Western Australia lost to South Australia by eight goals in their AFL National Under-16s Championships opener in Adelaide on Sunday.

A one-goal first half cost the Black Swans on their way to the 12.12 (84) to 4.12 (36) result.

Coach Ross McQueen rued the team’s slow start but hoped to build on their bright second half ahead of their next game against Vic Country at Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast next Tuesday.

“We were probably a little bit slow to get going,” McQueen said.

“We got our hands on the footy but made some errors and they were able to capitalise early.

“The second half gave us plenty of confidence and positivity going forward and they’ll be better for the run.”

McQueen praised his backline for holding up well against immense pressure including West Perth’s Trent Hiscock, Swan Districts’ Harry Jones and Peel Thunder tall Darcy Petersen.

“As a group they were under a fair bit of pressure and they did really well,” he said.

McQueen also liked the performances of Swan Districts’ Chayse Martinson in the midfield and up forward and Claremont/Scotch College winger Hugh Boxshall.

He said Otis Harvey (Swan Districts/Hale) and Deian Roberts (Peel) did some good things.

Tall forward Tyler Welsh, the son of former Adelaide Crow Scott, was the star of the show for SA with four goals.

WA have two more games, in the space of five days next week, finishing at Adelaide’s Thebarton Oval against Vic Metro on Saturday.