VIC COUNTRY has won its opening game of the 2023 AFLW Under 16 Championships, defeating Vic Metro in a four-point thriller at Deakin Reserve in Shepparton today. After a scrappy start that saw just three goals kicked between the sides in the opening half, the teams put on an outstanding showcase, booting seven more in the second half for a 6.5 (41) to 4.13 (37) victory.

Throughout the match it looked like Vic Metro was a step ahead of Country, dominating possession but unable to apply the scoreboard pressure it deserved, missing some gettable shots. But with those misses came plenty of learnings, and the ball movement going from defence to attack was strong. Led by reigning MVP winner, Chloe Baker-West, as well as Northern Knights duo Phoebe Hargreaves and Marlo Graham, Metro was able to get on top through the second term.

The opening score of the match went to Geelong Falcons midfielder Stella Huxtable who hit the post after a nice play out of a forward stoppage, but she soon got it to Catherine Gandolfo who put one through the big sticks. Her effort was countered up the other end just before the quarter time siren with Hargreaves slotting a set shot. That had come after Metro peppered the goals, and took a two-point lead into the first change.

Just one more goal was added in the second term as Sienna Sharp finished off some nice play to stretch the lead out to 11 points at half-time. It arguably should have been more, with Metro have 38 more disposals and five more inside 50s. A lot of the reason Metro was unable to score was Gippsland Power defender Ella Stoddart who constantly provided a rebounding threat. She, along with Huxtable and the likes of Elsie Conroy and Evelyn Connolly made life tough for the Metro forwards.

Returning from the main break, the game ramped up a little with Nikita Harris running the length of the field to be involved in a scoring chain at both half-back and half-forward to set up Abby Hobson. Meanwhile it was Teresia Koliavu up the other end who marked well and converted the set shot from 20m to again stretch the lead back to 12 points.

Country kept coming and Molly Reimers proved the hero, kicking three second half goals, including two in the third term to drag her team back within just two points at the final change. Despite the scores being tight, Metro had 49 more disposals and five more clearances and inside 50s, but the Country defence was holding them at bay.

It was an incredible final term for both sides as they traded blows after Ava Bibby nailed a goal for Country to hit the front for the first time since the opening quarter. Metro naturally responded when Hargreaves found her Knights teammate Graham for a great mark in the goalsquare and subsequent goal. That would be the last for Metro though, as Gandolfo got on the end of a surging play inside 50 to kick it in front of a running Reimers to slot the game winner.

Metro had a chance late in the game with Sharp marking 20m out off the back of some nice play from Scarlett Johnson, but the set shot just missed, which was a tale of the visitor’s scoreline. The final score of 6.5 (41) to 4.13 (37) showed how much the accuracy counted, and Country was able to maintain ascendancy in its front half and salute for a four-point victory in the first of two games at the carnival.

Stoddart was a clear standout in the win, accumulating 27 disposals, six marks, three clearances, six inside 50s, 11 rebound 50s and laying two tackles. She was well supported by the likes of Huxtable (19 disposals, five tackles, three clearances and two inside 50s) and Rebecca Fitzpatrick (16 disposals, three marks, two tackles, two clearances and two inside 50s). Reimers was the catalyst for the win on the scoreboard with her three second half goals.

For Metro, Baker-West picked up where she left off in last year’s carnival accumulating 21 disposals, four marks, two clearances, two inside 50s and five rebound 50s rotating between midfield and defence. Graham (21 disposals, eight tackles, four inside 50s and a goal) and Johsnon (19 disposals, three marks, two clearances and five inside 50s) were also prolific.

Vic Country will take on Western Australia in the second of its AFLW Under 16 Championships games on April 23 at Arden Street, while Vic Metro clashes with South Australia as part of a double-header at the same venue.

VIC COUNTRY 1.1 | 1.1 | 4.2 | 6.5 (41)
VIC METRO 1.3 | 2.6 | 3.10 | 4.13 (37)

GOALS:

Country: M. Reimers 3, C. Gandolfo, A. Hobson, A. Bibby
Metro: P. Hargreaves, S. Sharp, T. Koliavu, M. Graham

RMC BEST:

Country: E. Stoddart, S. Huxtable, R. Fitzpatrick, N. Harris, M. Reimers
Metro: C. Baker-West, M. Graham, S. Johnson, P. Hargreaves, G. Trajer