AFL Draft 2024: Stats and standouts from Vic Metro v WA under-18 championships game
WA made a hot start against Vic Metro on Sunday – and it was the state’s rising draft stars who made their mark. But they couldn’t overshadow the Vic Metro big guns. See the standouts, exclusive stats.
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At quarter time in the under-18 championships clash between Vic Metro and Western Australia, there looked to be a massive upset boiling over.
But the class of Metro’s top-line draft prospects ultimately shone through, leading the travelling side to a dominant 33-point victory after initially trailing by a couple of goals early.
Vic Metro has five players in the top-10 conversation at the end of the season, and they all came to the fore at Optus Stadium.
Jagga Smith was best afield in the win, racking up 34 disposals, five clearances and a classy goal in the first quarter.
But fellow No. 1 draft pick prospects Levi Ashcroft (27 touches, three clearances) and Josh Smillie (22 touches, nine clearances, one goal) also had dominant moments in the win.
Joshua Sims was dangerous up forward, kicking 3.3 from 11 touches and seven marks, while WA’s Malakai Champion kicked three goals in the first half, including two with his first two disposals.
Luke Urquhart, who dominated against South Australia last week, starred again for WA with 27 touches and five clearances.
12 of his disposals came in the first quarter, and he could have made his day even better if he had converted either of his two shots at goal.
“Malakai’s first half was fantastic, he kicked three goals and his pressure was really good and there was probably a little bit of a lack of supply and a lack of ball in our forward half in that second half which impacted him a bit,” WA talent manager Adam Jones said post match.
“Bo (Allan) was good and kicked two good first half goals but he was probably just a fraction underdone coming up against those top line midfielders,
“They got on top in that last quarter, it was a bit of a David v Goliath type battle – their class was a bit much in the end.”
“We got smashed at centre bounces and had a lot of trouble getting it forward from those centre bounce downs and then our transition forward was a struggle and skill errors hurt us across the board.”
Bottom age talent again shone through for WA with South Fremantle’s Fred Rodriguez among WA’s best.
“We thought Freddie Rodriguez played really well in the midfield again. He has been pretty consistent and he used the ball pretty well as well,” Jones said.”
“We thought Will Hayes played another good game across half forward.”
WA officials are hopeful that young defender Darcy Petersen has escaped a season-ending ACL knee injury.
SCOUTING NOTES
Luke Urquhart (Western Australia)
27 disposals, 5 clearances, 0.2 goals
Started like a house on fire and was one of the reasons WA jumped out to a commanding first-quarter lead. Urquhart, who was one of the Sandgropers’ best players last week in the win over South Australia, put together another fine performance. The dashing midfielder had 12 touches in the first quarter and showed off his dash with ball in hand, but he missed two shots at goal that would’ve rounded off his day nicely.
Malakai Champion (Western Australia)
8 disposals, 2 marks, 3 goals
Champion had the perfect start to the game, booting two first-quarter goals with his first two touches. He had his three goals at half time and it looked like he was in for a serious haul. But the small forward trailed off a bit in the second half when Metro started coming, and he failed to add to the scoreboard after the main break. Still, a strong showing from the talented forward.
Bo Allan (Western Australia)
19 disposals, 4 tackles, 2 goals
The skipper didn’t stand out in the contest, battling away against some of the best midfielders in the draft class. But he was able to push forward and impact the scoreboard, booting two nice goals in the loss. It was a better personal showing from Allan than last week, but it was tough sledding against Vic Metro.
Fred Rodriguez (Western Australia)
23 disposals, 4 marks, 2 tackles
Impressed at times in the contest, Rodriguez was active in the first half as WA jumped out to a lead early. But his form line followed his side’s, dropping a way a touch in the second half as Vic Metro gained ascendancy.
Jagga Smith (Vic Metro)
34 disposals, 5 clearances, 5 marks, 1 goal
Clearly Vic Metro’s best midfielder on the day. Gathered the ball at will, rarely made a mistake and worked hard. He’s clean below his knees, pressures well and is nimble on his feet, meaning he’s rarely caught by chasing opponents. Smith should firmly be in No. 1 pick calculations.
Josh Smillie (Vic Metro)
22 disposals, 9 clearances, 6 marks, 1 goal
Currently holds the top-prospect mantle, and that won’t change after Sunday’s game. Smillie started slowly but worked himself into the game. He played mainly midfield but went forward as well, converting a set shot for his goal. Led the clearances by a long way for either side. Smillie has been compared to Patrick Cripps, and his game on Sunday was a typical Cripps performance.
Luke Trainor (Vic Metro)
26 disposals, 6 marks
The key defender is arguably the draft’s top key position prospect, and is clearly the outstanding defender in the class. He showed why, collecting the ball at will while also playing on the dangerous duo of Max Rohr and Kayle Gerryn. The WA duo booted — goals between them against South Australia last week, but together kicked 0.4 from 17 disposals on Sunday.
Thomas Sims (Vic Metro)
11 disposals, 7 marks, 3.3 goals, 8 hit outs
Sims was the clear standout up forward for Vic Metro, providing the classy mids with a safe pair of hands to target coming out of the centre. Sims booted three goals but he could easily have enjoyed a bag of five with two misses from manageable positions, including a set shot directly in front. But his leading patterns and his safe hands was a clear highlight from the tall forward.
Tom Gross (Vic Metro)
23 disposals, 6 marks, 1 goal
It’s hard to find midfield minutes in this Vic Metro side, but Gross was able to push further up the ground than he has in recent contests and impact in a ball-winning capacity. Gross and Smillie are similar prospects in that they are very efficient both in the contest and in front of goal, with Gross also booting a major. He’s putting together a strong 2024 campaign that will see him as a first-round prospect.
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