The silverware keeps coming for Vic Country, as the U16 side were victorious in the NAB AFL U16 Championship today against South Australia, winning by 10 points.
It was a fitting finale to the U16 Champs, with both teams meeting in the final round undefeated, and the title heading home to the victor.
Vic Country led from start to finish, leading by as much as 27 points at three quarter time before a late SA rally, winning 10.7 67 to SA 8.9 57.
It was a strong start by Vic Country with goals to Aidan Quigley and Dane Hollenkamp giving them an early 13-point lead. A late goal by SA to Young saw Country’s led cut to six points at quarter time.
Just one minute into the second term and SA levelled the scores. With Tyrone Hayes and Kane Farrell finding plenty of the football, goals to Aaron Darling and Hollenkamp quickly pushed Country back out to a 13 point lead. Ticking down to half time, Fogarty scored for SA as they peppered the goals late in the term, cutting Country’s margin to just five points.
Darling kicked his second seconds away from half time, and an 11-point lead was restored.
Quigley opened the third term just the way the side wanted, jumping his side out to a 17 point lead six minutes in. Fogarty was again quick to respond for SA, but Paddy Dow kicked his first to see Country’s buffer restored. Aiden Domic goaled midway through the term, them Darling again kicked a late goal taking his tally to three, as Country had built a 27-point lead at the final change.
SA kicked the first two of the final term cutting the margin back to 17 points and a come from behind victory started to look a possibility. Vic Country steadied with Cody Henness kicking his first to again push the margin beyond three goals.
With a 21 point deficit, SA made one final charge as Houlahan and Pascoe kicked back to back goals, and suddenly they were within 10 points with less than two minutes to play.
Vic Country’s defence held up in the final stages to keep their undefeated run intact at U16 and U18 level as they ran out 10 point winners.
Hunter Clark was named the Vic Country MVP for the Championships.
In a big year for the Vic Country Academy, proudly supported by Dairy Australia and their Legendairy campaign, they were able to claim the U16 and U18 titles, crowned the NAB AFL U16 Championship winners for the second time in three years. This year’s crop of U16 talents will be hoping to emulate their U18 compatriots in 2017.
Vic Country 2.1 5.2 9.4 10.7 67
SA 1.1 3.3 4.7 8.9 57
VC goals: Darling 3, Quigley, Hollenkamp 2, Dow, Domic, Henness 1
VC best: Hayes, Farrell, Darling, Clark, Hollenkamp
In the final game of the Championships, Vic Metro had its first win, defeating WA.
After WA kicked the first goal of the game Vic Metro took control, kicking six of the next seven goals to jump out to a 29-point lead midway through the second term.
Leading by 24 points at half time, Metro had its strong term kicking six goals to two, with a 50-point three quarter time lead.
Led by the two MVPs for the Championships - Division 1 MVP Jack Higgins (31 disposals, seven clearances) and Vic Metro MVP Lachlan Fogarty (26 disposals) - Metro ran away with the game, eventually winning by 69 points.
Vic Metro 3.5 6.8 12.10 16.12 108
WA 1.2 3.2 5.2 6.3 39
VM goals: Higgins, Rayner, Hanna 2, Fogarty, Brayshaw, Lewis, Hudson, Thompson, Stephenson, Constable, Wooler, Morrisby, Hayes 1
VM best: Harris, Fogarty, Higgins, Naish, Garner, Hanna
Last Modified on 10/07/2015 21:52