Under-18 National Championships: Quarter-by-quarter updates as Vic Metro and South Australia compete for title

CAN’T make it to a TV to catch the Under-18 National Championships decider between Vic Metro and South Australia? We’ll have quarter-by-quarter updates from Etihad Stadium.

VIC METRO will be out to claim this year’s Under-18 National Championships title when it takes on South Australia and potential No. 1 draft pick Jack Lukosius at Etihad Stadium today.

Our reporters Tim Michell and Toby Prime will be providing quarter-by-quarter updates and analysis from the under-18 carnival decider.

Vic Metro was defeated Western Australia by 18, the Allies by two and Vic Country by 26, while South Australia has accounted for Vic Country by 27, Western Australia by 89 and the Allies by 24 points.

Rhylee West of Vic Metro and Jack Lukosius of South Australia will be vying for the national under-18 title. Picture: Getty Images.

QUARTER-TIME: RANKINE DOMINATES OPENING TERM (Toby Prime)

SOUTH AUSTRALIA 4.3 (27) V VIC METRO 0.1 (1)

The #NABAFLU18s champs have become the Rankine Show! Izak Rankine has 3.1 from seven disposals and SA leads Vic Metro 4.3.27 to 0.1.1

— Tim Michell (@tim_michell) July 4, 2018

THREE first-quarter goals from possible top-five Izak Rankine AFL draft selection has helped South Australia make a flying start against Vic Metro in the final game of the under-18 national championships at Etihad Stadium.

The livewire forward booted an impressive 3.2 in the opening 25 minutes as SA opened up a 26-point lead by the first change.

Vic Metro’s only score of the first term came from the boot of possible Carlton father-son selection Ben Silvangi when he kicked a behind at the 16-minute mark.

SA missed two set shots after Silvagni’s point and dominated territory in a worrying sign for the Vics.

Disposals

Vic Metro: Ayton-Delaney 9, Kelly 6, West 6, B. Smith 5.

South Australia: Kennerley 10, Hately 10, Lewis 8, Rankine 7.

HALFTIME: SOUTH AUSTRALIA CLOSING IN ON TITLE (Tim Michell)

SOUTH AUSTRALIA 9.4 (58) V VIC METRO 2.3 (15)

Get used to seeing this. Jack Lukosius has a shot at goal which fades and hits the post. SA by 39 and all over the Vics #NABAFLU18s pic.twitter.com/kei8Z9TGHg

— Tim Michell (@tim_michell) July 4, 2018

South Australia has rammed home its advantage after leading by 26 points at quarter-time, stretching the margin at the main break to 43 points. The boys in red kicked the first goal of the term after less than 90 seconds but big man Ben King, a likely top-five draft pick, quickly answered for Victoria. SA killed any thoughts of a comeback swiftly when No. 1 draft pick fancy Jack Lukosios and Ben Jarvis answered. King pulled down another big pack mark to trim the deficit to 32 points after 11 minutes, but South Australia’s dominance in the middle of the ground has been telling. SA has had 169 disposals to 141 and has been so clinical inside attacking 50. Tempers flared just after the siren when both benches cleared out and players from both teams clashed. Western Jets defender Buku Khamis enjoyed some nice moments for the Vics but this contest is in South Australia’s keeping.

Disposals

Vic Metro: Ayton-Delaney 15, Snith 12, West 9, Mahony 9

South Australia: Kennerley 18, Hately 13, Rankine 12, Frederick 11, Lewis 11

THREE-QUARTER-TIME: SA ANSWERS THE CHALLENGE (Toby Prime)

SOUTH AUSTRALIA 12.7 (79) v VIC METRO 8.5 (53)

The Vics have kicked 5.2 since halftime and the margin is back to 11 points midway through the third quarter. Surely not? #NABAFLU18s

— Tim Michell (@tim_michell) July 4, 2018

South Australia has responded to a Vic Metro challenge to hold sway at three-quarter time in the final game of the under-18 national championships.

Metro kicked the first five goals of the term through Jack Mahoney, Curtis Taylor, James Rendell, Ben King and Taylor to cut the margin to 11 points.

But goals from Mihail Lochowiak, Luke Valente and James Siviour reasserted the visitor’s control to go to the final change with a 26-point advantage at Etihad Stadium.

Disposals

Vic Metro: Ayton-Delaney 20, B. Smith 17, Mahony 13, McKenzie 12

South Australia: Kennerley 19, Hately 18, Valente 13, Rozee 13

FINAL SIREN: BOYS IN RED REIGN SUPREME (Tim Michell)

And SA will be the national champions! Rankine puts on the afterburners, kicks his fifth and puts the boys in red 40 points clear during the last term #NABAFLU18s

— Tim Michell (@tim_michell) July 4, 2018

SOUTH AUSTRALIA 17.14 (116) v VIC METRO 9.7 (61)

What a performance by South Australia to claim this year’s national title. They were seriously challenged when Vic Metro drew within 11 points midway through the third quarter, but arrested momentum and ran away with the game in the last term. The final margin reflected their dominance for so much of the contest around the ground. Izak Rankine finished with five goals despite being well held in the second and third quarters, while Jacob Kennerley and Jackson Hateley were major ball winners for the boys in red. Joe Ayton-Delaney from Oakleigh Chargers battled hard for Vic Metro, while Bailey Smith won plenty of the ball. The margin blew out in the last 10 minutes as South Australia iced a performance befitting a champion side.

Disposals

Vic Metro: Ayton-Delaney 25, B. Smith 23, Rowell 19, Kelly 17, Mahony 17

South Australia: Hately 24, Kennerley 22, Valente 19, Rozee 18, Lewis 18

Izak Rankine booted five goals as South Australia became national champions with a big win over Vic Metro. Picture: Getty Images.