FOLLOWING the first round of matches, we have three sides undefeated, and a Vic Country side keen to bounce back. The Allies could put themselves in a good position with a win over Vic Metro, while South Australia will be keen to make it two from two in front of their home fans.

ALLIES V. VIC METRO

Saturday, June 16, 11am
Southport, Queensland

Both teams head into the clash undefeated after winning their first round encounters. Vic Metro saw off a much-improved Western Australia, and the Allies came from behind to run over the top of Vic Country courtesy of a three-goal final quarter from GIANTS big man Kieren Briggs. Chayce Jones was the Allies’ best with 28 touches, five marks, five clearances, five inside 50s, four rebounds, six tackles and two goals in a top all-round performance and pushed his top 30 credentials, while the Allies got the victory despite a more subdued performance from Tarryn Thomas – who still had 17 disposals and laid six tackles. Returning to the team is key position forward Nick Blakey who will cause headaches for Vic Metro, and could be one of the keys to victory, while Mitch O’Neill, Fraser Turner and Thomas Green loom as key cogs for the Allies from defence to attack. For Metro, Bailey Smith will look to have another strong game on the inside after his 28 disposals, three marks, 10 tackles, five clearances and four inside 50s last week, while Rhylee West (25 disposals, nine clearances) will spend more time in attack up at Southport. Captain Xavier O’Halloran and Tom McKenzie will aid Smith in the middle, presenting a fantastic set of match-ups with Thomas, Jones and Green. Jack Bytel and Mathew Walker are key inclusions for their respective sides with the AFL Academy members likely to play forward while rotating through the midfield. Key position forward Ben King will look to back up his form of five goals from the week before, joined in attack by Sandringham Dragons teammate, Joe Griffiths. Buku Khamis and Isaac Quaynor will look to provide plenty of rebound for the visitors, while Bailey Scott and Blair Rubock will look to lock the ball in the forward half. Vic Metro will head into the game as favourites, but the Allies have shown good cohesion despite coming from all parts of the country and will be keen to cause an upset here and make it two from two.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA V. VIC COUNTRY

Sunday, June 17, 11am
Adelaide Oval, South Australia

In the second game of the weekend, the red-hot South Australian side host its second game of the year, this time at Adelaide Oval against a Vic Country side scathing that it missed out on victory against the Allies in round one. The teams have made a combined 11 changes to try and get the winning edge, with the likes of Oscar Chapman, Ben Jarvis, Aaron Nietschke and Mihail Lochowiak among the rotations out of the side. Into the team come plenty of fresh faces including Kai Pudney, James Siviour and Kade Chandler to mix up the on-field structure. With Jack Lukosius and Izak Rankine up forward and Jackson Hateley and Luke Valente in the midfield, the Croweaters are still very strong across the full side. Vic Country’s defenders will have their work cut out for them with Connor Idun and Kyle Reid to rotate on Lukosius and Hugo Munn, while Country have opted for speed rather than height, omitting Dane Hollenkamp in favour of an extra small. Riley Bowman switches places with Stingrays’ teammate Bailey Schmidt and is likely to be the key player for Country along with Bailey Williams and cause some serious headaches for the South Australian ruck division. Up forward, bottom-agers Caleb Serong and Sam Flanders were impressive last week, while Zane Barzen will play deeper forward more so than a wing, and Oscar Brownless will be out to impress at half-forward. Jake Frawley and Jai Taylor will come in to try and nullify the loss of inside midfielders Jye Caldwell and Mitch Riordan to injury. South Australia will head into the clash as strong favourites and rightfully so. They have plenty of talent across the field, with potentially three top 10 picks in Lukosius, Rankine and Hately, while the classy Connor Rozee will go close too. Sam Walsh and Ned McHenry will lead the Country midfield, but it will be a big ask against one of the title contenders.