VIC METRO snatched a two-point win over the Young Guns in the dying seconds of their clash at Avalon Airport Oval on Saturday, thanks to a last gasp goal from Lachy Dovaston. The Eastern Ranges livewire booted his third major to put the Big V’s inaccuracy aside against slightly more senior opposition.

Despite a final quarter hat-trick to Young Guns tall Caleb Lewis, Vic Metro had an answer to every push and came away with some strong trialists for their final Under 18 squad. The Young Guns will go on to face Vic Country at the same venue on Sunday May 4 ahead of the Mid-Season Draft (May 28).

YOUNG GUNS 2.1 | 4.1 | 7.4 | 11.5 (71)
VIC METRO 2.2 | 3.9 | 6.11 | 10.13 (73)

GOALS:
Young Guns: S. Toner 4, C. Lewis 3, N. Yze 2, A. McCarroll, H. White
Vic Metro: L. Dovaston 3, A. Sweid, T. Gresham, X. Bamert, S. Buck, H. El Achkar, S. Murphy, H. Bird

BEST:
Young Guns: S. Toner, T. Evans, K. George, C. Rozenes, J. Haeata, N. Yze
Vic Metro: L. Dovaston, A. Sweid, H. El Achkar, J. Barber, X. Taylor, H. Bird

What a finish to Saturday's clash between the Young Guns and Vic Metro ?

Lachy Dovaston kicked a goal with the final kick of the game to clinch a two-point win for Metro in the talent showcase. pic.twitter.com/FjttNNBYgJ

— Coates Talent League (@TalentLeague) April 28, 2025

YOUNG GUNS:

#6 Charlie Rozenes (Sandringham Dragons)
Small Forward | 172cm | 09/08/2006

Rozenes was full of energy in his customary high forward role, joining in at stoppage with his quick hands and losing his opponent on the way back to goal. The diminutive over-ager’s running ability is top notch, able to carry the ball forward or surge ahead of it to provide an option inside 50. The only thing lacking at times was his end product, especially when looking to find the final kick going inside 50. Rozenes was also one of the few players to get a run in midfield late in the game.

#8 Sam Toner (Richmond VFL)
Forward | 184cm | 23/10/2005

Toner turned it on in front of goal, booting a game-high four majors to nearly help drag his side over the line. He proved to be a low-possession, high-impact forward capable of converting from all angles. His pace meant opponents found it difficult to contain him inside 50, also showcasing good spring to mark overhead and boot a Daniel Wells karate style goal crumbing atop the goalsquare. Toner’s scoreboard impact helped his side hit the lead and apply pressure on the inaccurate Metro.

#10 Jhett Haeata (Richmond VFL)
Midfielder/Forward | 185cm | 25/10/2006

Haeata was a fixture in the Young Guns’ starting midfield but made most of his impact in the forward half. His creativity was highlighted by expansive kicks going inside 50 and speed in attacking phases, taking the game on when possible. Haeata also made his presence felt on the defensive end by sticking some hard tackles to drive his opponents into the ground. He was aggressive going both ways and looked like being one of the more potent Young Guns when running over the back.

#12 Tom Evans (Bendigo Pioneers)
Small Defender | 180cm | 22/02/2006

Evans has reinvented himself as a small defender and again had little trouble accumulating possessions on Saturday. The Bendigo Pioneers product provided plenty of run out of the backline as the Young Guns’ primary playmaker, setting up several give-and-go passages. His ability to chain possessions and bite off aggressive options by foot helped him stand out, along with a few brave efforts flying for overhead marks. He’s certainly doing all he can this season.

#18 Noah Yze (Casey Demons)
Forward/Wing | 191cm | 12/04/2006

Having been overlooked by Melbourne as a father-son candidate last year, the son of Adem is staking his claim right under the Demons’ noses at Casey. He got on the board early with an impressive long-range set shot and often used his big frame to absorb pressure or contact. Yze showcased a strong set of hands in some instances but also spilled a few straightforward marks as he roamed up the ground. He ended up slotting another set shot goal to level the scores in the third quarter to make up for his previous skill errors, and was among the Young Guns’ best.

#22 Caleb Lewis (Casey Demons)
Key Forward | 198cm | 29/09/2003

The eldest player afield at 21-years-old, Lewis left his run late but very nearly dragged his side over the line. He booted three goals in the final quarter including two in a row to momentarily take the lead, proving a reliable marking target inside 50. Earlier in the game he ventured further afield as a hit-up option and while he was in no means prolific, showed nice signs. Lewis’ first major was very nearly scuppered, as he fumbled and contended with the behind line before squeezing it through.

