AFL Under-18 National Championships: Vic Metro defeats Vic Country, full scouting notes
Vic Metro got the win over Vic Country but they needed a controversial 50m penalty in the final seconds to secure the National Championships. Check out all the Supercoach scores.
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A gun defender who has been likened to Essendon’s Jordan Ridley proved the unlikely goalkicking hero as Vic Metro claimed the under-18 national championships title with a goal after the siren against Vic Country on Sunday.
Sandringham Dragons interceptor Luke Trainor pushed forward in the final minute of the match and was awarded a free kick after being infringed in a marking contest on the 50m arc with just seconds to play.
With his team trailing by five points, Trainor went on to receive a 50m penalty and converted a goal from point blank range after the siren to see Vic Metro to a one-point win.
The seesawing match saw many of the this year’s top AFL draft prospects do battle, with Vic Country midfielder Xavier Lindsay (30 disposals) and Vic Metro onballer Jagga Smith (25 disposals) standing out with their class for their respective sides.
Vic Metro forward Harry Armstrong (five goal) significantly enhanced his standing with some brilliant goalkicking and clutch contested marks, while teammate Isaac Kako (three goals) and Vic Country small forward Joe Berry (three goals) were also livewires in attack for their sides.
SCROLL DOWN FOR SCOUTING NOTES AND STATS FOR EVERY PLAYER
Vic Country defender Tobie Travaglia (25 disposals) did a power of work to cap an impressive championships campaign but gave away the match-deciding free kick against Trainor in a sour end to his day.
Vic Country onballer Harvey Langford (19 disposals, one goal) produced another strong game to be named a joint winner of the tournament’s Larke Medal, alongside Allies midfielder and Gold Coast Suns Academy prospect Leo Lombard.
Vic Metro’s title win was its second in three years after the side also reigned supreme in 2022.
VIC METRO
#1 Isaac Kako
The livewire small forward was in the thick of the action. He snapped a goal from a clean ground-ball pick up in the opening term and set up some teammates with good ball use going inside-50. While opportunities were limited at times, the Essendon NGA prospect made the most of them as he found space to take marks and converted two more set shots in the final quarter.
#3 Jesse Dattoli
The wingman and half-forward had an influence throughout the game with his running ability both sides of the ball and his effective ball use. He logged 20 disposals and had two shots on goal which would have helped cap his afternoon, but managed only a behind from one and failed to make the distance from the other.
#4 Joshua Dolan
Playing forward, Dolan worked hard, found space to take some marks and capitalised on his limited opportunities. He finished with two goals, the first coming from a 50m penalty but the second being a result of a nice mark going back with the flight before converting the set shot.
#5 Damon Hollow
On a wing, Hollow worked hard but didn’t have a sizeable say on proceedings. He finished with eight disposals and one mark.
#7 Harrison Oliver
The defender was a solid contributor down back, reading the play well and logging 11 disposals and six marks.
#8 Murphy Reid
It’s no wonder there have been comparisons made with Scott Pendlebury about this midfielder. He stays composed and works his way through the most high-pressure situations and has an incredibly clean set of hands. While not as prolific as his first three games of the championships, he still made his presence felt with 19 disposals.
#9 Jagga Smith
The talented midfielder sharked a ruck tap for a lovely centre clearance early. He was typically classy with his ball use, was clean when gathering loose balls, won a stack of contested footy and showed he can find the footy in a phone box. Smith got crunched in a bump during the second term but picked himself up and played on.
#10 Levi Ashcroft
The Brisbane father-son prospect spent most of the game onball but was relatively quiet by his standards. He managed to get on the scoreboard when he snapped a goal from the top of the goalsquare in the last quarter, though, and finished with 16 disposals.
#11 Christian Moraes
Spending time both through the midfield and forward line, Moraes brought his signature burst speed and provided some run and bounce as an important link player going forward. He finished as one of his side’s leading disposal winners with 19 touches and five inside-50s.
#14 Nash King
Usually a midfielder with the Calder Cannons, King again played in defence but had a quieter game than his first two outings in the championships. He finished the day with eight disposals and two marks after starting on the bench.
#15 Tom Gross
One of Vic Metro’s more eye-catching players on the day, the fierce competitor impressed with both the offensive and defensive sides of his game. Playing onball and forward, he showed his breakaway speed from the contest in winning four clearances, while he also laid an equal team-high four tackles.
#16 Lucca Grego
The Western Jets midfielder was again deployed down back, where his competitive nature shone through. He won five intercept possessions among 10 disposals.
#17 Zak Johnson
The halfback warmed into the game, providing some good run and rebound and using the ball well with his 13 disposals.
#18 Patrick Retschko
Playing on one wing, the tough-nut and strong-runner worked hard up and down the ground. He finished with nine disposals and 236 metres gained.
#21 Lennox Hofmann
Not the biggest day for the defender. He took an intercept mark in the second term, but finished the day with just four touches.
