By JARROD POTTER
NAB AFL U18 CHAMPIONSHIPS
REVIEW – ROUND 3
RETREATING to their metropolitan strongholds, Victoria Metro was no match for Victoria Country as the best of the rest of Victoria took the inner-suburban footballers by siege.
After a strong first quarter, the Vic Metro initiative petered away to nothing more than a baker’s dozen worth of behinds as Vic Country pumped on 12 goals to forge ahead by 44 points.
A final term haul of one goal, seven behinds summed up the dog day for Vic Metro while Vic Country economically kicked away with three of their own.
The Stingray initiative would have impressed the sea of recruiters on hand. Dandenong’s co-captains Jack Lonie (25 disposals, 2 goals) and Daniel Capiron (25 disposals, 8 marks) both led the Vic Country charge with Lonie attacking through the centre while Capiron mopped up across half-back with fellow Stingray Jacob Weitering out due to illness.
Narre Warren’s Aaron Wilson drilled four goals and presented strongly and crumbed brilliantly in a forward line that featured tall target Hugh Goddard.
Also earning his crust at the representative level was Pearcedale’s Alex Harnett who kept barrelling into packs in his usual manner to earn a nod as one of the best afield.
Gippsland’s Josh Dunkley earned 26 touches to also impress.
Former Vic Country assistant coach and current Dandenong Stingrays’ coach Craig Black said the representative efforts of his Stingrays’ charges was impressive and stands them in good shape for the combine and draft later this year.
“Really proud of them and proud of Vic Country to beat Metro again… the boys seem that they’re playing their role in that side as well so really happy,” Black said.
Wilson’s six shots for four goals deserved a strong mention from his TAC Cup coach, who has the tall forward working as an integral part of the Stingrays’ triangle attack alongside Taylor Joyce and Keegan Downie.
“He’s just got an opportunity… he’s grabbed it and made people notice… he was great to finish off with four goals,” Black said.
“Like all the kids if they continually play the team aspect and play the role, the individual stands out as long as they keep doing the right thing.”
For the inner city types, Vic Metro/Eastern Ranges draft prospect Christian Petracca continued to put his hand up for a top-five spot with 31 touches.
Round four of the national championships will be held this weekend as Vic Country heads over the Nullarbor to face Western Australia on Sunday while Vic Metro travels to South Australia for a Saturday clash at AAMI Park.
U18 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
VIC METRO 2.3 4.4 3.6 4.13 (37)
VIC COUNTRY 0.2 5.5 9.7 12.9 (81)
VIC COUNTRY
Goals: Wilson 4, Lonie 2, Butler 2, Nelson, Harnett, Schache, Richards. Best: Maishman, Howe, Lonie, Cordy, Nelson, Harnett, Capiron.
VIC METRO
Goals: Allan, Cavka, Dear, Maynard. Best: Petracca, Laverde, Vickers-Willis, Maynard, Duggan, De Goey, Switkowski.
