VIC METRO has escaped with a three-point win over Western Australia to move to 2-0 at the Under 16 National Championships. With their 21-point half time margin cut to just one at the final break, the Vics kicked the first three goals of term four, only to concede the next three to set up a grandstand finish.

Having absorbed plenty of pressure, Jett Flower laid the game-saving tackle on WA ruck Axel Walsh to prevent a stoppage score. Baxter Sruk, who has now kicked the deciding goal in both of Vic Metro’s victories, also took a key mark up on the wing to help seal the result and his side’s undefeated record.

All eyes will be on Friday’s double-header in Southport to see whether the Vics can follow through and beat South Australia to take home the title. That match is first up at Fankhauser Reserve, before Western Australia looks to bounce back in its clash with Vic Country, who just went down to SA in a thriller.

VIC METRO 4.5 | 7.6 | 8.7 | 11.9 (75)
WESTERN AUSTRALIA 2.0 | 4.3 | 8.6 | 11.6 (72)

GOALS:
Vic Metro: J. Miller 3, T. Jeffs 2, E. Kravic 2, G. Barker, A. Brown, O. Castro, B. Sruk
Western Australia: J. Taylor 3, J. Artemis 2, A. Clayton 2, A. Abbonizio, K. Inferrera, N. Hannaford, C. Williams

BEST:
Vic Metro: A. Brown, G. Barker, B. Sruk, H. McCullogh, C. Rooks, O. Bond
Western Australia: J. Artemis, A. Abbonizio, A. Walsh, C. Creyk, J. Taylor, K. Inferrera

VIC METRO:

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

Stats: 21 disposals, 4 tackles, 4 inside 50s, 1 goal

Brown was a creative force for Vic Metro in the attacking half, utilising his smarts and agility to make things happen. His came to life with ball in hand, looking to weave a way through traffic and take the game on. Brown did so inside forward 50 to boot a goal late in the first half, but also when working further up the ground as a connection piece. He has been difficult to contain throughout the series.

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

Stats: 19 disposals, 8 tackles, 8 clearances

Sporting head tape from the outset, McCullough got stuck in straight away. His explosiveness and ability to power out of congestion stood out in ideal conditions, as the midfielder’s strong core helped him prise a game-high eight clearances. Although, late in the game he could have benefitted from giving the first option more often. McCullough also ran into clever spots to help his side transition the ball through midfield, balancing out a typically tough midfield performance.

#6 Campbell Rooks (Northern Knights)
Defender | 180cm | 10/04/2009

Stats: 14 disposals, 3 clearances, 6 rebound 50s

Rooks has the makings of becoming a true defender’s defender. The Northern Knights prospect was willing to scrap and proved tough in the contest, both overhead and at ground level. He countered his robust defensive acts with moments of speed on the rebound, taking metres and proving to be a productive, multi-dimensional asset. He certainly got under the opposition’s skin, too.

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

Stats: 22 disposals, 5 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 1 goal

Sruk came up clutch once again to boot what ended up being a second winning goal in as many games. The powerfully built midfielder utilised his long left-foot kicking to slam home a crucial major on the run as Vic Metro looked to be accelerating to victory. He also took an important intercept mark on the wing to consolidate during the dying stages. Sruk’s running power and kick penetration made him a threat in the attacking phase, often driving the ball into dangerous launch zones by linking up in transition. He was capable and clean inside the contest too, winning five clearances.

#14 Griffin Barker (Western Jets)
Midfielder | 185cm | 13/08/2009

Stats: 19 disposals, 3 inside 50s, 1 goal

A real powerhouse in midfield, Barker proved near-impossible to bring down as he absorbed tackles or spun clear of them. Possessing traits similar to George Wardlaw, he knew where contact would come and found a way to negate it, often staying upright and driving his legs out of congestion. Barker’s flashy ball winning moves and ability to ride the bumps caught the eye, as did his long-range goal in the opening quarter to kickstart his side’s scoring.

#18 Oliver Bond (Oakleigh Chargers)
Tall Defender | 189cm | 06/02/2009

Stats: 8 disposals, 5 marks, 1 tackle

Named best afield by his coaches, Bond may not have blown up the stats sheet but produced some terrific moments down back. His intercept marking was on song, particularly in the first half where Vic Metro was well on top. He rose to pluck the ball cleanly overhead with three of his five marks coming in a contest. Bond also closed in for an important spoil late in the piece and helped control the airways by delivering each time his number was called.

