VIC METRO has claimed its first win of the 2023 AFL Under 16 National Championships after breezing past Western Australia to the tune of 41 points at Heritage Bank Stadium yesterday.

Having lost from a winnable position to Vic Country last time out, Metro had no such issues in holding their lead against the Black Ducks, emerging victorious 15.12 (102) to 9.7 (61).

It was a high quality game of pathway football despite the greasy Gold Coast conditions, leaving a strong bunch of prospects on the list in the latest edition of Scouting Notes.

VICTORIA METRO 3.5 | 8.7 | 12.8 | 15.12 (102)
WESTERN AUSTRALIA 1.2 | 3.3 | 6.5 | 9.7 (61)

GOALS:

Vic Metro: O. Greeves 3, J. Gilchrist 3, T. Gresham 2, C. Whitehead 2, S. Allen, X. Bamert, L. Dovaston, A. Ludowyke, M. Moate
Western Australia: B. Hart 2, D. Montgomery 2, W. York, J. Marcello, K. Gerreyn, T. Whan, K. Summerell

RMC BEST:

Vic Metro: O. Greeves, J. Dalton, L. Dovaston, L. Emmett, T. Gresham, X. Bamert
Western Australia: M. Cassidy, K. Gerreyn, M. Becker, J. Marcello, T. Whan, B. Kelly

VIC METRO:

#1 Tyson Gresham (Northern Knights)
Small Forward | 169cm | 21/06/2007

In conditions conducive to success for smalls, Gresham proved a lively inclusion for Metro with his work at ground level. He swooped on loose balls and was slippery when evading opponents, with his movement and smarts both typical of a player his size. The brother of Jade also finished nicely for two goals; converting a 45m set shot, and timing a snap nicely as the seas parted ahead of him.

#2 Lachy Dovaston (Eastern Ranges)
Wing | 175cm | 29/05/2007

A great player to watch when on song, Dovaston was another who thrived at ground level and with the positive mindset both sides brought. He got his legs pumping in attacking phases, driving forward and looking to chain possessions up the field. Dovaston also worked into pockets of space to get creative disposals away, ending up with a snap goal from 26 touches.

#6 Isaac Dugdale (Northern Knights)
Defender | 179cm | 05/02/2007

Though Metro dominated the possession and territory battle, Dugdale got into all the right spots to not only ensure his side was resolute defensively, but able to switch into attack fluently. The tough small defender did things at pace and backed himself to lose opponents with ball in hand, proving a menace for WA going both ways.

#7 Jack Dalton (Sandringham Dragons)
Midfielder | 176cm | 05/04/2007

Dalton was simply outstanding in midfield, proving a level above most others and absolutely unfazed by the conditions. He was incredibly polished, hardly fumbling the ball and shifting into space with sharp steps. Whether feeding teammates or carrying the ball himself, the left-footer was balanced and oozed class as he amassed 29 disposals, six clearances, and seven inside 50s.

#8 Sam Allen (Oakleigh Chargers)
Wing/Defender | 181cm | 13/01/2007

Playing predominantly on a wing with stints in defence, Allen was another Metro prospect who defied the conditions with his astute handling. His overhead marking was sound and he read play well for a couple of intercepts, with one leading to a set shot goal just before half time. With ball in hand, Allen covered ground nicely and looked a likely type for his 18 touches and four inside 50s.

#16 Xavier Bamert (Sandringham Dragons)
Midfielder | 184cm | 29/01/2007

Bamert was part of Metro’s classy midfield rotation and played his role nicely as the likes of Dalton and Oliver Greeves shone. Of his 23 disposals, 16 were handballs, but Bamert showed balance in his play with an audacious running bounce passage in the wet and strong marking prowess when shifted forward. He also converted a 40m set shot goal in the second quarter.

