VIC METRO claimed bragging rights over their Country counterparts in the Pool A opener for this year’s Under 16 National Championships. Played in dour conditions at Avalon Airport Oval on Monday, the match underwent several lead changes but was sealed by Baxter Sruk‘s goal in the final minute.

A host of club-tied prospects shone, with father-son guns Koby Bewick (Essendon) and Louis Salopek (Port Adelaide) arguably best afield for their respective sides. Another Port father-son, and Essendon Next Generation Academy member, Tevita Rodan was also among the best for Metro.

VIC COUNTRY 3.1 | 7.3 | 10.4 | 13.5 (83)
VIC METRO 4.3 | 7.4 | 10.6 | 14.8 (92)

GOALS:
Vic Country: M. Thompson 5, A. Blood 2, L. Petrie 2, C. Montebello, C. Ah-Mu, T. Steinfort, C. Fischer
Vic Metro: K. Bewick 3, A. West 2, J. Miller 2, B. Sruk, H. McCullough, A. Brown, C. White, J. Destefanis, A. King, O. Castro

BEST:
Vic Country: L. Salopek, M. Thompson, L. Brand, P. McKenna, C. Ah-Mu, K. Welsh
Vic Metro: K. Bewick, H. McCullough, T. Rodan, B. Sruk, A. Bakoulas, S. Law

VIC COUNTRY:

#5 Charlie Montebello (Geelong Falcons)
Forward | 177cm | 15/04/2009

Stats: 15 disposals, 2 inside 50s, 1 goal

Montebello produced some terrific moments up forward and ended up being injected into the midfield after half time. He showed good core strength to power out of congestion, also proving a handy connector up the field with his speed on the outside. The Torquay prospect got on the board with a crafty goal in the opening term, pouncing on a Vic Metro error inside 50 to score.

#7 Max Thompson (Bendigo Pioneers)
Small Forward | 175cm | 06/03/2009

Stats: 19 disposals, 7 marks, 5 goals

Plenty of Vic Country’s attacking play went through Thompson, who booted a game-high five goals. He was nothing short of clinical, finishing four of his majors via snaps which had the perfect weight and swing to them. He was opportunistic when the ball spilled out of packs and rewarded teammates who fed him close to goal with full scoreboard impact. Thompson was also sighted up the ground and spent time in midfield when Vic Metro needed a game-winner.

#11 Lincoln Brand (Murray Bushrangers)
Midfielder | 188cm | 19/05/2009

Stats: 25 disposals, 7 tackles, 5 clearances

Brand was Louis Salopek‘s right hand man in midfield, winning plenty of his own ball and providing solid coverage behind the play. Already quite tall and rangy at 188cm, he did well to keep his arms up in tight spots and wasn’t afraid to absorb contact, even when rising for intercept marks. Brand had a couple of key moments late; assisting Tom Steinfort’s goal to bring the margin back to within a single kick, and then laying a crunching tackle to force the stoppage in defensive 50.

#16 Kyan Walters (Geelong Falcons)
Defender | 185cm | 17/05/2009

Stats: 17 disposals, 4 marks, 3 rebound 50s

One of Vic Country’s main ball users out of defence, Walters opted to go by foot with 14 of his 17 disposals. His disposal looked sharp when allowed time and space, though he was sometimes forced to throw the ball on his boot to clear under pressure. Still, Walters was entrusted with the kick-ins and first caught the eye with a terrific pass from the wing into the corridor.

#17 Patrick McKenna (GWV Rebels)
Defender | 182cm | 25/03/2009

Stats: 10 disposals, 2 marks, 3 tackles

A competitive, reliable defensive asset on Monday, McKenna wasn’t afraid to get his hands dirty. He was only credited with three tackles but hit hard with each of them, bringing his opponent to ground and with a level of physicality. He also did the one-percenters, competing in two-on-one situations and closing in to lay smothers. McKenna relieved some of pressure inside defensive 50 by combining with teammates to efficiently work the ball out of the last line.

#18 Louis Salopek (Dandenong Stingrays)
Midfielder | 184cm | 16/02/2009

Stats: 32 disposals, 5 tackles, 11 clearances

Salopek started like a house on fire, posting 16 of his game-high 32 disposals in the opening quarter. The son of Steven was prolific at stoppages, prising first possession at will and accumulating the ball at a relentless rate. He tended to clear the ball with snaps on his favoured left-foot, and while not always effective, he put his side on the front foot. Salopek could hardly be faulted for his endeavour and clean handling at the contest, proving one of the most dominant players afield. He’s eligible to land at Port Adelaide in the 2027 draft.

