VIC METRO forward Emma McDonald has starred with five goals to help steer her side to a 19-point win over the Allies in the AFLW Under 18 National Championships. The Oakleigh Chargers product helped the travelling side kick away in the second half, to notch a key first up win at Brighton Homes Arena.

The small to McDonald’s tall, Ava Jordan also snared two goals from 20 touches as a major threat inside 50, while midfielder Kayley Kavanagh was prolific throughout to lead all comers with 23 disposals, 11 clearances and six inside 50s.

Surprise packet Cleo Buttifant was among the Allies’ best with 13 disposals and five inside 50s from defence. The Giants Academy product, also a talented touch footballer, provided plenty of rebound run. Meanwhile, Tasmanian midfielder Mackenzie Ford (17 disposals, six tackles) was a force around the ball.

It was goal for goal in the opening term, as McDonald lit up the crowd with a clever dribbler to open the scoring. She would become the game’s first multiple goal kicker in term two with a more conventional set shot, among a three-goal run which put Metro ahead.

The first half was also highlighted by a couple of Maria Rioli moments, as the top-ager finished coolly from the boundary in term one, before blazing a trail over the back and hitting up Grace Whittaker for a goal in the second.

As momentum swung back and forth, it was the visiting side which led at the first two breaks, albeit by under a goal each time. The Allies proved more clinical with their fewer chances, though, booting five straight majors in the opening half.

A Tasmanian link-up between helmet-donning midfielder Ford and strong marking forward Georgia Clark saw the Allies hit the front soon after the main break, but the scoring flow began to slow as both defences turned the screw.

It took another McDonald major – assisted by Jordan for the second time – for Metro to enact yet another lead change after 13 minutes. She marked strongly before converting a fourth minutes later, opening up a 13-point buffer for Metro at the final break.

Though another quick Allies score through Sophie Berry gave the home side a good look at the comeback win, Metro kicked away with a wealth of opportunities in term four. McDonald booted her fifth, helping seal the first-up win.

Vic Metro takes on South Australia next weekend at Werribee, while the Allies playing Queensland at Heritage Bank Stadium on August 6.

ALLIES 2.0 | 5.0 | 6.1 | 8.3 (51)
VIC METRO 2.3 | 5.5 | 7.8 | 10.10 (70)

GOALS:

Allies: G. Whittaker 2, S. Berry 2, M. Rioli, T. Kikoak, G. Clark, A. Patton
Vic Metro: E. McDonald 5, A. Jordan 2, A. Pisano, K. Russell, S. Grunden

RMC BEST:

Allies: C. Buttifant, M. Ford, G. Clark, T. Perry, H. Cooper
Vic Metro: E. McDonald, A. Jordan, K. Kavanagh, L. Stone, G. Stubs