VIC COUNTRY came agonisingly close to knocking off rivals Vic Metro after booting the first four goals of the match before conceding eight of the next 11 to go down by 12 points at the AFLW Under 16 Championships. It was a much better effort than the fading second half that saw the Lions Academy run away by 40 points as Country scored 7.4 (46) in both matches.

RESULTS:

Vic Country 7.4 (46) def. by Brisbane Lions Academy 13.8 (86) | Scouting Notes
Vic Country 7.4 (46) def. by Vic Metro 8.10 (58) | Scouting Notes

TOP TALENT:

#5 Lily Brittain
Dandenong Stingrays | 163cm | 26/01/2009

Brittain is definitely a star in the making, having averaged 22.0 disposals, 2.5 marks, 5.5 tackles, 4.5 clearances, 4.5 inside 50s and 1.0 goals per game, having slotted two majors in the loss to the Lions Academy. Her vision and footy IQ stands out, able to win the ball and then use slick evasion to get around opponents then hit targets inside 50 through traffic. A natural midfielder going forward, she spent plenty of time forward as that distributor as well, and plays a really attacking gamestyle but has that defensive edge too.

NAMES TO REMEMBER:

#3 Ella Bologa
Dandenong Stingrays | 162cm | 10/09/2009

Was a key player in putting speed on the ball from defence, Bologa burst off half-back and has a terrific penetrating kick. Though her marking will be an area to continue to develop, she reads the play well and can break down opposition defensive zones streaming down the ground. Averaged 20.0 disposals, 2.0 marks, 2.5 tackles and 4.5 rebound 50s across the two games and will form a strong partnership with Brittain at the Stingrays over the next couple of years.

#4 Sage Dennis
Bendigo Pioneers | 160cm | 22/08/2009

After a solid game against the Lions, Dennis really stepped up behind the ball for Country in the second game. Strong overhead and fierce at ground level, Dennis has a nice balance of offensive and defensive traits. She can find the ball by getting into good positions, compete with bigger opponents and then is able to put the ball to safety with clean use by foot. Is smaller, but very competitive and looms as one who can play across all three lines.

#8 Brooke Kelly
Gippsland Power | 168cm | 07/08/2009

A lovely left-foot kick, Kelly is that taller medium midfielder-forward who can hit the scoreboard or distribute to others going forward. Her finishing ability caught the eye and a couple of her goals were simply sensational. When moved inside, Kelly used nice power and extraction techniques to get the ball to the outside, with her first half against the Lions (16 disposals out of 20) where she did her best work. Kelly also took a couple of contested marks from five grabs against Metro.

#22 Ella Condon
Geelong Falcons | 182cm | 23/04/2009

The natural leader earned Vic Country’s MVP for the series with her work rotating between ruck and defence. A great reader of the play, Condon has incredibly safe hands and positions herself accordingly to intercept and then drive the ball down the ground. However a point of difference for her height is her tackling pressure at ground level where she averaged 8.5 per game. After a solid first game against the Lions, Condon was one of the best in the loss to Vic Metro. The Falcons key position player averaged 16.5 disposals, 3.0 marks, 14.5 hitouts, 2.5 inside 50s and 2.5 rebound 50s from the carnival.

OTHERS WHO IMPRESSED:

It was a fairly even team effort from Vic Country with Annie Clish and Jemma Andrews a couple who played consistently across both matches, while Bailea Shipp was an eye-catching player with plenty of upside. Holly Confoy was particularly busy in game one and handy in game two, while Claudia Collins kicked three goals across the two games from her side’s total 14.