#28 Corey Ah-Mu (Dandenong Stingrays)
Key Forward/Ruck | 196cm | 22/05/2009

Stats: 11 disposals, 2 tackles, 1 goal

Another Ah-Mu coming through the pathway, the Country key forward made sure to throw his weight around. It wasn’t necessarily a day for marking forwards, but that didn’t stop Ah-Mu from presenting up from centre half-forward and offering an option. He competed hard when the ball hit the deck and applied physical pressure, also volleying a goal at the fall of a pack in the third quarter.

VIC METRO:

#1 Angus Brown (Sandringham Dragons)
Small Forward | 173cm | 27/05/2009

Stats: 14 disposals, 4 tackles, 1 goal

Brown was among Metro’s craftiest players forward of the ball, using his turn of speed to buy time on the ball and pick holes before getting a disposal off. His tricky movement is what caught the eye most, and after badly missing a couple of snaps on goal, he split the big sticks with a set shot in the third quarter. He seemed to get better as the game opened up.

#2 Harper McCullough (Oakleigh Chargers)
Midfielder | 176cm | 29/05/2009

Stats: 18 disposals, 10 tackles, 1 goal

McCullough suited the conditions perfectly with his competitiveness and hard edge. While only small, he burrowed under the packs and refused to be tackled once he had prised possession, constantly looking to break out of congestion. McCullough’s intent was also felt defensively with fierce tackling and a bit of niggle around the contest. On the outside, he found a few opportunities to score and slotted his lone goal after bravely marking a high ball inside 50. He ended up with 1.3 on the scoreboard and could have put the game to bed sooner, but was otherwise hard to fault.

#3 Koby Bewick (Calder Cannons)
Midfielder | 177cm | 10/01/2009

Stats: 23 disposals, 10 inside 50s, 3 goals

Bombers fans are already eagerly anticipating the potential arrival of Bewick in 2027, the son of two-time premiership player Darren. He is such a clever player, reading the ball off packs better than anyone else and getting on the move to rove. That same footy IQ translated to Bewick’s running in attacking phases, as he often tracked forward unmarked and was found in positions to score. He converted truly, booting three goals in the first half before going on to set up a couple more.

#4 Tevita Rodan (Calder Cannons)
Defender | 179cm | 18/02/2009

Stats: 19 disposals, 3 clearances, 3 rebound 50s

Another player of interest with his ties to two clubs (Port Adelaide and Essendon), the son of David is similarly exciting. He was Metro’s main ball user out of defence, looking to set up play with his run and kicking out of the last line. Rodan also read the clearances quickly to hit the ball at speed when intercepting, carrying his momentum into the attacking phase and surging the ball forward. Elements of rawness remain, like when he ran too far from the kick-in, but there’s strong potential.

#12 Baxter Sruk (Eastern Ranges)
Midfielder | 182cm | 18/07/2009

Stats: 20 disposals, 5 clearances, 1 goal

Part of a talented midfield trio alongside McCullough and Bewick, Sruk brought power to every possession. His best plays involved taking the ball on the move and driving his legs before utilising a punchy left-foot kicking style to penetrate into attack. The 182cm powerhouse also took his moment late in the game, wheeling around to snap the sealing goal from a forward 50 stoppage.

#22 Archie Bakoulas (Sandringham Dragons)
Tall Defender | 191cm | 05/02/2009

Stats: 14 disposals, 2 marks, 2 rebound 50s

In a game where both sides freely found the goals despite poor conditions under foot and overhead, Bakoulas ensured defenders also had their say. He occupied a high line, intercepting outside the defensive 50 and showcasing terrific foot skills for a taller player. Bakoulas was happy to physically compete at ground level and proved composed as he mopped up several Country attacks.

#25 Slayde Law (Calder Cannons)
Ruck | 194cm | 22/06/2009

Stats: 9 disposals, 3 tackles, 17 hitouts

Metro’s primary ruck, Law got better as the game wore on and was able to stay involved in the play. His solid frame and clean hands were key traits, especially when he positioned behind the ball in term three to clunk a pair of intercept marks. He also set up a goal for Jake Miller later in the same quarter, taking the ball out of the ruck and snapping forward while being tackled.