VIC METRO secured an entertaining 20-point win over NSW-ACT in their Under 17 clash at Avalon Airport Oval on Sunday. In a high-scoring affair, the home side led at every break but was pushed all the way, eventually running out 17.15 (117) to 15.7 (97) victors in the Futures showcase. We noted some of the top performers from either side.

VIC METRO 5.4 | 9.8 | 14.10 | 17.15 (117)
NSW-ACT 4.1 | 9.2 | 13.5 | 15.7 (97)

GOALS:

Vic Metro: C. Richardson 3, T. Hotton 2, D. Hollow 2, S. Buck 2, D. Snell 2, T. Gross 2, J. Haeata, L. McInerney, N. King, N. Scott
NSW-ACT: J. Shanahan 3, J. Murphy 3, J. Harrison 2, N. Harper 2, H. Holdom, A. Swinnerton, T. Hitchens, O. Withers, T. Miller

RMC BEST:

Vic Metro: T. Gross, P. Retschko, L. McInerney, D. Hollow, N. King, S. Buck
NSW-ACT: J. Harrison, J. Shanahan, J. Delana, M. Woods, T. Forrest, J. Murphy

VIC METRO:

#6 Damon Hollow (Calder Cannons)
Forward/Midfielder | 180cm | 30/03/2006

Hollow got to showcase his flair and athleticism with plenty of time up forward, booting a couple of first half goals before shifting into midfield. The Calder Cannons prospect leapt to the ball nicely and clunked clean overhead marks, defying his 180cm standing in that regard. His turn of speed over the ground was also noticeable, and Hollow eventually broke out the front of a stoppage in term four – something which he often does well.

#7 Tom Gross (Oakleigh Chargers)
Midfielder/Forward | 180cm | 15/09/2006

Another part of Vic Metro’s midfield rotation, Gross had clear claims for being best afield. He certainly backed himself around the big sticks and adopted an attacking style, using his speed to break forward from stoppage and show many NSW-ACT opponents a clean set of heels. Gross provided great energy around the ball and was just as lively with more minutes up forward in the second half, where he bagged two goals.

#8 Lucas McInerney (Northern Knights)
Defender | 180cm | 28/02/2006

A real accumulator throughout the day, McInerney started in his natural post down back before getting a run on the wing and up forward. The assets which shone brightest were his decision making and distribution by foot, which saw Vic Metro enact fluent transitions from defensive 50. McInerney also made an immediate impact upon being swung into attack at the start of term four,  taking two marks inside 50 and kicking a goal.

#9 Nash King (Calder Cannons)
Midfielder | 181cm | 05/01/2006

Akin to his Calder Cannons teammate Hollow, King put his athletic traits on show through midfield, with the agile ball winner using his smooth step to weave through traffic and pave paths into attack. He was also ridiculously clean when trapping the ball, best exemplified by a play where King smothered his opponent before sharking the loose ball, and hitting a target inside 50. A set shot goal in term four capped his day nicely.

#14 Christian Moraes (Eastern Ranges)
Midfielder | 182cm | 08/11/2006

Coming into this game in a rich vein of form, Moraes was perhaps less prolific than in recent weeks but still showed moments of class. The midfielder spun his way out of traffic and glided forward of stoppage with ease, proving hard to tie down despite his slight built. Having spent most of the day among a relatively stacked on-ball group, Moraes made way during the fourth quarter with a move to defence.

#19 Patrick Retschko (Oakleigh Chargers)
Defender/Wing | 28/02/2006

Retschko has quietly put together a trio of strong performances at Talent League level this year and carried his momentum into this game. He started out as a key cog in defence, taking the kick-ins but also working high on the overlap and making good decisions when launching by foot. He moved up to the wing after half time and proved his ability to pluck clean overhead marks in a solid all-round game.

#20 Liam Farrar (Northern Knights)
Forward | 188cm | 14/02/2006

It was largely a case of what could have been for Farrar on Sunday, with the Northern Knights forward failing to make good on more than a handful of shots on goal. Not all was lost though, with the 188cm prospect consistently presenting as a viable target forward of the ball, and playing above his size with clean overhead marking. With slightly better set shot conversion, he could have had four or five goals and helped put the game to bed much sooner.

#28 Sam Buck (Sandringham Dragons)
Key Position Utility | 197cm | 28/02/2006

A tall who played in each third of the ground, Buck showed great upside in each role asked of him. He was initially a secondary ruck who worked into the game up forward, booting two second quarter goals with aplomb. The 197cm prospect proved mobile and dextrous in his movement, swinging to defence after half time to good effect. He wasn’t overly prolific but hardly put a foot wrong and looked comfortable joining in on general play.

NSW-ACT:

#2 Josaia Delana (Giants Academy)
Midfielder/Forward | 174cm | 01/07/2006

Delana worked into the game nicely, making his most profound impact in midfield having also spent plenty of early minutes up forward. The Giants Academy member did some tidy work at stoppages, waxing well with his teammates by hand and helping shift the ball to the outside with little fuss. With more opportunities in attack, he could have showcased his speed and ability to take the game on.

#6 Mitchell Woods (Swans Academy)
Midfielder | 179cm | 15/05/2006

There is little denying the talent and potential Woods possesses, though he remains a raw prospect in the grand scheme of things. Plying his trade through midfield, the Swans Academy member caught the eye with his agility and came to life every time he got the ball in his hands. He stepped through traffic and showed good core strength in tackles, winning more ball than he usually would as a forward. Woods’ kicking was a touch awkward at times but flukily effective going into attack.

#7 Joe Harrison (Swans Academy)
Midfielder | 180cm | 20/07/2006

Arguably NSW-ACT’s most influential and consistent player across four quarters, Harrison proved prolific in a workmanlike performance through midfield. The Swans Academy member did the tough stuff on the inside and constantly put himself into ball winning positions. He also rotated forward and made good on his opportunities there, snaring two goals over the back as ample reward for his on-ball efforts.

#17 Jobe Shanahan (Bendigo Pioneers)
Tall Forward | 192cm | 02/08/2006

Shanahan put on an absolute marking clinic up forward for NSW-ACT, playing against many of the same players he has at Talent League level this season. The Bendigo Pioneers prospect started slowly but was consistently hard to beat in the air, reading the ball beautifully in flight and taking it one touch no matter what attention came his way. The well-skilled 192cm talent also hit the scoreboard with three set shot conversions and looks like being one to watch for 2024.