VIC METRO got its AFL Women’s Under 16s Development Championships off on the right note with a strong 40-point victory over Gold Coast Suns Academy in the second match of the double-header at Aspley. After a relatively tight start, the visitors kicked away to a 25-point lead midway through the second before the Suns Academy cut that deficit to just 16 at the main break.

However that only proved to be a brief comeback as Metro poured on the only four goals of teh third term, restricting the Suns Academy from scoring. To the home side’s credit, Mena Warria boothed back-to-back goals in the opening two minutes of the final term to give her side a spark, but it was short lived again as Metro won the next centre clearance and then mostly held field position to secure the 12.12 (84) to 6.8 (44) win.

>> 2025 AFLW U16s | Scouting Notes: Lions Academy vs Vic Country

Warria’s two majors were matched by teammate Tara Nieass‘ pair of goals for the Suns, with the latter actually feeding the former with back-to-back centre clearances to open the fourth term. It was all the Maya Duane show though, with the Vic Metro talent slotting 3.2 – including one poster and both misses within a minute – as she and Alana D’Ambrosio combined for five goals and were ultra impressive in victory.

SUNS ACADEMY 2.2 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 6.8 (44)
VIC METRO 4.4 | 7.6 | 11.12 | 12.12 (84)

GOALS:
Suns Academy: M. Warria 2, T. Nieass 2, N. Sandeman, C. Gardner
Vic Metro: M. Duane 3, A. D’Ambrosio 2, C. Barbakas 2, P. Goulding, A. Barnard-Rossely, T. Baldwin, G. Philip, H. Clough

RMC BEST:
Suns Academy: L. Moana, A. Cameron, M. Warria, T. Nieass, T. Skalij
Vic Metro: M. Duane, A. Barnard-Rossely, A. D’Ambrosio, P. Goulding, G. Philip

SUNS ACADEMY:

#8 Tara Nieass
Surfers Paradise | 172cm | 14/03/2009

The exciting midfielder-forward had some nice moments throughout the match, but none bigger than the purple patch to start the fourth quarter. Having largely played forward, Nieass went into the middle and from the opening centre clearance burst forward and hit up Warria deep inside 50 for a goal. The very next centre clearance was like a carbon copy, sending it inside 50 for Warria to snap home another. Prior to that, Nieass put through two majors from limited opportunities, operating as a smart forward with good leading patterns and a nice burst off the mark.

#17 Lily Moana
Burleigh | 165cm | 23/03/2010

The pick for best-on from the Suns Academy, Moana is only a bottom-ager at the carnival which means she will be eligible to be back next year. Her athletic traits while playing on-ball really stood out and she set up a great goal to Grace Cooper early in the match, and always looked dangerous. Moana’s five clearances were the most of any player on her team, and she extracted the ball efficiently and backed herself to leave opponents in her wake. A very exciting talent for the future.

#20 Allie Cameron
Burleigh | 161cm | 04/03/2009

After being a standout for the Suns 12 months ago, the now top-age Cameron did her best to crash and bash through the midfield. While at times she did a little too much – such as fend-offs that came unstuck and resulted in holding the ball calls, she also did break free of some and put pressure on the opposition defence. Has no problems getting into ball-winning positions, and her defensive pressure – 14 tackles – was elite.

#27 Mena Warria
University (Townsville) | 170cm | 18/08/2010

Always looked dangerous inside 50 with some explosive speed and an eye for the big sticks, but her work rate paid off to start the fourth term with those back-to-back goals. While limited for opportunities through most of the match, once she got a sniff she was hungry for more. Her one-on-one work to mark for her first goal was great, and then to read the play off hands and snap truly a minute later showed she can convert majors in a multitude of ways. Worked hard up the ground through the final term as well.

VIC METRO:

#1 Alana D’Ambrosio
Western Jets | 159cm | 09/10/2009

The sister of Hawthorn’s Massimo loves to get onto her left foot with just about every kick in that half-crouched snapping motion. It works for her though, kicking a couple of goals and setting up a few more. Had a number of half-chances and missed opportunities inside 50, but just buzzes around and looms as that two-way forward with some great upside. She might be small but is a high IQ forward and has some nice potential in that role going forward.

#5 Perri Goulding
Eastern Ranges | 162cm | 05/07/2009

Another smaller type, Goulding played through the midfield and pushed forward where in the opening 30 seconds of the third term, was able to convert a major with a classy finish. She boasts some great speed and clean hands, while putting pressure on the opposition defence with her running patterns. Goulding kept up with Duane in terms of numbers around the ball, notching up 22 disposals and six clearances in the win to be among the best for her output, usually dishing off to teammates cleanly on the move.

#8 Alira Barnard-Rossely
Eastern Ranges | 166cm | 05/10/2009

Caught the eye with her burst out of the middle and the combination she and Goulding could form at the Ranges in the coming years is ultra-exciting. Barnard-Rossely can put on the jets and leave opponents in her wake, but most impressively can lower the eyes at speed and hit targets inside 50 which is a rare skill to have. When forward, she marked at the top of the 50 late in the third term and received a 50m penalty which resulted in a point-blank goal. All in all, was damaging by hand or foot on the inside and outside.

#14 Grace Philip
Sandringham Dragons | 172cm | 09/06/2009

Philip just has ‘it’ when it comes to her traits, and with further development, the Dragons forward-midfielder could piece together some impressive performances. Her effort against the Sun was just that, with her defensive pressure inside 50 a highlight, as was her lateral movement. She can sidestep on a dime and then kick inside 50 with little room. Philip did not win as much of it compared to others, but her little moments were enough to sit up and take note.

#23 Maya Duane
Sandringham Dragons | 180cm | 16/03/2009

The standout player on the ground, Duane projects as a really top-end talent with her size, athleticism and ability. Playing both through the midfield and up forward, Duane has a booming kick, can explode from stoppages, or take a good mark inside 50. Her best plays are often when able to see grass in front of her and launch from long-range. Three minutes into the match, the Dragons tall won the centre clearance, burst forward, received the handball and snapped from long-range for a goal. She kicked another two in the first half, one from a tight angle and another from a soccer on the goalline. Could have had five but one hit the post and another just went to the right, but still had game-highs in disposals (25), clearances (eight), inside 50s (eight) and goals (three).

#26 Holly Clough
Calder Cannons | 184cm | 20/01/2009

A key forward with some nice athletic traits for a player of her size, Clough only kicked the one goal, but competed well and set up her teammates too. In on instance early in the third, Clough passed off to Tillie Baldwin instead of taking the set shot within range, and then one quick shot went the wrong side of the post. Her sole goal – the first of the second quarter – was from a ridiculous angle on the boundary under pressure in what was easily goal of the day.