Western Australia has notched its second win of the NAB under-18 championships with a 43-point win over Victoria Country at MC Labour Park on Friday.
Led by standout midfielder Rhys Palmer (36 possessions), the Sandgropers booted seven goals to nil after half-time in a dominating display in the wet.
WA trailed by a point at half-time after an uninspiring half that produced just four goals between the two sides.
After the break it was the midfield of WA – namely Palmer, Chris Masten and David Ellard – that took control of the contest.
Up forward the hard work of the on-ball brigade was capped by Cale Morton who hauled in an impressive 10 marks in the tricky conditions.
Morton – the brother of AFL-listed youngsters Mitch and Jarryd - bagged two goals, as did Masten and Ellard.
Palmer, expected to be highly sought at this year's NAB National Draft, boosted his stocks with a dominant display.
He won plenty of contested footy around the tough clearances and delivered the ball inside forward 50 on 11 occasions.
For the losers, Scott Selwood, the fourth of the Bendigo family AFL production line, tried hard.
Ryan Hobbs battled for four quarters while Ashley Hockey was the highest possession winner.
Western Australia 9.14 (68) d Victoria Country 3.7 (25)
Goals: Western Australia : Masten 2, Morton 2, Ellard 2, Palmer, Garlett, Yarran
Victoria Country: Hobbs, McKenna, Bell
Best: Western Australia: Palmer, Masten, Morton, Rich, Myers, Rance
Victoria Country: Hockey, Austin, Selwood, Suban, Hobbs