AFLW U18 girls champs 2024: Georgia Knight stars in Vic Metro win over Vic Country, full scouting notes

A blistering performance from a small forward set in motion a Vic Metro win over rivals Vic Country in game two of the girls national championships. See how each player performed.

Vic Metro’s Georgia Knight’s draft stocks would have received a boost with her eye-catching five-goal performance on Sunday. Picture: Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos

Vic Country coach Mel Hickey knows her players will be hungry for a win against Western Australia next month.

The squad, who are 0-2 at this year’s under-18 girls national championships following a 33-point loss to Vic Metro on Sunday, enjoyed periods of dominance in both their clashes — the first against Queensland a week earlier – but failed to capitalise on the scoreboard.

“I think if we keep moving the ball like we did, we can be really, really dangerous and we probably just need to make the most of those scoring opportunities,” Vic Country coach Mel Hickey said.

“Three quarter time, I think we had equal scoring shoots with Metro but they were just a bit more accurate and able to pull away.
“And against Queensland at half time, we definitely had the dominance but it just really wasn’t on the scoreboard so we kind of faded after that.“But overall the quality of football we’ve been able to play and individual performances were really impressive and at the end of the day that’s what we’re there to do — showcase the talent of the players and give them an environment to perform at their best.”

Vic Metro’s Georgia Knight and Sierra Grieves were two thorn in Country’s side, Knight kicking five goals in an eye-catching performance on Marvel Stadium while Grieves was dynamic as an attacking midfielder as the team scored its second win.

For Vic Country, Geelong’s Sara Howley and Sale’s Ash Centra have been its most impactful players across the first two games.

Against Queensland, Howley was the clear standout but Hickey held even more praise for her second performance.

“Maybe at time against Queensland, she tried to go too much but I thought she did the simple things really well against Metro,” she said.

“She ended up with 12 clearances with is just phenomenal in such a high quality mid group... I thought that really stood out.”

As for Knight, Hickey had no doubt the performance would put the 17-year-old on the radar of scouts.

“Watching it back, she’s obviously very lively and dangerous and plays that small forward role really well,” Hickey said.

“I think we let her get a couple early and she was full of confidence then... in terms of boosting your draft chances you just need a game like that sometimes and it really puts your name forward.”

See how each of the players performed.

VIC METRO

#1 Abbey Vicino (Oakleigh Chargers)

The forward gave away an early free kick but came alive in the second half. Kicked back-to-back goals in the third term which gave Metro an important 18-point lead, the first of which saw her step around a rival to create her own space in the pocket to snap truly. Finished with 13 touches and kicked her third in the final term, crumbing a loose ball to quickly get the shot off.

#2 Marlo Graham (Northern Knights)

A pressure forward who had quality touch on her seven possessions before kicking a dazzling goal in the final term, bursting through a pack and putting the ball quickly to her boot.

#3 Maggie Mahony (Oakleigh Chargers)

The midfielder had clean hands, with a quality pick-up on the run to kick inside 50 and find a teammate in the opening quarter. Her tackling pressure was a feature of her game — she finished with eight — including a brilliant run down tackle of Country’s Jasmine Sowden in the third quarter. Won more of the ball in that third quarter, with strong efficiency kicking forward, to finish with 15 touches overall.

#4 Charlotte Brewer (Oakleigh Chargers)

Brewer was fairly quiet with only five touches but won a nice contested possession late in the game.

Western Jets product Sierra Grieves was a standout for Victoria Metro in its win against Country. Picture: Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos

#6 Sierra Grieves (Western Jets)

Metro’s best midfielder, Grieves found plenty of ball to finish with a game-high 30 touches — including nine in the first quarter — and was crucial to the team’s link-up play and attack inside 50 with 322 metres gained and six forward entries. Was clean with the football and showcased her smart, quick decision-making.

#7 Georgia Knight (Eastern Ranges)

Arguably Metro’s most impactful player, the hard-nosed forward kicked five goals — including four within the first 22 minutes — and assisted three others. All her goals were executed in different fashion, from a snap to a difficult 35-degree set shot. Made the most of all her opportunities off just 13 touches, gaining 330 metres and showcasing her strength by breaking off opponents. Had a canny ability to create her own space.

#8 Lou-Lou Field (Western Jets)

Playing out of defence, Field enjoyed a few bright moments off nine touches, including a quality intercept mark.

#9 Amelie Gladman (Oakleigh Chargers)

Was lively up forward, capitalising on a free kick in the third to convert of a set shot before setting up another.

