A COLLECTIVE sigh of relief could be heard around Brighton Home Arena today after Vic Metro survived a massive scare against the gallant Allies outfit that booted four of the last five goals in a thrilling AFLW Under 18 Championships match. After trailing by as much as 20 points midway through the third term, the Allies stormed home to hit the front early in the fourth before Josephine Bamford steadied the ship for Metro to win by two points.

The Allies produced 13 inside 50s to five in the last term – and 22-12 after half-time – but the defence of Vic Metro held firm to deny the home side a chance at victory and in the process keep their hopes of retaining the title alive. Even to the final moments the Allies were attacking hard, but ultimately fell short, 7.8 (50) to 7.6 (48).

When Olivia Jesser converted a brilliant checkside goal midway through the third term to answer Shakaila Gardiner-Dunn‘s major up the other end, Vic Metro lead by 20 points and looked like running away with the match. However the Allies had other ideas and soon Zoe Curry snapped truly and Mia Anderson delivered a deadly finish on the eve of three quarter time.

The belief had grown amongst the group who had been well beaten by Vic Country in match one, but looked better gelled for match two. When Swans Academy talent Kiera Yerbury won a 50m penalty for encroachment and goaled early in the fourth, the pressure went up another level. It was only three minutes later when Majella Day conquered up some magic from close range off her left to put the Allies in front for the first time since the opening quarter.

Vic Metro looked for the quick response through Jesser who had the most unluckiest bounce from long-range, sitting up just a metre out and then going right angles through for a behind. Ruck/forward Bamford just missed a long-range shot a minute later, but was to get reward for hard running by getting boot to ball in the goalsquare at the 10-minute mark.

Despite conceding the lead, the Allies frantically had chances with Anderson missing a snap, while there was inside 50 after inside 50, bravely defended by the likes of Scarlett Johnson and Zara Neuwirth. Johnson would arguably be best-on for her side, finishing with eight marks from 22 touches, three tackles, two clearances, four inside 50s and two rebound 50s in an even team performance.

All the Northern Knights players had their moments with Phoebe Hargreaves sparking the side early with 1.2 in the first term, while Olivia Gorman, Isobella Hishongwa-Gibb and Jesser all had their moments. The. run and carry from Jordyn Allen was crucial for the winners, while Knights midfielder/forward Marlo Graham was damaging with her ball use. Oakleigh midfielder Teagan Murtic stood tall and kicked a goal after an earlier 50m infringement.

The play of the day came when Zoe Vozzo kicked her second goal in quick succession, receiving it from Sienna Sharp, and with a high bounce in the goalsquare, threw it on the boot to slam it over her head with her back to the goals. At that point it seemed everything was going right for Vic Metro, but it was never going to be that simple.

The Allies were spearheaded by bottom-age Murray Bushrangers forward Day – tied to the Giants Academy – with three goals from 19 disposals, four marks and three inside 50s, threatening to be the difference in the game. Tasmanian trio Mischa Barwin (21 disposals, seven marks and seven inside 50s), Priya Bowering (18 disposals, four marks and three inside 50s) and Anderson (15 disposals, seven tackles and a goal) were all great in defeat.

Fellow bottom-agers Rose Bell (13 disposals, four marks and three rebound 50s) and Curry (14 disposals, three tackles, three clearances, five inside 50s and a goal) both had some clutch plays. Despite the loss – and now eliminated from winning the title, the Allies will take plenty into next Saturday’s clash with Western Australia at Blacktown International Sportspark.

Vic Metro heads home to face Vic Country on Sunday to conclude Metro’s carnival. A win there would mean Metro would need Queensland to lose one of its remaining games – and boast a higher percentage than the Maroons – in order to lift consecutive trophies.

ALLIES 2.3 | 2.3 | 5.4 | 7.6 (48)
VIC METRO 2.2 | 5.3 | 6.6 | 7.8 (50)

GOALS:
Allies: M. Day 3, Z. Curry, M. Anderson. S. Gardiner-Dunn, K. Yerbury
Vic Metro: Z. Vozzo 2, P. Hargreaves, O. Jesser, T. Murtic, Z. Wilkinson, J. Bamford

RMC BEST:
Allies: M. Day, M. Barwin, P. Bowering. Z. Curry, R. Bell
Vic Metro: S. Johnson, J. Allen, J. Bamford, T. Murtic, M. Graham