VIC METRO has claimed its second Pool A crown in three years after finishing this year’s Under 16 National Championships undefeated. Ash Close‘s troops capped off an outstanding carnival by beating South Australia to the tune 57 points in Southport, proving the nation’s premier representative side.

After peppering the goals for only a 10-point lead at quarter time, the Vics found their groove in term two to pile on six goals to SA’s one and set up the comprehensive victory. Captain Jake Miller spearheaded the effort with four goals, a haul matched by Most Valuable Player (MVP) recipient Baxter Sruk.

The result saw Vic Metro finish the carnival with an unblemished 3-0 record having snuck past Western Australia by three points, and Vic Country by nine. Meanwhile, South Australia’s series ended at 1-2 having beaten Vic Country in Tuesday’s thriller, but gone down to Metro and Western Australia.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA 2.2 | 3.4 | 6.5 | 8.10 (58)
VICTORIA METRO 3.6 | 9.8 | 14.10 | 17.13 (115)

GOALS:
South Australia: J. Jarrad 3, C. Gallasch 2, A. Simpson 2, K. Ivins
Vic Metro: J. Miller 4, B. Sruk 4, O. Castro 2, L. Alexander, G. Barker, T. Jeffs, E. Kravic, H. McCullough, T. Rodan, A. West

BEST:
South Australia: L. Andriani, K. Ivins, J. Jarrad, A. Simpson, T. Garrett, Z. Rooney
Vic Metro: B. Sruk, T. Rodan, K. Bewick, J. Miller, H. McCullough, C. Rooks

MVPs:
South Australia: Hugo Semmler (Central District)
Vic Metro: Baxter Sruk (Eastern Ranges)

Kevin Sheehan Medal: Baxter Sruk (Eastern Ranges)

SOUTH AUSTRALIA:

#1 Laurence Andriani (West Adelaide)
Midfielder/Forward | 170cm | 19/08/2009

Stats: 25 disposals, 6 marks, 5 inside 50s

Andriani was once again immense for South Australia, racking up possessions through sheer will and work rate. He started in the middle before shifting forward in the second half to help keep some of Vic Metro’s rebound defenders accountable. Few players proved capable of matching his running power, with the diminutive midfielder surging from contest to contest. Andriani also held his own on the inside with an equal game-high 13 contested possessions, utilising his pace to buzz around the bottom of packs and find a way out. His production was through the roof for SA all carnival.

#12 Taj Garrett (Sturt)
Midfielder | 182cm | 05/01/2009

Stats: 25 disposals, 11 marks, 6 inside 50s

The South Australian vice-captain seemed eager to end his campaign on a high, running out the game strongly with 12 disposals in the final quarter. Garrett covered ground supremely well and was often there to support defensive transitions, while also sneaking forward to have his chances inside 50. If he wasn’t peppering the goals himself, albeit for just one behind, the midfielder was setting up others and driving the ball long. He’ll be able to find the footy wherever he goes.

#14 Archie Simpson (North Adelaide)
Forward/Midfielder | 181cm | 30/03/2009

Stats: 14 disposals, 4 inside 50s, 2 goals

While others stuffed the stats sheet, Simpson provided moments of raw power and pace on the attack. After his leg speed worried an opponent into conceding a free kick for his first goal, Simpson went on to try his hand at the centre bounces in the second half. He took the game on with running bounces through the middle and again won a foot race over the back to bag goal number two. Simpson’s acceleration and ability to shrug tackles made him a thorn in Vic Metro’s side.

#16 Kai Ivins (Norwood)
Midfielder/Forward | 180cm | 14/09/2009

Stats: 19 disposals, 5 tackles, 4 clearances, 1 goal

Another South Australian who exhibited explosive traits, Ivins complimented his moments of flair with a strong work ethic. He started brightly with a mark inside 50 and set shot goal before getting on his bike to notch possessions up the ground and even lay a holding-the-ball tackle in defensive 50. Ivins’ power could be observed as he roved and competed for loose balls at stoppage, using his momentum and speed to surge forward. He looked to make an impact with each touch.