#17 Jamie Gilchrist (Eastern Ranges)
Forward | 185cm | 03/02/2007

Nine disposals and three goals reads as a handy return up forward, especially when the majority of that contribution came within a half. Gilchrist started strongly, thriving off good delivery inside 50 and clunking a nice pack mark before cooly converting thrice via set shots. He was quiet thereafter, but helped set the scoring tone early on.

#23 Oliver Greeves (Eastern Ranges)
Midfielder/Forward | 190cm | 07/02/2007

A sublime performance from Greeves saw him dominate with 27 disposals, nine clearances and three goals, playing mostly through midfield. He shows similar traits to fellow Eastern Ranges gun Josh Smillie, as a big-bodied midfielder with clean hands, high footy IQ and terrific skills. At 190cm, he was near-impossible to lay a glove on and made great decisions with ball in hand, hurting the opposition both on the inside and in attacking phases on the outside.

#40 Louis Emmett (Oakleigh Chargers)
Ruck | 198cm | 23/03/2007

Emmett was the standout tall afield on Tuesday, notching 22 disposals, seven marks, and 13 hitouts from his primary ruck post. The 198cm talent moves well for his size and showed a bit of dynamism around the ground, taking advantage of the size mismatches he created on the spread. His battle with Kayle Gerreyn made for an interesting watch.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA:

#9 Taj Longmuir (South Fremantle)
Defender | 179cm | 04/06/2007

Reprising his usual role down back, Longmuir was one of Western Australia’s designated kickers down back and took that role quite literally, with 12 of his 13 disposals being coming by foot. The son of Troy notched four rebound 50s and looked composed in his ball use, while also slotting into the hole for a couple of defensive 50 intercepts.

#10 Blake Kelly (Swan Districts)
Midfielder | 180cm | 03/01/2007

Though he started in midfield, with Metro gaining much of the ascendancy, Kelly’s best moments in the early stages saw him drop back to intercept and aid the defence. At the coalface, he was a solid ball winner who competed and stepped to the outside, winning 15 disposals and breaching either arc three times apiece.

#22 Marcus Cassidy (East Perth)
Midfielder | 186cm | 05/01/2007

Cassidy put up some strong numbers as another of Western Australia’s midfield pieces, posting 20 disposals, five marks, and five inside 50s in the loss. He was industrious and had a say when his side moved the ball forward, setting up consecutive goals in the third quarter despite not quite being able to snare one himself.

#24 Matthew Becker (Peel Thunder)
Defender | 187cm | 30/08/2007

Alongside Longmuir, Becker was Western Australia’s main distributor from defence and shared the kick-in duties. He ended up with a modest 12 disposals, three marks, and three rebound 50s, but made sound decisions when spreading the play by foot and proved composed under plenty of pressure down back.

#29 Judd Marcello (West Perth)
Forward | 189cm | 02/01/2007

One of his side’s more productive players after half time, Marcello had a bunch of opportunities to score among his 14 disposals. He ended up with 1.2 after snapping a goal in the final quarter, but found it a little tougher to convert over the mark. Speaking of, he also took a couple of clean grabs to earn those opportunities.

#34 Toby Whan (South Fremantle)
Wing | 180cm | 09/05/2007

A fixture on the wing, Whan registered 11 disposals and four marks but looked stylish with most of them. He was most effective in attacking transitions, proving clean overhead and willing to carry the ball in short bursts. He floated forward for a goal in the third quarter and was particularly lively in the middle stages of the game.

#37 Kayle Gerreyn (West Perth)
Ruck/Forward | 198cm | 05/10/2006

A 198cm prospect with plenty of potential, Gerreyn pulled off some eye-catching plays en route to amassing 12 disposals, six clearances, and 19 hitouts. He started in the ruck but also spent time up forward, proving dynamic with his ability to take the ball and centre bounces and clear it himself. His dexterity also translated to a goal when resting forward, as he beat his opponent one-out and jetted off into the open square. Gerreyn made more tired decisions as the game wore on, but has serious range as a tall.