#10 Kyla Forbes (Calder Cannons)

Playing centre half back, Forbes was a solid presence in defence to log nine disposals.

#12 Molly Paterson (Eastern Ranges)

Popped up later in the game through the midfield and defence, in which she took a nice intercept mark.

#13 Zoe Hargreaves (Northern Knights)

The smaller-bodied midfielder found and used space well when either looking to pass off or receive and had a nice overhead mark. Did a bit of everything to finish with 25 touches, seven clearances, seven tackles and five marks.

#14 Sophie Mckay (Sandringham Dragons)

The dashing midfielder broke away with the first clearance of the game before kicking an early goal running onto a bouncing ball in the forward square. The daughter of Carlton 200-gamer Andrew and sister of current Blue Abbie, Mckay was among Metro’s best and showed an ability to break lines with 25 touches and 329 metres gained.

#15 Sarah Poustie (Oakleigh Chargers)

Had good balance and composure with her first disposal, eventually finishing with 17. Was an intercept threat and was part of several good link-up plays from Metro.

#16 Scout Howden (Sandringham Dragons)

Got her hands on the ball early and finished with 15 touches, Howden’s rebound mark on the wing set up the chain for Metro’s first goal while a particularly bright moment saw her weave through traffic with ease.

#17 Holly Ridewood (Northern Knights)

Playing through the midfield-forward line, showed intent with 13 disposals and six tackles and had a nice burst of speed out of the contest.

#18 Sienna Tallariti (Oakleigh Chargers)

Tallariti had a strong kick out of defence and looked smart with ball in hand, with her intercept marking a strength.

#20 Georgie Brisbane (Eastern Ranges)

The tall forward presented well with little individual reward early off the back of game one’s five goal effort. Instead the 175cm prospect picked up a few goal assists via Grace Belloni and showed she could work below her knees with a quality pick-up and shot on goal which unfortunately didn’t pay off. Another shot on goal fell short, but Brisbane finally broke through in the final quarter, attacking a ground ball to then turn and snap on her right foot before getting a second soon after from marking in space.

#21 Grace Belloni (Eastern Ranges)

Worked well in tandem with fellow key forward Brisbane, who she plays with at Coates Talent League level, Belloni kicked a running goal in the second term before taking a contested mark and slotting her second in the third. Finished with five marks and a game-high two contested grabs.

#23 Evie Parker (Eastern Ranges)

The defender had limited opportunities but showed her smarts in a one-on-one to draw a free and was clean with ball in hand.

#25 Daisy Flockart (Sandringham Dragons)

The defender didn’t have much sway on the game but was able to get her hands on the ball late.

#26 Emma McDonald (Oakleigh Chargers)

Deployed in Metro’s forward line, McDonald was competitive to finish with six touches.

#27 Josephine Bamford (Eastern Ranges)

Was the dominant ruck on the ground, working in tandem with Hishongwa-Gibb. Finished with 27 hit-outs and was good to advantage and followed up her work around the ground with 11 touches and four tackles.

#31 Isobella Hishongwa-Gibb (Northern Knights)

Played a key role in helping Metro comfortably control hit-outs 50-23 with 20 tap outs of her own.

VIC COUNTRY

Geelong’s Seisia White finished with two goals for Victoria Country. Picture: Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos

#1 Seisia White (Geelong Falcons)

Playing forward, White found space in back to get off a brilliant snap on her right, before she stuck a contested mark and won the 50m penalty to kick an easy second goal. After a quieter game one against Queensland, White proved one of Country’s more influential forwards against Metro — which could have been more so had see converted two missed shots.

#2 Zali Gallagher (Gippsland Power)

Lacked execution early with a fumble and kick into the mark but got her game back on track with a number of strong marks and defensive efforts in the second half.

#3 Jemma Reynolds (Dandenong Stingrays)

The midfielder was handy with 13 touches, including a pinpoint inside 50 entry to find White in the second term. Picked up some classy touches by attacking the space in the fourth quarter.

#4 Elise Cook (GWV Rebels)

Didn’t find much ball and instead tried to exert her presence on the contest with six tackles.

#5 Lucia Painter (Bendigo Pioneers)

Painter’s booming kick was once again on show, as was her dash out of the midfield with 13 possessions and 301 metres gained. A composed ball-handler, a standout moment saw Painter receive on her left and shift her weight to her right to fire off an booming inside 50 kick which led to Country’s second goal.