#24 Seth Macdonald (Eastern Ranges)
Midfielder | 189cm | 14/09/2006

MacDonald is another prospect linked to Richmond’s VFL side and has high upside as a versatile tall utility. His smooth movement through the midfield was impressive, utilising his size in some instances but also showing good spatial awareness and poise to exit stoppages. The over-ager played the conditions well and was generally clean with ball in hand, getting rid of would-be tacklers before disposing of it.

#25 Kobe George (Geelong Falcons)
Defender | 188cm | 22/04/2006

George got an early taste of VFL football this year and has built into his work nicely down back. He caught the eye by showing a bit of toe to rebound the ball effectively, venturing high up the ground while also being composed across defensive 50. George’s urgency seemed to have lifted from his last appearance with the Falcons, though he was still calm in possession to baulk opponents before looking to kick. He also rose for a strong intercept mark in the second term.

VIC METRO:

#1 Tyson Gresham (Northern Knights)
Small Forward/Midfielder | 169cm | 21/06/2007

Gresham came to life in the second quarter and while he was quiet in other stages of the game, had every chance to shine with time in midfield. The brother of Jade, who is part of Carlton’s NGA program, built up to be his lively self with sharp ground level craft and gutsy work in the contest to defy his size. He was ambitious with ball in hand and backed his speed; including with a foray up the corridor, and soon after an opportunistic long-range goal. His handling was good in the conditions.

#3 Hussien El Achkar (Calder Cannons)
Small Forward | 171cm | 02/04/2007

El Achkar’s radar needed serious reconfiguring on the weekend as he notched over a half-dozen minor scores before finally slotting his one major. Whether from set shots or in open play, the Essendon NGA prospect was a dangerous asset inside 50 but unfortunately forgot to pack his kicking boots. Despite the lack of end product, El Achkar was heavily involved up forward and looked determined to step up when the result was up for grabs, nailing two passes to set up shots to win the game. He also got a good run in midfield but was not as clean as usual at the contest.

#4 Adam Sweid (Calder Cannons)
Midfielder | 175cm | 14/09/2007

Sweid made a terrific start to proceedings, highlighted by his running checkside goal in the opening quarter. His low centre of gravity and determination made him difficult to tackle, often seen paddling the ball forward and surging his side towards goal through sheer will. While his size and the conditions made it a little harder to show speed on the outside, Sweid looked dangerous on the occasions he broke out the back and was as energetic as he was tough around the ball.

#6 Lachy Dovaston (Eastern Ranges)
Small Forward | 177cm | 29/05/2007

Dovaston took his moment in the final quarter to be Vic Metro’s match-winner, sinking the decisive goal with only a few seconds left on the clock. He was a permanent fixture up forward, getting dangerous as usual inside 50 while also joining in at contest off the centre bounces. With good agility and smarts in-tight, he was able to slip out of trouble and cause headaches for the opposition. Dovaston showed his swagger when competing against Eastern teammates and seems like a quintessential small forward prospect in a draft where many of his ilk are club-tied.

#10 Blake Chambers (Eastern Ranges)
Wing | 181cm | 31/05/2007

Staking his claim on the wing, Chambers seems to be mastering the role and is so effective going forward. He again proved dangerous when kicking the ball inside 50 under no pressure, but also created his own time and space with poised and agile steps. Chambers’ execution matched his decision making and he held his width well to be an outlet option in space. Having trialled well last week and started the Coates Talent League season consistently, he’s pushing for higher honours.

#13 Hamish Bird (Calder Cannons)
Midfielder | 187cm | 16/08/2007

Bird was part of Vic Metro’s starting centre bounce combination but also dropped back to support the backline. At 187cm, he proved a capable interceptor inside defensive 50 with good reading of the play and clean hands overhead. Bird also spent time up forward in the final quarter where he slotted a set shot goal to help keep Metro in the contest. He may not necessarily be as exciting as other prospects but is consistently solid and does a lot right across each line.

#17 Xavier Taylor (Eastern Ranges)
Tall Defender | 191cm | 30/01/2007

Taylor has started the season in ripping form and was again prominent across Vic Metro’s backline. An early indicator of his defensive solidity came after he was caught holding-the-ball, but bounced back up and showed great courage to produce a spoil across the front of a contest. He then started to get his intercept game going and was difficult to beat across the last line along with Barber. An eye poke or head knock in term two didn’t stop him from getting back out there to run out the game.

#24 Jackson Barber (Calder Cannons)
Key Defender | 195cm | 01/06/2007

Barber was resolute as Vic Metro’s last line of defence, holding firm with several composed intercept marks. He read the play well to get into good positions and impact the aerial contest, though began to have trouble late in the piece with tricky one-on-one situations. Better suited as a roaming tall, Barber also backed his kicking and hit some nice flat passes by foot, but was also willing to play the percentages and feed runners once he had forced the turnover.