Under 18 National Championships 2015: Ben Crocker kicks match-winning goal for Vic Metro against South Australia
BEN Crocker kicked a goal with 23 seconds remaining to snatch victory for Victoria Metro against South Australia and finish its carnival on a high.
OAKLEIGH Charger Ben Crocker kicked a goal with 23 seconds remaining to snatch victory from South Australia and finish Victoria Metro’s national championships campaign on a high.
Ninety seconds earlier Maris Olekalns had regained the lead for South Australia in a seesawing final term, before Crocker pounced on a loose ball in the goal square and kicked his second goal of the quarter.
The siren sounded before the ball could make its way back to the middle, with Metro running out five-point winners, 10.6 (66) to 8.13 (61).
Metro’s second win for the carnival is likely to see it avoid the wooden spoon, which serves as justice after the Round 1 loss to Victoria Country when Jy Simpkin kicked a match-winning goal after the siren.
South Australia booted the opening three goals of the match and led until midway through the final term before Bryce Batty goaled to give Metro the lead for the first time.
It was the usual suspects who starred for Metro, with Crocker, Harley Balic and Metro MVP Jade Gresham gathering 22 disposals each.
Crocker and small marking forward Hisham Kerbatieh kicked three goals for the home side.
Jack Silvagni, who kicked six goals against Western Australia, had another quiet game and was sent into defence for the second half.
“The boys stuck at it all day and never gave up until the final minute. I’m really proud of them, it was a great win,” said Gresham.
It was another disappointing result for South Australia as it’s quest for a three-peat finished with just two victories. SA led the inside 50 count 48-25, won the clearances and hitouts but innacuracy was costly and Metro kicked nine goals to four in the second half.
Top-five fancy Aaron Francis looked settled playing four quarters across half-back, while the silky smooth Riley Bonner gave the Croweaters drive.
Captain Will Snelling and underage big man Peter Ladhams kicked two goals each for the visitors, while ball magnet Luke Partington had 20 disposals.
Victoria Country has a chance to maintain its perfect record when it plays WA at Simonds Stadium on Thursday to complete the Division 1 series.
In Wednesday’s Division 2 match, Tasmanian ball magnet Kieran Lovell gave his draft chances a boost with another dominant performance in his state’s come-from-behind win over Northern Territory.
Lovell amassed 261 SuperCoach points, 34 disposals and three goals as Tasmania turned a 19-point deficit at the final break into a 13-point win, 11.7 (73) to 9.6 (60)
It caps an impressive carnival for the stocky 174cm on-baller, who averaged 35 possessions and 187 SuperCoach points across the three games.
The Thunder looked headed for their first victory of the championships before Tassie banged on six goals to one in the final term.
“I couldn’t have been happier with the boys and the effort we put in during the last quarter,” said Lovell.
“They are really quick on the outside with really good skills and they just run in numbers and link up really well.
“The main objective was to keep it in close, keep it tight and win the hard ball. It really worked in the last quarter.”
Lovell was supported by smooth-moving defender Mitchell Hibberd (24 disposals), who currently looks Tassie’s best draft prospect.
Small forward Dan Rioli, the second cousin of Cyril, was the Thunder’s best player with two goals from his 15 disposals.
Tasmania can win the Division 2 title if NSW/ACT can upset Queensland at Simonds Stadium on Thursday morning.
Originally published as Under 18 National Championships 2015: Ben Crocker kicks match-winning goal for Vic Metro against South Australia
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