By LIAM TWOMEY
VICTORIA proved no match for a fast finishing Western Australia to go down by 17 points during the State Carnival over the weekend.
With a number of new faces pulling on the Big V jumper for the first time, the Victorian side wasted no time getting accustomed to the Perth heat and the tempo of the match to open up a 22-point lead heading into quarter time.
From there, both sides held the momentum at different stages during the next two quarters, but it was Victoria that made the most of its chances around goal while Western Australia continued to misfire in front of the big sticks.
However, after leading by as much as 31 points during the third quarter, Victoria failed to hang on as WA began to pile on the pressure.
Western Australia booted five final-quarter goals to none to not only close the margin but run out convincing winners, 17.16 (118) to 15.11 (101).
For Victoria, Frankston’s Sam Lloyd kicked four goals while Werribee’s Ben Warren and Northern Blues’ Kane Lambert were the other multiple goal scorers.
Around the ground, Port Melbourne’s Chris Cain was the leading possession winner with 32.
He was well supported by former Liston Trophy winner and North Ballarat midfielder Myles Sewell who had 27 touches.
Williamstown’s Willie Wheeler finished the game with 11 disposals, three marks and a tackle.
For Western Australia, it was western suburbs product Wayde Twomey who was the star of the show, booting five goals to be awarded the Simpson Medal for the best player on the ground.
Twomey played his junior football for Port Melbourne in the Western Region Football League before joining Werribee in the VFL.
He was rookie listed by Carlton in 2011 before being delisted at the end of the season and moving to WAFL club Swan Districts.
The Victorian Football League season will return to normal this week with Werribee set to do battle with Coburg in a must-win clash for both sides.
On Sunday Frankston will host Williamstown.
