AlliesRecap
THE ALLIES have pulled off a stunning last quarter comeback defeating Vic Metro in the dying moments at Simonds Stadium on Wednesday.
Vic Metro looked to have sealed the game when Cam Rayner put through a set shot goal, but with under two minutes to play Allies’ midfielder Zac Bailey burst forward out of the stoppage to bring the ball inside 50.
Small forward Jack Hardman roved the pack, slotting the goal for the Allies to give them a three point victory in front of a healthy crowd at Geelong. Despite the result, Vic Metro still finished on top of the Under 18 Championships table, taking out back-to-back titles.
Key Forward Jarrod Brander played his best game for the Under 18 Carnival, booting three foals and clunking nine marks.
Brander looked at home up forward as the Allies’ key target, after playing two games in defence in the Under 18 Championships and did his top five chances no harm, with 16 disposals and three goals.
Northern Territory midfielder Zac Bailey had a team high 23 disposals and his steller Under 18 Championships in the centre did his draft chances no harm.
Brisbane Lions Academy member Connor Ballenden had five intercept marks and 12 disposals, contributing to the Allies’ win playing a crucial role in defence.
Ballenden was able to intercept at ease playing as a tall defender, using his strong overhead marking ability to good use.
For Vic Metro, Nicholas Coffield was a standout with a game-high 29 disposals. Coffield again showed his composure with ball in hand and has put his hand up to break into the top 10.
After returning from injury in last week’s clash, Andrew Brayshaw collected 22 disposals and five inside 50s playing through the midfield as one of their best in the first half. Sandringham Dragons teammate Charlie Constable had 26 disposals, showing off his strong tackling pressure in the contest.
Richmond father-son prospect Patrick Naish again showed his dash and was impressive on the outside with 26 disposals.
175cm midfielder Dylan Moore did enough to suggest he could find a home inside the top 30 picks, finding the ball at ease through the carnival. Western Jet Cameron Rayner booted three goals for the contest, finishing as the leading goalkicker for Vic Metro with 12 for the carnival.
Scotch College student Will Sutherland was deployed at the centre bounces to start the first half, before looking more at home as a marking target up forward in the second half, booting two goals.
Jack Higgins took home the Vic Metro MVP for his superb carnival, while Gold Coast Suns Academy ruckman Brayden Crossley won the Allies’ MVP.
VIC METRO 2.3 3.9 6.11 10.13 73
ALLIES 1.2 3.5 6.6 11.10 76
GOALS
VIC METRO: Rayner 3, Sutherland 2, Hayes 2, Higgins 2, Brayshaw,
ALLIES: Brander 3, Dixon 3, Bailey, Crossley, Sambono, Lane, Hardman
BEST
VIC METRO: Coffield, Naish, Constable, Hayes, Moore, Brayshaw
ALLIES: Bailey, Brander, Carroll, Crossley, Powell, Ballenden