#22 Harry Armstrong
The key forward came to life in the second quarter, getting his side back in the game with three goals for the term. One of those came from outside 50m, putting his booming left foot on display. He booted a fourth major from a mark on the lead in the third quarter and his strong contested marking stood out in the final term on his way to a fifth goal.
#24 Josh Smillie
The big-bodied midfielder and No. 1 pick contender showed his size, strength and power as he broke tackles and broke clear of opponents around stoppage. He finished with an equal game-high eight clearances among 16 disposals, while also spending rotating forward.
#26 Luke Trainor
The reliable defender again caught the eye with his ability to read the play, take intercept marks and get a fist in to spoil. His biggest moment came when he pushed forward in the final minute, receiving a free kick and 50m penalty to boot the winning goal from point blank range.
#31 Keighton Matofai-Forbes
The forward presented well up the ground and is a booming left-foot kick, but his radar was a little off as he missed four shots on goal. His day ended early in the final quarter when he hobbled off with a hamstring injury.
#32 Adrian Cole
The key defender and St Kilda NGA prospect had some exceptional moments, including in the third quarter when he left his man to intercept the footy and set up a back-half goal for his team. Spending time on Jonty Faull and Jack Whitlock, he was competitive in the air and took multiple intercept marks.
#33 Louis Emmett
The back-up ruck to Impey, Emmett started on the bench before coming on and spending time forward and in the ruck. The bottom-age player found space and took a mark inside-50 in the second quarter but missed the set shot.
#35 Thomas Sims
The key forward presented well, but had an ‘almost’ day. Possessing a huge leap, he flew for some big pack marks and clunked some of them, but missed a number of kickable set shots and made a poor decision to handball after taking a mark inside-50 in the final quarter, causing a turnover.
#37 Lucas Impey
The dominant ruckman on the ground, the over-age big man put the ball down the throat of his midfielders time and again. A mobile player for his size, he also worked hard around the ground to provide a target down the line.
VIC COUNTRY
#1 Jasper Alger
Had a quiet first half but got some opportunities in the third quarter. He unselfishly set up a goal for Berry instead of going for it himself and missed a couple of other chances. Despite finishing goalless, Alger has definitely improved his standing across an impressive championships campaign.
#2 Archer Day-Wicks
Just when it looked like Day-Wicks had faded out of the game, the Bendigo Pioneers forward provided a defining moment when Vic Country needed it most. When Sam Lalor’s late set shot faded to the right in the dying minutes, Day-Wicks flew into the skies to take a brilliant contested mark. It wasn’t paid, but Day-Wicks had the presence of mind to play on and snap in congestion to put Vic Country in front with his second major. He had another eye-catching highlight early in the first quarter, clunking a strong grab running back with the flight in a one-on-one contest that set up his first major.
#3 Xavier Lindsay
The Gippsland Power captain was the clear standout in the first quarter and continued that form for the entire game. Lindsay had 12 disposals and four tackles to quarter time, wowing with his defensive intent and deft left boot. His desperate efforts early included a holding the ball free kick on the wing and he also should have been rewarded for a lunge that dispossessed Christian Moraes as he was snapping on goal. Was always presenting an option on the outside and assisted a Berry final quarter goal with a pinpoint pass. An extremely well-rounded game that highlighted his first-round potential, finishing with a game-high 30 disposals, 11 marks and eight tackles.
#4 Ollie Warbuton
Had the difficult match-up on the dangerous Kako and conceded an early goal, but was able to hurt him the other way with his speed and rebound off halfback. Finished as one of Vic Country’s highest possession winners with 19 disposals and eight rebound 50s, which featured some creative kicks out of defence.
#5 Finn O’Sullivan
All eyes were on the No. 1 pick contender in his second game back from a broken finger, and he was unable to influence the contest with seven touches. The Koroit product looked off the pace at times, mown down twice by Vic Metro tacklers with one of those conceding a holding the ball free kick, but had some important defensive efforts in the last quarter. Recruiters will be asking themselves how heavily they should scrutinise his two underwhelming championships performances after coming back from injury – especially considering the stunning two years that preceded them.
#9 Joe Berry
The lively small forward swung the game in Vic Country’s favour with a blistering third quarter where he kicked two goals, one of those coming after a strong defensive tackle – laying five for the match. It is hard to work out which is Berry’s preferred foot given how good he is on both sides, and he set up Alger on a couple of occasions with neat kicks. Rose to the challenge again in the last, slotting his third from the arc to cap what was his best performance of the championships.
#10 Rhys Unwin
Showed off his dash with a streaming run with three bounces early in the game, with his kick finding Day-Wicks deep inside 50. Was fairly quiet after that and was a little too ambitious giving away a 50m penalty that led to a Vic Metro goal.
#12 Harry Charleson
Charleson had a couple of poor turnovers out of defence by foot. But the Rebels defender had some good pick-ups off the deck and defended well throughout.
