VIC METRO is in the box seat to take out the Under 18 National Championships title after moving to 3-0 with a 52-point thumping of South Australia today. The visitors stormed to victory with the last seven goals of the game as SA ended its carnival with a whimper at Alberton Oval.

The Metro midfield was humming and despite losing the clearance battle (32-26) and inside 50 count (42-38), created the better opportunities. Classy on-baller Murphy Reid elevated his stocks with a best afield performance which yielded 31 disposals, eight clearances and three goals.

He was ably supported by Levi Ashcroft (34 disposals) and Jagga Smith (23 disposals, five clearances). Crash-and-bash utility Tom Gross (27 disposals) was also among the Metro’s catalysts, and Christian Moraes (22 disposals, 12 marks, two goals) helped them run over the top.

The visitors had an impressive nine individual goalkickers. Matching Reid’s haul of three was fellow Sandringham Dragon Harry Armstrong, who also clunked seven marks. Isaac Kako‘s speed and creativity saw him end up with two majors, proving particularly lively in the first half.

After going down by 67 points to Western Australia at the same venue a fortnight ago, SA responded in the early stages and went goal-for-goal with its highly fancied opposition. That lasted until halfway through the third quarter, when Vic Metro began its unanswered run of goals.

Carlton father-son fancy Ben Camporeale (29 disposals) was again prolific in the losing side, while skipper Sid Draper added spark with his 20 touches and four clearances. Ruckman Alex Dodson also rounded out a strong campaign, posting 13 disposals, 18 hitouts and a goal.

The likes of Kade Herbert (19 disposals, seven marks) and Benny Barrett (10 disposals, four clearances) got a run through the revamped South Australian midfield. Bottom-ager Dyson Sharp looked in strong form for 14 touches, seven tackles and six clearances before having his day ended by injury.

After a third consecutive loss, the Croweaters end with a 1-3 record. The result was the second in a double-header this weekend, with Vic Country moving to 2-0 with a win over Western Australia at Claremont Oval on Saturday.

Vic Country will next face the Allies in Brisbane on Sunday June 7, before taking on their Metro counterparts at IKON Park in what could well be a championship decider on Sunday July 14. All state MVPs and the All Australian squad will be decided by the end of the carnival.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA 3.2 | 5.5 | 7.6 | 7.7 (49)
VICTORIA METRO 3.2 | 6.7 | 11.8 | 15.11 (101)

GOALS:
SA: N. Atkinson, B. Barrett, N. Bowman, A. Dodson, D. Sharp, T. Welsh, C. West
VM: H. Armstrong 3, M. Reid 3, I. Kako 2, C. Moraes 2, L. Ashcroft, J. Dattoli, A. Ludowyke, B. McKenzie, T. Sims

RMC BEST:
SA: S. Draper, A. Dodson, D. Sharp, B. Barrett, K. Herbert, A. Clarke
VM: M. Reid, J. Smith, T. Gross, L. Ashcroft, C. Moraes, I. Kako