VIC METRO has emerged as one of the teams to beat in this year’s NAB AFL Under-18 Championships following its 80-point victory over NSW/ACT in Sydney on Saturday.
Brandon Ellis and Samuel Frost were dominant for Vic Metro combining for 59 possessions and 15 marks to help lead the team from start to finish, winning 21.15 (141) to 9.7 (61).
NSW/ACT competed well and tackled hard but costly turnovers and inaccuracy in front of goal contributed to the big margin.
Vic Metro’s Dom Tyson was impressive in the midfield gathering 27 touches, while Xavier Richards, brother of Sydney Swan Ted, led his team with six tackles.
The smallest player on the field, Seb Gotch (172cm), was lively up forward, booting three goals to match the tally of teammate Jackson Paine.
NSW/ACT started slowly, conceding six of the first seven goals, and couldn’t get its way back into the contest from there.
There were some notable performances from NSW/ACT with Adam Flagg kicking three goals while midfielders Jackson Potter (21 disposals and six tackles) and Sam Milne (20 possessions) battled hard.
Defender Michael Hartley was equally impressive, nullifying the influence of Jonathon Patton, who is tipped to be an early selection in this year’s NAB AFL Draft.
In the end, Vic Metro was too skilful and consistent with its ball movement, running away with the game after half-time to claim its first win of the championships.
NSW/ACT 1.4 5.6 6.7 9.7 (61)
Vic Metro 6.3 11.5 17.6 21.15 (141)
GOALS
NSW/ACT: Flagg 3, Cummins, Moller, Johns, Moody, Guthrie, Breust
Vic Metro: Gotch 3, Paine 3, Atkins 2, Crozier 2, Frost 2, Tyson 2, Haynes, Greenwood, Wooffindin, Haynes, Tomlinson, Patton, Richards
BEST
NSW/ACT: Potter, Hartley, Witts, Flagg, Breust
Vic Metro: Ellis, Frost, Richards, Tyson, Woodward, Wooffindin
By Jordan Laing courtesy of afl.com.au
For more information about the NAB AFL U18 National Championships please visit www.afl.com.au
Last Modified on 05/06/2011 14:59