VIC COUNTRY posted its first win of the Under 18 National Championships at the third time of asking, after an eight-point victory over the Allies at IKON Park on Saturday. The Vics stormed ahead with five goals to one in term two an answered every challenge from the pre-series title favourites.

Playing host to the Big V on their own patch, the Allies cut the margin back to a single goal with over 10 minutes left to play. Late majors from Country forwards Talor Byrne and Jesse Mellor cast an end to the resurgence, after spells of goalkicking inaccuracy kept the Allies in with a sniff down to the wire.

ALLIES 3.5 | 4.7 | 6.8 | 10.10 (70)
VIC COUNTRY 1.4 | 6.5 | 8.13 | 11.16 (82)

GOALS:
Allies: J. Miller 3, R. Hamilton 2, L. Carmichael, N. Chamberlain, R. Corrigan, T. McMillan, T. Prindable
Vic Country: T. Ah-Mu 3, J. Mellor 3, T. Byrne, N. Hibbins-Hargreaves, J. Jackson-Leahy, J. Pickett, C. Smith

BEST:
Allies: L. Carmichael, K. Coulson, D. Patterson, D. Annable, J. Miller, R. Corrigan
Vic Country: R. Onley, C. Walker, J. Mellor, T. Ah-Mu, H. Dean, W. Duursma

ALLIES:

#4 Jack Miller (North Hobart/TAS)
Small Forward | 181cm | 13/04/2007

Stats: 11 disposals, 6 score involvements, 3 goals

Miller had the first and last say on Saturday, booting the opening and closing goals en route a haul of three. The Tasmanian showed a happy knack for sneaking out the back with well-timed runs in the early exchanges, proving a clever operator in the attacking phase. Two of his majors came in the final quarter; the first after applying a lock-up tackle to ping Josh Lindsay holding the ball, and the second from another set shot conversion as consolation in the dying stages. He had one more opportunity over the mark from long-range but put it well wide after ignoring the short options.

#7 Dylan Patterson (Suns Academy/QLD)
Defender/Wing | 183cm | 01/09/2007

Stats: 19 disposals, 6 intercept possessions, 3 rebound 50s

Providing plenty of power in transition, Patterson’s sheer speed was a major factor as the Allies connected the lines. He started out down back where he pestered his opponents and instigated several incisive passages by setting off on carving rebound runs. Patterson took the game on and was happy to kick off either foot depending on the situation, though his end product was not always so slick – like when he fended off two opponents before putting the ball out on the full under pressure in term one. Still, you take those moments with the damage he can do going forward.

#8 Koby Coulson (Suns Academy/QLD)
Midfielder | 180cm | 31/07/2007

Stats: 23 disposals, 7 tackles, 7 clearances, 9 inside 50s

Industrious as ever through midfield, Coulson’s production level was outstanding. He led his side for clearances, tackles, inside 50s and score involvements, surging the play forward at all costs with a typically high intensity. The Queenslander would often be seen barrelling the ball long but also proved he could drive his legs on the outside and link up with teammates in the attacking phase. While not always efficient or finessed, Coulson certainly gained the Allies plenty of meterage.

#10 Lachlan Carmichael (Swans Academy/NSW)
Defender | 183cm | 27/08/2007

Stats: 33 disposals, 7 marks, 9 rebound 50s, 1 goal

Arguably best afield in a losing effort, Carmichael continues to raise his stocks. Along with Patterson, he facilitated much of the Allies’ ball movement from defence, directing traffic ahead of him before using the ball with aplomb. While he led the game with 20 uncontested possessions and took his share of kick-ins, the Swans Academy gun proved he could scrap and win his own ball. Carmichael rode the bumps and competed to force turnovers – traits which saw him earn a fourth quarter run on-ball. He racked up 20 of his game-high 33 disposals in the second half.

#20 Daniel Annable (Lions Academy/QLD)
Midfielder/Forward | 183cm | 04/05/2007

Stats: 23 disposals, 5 tackles, 5 clearances

After a reasonably steady opening half, Annable ran out the game strongly with 10 touches in the final quarter. He fought hard to win possession on the inside and was near-faultless by hand, moving the ball on quickly and cleanly. That was countered by some much scrappier execution by foot as Vic Country turned up the pressure gauge. Still, Annable’s work rate in the attacking phase was admirable, complimenting his team-high 13 contested possessions with passages which put his side into scoring positions. He spent a good amount of time up forward, too.

