VIC METRO aided the title tilt of their Country counterparts by downing Western Australia to the tune of 22 points at Fankhauser Reserve today. The result meant both sides finished their Under 16 National Championships with 1-2 records, setting up a Pool A decider between Country and South Australia.

The Sandgropers were made to rue missed opportunities in a goalless first half, posting eight behinds as Vic Metro built a 28-point head start. Cue an electric third term from WA, who took the lead with five goals in eight minutes. It was a brutally efficient run, and Vic Metro couldn’t get a touch of the ball.

Arki Butler led the Vics’ recovery with consecutive goals late in the third quarter to restore his side’s ascendancy. Things were tense in the final term but Vic Metro held firm to take the win. Lachlan Hicks and Lucas Robinson picked up Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards for their respective states.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA 0.5 | 0.8 | 6.12 | 7.13 (55)
VICTORIA METRO 2.2 | 5.6 | 8.8 | 11.11 (77)

GOALS:
Western Australia: K. LeCras 3, A. Abbonizio, S. Hill, K. Ormerod, L. Robinson
Victoria Metro: A. Butler 2, A. Spencer 2, J. Surkitt 2, H. Ryan, J. Lawrence, S. Gayfer, S. Harris, F. Woolhouse

BEST:
Western Australia: L. Robinson, L. Steed, E. Dennis, J. Debono, K. LeCras, A. Walsh
Victoria Metro: A. Butler, Z. Antonellos, J. Surkitt, J. Knapp, T. Hodgson, L. Hicks

MVPs:
Western Australia: Lucas Robinson (South Fremantle)
Victoria Metro: Lachlan Hicks (Western Jets)

WESTERN AUSTRALIA:

#5 Koby LeCras (West Perth)
Forward | 190cm | 26/04/2008

Stats: 9 disposals, 2 marks, 3 goals

LeCras was among the catalysts for Western Australia’s third quarter surge, with his two marks and three goals all coming within the 23-minute period. Two of his majors were clinical set shot conversions, with LeCras’ finishing and forward craft a throwback to uncle, Mark‘s feats. His raking left foot and marking ability – one-on-one or on the lead – made him a handful inside 50.

#7 Leo Steed (Swan Districts)
Midfielder | 174cm | 07/03/2008

Stats: 23 disposals, 4 clearances, 8 inside 50s

Steed stormed out of the gates in Southport, racking up 10 touches during the opening quarter. Less steed-like and more resemblant of a bull, the midfielder surged forward with real urgency and left opponents in his wake. He showed a good ability to power out of tackles and generally rode contact well, which saw him explode from the inside to the outer. Steed also made his physical presence felt with plenty of hard tackles in a tone-setting performance.

#11 Joshua Nathan (East Fremantle)
Midfielder | 177cm | 19/06/2008

Stats: 18 disposals, 10 tackles, 6 clearances

Having spent time on the wing in WA’s previous matches, Nathan got the opportunity for a more permanent run on-ball. He showed his capabilities, and some, with a combination of gritty and clean work at the contest. His hard efforts at the source played a key part in the Sandgropers’ dominant third quarter, helping even up the clearance battle to compliment his smooth outside movement.

#15 Angus Abbonizio (Subiaco)
Forward | 183cm | 18/05/2009

Stats: 11 disposals, 4 inside 50s, 1 goal

One of the rare bottom-agers to feature in Pool A, Abbonizio was a terrific connection piece between the midfield and forwardline. He would often be the player to latch onto clearance kicks, wheeling around to surge inside 50 with either his speed or kicking. Having launched several scores for others, Abbonizio hit the scoreboard himself with a set shot in the third quarter.

#23 Lucas Robinson (South Fremantle)
Midfielder | 188cm | 13/02/2008

Stats: 25 disposals, 8 clearances, 1 goal

Robinson was deservedly named the West Australian MVP after another industrious performance through midfield. The big-bodied ball winner was difficult to contain on the inside, winning eight clearances and a whopping 20 contested possessions. While capable of bombing long from the contest, Robinson looked notably more measured with his short kicking and impacted around the ground with a pair of strong pack marks. He produced an imposing second half with plenty of efforts to will himself to the ball, burst out, and even hit the scoreboard for fitting consolation.

#39 Axel Walsh (East Perth)
Ruck | 199cm | 20/01/2009

Stats: 14 disposals, 22 hitouts, 7 clearances

Arguably the most dominant key position player afield, Walsh defied his bottom-age status. He was WA’s primary ruck and leapt strongly at the centre bounces, while following up his initial efforts and proving capable of clearing the ball himself. Walsh’s size and clean hands were key factors in the clinches and he moved quite well around the ground to apply pressure or get to the next contest.

VICTORIA METRO:

#1 Jack Surkitt (Sandringham Dragons)
Forward/Wing | 175cm | 13/08/2008

Stats: 16 disposals, 4 tackles, 2 goals

Surkitt made a lively start to proceedings, showcasing enormous smarts as a high forward. He had a happy knack for enforcing smothers on the mark and that kind of play reading served him well when working up the ground. One such moment saw Surkitt bag a goal in term one, and after spending time on the wing, the sharp left-footer got his second major via a set shot on the full time siren.

#3 Jordan Knapp (Eastern Ranges)
Midfielder | 178cm | 05/01/2008

Stats: 18 disposals, 8 tackles, 6 clearances

Another fast starter, Knapp enjoyed a full game on-ball and got to work with two-way contributions at the contest. A feature of Knapp’s game in the early stages was his ability to shark the ball at stoppages and wheel away untouched. He was clean and has the speed to make sharp exits, before later being made to get his hands dirty to post eight tackles and 11 contested possessions.

#7 Zac Antonellos (Eastern Ranges)
Defender | 179cm | 04/04/2008

Stats: 21 disposals, 10 marks, 3 rebound 50s

Having had bright spots throughout the carnival, Antonellos produced arguably his most consistent and complete game on Friday. The defender was an all-round threat down back, intercepting with a strong set of hands before setting off aggressively on the rebound. His counter-attacking style made for some brilliant plays through the corridor, as Antonellos backed his speed and combined well with teammates to carve up Western Australia in transition.

#8 Archie Spencer (Eastern Ranges)
Midfielder/Forward | 180cm | 24/09/2008

Stats: 20 disposals, 6 clearances, 2 goals

Vic Metro bagged the first five goals of the game and Spencer contributed two of them from midfield. He gathered nine of his 20 disposals in the first quarter and did most of his work by hand, prising first possession and combining with teammates to exit the contest. Having hit the scoreboard, Spencer spent plenty of time forward and made the rotation more than a mere rest.

#11 Arki Butler (Sandringham Dragons)
Forward/Midfielder | 180cm | 23/04/2008

Stats: 22 disposals, 8 marks, 2 goals

Once again his side’s best player, Butler booted consecutive goals in the third quarter to restore Vic Metro’s lead and regain some much needed momentum heading into term four. Such moments scream star power and the mercurial forward has plenty of it. He got a brief run in midfield and won clearances but did his best work ahead of the ball – whether playing high or deep inside 50. Butler’s ball use and slippery nature made him a handful for WA when it mattered most. Clutch.

#24 Tate Hodgson (Northern Knights)
Tall Defender | 193cm | 24/07/2008

Stats: 15 disposals, 6 marks, 4 tackles

Hodgson was his reliable self down back, producing a versatile performance. He could be seen recovering the ball deep inside defensive 50, while also providing an outlet both in slow play or when Metro looked to pull the trigger up the field. At 193cm, Hodgson was also a capable interceptor and kicked the ball at 90 per cent efficiency, posting 13 of his 15 disposals before half time.