SAM Petrevski-Seton was pleased to put a frustrating six weeks behind him in Western Australia’s 17-point win over the Allies at Subiaco Oval on Saturday.
The boy from Halls Creek (19 disposals) was one of the Black Swans’ best in his first game of the AFL Under-18s Championships after being sidelined with hamstring and back issues.
Petrevski-Seton said it was great to get through the game, and will take plenty of confidence heading into WA’s final game of the carnival against Vic Metro in Geelong on June 29.
“It’s a great feeling to be back out amongst the under-18s fellas and getting my first game in against the Allies,” Petrevski-Seton told The Sunday Times.
“It (the injury) was in my head a bit, but as soon as a laid a few tackles and used my hamstring a bit more during the game, I couldn’t feel anything.
“It gave me more confidence, laying more tackle and bursting out of contests.”
WA survived a late fightback from the Allies to record its second win of the carnival, prevailing by 17 points.
The Division One newbies booted the first three goals of the final quarter to get within 11 points with five minutes remaining.
But the Black Swans steadied, soaking up some valuable time and pressure in defence to put the result beyond doubt.
Stan Wright (13 disposals, two goals) converted a free-kick after the siren, WA’s only goal for the term, to give his state a 17-point win – 10.9 (69) to 7.10 (52).
Perth Demons product Zac Fisher further enhanced his draft credentials, finishing with a game-high 30 touches and a goal.
“Coming from senior football at Perth, he’s got plenty of confidence and is fitting in well at under-18s level and started the carnival really well,” Petrevski-Seton said.
Father-son prospect and WA skipper Jake Waterman (11 disposals, two goals) continued his brilliant championship, likewise with Josh Rotham and Matt Guelfi.
East Perth’s Sam Powell-Pepper produced another good game before spending the majority of the last term on the sidelines after coming off the ground holding his right hamstring.
Powell-Pepper produced one for the highlight reel midway through the second term, racing down the wing with a couple of bounces before a pinpoint delivery to Waterman in the goalsquare.
The home side led at every change, but the Allies showed plenty of fight in the second half.
Key forward Todd Marshall, the only multiple goalscorer for the combined outfit with 2.2, caused some headaches for the WA defence.
Jack Rolls, Kobe Mutch, Declan Watson, Harrison Macreadie and Jamie Hampton also toiled hard.
SCOREBOARD
WA 3.3 6.5 9.8 10.9 (69)
ALLIES 1.1 2.4 4.6 7.10 (52)
BEST
WA: Z Fisher, S Petrevski-Seton, J Waterman, M Guelfi, J Rotham, S Bolton, L Baker.
Allies: J Rolls, K Mutch, D Watson, T Marshall, J Hampton, H Macreadie.
GOALS
WA: J Waterman 2, S Wright 2, Z Fisher, B Starcevich, S Powell-Pepper, S Bolton, M Guelfi, L Baker.
Allies: T Marshall 2, M Maguire, Z Sproule, J Allison, J Hampton, B Davis