A HUGE come from behind victory saw Vic Metro claim their second win for the Division One Under 18 championship.
Trailing by 35-points at the final break, an inspiring effort from Oakleigh Charger Pat Kerr saw him kick four goals in 10 minutes to get Vic Metro back into the contest.
Two late goals to Sandringham Dragons midfielder Oliver Florent saw Metro clinch the victory over South Australia, putting them in the box seat to claim the Division One title for the first time since 2012.
Vic Metro are in the box seat to claim the Div I title. All four remaining matches are on @FOXFOOTY. #NABAFLU18s pic.twitter.com/hGxcEUrGNC
— Draft Central (@DraftCentralAus) June 19, 2016
Andrew McGrath continued where he left off from Monday’s superb last quarter, with 27 disposals, six marks and six rebound 50s as his sides best player. As did Dylan Clarke, who backed up his 26 disposal effort from Monday with 24 disposals and nine clearances in a strong effort on the inside.
Metro’s inaccuracy was evident early, being 3.11 at three quarter time. Kerr had four behinds, but managed to bounce back with a four goal burst that gave Metro the momentum of which proved too much for South Australia.
Midfielders Tim Taranto (0.3) & Jordan Gallucci (0.3) were both wasteful infront of goal, but both have showed really good signs in the carnival so far.
Possible top 10 prospect Daniel Venables had an improved effort, with 16 disposals and two goals. The aggressive midfielder laid nine tackles in the match hunting back the ball.
Norwood midfielder Jake Pitman was SA’s best, with 29 disposals taking his average to 24 disposals for the Division One carnival. Fellow Norwood teammate, Alex Villis was also good across half back with 18 disposals and six inside 50s- kicking on both feet.
180cm midfielder Jake Comitogianni was also another South Australian who collected over 20 disposals but they were unable to stop Metro in the final 25 minutes.
South Australia have a final game against the Vic Country on Friday at Etihad Stadium, while Vic Metro will play the Allies and Western Australia.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA 2.1 6.3 10.4 10.6 (66)
VIC METRO 0.5 2.9 3.11 9.15 (69)
GOALS:
South Australia: Hayward 3, Houlahan 2, Lebois, Nixon, Graham, Fogarty, Pitman
Vic Metro: Kerr 4, Venables 2, Florent 2, Clarke
AFL.com.au’s BEST:
South Australia: Pitman, Hinge, Walker, Villis, Slimming
Vic Metro: McGrath, Clarke, Venables, Romensky, Kerr
In the first game of the weekend, Western Australia accounted for the Allies on Saturday, running out winners by 17-points.
In the first of five games televised by Fox Footy, WA led from start to finish to keep their title winning dreams alive.
WA midfielder Zac Fisher was best on ground, with 30 disposals and six tackles- A remarkable number for 25 minute flat quarters.
The left footer was consistent throughout the afternoon and was backed up by 19-year-old Matt Guelfi who had 18 disposals and five clearances.
Guelfi begun the carnival with a 20 disposal effort against Vic Country but was disappointing in WA’s big loss to South Australia. His performance will continue to put his name infront of recruiters, as he pushes to be one of the few 19-year-olds likely to be drafted.
Defender Josh Rotham played arguably his best game for the season at national Under 18 level (Academy or WA) with 15 disposals rebounding well from the backline including a strong contested mark in the first half.
Shai Bolton (16 disposals and six inside 50s) also provided some moments of brilliance on the wing and will be someone to keep an eye on in Western Australia’s final match in Round five.
Possible No.1 pick Sam Petrevski-Seton was solid in his return from hamstring injury, collecting 19 disposals. Ruckman Tim English showed promise with a good leap in the ruck, finishing with 13 hitouts.
Declan Watson might be from Queensland- But you definitely can't do this in the AFL! Umpire didn't see.#NABAFLU18s pic.twitter.com/uZmmzkeOa0
— Matt Balmer (@MattBalmer7) June 18, 2016
The Allies won the final term, but were always chasing the WA tail throughout the contest.
Harry Perryman (12 disposals) was one of the few standouts for Allies across half back, but they were again dissapointing in their second showing in the Under 18 championship.
Bendigo Pioneers midfielder Kobe Mutch (18 disposals) and Gold Coast Academy member Brad Scheer (17 disposals) were the two leading ball winners for the away team.
Key position forward Todd Marshall also took some strong marks inside forward 50, ending the match with two goals.
The Allies play both Victorian teams over the next fortnight, while Western Australia have the bye- before a final clash against Vic Metro in Round five at Simonds Stadium.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA 3.3 6.5 9.8 10.9 (69)
ALLIES 1.1 2.4 4.6 7.10 (52)
GOALS
Western Australia: Waterman 2, Wright 2, Logue, Powell-Pepper, Fisher, Baker, Guelfi, Bolton
Allies: Marshall 2, Sproule, Maguire, Allison, Davis, Hampton
Matt Balmer’s BEST
Western Australia: Fisher, Guelfi, Rotham, Bolton, Petrevski-Seton
Allies: Perryman, Mutch, Marshall, Scheer, Watson
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