#27 Archie King (Western Jets)
Ruck/Key Forward | 195cm | 29/06/2009

Stats: 12 disposals, 7 hitouts, 3 clearances

A mobile key position prospect, King showcased a strong leap in the ruck and the ability to cover ground forward of the stoppage. He was relatively clean and composed in open play too, dishing off to teammates and not being shy to grab out of the ruck – winning three clearances that way. While he couldn’t quite split the middle with a pair of set shots, King also produced a opportunities inside 50 with his speed on the lead and competitive ruck work.

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

Stats: 17 disposals, 4 marks, 9 inside 50s

Sporting a number change for this clash, Bewick was less dominant than in game one but still produced moments of typical class. His ball use by foot was particularly clever, which boded well for Vic Metro considering he entered attacking 50 nine times. The Essendon father-son prospect showcased a range of passes in the attacking phase, improvising on the fly to try and manufacture opportunities. He was also sent behind the ball late in the piece as the Vics held on grimly.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA:

#7 James Artemis (East Fremantle)
Midfielder | 176cm | 05/03/2009

Stats: 18 disposals, 6 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 2 goals

Possessing genuine burst speed and plenty of energy, Artemis snapped the fire-starting goal in Western Australia’s final quarter push. He led his side for clearances, winning four at the centre bounces with his smart positioning, clean hands, and ability to dart out of traffic. Artemis’ speed was also a factor as WA moved the ball in transition, carrying it into attack and helping connect inside 50. He did so in the first quarter with a superb long-range goal on the run.

#14 Campbell Creyk (West Perth)
Midfielder/Forward | 181cm | 03/04/2009

Stats: 22 disposals, 8 marks, 5 inside 50s

After a steady start to proceedings, Creyk emerged as a key threat in Western Australia’s front half. His hard running as a high forward helped the Black Swans connect the lines, providing an option either in transition or out of the centre bounces. Creyk carried the ball forward with purpose, racking up 19 uncontested possessions to provide some attacking impetus and inspiration. His feats, particularly in the third quarter, helped Western Australia turn the momentum.

#23 Angus Abbonizio (Subiaco)
Midfielder | 183cm | 18/03/2009

Stats: 26 disposals, 10 marks, 1 goal

Leading all comers with 26 touches, Abbonizio proved a true accumulator. He waxed well with teammates, amassing 10 marks and 11 handball receives to be a threat in the attacking phase. Abbonizio had a happy knack for getting on the end of chains of possession and threatened to make a major scoreboard impact in doing so, finishing with 1.2. His clean hands were useful when either taking the ball overhead or dishing out to teammates as WA surged forward in waves.

#24 Kye Inferrera (Perth)
Midfielder | 184cm | 05/09/2009

Stats: 20 disposals, 5 tackles, 1 goal

Inferrera produced moments of genuine impact and power throughout the day, but particularly after half time where he picked up 14 of his 20 disposals. The midfielder was super competitive and tackled fiercely to prove his contested nous, feeding his teammates well by hand. He also became a threat on the attack; slamming home a running goal to level the scores late in term three, and juggling a contested mark inside 50 before setting up Ashley Clayton in a better position.

#26 Jayke Taylor (East Fremantle)
Forward | 187cm | 26/02/2010

Stats: 12 disposals, 5 marks, 3 goals

A rare bottom-ager on the Pool A scene, Taylor more than held his own with an equal game-high three goals. He booted the first of the game from a long-range free kick and went on to consistently find separation on the lead. Taylor added two more majors in the second quarter – over the back and on the end of a 50-metre penalty – to highlight the exciting talent that has him playing up an age level. He was a viable target on the move both inside 50 and up the ground.

#40 Axel Walsh (East Perth)
Ruck | 200cm | 20/01/2009

Stats: 20 disposals, 5 marks, 5 clearances, 25 hitouts

The West Australian skipper tried to win the game off his own boot late in the piece, desperately grabbing the ball out of forward 50 stoppages to shoot on goal. While that play didn’t quite come off, he was imperious throughout the day and dominated the ruck domain. His sheer size and physicality were difficult to counter at stoppages, with Walsh outbodying opponents and following up at ground level. He also dropped back to take several relieving marks throughout the day.