#6 Chloe Bryant (Geelong Falcons)

Playing as an inside-mid at the Falcons, Bryant has had to adapt quickly to a new role on the wing. Against Metro she was well improved, and showcased an ability to hit the contest at speed, find the pass and take intercept marks, while a dazzling turn of step saw her avoid contact with ball in hand. Wove through traffic against later on, before finishing with 13 touches, five marks and 248 metres gained.

#7 Sara Howley (Geelong Falcons)

Was Country’s best in game one and arguably had a stake on the same title in game two. Used her breakaway speed out of the contest early and capitalised off advantage to kick Country’s first goal of the third 30 metres out on the run. Really stepped up her work rate in the contest in that third quarter to finish the day with 12 clearance, five tackles and 26 disposals, 20 of which were contested.

Mekah Morrissy celebrates a late goal for Victoria Country. Picture: Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos

#8 Mekah Morrissy (Geelong Falcons)

The winger won a couple touches early and her third was the most effective to start the chain which landed Vic Country its first goal. Was eye-catching on occasion, attacking a loose ball at full speed to then shrug off an opponent to launch from about 40m out though it shaved post, while she missed a second shot on goal on a tough angle.

Capitalised on the bounce of ball to run into an open inside 50 to snag the last goal of game in the final minute, with an equally entertaining love heart celebration.

#9 Holly Egan (Murray Bushrangers)

Had a quieter game in comparison to game one but was still resolute in defence for Vic Country with 12 disposals and five tackles. Gave away a costly free kick though with a throw which gifted Metro a goal.

#12 Rebecca Clottey (Geelong Falcons)

Played as a pressure forward and was largely quiet, though was the only County player to land an inside 50 tackle. Picked up some late touches higher up the field in the fourth quarter to send the ball inside 50.

#13 Jemmika Douglas (Bendigo Pioneers)

Played across defence, with a highlight seeing Douglas drift across for a pack mark in the third quarter.

#14 Kayla Dalgleish (Dandenong Stingrays)

The forward didn’t have the same impact against Metro as she did Queensland (two goals) but still managed to showcase her athleticism, presenting high and taking some strong overhead marks.

#15 Jasmine Sowden (Gippsland Power)

Was handy through the midfield with seven touches and seven touches, while she sold some candy in the second quarter. Laid an important shepherd to give White more time and space to kick her first goal.

Ash Centra impacted both in the midfield and up forward for Victoria Country. Picture: Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos

#16 Ash Centra (Gippsland Power)

One of Vic Country’s best switching between the midfield and attack to finish with 29 disposals and two goals, both of which were snaps. Illustrated her ability to win the ball and hit targets in the forward line, while her capacity to wheel around and find teammates was impressive.

#17 Claire Mahony (GWV Rebels)

Presented as Vic Country’s most dangerous presenting forward, leading into space to mark and kick the team’s first goal while she nailed her second from distance in the final quarter. Went back and took a goal-saving grab on Vic Metro’s goal line late in the game too.

#18 Stella Huxtable (Geelong Falcons)

Showed good vision as a high forward to help set up her teammates, before taking a strong contested mark to kick her first goal. The bottom-ager finished with 10 disposals, three marks and five inside 50s.

#19 Ella Stoddart (Gippsland Power)

One of Vic Country’s strongest in defence, found a lot of ball early with eight of her 17 disposals coming in the first quarter. Was an intercepting threat (eight), had a strong clearing kick out of defence and finished with 301 metres gained.

#20 Makhaela Bluhm (Dandenong Stingrays)

Played in defence and pushed higher up the ground at times for two touches.

#23 Madison Ibrahim (Murray Bushrangers)

Playing mostly defence, her intercepting (five) abilities were on full display.

#27 Sasha Pearce (Bendigo Pioneers)

Played as a key defender, with the task of containing Brisbane and the like. Took an intercept mark and laid some tough tackles.

#28 Zoe Besanko (Dandenong Stingrays)

Was solid in the ruck with 13 hit-outs and followed up around the ground with 14 disposals, while at times brandish her marking abilities and penetrating kick.

#31 Alexis Gregor (Bendigo Pioneers)

The leading forward worked up the ground at times to finish eight touches and three marks.

#32 Zahri Burn (Gippsland Power)

It was a quieter day for 181cm Burn, who had five hit outs and five touches playing both as a ruck and forward option.

Originally published as AFLW U18 girls champs 2024: Georgia Knight stars in Vic Metro win over Vic Country, full scouting notes