VIC COUNTRY:

#1 Talor Byrne (GWV Rebels)
Small Forward | 174cm | 14/11/2007

Stats: 14 disposals, 6 score involvements, 1 goal

After coming into the side last week, Byrne built on his debut performance by helping produce scores with nearly half his possessions. He attacked the contest with vigour, defying his size with a clean set of hands overhead and some powerful one-on-one wins. Byrne had a couple of set shot opportunities in the opening quarter and showed a knack for drawing free kicks inside 50, while also proving lively when searching for possession up the field. His lone goal came in the fourth quarter with a terrific finish on the wrong side for a left-footer, displaying class to match his intensity.

#7 Willem Duursma (Gippsland Power)
Defender | 191cm | 21/06/2007

Stats: 20 disposals, 5 marks, 5 rebound 50s

Once again employed in Vic Country’s backline, Duursma made a bright start and brought impetus to his side’s transitional play. He took on the kick-in responsibilities and delivered some terrific flat, long passes to breach the Allies’ zone, although went on to be inconsistent with his execution throughout the day. The pick one contender displayed his athleticism with bounding drives out of defence, building up a head of steam and meeting the ball at speed to intercept. His aerial quality was also on show with clean marks, plucking the ball at full extension overhead. His defensive prowess was tested with a matchup on fellow National Academy member Noah Chamberlain.

#14 Jesse Mellor (Geelong Falcons)
Forward | 185cm | 04/01/2007

Stats: 15 disposals, 5 marks, 3 goals

Geelong NGA

Mellor has consistently been one of Vic Country’s most reliable scoring avenues and again proved so with three goals. He slotted majors in the second, third and fourth quarters, with his final conversion effectively sealing the result. The Geelong Next Generation Academy prospect also dined out in term three when matched up on a bottom-aged debutant, showcasing his strong overhead marking prowess and superior craft inside attacking 50. Mellor ended up leading the game with three contested marks and registered 11 score involvements among his haul of 3.3.

#15 Harry Dean (Murray Bushrangers)
Tall Defender | 193cm | 13/11/2007

Stats: 15 disposals, 4 tackles, 7 intercept possessions

Carlton F/S

Taking on arguably the toughest matchup of any Allies forward in Max King, Dean kept him goalless from just four touches. He did all the right things defensively, splitting packs and attacking the aerial ball hard before following up to apply physical pressure at ground level. While his usual marking influence was down, Dean still found a way to impact with a game-high seven intercept possessions credit to his desperate defensive application. He fittingly made himself at home at Princes Park.

#21 Cody Walker (Bendigo Pioneers)
Midfielder/Forward | 184cm | 26/01/2008

Stats: 24 disposals, 7 marks, 3 inside 50s

Carlton F/S & Richmond NGA

Turning in his best performance for the series so far, Walker’s ability to cover ground and accumulate made him one of the day’s top ball winners. The dual club-tied prospect came to life during the second and third terms, posting nine disposals in each period and earning a run on-ball. Walker connected the arcs with his work rate and while his disposal can become more consistent under pressure or in front of goal, he proved why he shapes as a star prospect for next year.

#22 Riley Onley (Murray Bushrangers)
Midfielder | 194cm | 30/03/2007

Stats: 28 disposals, 6 marks, 7 clearances

Onley has been building nicely throughout the championships and was Vic Country’s best on Saturday. The 194cm midfielder balanced his ball winning well, prising a game-high 13 contested possessions and seven clearances to go with 16 uncontested. Most impressively, he posted a whopping 13 score involvements and took advantage of his ability to peel away from stoppages at speed. Onley showed dynamism in those moments and was able to drive his side forward effectively in what was a promising all-round game. More of the same will put him back on the radar.

#37 Tairon Ah-Mu (Dandenong Stingrays)
Key Forward/Ruck | 198cm | 06/06/2007

Stats: 12 disposals, 4 marks, 3 goals

Along with Mellor, Ah-Mu was a difficult marking force to contain inside attacking 50 and it led to bulk scores. The imposing tall showcased terrific leading timing on the lead and was clean overhead, using his size to get the better of contested situations. Ah-Mu’s set shot conversion was also terrific, especially from long-range, although he missed a consecutive chances in the third quarter. He provided leading ruck Zac Harding with a chop-out at the centre bounces, too.