VIC METRO U17s overcame some early woes in front of goal to topple Queensland 10.11 (71) to 6.7 (43) in trying second half conditions at Ikon Park on Sunday.

After a slow, stalemate opening term which saw goals go to Metro’s Liam McMahon and Queensland’s Blake Coleman, the Victorians began to look like breaking the game open. But the visitors were keen to make the trip a fruitful one, sticking with Metro and going goal for goal in a six-goal second term full of little momentum swings. While Queensland seemed to have few answers to Metro’s dominant midfield, they kept touch heading into the main break by making the most of their forward 50 entries and holding up down back at the fall of the ball.

That theme proved consistent through the third term, with the hosts breaking away ever so slightly on the back of two goals (Ollie Lord and Lochlan Jenkins) to one (Max Pescud), making the most of their sole extra scoring shot. Metro’s 11-point three quarter time lead looked a handy one with the rain bucketing down and fog descending on North Carlton, but it would shortly clear over the break to give the Maroons a fighting chance. That was quickly taken from them though, with the winners piling on four goals to Queensland’s one to cruise home 28 points to the good.

Collingwood NGA prospect Reef McInnes made a dominant start for Metro, finishing with 24 disposals and six clearances to be second only to Finlay Macrae – the brother of Bulldogs’ Jack – who had 34 disposals, five clearances, eight inside 50s and a goal to be best afield. Sandringham pair Darby Hipwell (22 disposals, three inside 50s) and Archie Perkins (21 disposals, five clearances, five inside 50s) provided good fold rotating through the midfield and forward line, while Jackson Cardillo (18 disposals, one goal) and Connor Downie (20 disposals, four inside 50s) were influential on the outside.

For the Maroons, Carter Michael led the ball-winners with 21 disposals to go with his four clearances and four inside 50s, with Saxon Crozier (17 disposals, six inside 50s) lifting after half time, while Gold Coast academy pair Ethan Hunt (17 disposals, four tackles) and Alex Davies (15 disposals, five clearances) dug in well. Up forward, Coleman finished his chances beautifully to boot two goals from 13 disposals, with Pescud (16 disposals, six marks, five tackles) another to provide some spark in the forward half.

The top-end talent from either side can now look forward to the possibility of featuring in the U17 Futures All Stars showcase match on Grand Final day.

VIC METRO 1.5 | 4.8 | 6.10 | 10.11 (71)
QUEENSLAND 1.2 | 4.3 | 5.5 | 6.7 (43)

GOALS
Vic Metro: L. McMahon 2, O. Lord 2, L. Failli 2, F. Macrae, J. Cardillo, L. Jenkins, J. Diedrich.
Queensland: B. Coleman 2, M. Pescud 2, C. Bulley 2.

ADC BEST
Vic Metro: F. Macrae, R. McInnes, C. Downie, A. Perkins, J. Cardillo, L. McMahon
Queensland: B. Coleman, M. Pescud, S. Crozier, C. Michael, E. Hunt, A. Davies