Western Australia in next under-18s championships game

Vic Country has a ready-made replacement for an injured defender. Here’s who has been brought into the side chasing a third straight win.

Colac’s Will Parkhouse has been brought into the Vic Country under-18s team as it searches for a third successive victory in the national championships at Geelong on Sunday.

The 197cm key defender has been troubled with foot and ankle injuries since last year.

But two strong performances in the last two weeks for Geelong Falcons has him ready to come into the in form line-up as a straight swap for East Point’s Felix Fogarty, who suffered an ankle injury against the Allies a fortnight ago.

“We just wanted to build some form, consistency and continuity with him in training and games,” Vic Country coach Paul Corrigan said.

“He probably wasn’t ready at the start of the carnival, but he has played the last couple of weeks at the Falcons and had some good games.

“We didn’t want to bring him in underdone.”

Will Parkhouse in action for Geelong Falcons against Bendigo Pioneers last weekend. Picture: Daniel Pockett/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

Parkhouse will be one of five Geelong Falcons squad members who will be playing in front of a home crowd against Western Australia.

The others are captain Jhye Clark, Oli Northam, Oscar Murdoch and Ted Clohesy.

Vic Country and Vic Metro could be headed for a September showdown to decide this year’s national championship.

“We had not beaten South Australia in South Australia for a fair while so that was a good win,” Corrigan said.

Jhye Clark has been one of the standout players for Vic Country during the under-18 national championships. Picture: Kelly Barnes/Getty Images

“Vic Metro plays SA before us on Sunday so if they win and we win then it will come down to a showdown in September between the two Vic sides.”

Vic Metro beat Western Australia by 27 points earlier this month.

Western Australia’s Elijah Hewett is being touted as a top-10 pick in this year’s draft after an eye-catching 29 disposals, six marks and two goals against Vic Metro.