2018 U18 Boys nationals report

The Camberwell contingent in the Victorian boys under 18 team had great success at the tournament in Adelaide over Easter. The Vic team won the tournament and the national title. The Vic girls also won the title.

Coach Clinton Lander brought superb tactical nous to the team and has spent the last 3 months bringing together a tight and focused bunch of teenage boys. The team won all the round games including against Taiwan and NZ Boys as they fine tuned their game. In the final, Cocky had the team totally committed to the game plan, resulting in a big win. The defence were tight and the opposition had no answer when all 6 players attacking the goal were a real option. Almost every goal was created by smart play, rather than luck or individual brilliance.

Ethan Hausler played long pole as an integral part of the best defensive unit for the tournament that let through less than 6 goals a game on average. He played solidly as LSM and defender, winning numerous ground balls and holding out the attack. He put his body on the line many times, including saving a desperate WA outside shot with his helmet that sent the ball into Adelaide airport air space. Referee Steve Green seemed more startled than Ethan temporarily stopping the game, Ethan just kept on playing.

Al Rubins played a great power midfield role. He was given difficult assignments in holding out key opposition attack men in defence and carrying the ball into attack. Numerous opponents found that trying to stop a charging Al was bad for their health. A highlight was against WA in game 2 when he carried from the boundary in defence through all the oppositions attack men and midfielders. As he sprinted towards goal the defenders slid too late and Al sent a laser-guided shot into the back of the net. He also was a key player in attack setups, regularly driving from the top and scoring 6 goals for the tournament. 

Joseph Pagliaro played the tournament of his life. He ended up being equal top scorer with a final tally of 15 goals, including 3 goals in the final. He played in attack providing calmness and consistency to the attack setup and working hard around X and on the crease. He won MVP in the game against the Taiwan men’s team, where the Vic’s prevailed 10-1. Joey was named in the Aus U18 All Star team and the ALN All-Tournament team. 

Al’s mum, Gabby took on the team manager role with enormous hard work and success. What seemed like a seamless experience to the boys, coaches and other parents was due to substantial time and energy put in by Gabby before and during the tournament. Everything from dinners, breakfasts, energy food at the game, recovery foods after and laundry. And remember these are all hungry, sweaty teenage boys. Thanks heaps.

All the other Vic players, led by Liam and Mitch, and assistant coaches, Reggie and Marshy, made big contributions through the tournament, a true team effort.

Thanks to Steve Green and the refs, you had a good last game.