THE STAGE is set for an AFL Under 18 National Championships title decider on Sunday morning, as Vic Metro takes on Vic Country for all the glory at Marvel Stadium. Both sides come into clash with unblemished 3-0 records and together boast arguably the top handful of AFL Draft prospects this year.

NEED TO KNOW

Who: Vic Metro vs. Vic Country
When: Sunday July 14, 10:35am AEST
Where: Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
How to watch: via AFL website & Fox Footy

RECORDS

Vic Metro: 3-0, 158.4%
def. Allies 9.13 (67) to 6.15 (51)
def. Western Australia 15.16 (106) to 10.13 (73)
def. South Australia 15.11 (101) to 7.7 (49) 

Vic Country: 3-0, 109.0%
def. South Australia 13.9 (87) to 11.13 (79)
def. Western Australia 11.11 (77) to 9.12 (66)
def. Allies 13.12 (90) to 14.4 (88)

PREDICTED LINEUPS

VIC METRO:

B: #16 L. Grego – #32 A. Cole – #21 L. Hofmann
HB: #17 Z. Johnson – #26 L. Trainor – #7 H. Oliver
C: #18 P. Retschko – #24 J. Smillie – #11 C. Moraes
HF: #31 K. Matofai-Forbes – #35 T. Sims – #4 J. Dolan
F: #1 I. Kako – #22 H. Armstrong – #3 J. Dattoli
FOL: #37 L. Impey – #9 J. Smith – #10 L. Ashcroft

INT: #5 D. Hollow, #8 M. Reid, #14 N. King, #15 T. Gross, #33 L. Emmett

IN: J. Dolan, L. Impey, K. Matofai-Forbes, P. Retschko
OUT: C. Anderson, A. Ludowyke, B. McKenzie, J. Nguyen

Vic Metro has again made four rotations to its squad. Train-on player Keighton Matofai-Forbes gets his chance as a relative straight swap up forward for Bailey McKenzie, while fellow Western Jet Lucas Impey returns as ruck support. The flankers have been shifted too, with Joshua Dolan coming in at half-forward, and Patrick Retschko set to reprise his role on the wing.

VIC COUNTRY:

B: #16 L. Jaques – #28 J. Barrat – #31 A. Tauru
HB: #13 T. Travaglia – #24 M. Whitlock – #12 H. Charleson
C: #5 F. O’Sullivan – #22 H. Langford – #26 J. Ough
HF: #30 C. Hynes – #20 J. Whitlock – #9 J. Berry
F: #1 J. Alger – #38 J. Faull – #14 S. Lalor
FOL: #37 F. Burmeister – #3 X. Lindsay – #15 X. Ivisic

INT: #2 A. Day-Wicks, #4 O. Warburton, #10 R. Unwin, #23 W. Duursma, #25 R. Onley

IN: A. Day-Wicks, W. Duursma, X. Lindsay
OUT: R. Andrew, J. Doherty, O. Hannaford

Vic Country has opted to shuffle out a pair of talls in Dandenong defender Riak Andrew and ruck Jordan Doherty. Returning from injury is midfielder Xavier Lindsay, while Archer Day-Wicks was hard to deny for a call-up and may feature in the same rotation. Bottom-age utility Willem Duursma is the third inclusion, able to provide aerial support down back or chop out on the wing.

ONES TO WATCH

VIC METRO:

Harry Armstrong

Armstrong is quickly rising in draft stocks having put together a strong run of form. From a bag of 10 goals at APS level to his recent haul of four for Sandringham Dragons, the high-marking key forward is proving difficult to stop. Having posted seven marks and three goals against South Australia, he may warrant some added attention but only needs a couple of moments to impact with clinical conversion.

Keighton Matofai-Forbes

A real powerhouse up forward, Matofai-Forbes has earned his call-up for the decider on the back of 14 disposals, eight marks, and three goals in his Coates Talent League return. The Western Jets skipper has a booming left foot and isn’t afraid to throw his weight around when storming up the field. Like Armstrong, he’ll only need a few touches to make an impression, and will likely thrive on the occasion.

Jagga Smith

Should he continue his form, Smith is on track to take out the Larke Medal – but will have stiff competition from teammates Levi Ashcroft and Murphy Reid, and opposition midfielder Harvey Langford. Even without the closed roof at Marvel Stadium, Smith is often the most clean and balanced player afield and should rack up the ball on an AFL sized venue with his neat skills and smart running.

VIC COUNTRY:

Sam Lalor

Lalor is coming into his own and was a genuine difference maker last time out with three important goals. Having proved a match-winner in his long stints up forward, the midfielder’s contested nous and ability to hit the scoreboard will be crucial in what is effectively a Grand Final. Watch for his clean hands and composure to stand out when the game is hot in the early stages.

Xavier Lindsay

Lindsay makes a swift return from the knock which kept him out of Vic Country’s win over the Allies, and provides a good bit of flexibility in midfield. He has looked most effective on the inside but has also had exposure to the wing and may even roll off half-back if required. The Gippsland Power captain is another with clean hands and a balanced game, capped off by his raking left-foot kicking.

Matt Whitlock

Whitlock started out the carnival as a defensive fixture but enjoyed swinging forward last week against the Allies. With the magnets shuffled once again, he may find himself in defence once more but the flexibility he offers is terrific. Whitlock covers the ground supremely well for a tall and is beginning to piece together strong contested marks, which will serve him well at either end of the ground.

WHERE IT’S WON

Country’s midfield is likely the only one which stands a chance of competing with Metro’s on-ball brigade. Both sides have a great balance of types through the centre; from big-bodied powerhouses, to smooth movers, elite runners, and all-rounders. It should be a joy to watch them go to battle.

While Country’s size around the ground is notable, their tall defensive stocks are mostly just below key position height. That could be an area Metro looks to exploit if it can win the midfield battle and provide their big forwards with quick entries. Around the ground, Country’s physicality will hold up.

Both sides are also extremely versatile. We could see a number of centre bounce combinations and outside types switching flanks for wings. Even the talls promise to show their flexibility in different roles and matchups. With so much top-end quality afield, expect the cream to rise to the top.

PREDICTION

Vic Metro will be well rested with the extended break, while Country is coming in off a trip to Queensland last week. We’ve already seen at the championships how teams can wilt in the final game, so that factor may be crucial. Metro has comfortably won the midfield battle in each game but may be in for a contest on Sunday, with so much riding on either sides’ prime movers. A thriller awaits, Metro by 5.