VIC COUNTRY notched the second win of its 2022 AFL Under 18 National Championships campaign, outlasting the Allies on Sunday afternoon to come away 33-point victors. The travelling side booted six goals to two after half time to take out a low-scoring affair 10.15 (75) to 5.12 (42), with winger Jaxon Binns running riot at the Gabba to rack up 39 disposals.

While never out of the contest until the closing stages of term four, the Allies simply found fewer avenues to goal and leaked scores in definitive moments. Country kicked out to a three-goal lead late in the third quarter, and rounded out a solid victory on the road with the last three majors of the game.

Earlier, Allies inclusion Brandon Leary snared the first of his three goals to open the hosts’ account on a positive note. While Country produced two chances to hit the front at the first break, they trailed by a mere six points and only had themselves to blame with wasteful ball movement heading inside 50.

The game was being played in a fierce competitive spirit, as the Allies set up well behind the ball and attacked the contest hard to ensure Country had no easy passages towards goal. Although, they leaked three goals to one in term two as the combination of Aaron Cadman and Jacob Konstanty began to take hold in the Victorian attack.

Now more than a goal adrift, Leary snagged his second major to draw the Allies back within striking distance of the lead after half time, but could do nothing as Country again streaked to three unanswered goals in term three. It was a case of deja vu in the final quarter, with Leary popping up for his third but Country running out the game much stronger.

Country’s midfield mix again hummed, as the likes of captain Jhye Clark and Mitch Szybkowski racking up plenty of possessions, along with the ever-composed Henry Hustwaite. Meanwhile, Binns was a feature on the outside with his high-end running capacity.

It was the Konstanty and Cadman show in attack, as the pair combined for half of their side’s 10 majors as the most likely scoring options – small and tall. Noah Long also worked hard throughout the day, earning reward for effort with a goal in the fourth quarter, the last of the day.

Leary was the Allies’ only sustained attacking threat and added a bunch of energy inside 50, ending up with most of his side’s majors. Jaspa Fletcher returned with a role on both sides of midfield and also found the big sticks, while key forward Jed Walter looked ominous in the early stages and Tom McCallum drove out of defence under plenty of pressure.

The Allies will turn out for their final Under 18 game next week, taking on Western Australia on neutral ground in Adelaide. While they search for their first win of the carnival, Vic Country will endeavour to go three-from-three when it also locks horns with the Black Ducks, on June 17 in Geelong.

ALLIES 2.3 | 3.5 | 4.9 | 5.12 (42)
VIC COUNTRY 1.3 | 4.7 | 7.9 | 10.15 (75)

GOALS:

ALL: B. Leary 3, N. Stevens, J. Fletcher
VC: J. Konstanty 3, A. Cadman 2, C. Burgiel, J. Clark, C. Barnett, T. Clohesy, N. Long

RMC BEST:

ALL: T. McCallum, H. Rowston, B. Leary, J. Fletcher, M. Corbett, J. Walter
VC: J. Binns, M. Szybkowski, H. Hustwaite, J. Clark, J. Konstanty, N. Long