VIC METRO claimed the Under 18 National Championships title on Sunday thanks to Luke Trainor‘s goal after the siren. Between the Metro and Country rivals, over half of the likely top 10 AFL Draft prospects took the field at Marvel Stadium, and most feature in our latest edition of Scouting Notes.

>> Match report: Vic Metro snatches Under 18 title after the siren

VIC METRO:

#1 Isaac Kako (Calder Cannons)
Small Forward | 175cm | 07/03/2006

Stats: 12 disposals, 3 marks, 3 goals

Kako would have been pleased to end up with three goals as once of Vic Metro’s main scoring avenues, and he also set up others in typically creative fashion. The livewire small forward kicked to leading targets with precision, drawing teammates towards the space inside 50. He snapped a goal during term one before popping up for a couple of marks and set shot goals in the second half. Just as easily as he identifies targets, he finds pockets of space.

#3 Jesse Dattoli (Northern Knights)
Wing | 179cm | 07/08/2006

Stats: 20 disposals, 8 marks, 2 inside 50s

In what was a relatively low disposal count game, Dattoli finished second in Vic Metro’s tally with 20. The usual forward made the wing his own and was everywhere at times with 16 uncontested possessions. He made for the perfect outlet as Metro transitioned from end-to-end, helping connect the lines and making things happen with every possession. Sometimes he bit off too much, but Dattoli’s movement and energy caused headaches for Vic Country.

#8 Murphy Reid (Sandringham Dragons)
Midfielder | 180cm | 30/07/2006

Stats: 19 disposals, 4 tackles, 2 clearances

Crowned MVP of the title-winning Vic Metro side, Reid put in another consistent shift with plenty of class. He manufactured time and space with deft draws and feints, often making the opposition look foolish before dishing off. A prime example of the midfielder’s poise saw him bounce handpass the ball around a defender before latching onto it again in the passage which led to Levi Ashcroft‘s fourth quarter goal. Reid was also deceptively strong in the contest and productive up forward.

#9 Jagga Smith (Oakleigh Chargers)
Midfielder | 181cm | 28/01/2006

Stats: 25 disposals, 8 clearances, 6 inside 50s

Smith rounded out a quality representative carnival as Metro’s leading ball winner in what was a true captain’s performance. Of Smith’s eight total clearances, five were won at the centre bounces as he sharked first possession and wheeled away into the expanses of an AFL-sized venue. He was also difficult to contain around the ground and favoured going by foot after driving his legs to the outside. Crucially, Smith won the final clearance of the game which he launched to half-forward where Luke Trainor won a free kick. The rest is history.

#10 Levi Ashcroft (Sandringham Dragons)
Midfielder | 179cm | 18/12/2006

Stats: 16 disposals, 2 clearances, 1 goal

While his numbers may seem relatively modest by his own high standards, Ashcroft was an efficient connection piece who fed others as Metro moved the ball in waves. His use by hand allowed teammates to take ground on the outside and while Ashcroft lacked some of his usual clearance dominance or expansiveness, he snapped a vital final quarter goal to prove his big game credentials.

#11 Christian Moraes (Eastern Ranges)
Forward/Midfielder | 183cm | 08/11/2006

Stats: 19 disposals, 5 marks, 5 inside 50s

Moraes was integral to Vic Metro’s final quarter fightback and has made every post a winner having largely been squeezed out of his side’s engine room throughout the championships. His running capacity saw him finish strongly, but Moraes’ ability to connect and surge the ball forward in attacking phases was notable all match. He was involved in the chain which saw Ashcroft score and had a couple of golden chances to grab a goal himself, but couldn’t convert inside 50.

#22 Harry Armstrong (Sandringham Dragons)
Key Forward | 195cm | 14/06/2006

Stats: 9 disposals, 5 marks, 5 goals

It wouldn’t be a stretch to say Armstrong was Vic Metro’s most important player on Sunday, as he was the only one at times who could convert in front of goal. The high-marking forward brought his kicking boots to bag five straight majors, including three in the second quarter. His set shot conversion was clinical, with the left-footer holding his nerve under pressure to make the most of each chance. Armstrong’s leading patterns were rewarded, but he also took things into his own hands with a massive contested mark in the final quarter to momentarily give his side the lead.

#24 Josh Smillie (Eastern Ranges)
Midfielder | 194cm | 17/05/2006

Stats: 16 disposals, 3 tackles, 8 clearances

Another star player with relatively modest numbers, Smillie still made an impact with his contest work. The pick one contender won eight clearances, including five at the centre bounces, by getting his big frame in the way at the fall of the ball and powering out of tackles through pure brawn. Smillie often went head-to-head with Vic Country MVP Harvey Langford, and while quiet in patches, brought great physicality to the match on what was the biggest of stages.

