By ZAC MILBANK

South Australia has opened its 2024 Marsh AFL U16 National Championship campaign in positive fashion with a hard-fought 10-point win against Western Australia in Game 1 at Thebarton Oval.

Despite trailing at the first two breaks, the Croweaters’ defining third term proved pivotal in the final result as they kicked 3.2 to the Sandgropers 1.3 to establish a handy 10-point buffer heading into the fourth quarter.

SA coach Heath Younie would have been pleased his men were able to hold the visitors at arm’s length during the tense final stanza as both sides kicked 2.3 each.

Croweaters’ midfielder Archie Van Dyk was prominent around the ball while joint vice captain Dougie Cochrane stood tall in defence for the hosts.

Koby Moir, the younger brother of Carlton draftee Ashton Moir, looked dangerous with two goals while Jacob McNicol and Zemes Pilot also bagged a pair of majors each.

After defeating the Sandgropers, SA will travel north to face Victoria Metro at People First Stadium on the Gold Coast on Tuesday July 9 before closing with a match against Victoria Country at Fankhauser Reserve at Southport on Friday July 12.

South Australia      1.2  5.3  8.5   10.8 (68)

Western Australia  2.2  5.4  6.7   8.10 (58)

BEST – SA: Archie Van Dyk, Dougie Cochrane, Ethan Herbert, Jack Gordon, Angus White, Koby Moir

GOALS – SA: Jacob McNicol, Zemes Pilot, Koby Moir 2, Jermaine Miller, Taj Garrett, Archie Van Dyk, Brodie Bretones

At Thebarton Oval