#13 Tobie Travaglia
You’ve got to feel for Travaglia. He was one of Vic Country’s best and stood up with some massive moments late, but he will only remember one. The Bendigo bolter could have won the match for his with a big intercept mark in the dying seconds, but he was cruelly denied after the umpire paid a holding free kick and then a 50 metre penalty against him for dissent, which ultimately handed Vic Metro victory in the dying seconds. He was visibly shattered, but Travaglia should be very proud of another standout performance – tallying 25 disposals and nine marks – that capped a fantastic championships. Having caught the eye on a wing in their last match, Travaglia won stacks of the ball off half back and turned heads with his decision making and distribution.
#14 Sam Lalor
Renowned for his toughness, Lalor showed he has some hops with a one of the marks of the day, flying high over his own teammate to haul in huge a grab which led to a goal. In the midfield he threw his weight around early with a crunching tackle on Jagga Smith on the wing and a big fend off at a centre clearance. Didn’t dominate the stat sheet but his potential as a midfielder who can rest forward is exciting – especially when you consider what he produced in the championships while underdone.
#15 Xavier Ivisic
Vic Metro defenders were caught napping when he cleverly ran into space to kick a goal in the second quarter after a Vic Country free kick. His marking impressed, judging a high ball to perfection to take a mark in a one-on-one contest and also swooping on an intercept mark in the middle of the ground. Had a strong second half where he was able to impact at the clinches and spread to the outside, finishing with 19 disposals and eight marks.
#16 Lachie Jaques
Wasn’t able to reach the heights of his previous game against the Allies but had some nice moments with his intercepting and ball-use. Was often entrusted with the kick-ins, showing his footskills are rated highly among a defensive line with some great users.
#20 Jack Whitlock
Had a massive second half, kicking two goals and clunking everything in his postcode with his vice-like hands. Two towering pack marks came in the final quarter with the game on the line, including a huge pluck back with the flight in the goalsquare. The 200cm prospect started the second half in style with a classy snapping goal and was also able to set up scoring opportunities for his teammates.
#22 Harvey Langford
Langford won the Larke Medal as the best player of the championships, richly deserved after a barnstorming carnival where he elevated his draft standing. The tall midfielder was a strong presence at the contest against Vic Metro with four first-half clearances and was creative with his ball-use, regularly finding his teammates in space. Got a lucky reprieve after missing a shot on goal on the run and he didn’t waste his second chance, smartly seeing Ivisic in space and setting him up for a goal. Showed his strong hands overhead with some big marks, including a towering grab back with the flight in the last which he slotted through for a goal.
#23 Willem Duursma
Took a great intercept mark on the last line but was left stunned after the call was reversed due to an incident off the ball. The fourth Duursma sibling of the talented football family used his dash out of defence at times and performed a defining smother on the mark late in the piece. Looks to be one of the better prospects available in the 2025 draft pool.
#24 Matt Whitlock
After kicking two goals in his last game, the swingman was deployed in defence and started with an early intercept mark. He put on some strong spoils over the top of his opponents and generally used the ball well by foot. Was outshone by his twin brother at the other end but he has shown across the year that he one of the most versatile key positions prospects in the pool.
#25 Riley Onley
Provided plenty of highlights in the second quarter with a great leaping mark on the wing, a perfect pass to Day-Wicks and a goal. The Murray Bushrangers product spent less time in the midfield than he did against the Allies, where he won seven clearances.
#26 Jack Ough
With plenty of creators out of defence, Ough was mostly tasked with playing a defensive role. The GWV Rebels prospect took a nice intercept mark in the third quarter.
#28 James Barrat
The swingman was again stationed in defence and read the play nicely, taking several intercept marks, including a strong grab in the second term. Was responsible for Harry Armstrong at times who had a big day, but overall it was a promising showing from Barrat.
#30 Cooper Hynes
Coolly finished a snap from 30 metres in the first quarter. Not as impactful as his other games of the championships but he had some good moments late, including hitting his Dandenong Stingrays teammate Harvey Langford lace out.
#31 Alixander Tauru
The draft’s biggest mid-season bolter went for his marks but also defended strongly. Tauru took some nice intercept grabs, a facet of his game he is renowned for, but the main highlight of his performance was a desperate tackle on the last line of defence late in the game. The key defender’s kicking let him down at times but there is certainly plenty of upside there.
#37 Floyd Burmeister
Burmeister was in the thick of everything, including a brawl on the stroke of halftime. After giving away a downfield free kick he got involved in a push and shove with Josh Smillie and then threw a Vic Metro player down in the scuffle moments later. His follow-up was also strong from a pure football sense, regularly hunting the ball and the man with intent. The athletic big man was beaten in the hitout stakes but he was also able to grab the ball out of the ruck at stages, tallying 13 hit-outs, seven touches and four inside 50s.
#38 Jonty Faull
The GWV Rebels spearhead kicked the first goal of the day from a set shot and set up another to Jack Whitlock in the third term with a clever handball over the top. But he also gave up one to Vic Metro with a poor kick inside after taking a strong intercept mark in defence. Was like a small forward at times, gathering bounces balls at speed as he showcased his athletic gifts.
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