#26 Luke Trainor (Sandringham Dragons)
Key Defender | 194cm | 10/04/2006

Stats: 17 disposals, 6 marks, 4 rebound 50s, 1 goal

Trainor will forever be known for his game-winning goal after the siren, albeit on the end of a 50m penalty which sent him to the goalsquare. The usual defender was sent forward to scrounge a goal at the death and delivered. Throughout the match, he reprised his usual distributive duties from the kick-ins and provided a big lift in the second half. Trainor popped up with a couple of crucial intercepts and desperate efforts, helping mop up defensive errors and copping the hard knocks.

VIC COUNTRY:

#3 Xavier Lindsay (Gippsland Power)
Midfielder | 183cm | 03/08/2006

Stats: 30 disposals, 11 marks, 8 tackles, 6 inside 50s

Lindsay was absolutely immense and arguably the best player afield on Sunday, operating off the wing before a second half run on-ball. He racked up 11 marks and 20 uncontested possessions on the outside, using his running and powerful left foot as weapons to launch Vic Country inside 50. He was also prepared to do the tough stuff; like shirt-fronting Trainor, winning centre clearances late in the piece, and laying a clutch holding-the-ball tackle in the passage which led to the goal to put his side ahead. If anyone deserved the result to go their way, it was Lindsay.

#9 Joe Berry (Murray Bushrangers)
Forward/Midfielder | 180cm | 18/04/2006

Stats: 14 disposals, 5 tackles, 3 goals

Berry was among the catalysts for Vic Country’s electric start to the second half. After a quiet start to the game, he came to life with eight disposals and consecutive goals coming out of the main break. He had a hand in each of his side’s scores through fantastic crumbing, tackle pressure and finishing – all hallmarks of an elite small forward. Berry added a third goal in the fourth quarter and had stints in midfield as the game wore on. He looks every bit the first round prospect.

#13 Tobie Travaglia (Bendigo Pioneers)
Defender | 187cm | 26/10/2006

Stats: 25 disposals, 9 marks, 7 rebound 50s

Though his championships ended in cruel fashion, giving away the decisive free kick and 50m penalty for dissent, Travaglia can hold his head high after a terrific performance down back. The dashing defender provided relentless energy and run off half-back, showing confidence in his pace before unleashing booming kicks. With great timing on the overlap, he launched several effective transitions and even stood up late with a clutch intercept mark deep inside defensive 50.

#14 Sam Lalor (GWV Rebels)
Midfielder/Forward | 187cm | 30/08/2006

Stats: 8 disposals, 5 marks, 5 tackles, 1 goal

Lalor’s physicality set the tone in the early stages as his tackles sent the ball flying loose, and his fend-offs put opponents down on their backsides. The midfield bull was relatively quiet throughout the day but embodied the low-disposal, high-impact kind of game. His strong hands and one-on-one craft were highlights up forward, with the versatile prospect taking two contested grabs – one of which resulted in a second quarter goal. Another of his marks inside 50 led to a set shot which went wide, but saw Archer Day-Wicks put Vic Country ahead for the second-last lead change.

#15 Xavier Ivisic (Geelong Falcons)
Midfielder/Forward | 180cm | 01/06/2006

Stats: 19 disposals, 8 marks, 4 clearances, 1 goal

Having spent the first half playing forward, Ivisic was injected into the centre bounces and had an immediate impact in the third quarter. With just six disposals to that point, he took little time to get going and ended up with eight touches for the term. Ivisic was a key part of his side’s onslaught after half time and played the basics well by winning first use of the ball before sending it long. While capable of neat, short-range ball use, that kind of urgency was what Vic Country needed.

#20 Jack Whitlock (Murray Bushrangers)
Key Forward/Ruck | 200cm | 16/05/2006

Stats: 13 disposals, 7 marks, 2 goals

Vic Country had a good spread of goalkickers but Whitlock got on the board with two majors and was a focal point when his side needed it. The nimble big man got going with a great snap at the start of the third quarter, before impacting with some terrific marks forward of the ball. He was capable of standing under the high ball but also thrived when allowed a clear run and jump, utilising his range to take clean grabs at the top of his reach. He’s a big moments kind of player.

#22 Harvey Langford (Dandenong Stingrays)
Midfielder | 190cm | 15/03/2006

Stats: 19 disposals, 6 marks, 5 clearances, 1 goal

Now a Larke Medallist and state MVP, Langford closed out his outstanding representative campaign with another strong showing. He popped in the final quarter with a massive mark and goal, which is something he does prolifically at Coates Talent League level. Otherwise, the rising prospect started in midfield and had a busy start, proving strong on the inside and working into good space on the spread. He also locked horns with Smillie in a battle of the midfield titans.

#24 Matt Whitlock (Murray Bushrangers)
Key Defender | 199cm | 16/05/2006

Stats: 15 disposals, 5 marks, 1 tackle

Having been swung forward last week, Vic Metro’s tall forward threats saw Country shuffle Whitlock’s magnet back to defence. He played in a similar mould to fellow Murray Bushrangers product Connor O’Sullivan, covering great ground and getting involved in transitional play. Whitlock cut off attacks with a couple of sound intercept marks and wasn’t afraid to carry the ball in a way any good medium or small defender would. He’s looking more assured each week.