#19 Zane Rooney (Glenelg)
Midfielder/Defender | 183cm | 07/01/2010

Stats: 13 disposals, 4 marks, 6 tackles

South Australia’s lone bottom-ager afield, Rooney once again stood up to the task of playing up an age group. He started in midfield but initially caught the eye with a terrific one-handed intercept mark on the wing. Rooney’s power and movement to exit the contest provided a deal of intensity and vigour to his side’s play. He also spent time down back as usual and applied great physicality with his defensive acts, laying hard tackles and using great bodywork to win one-on-one battles.

#26 Joshua Jarrad (Glenelg)
Tall Forward | 189cm | 11/06/2009

Stats: 8 disposals, 3 marks, 3 goals

After registering just one handball in the first half, Jarrad ended up being one of South Australia’s most impactful players thereafter. A solid unit at 189cm, he competed both aerially and at ground level, getting into the game through sheer effort. All of his three goals came consecutively within a six-minute patch during the third term, before going on to offer his physical presence up the field with the ability to present on the lead and split packs.

#30 Harvey Chapman (Sturt)
Key Defender | 194cm | 10/08/2009

Stats: 18 disposals, 3 marks, 8 rebound 50s

The South Australian skipper was tested in a tough matchup against Metro spearhead Jake Miller, who registered eight marks and seven scoring shots. Those figures would likely have been more if not for Chapman, who chimed in with some timely spoils and rose to take a pair of strong contested marks. His ball use out of defence is always an asset too, particularly for a 194cm key defender.

#31 Hugo Semmler (Central District)
Ruck | 199cm | 01/09/2009

Stats: 7 disposals, 4 tackles, 22 hitouts

An imposing presence in the ruck, Semmler was named South Australia’s MVP after a strong carnival. He dominated his domain, winning 22 hitouts compared to 13 from Vic Metro’s several talls, while also proving capable on the follow-up. Semmler’s leap and clean hands saw him provide a marking target up the line, though much of his most authoritative work was done at the contest. He had the confidence to grab the ball when possible and fed his midfielders with minimal fuss.

VIC METRO:

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

Stats: 19 disposals, 6 tackles, 6 inside 50s, 1 goal

It was another industrious performance from McCullough, who showcased power in all phases of play. He got stuck in with fierce tackles but was also able to break out of them himself, exploding to the outside and blasting the ball forward. The midfielder racked up plenty of his possessions through the corridor, where he could drive his legs into dangerous launch zones and deliver inside 50. McCullough’s two-way intensity and willingness to do the tough stuff stood out all series.

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

Stats: 29 disposals, 5 marks, 5 inside 50s, 6 rebound 50s

Having proven himself as a prolific onballer, Bewick got to transfer his creative skills to a free roaming role off half-back. The Essendon father-son prospect was utterly immense on the way forward, racking up 21 uncontested possessions and using them with absurd vision and skill. His kicking helped carve up South Australia in combination with well-timed runs which helped breach both arcs. After SA shifted a defensive forward to him, Bewick was thrust into the midfield where he peeled out the front of the contest and continued to be a relentless threat in transition.

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

Stats: 30 disposals, 6 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 1 goal

Having run out Tuesday’s game on-ball, Rodan started there in game three and truly made a mark. He led all comers with 30 disposals and six clearances, proving incredibly clever and clean at the contest. Rodan would dish out to teammates and link up on the way forward, remaining upright through pressure and contact. There were also moments where he showed power and agility akin to his father David, evading opponents with growing confidence and booting a long goal in term three.

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

Stats: 20 disposals, 3 marks, 3 rebound 50s

A dogged, scrappy defender who competes both in the air and at ground level, Rooks again showcased his well-rounded game on Thursday. He intercepted overhead and mopped up several errant South Australian kicks, using his agility to then find exits and attack. While he perhaps tried too much at times, Rooks was highly productive with his intensity and fast feet. After a solid first half, he was given a run on-ball at the start of term three and continued to use his best traits.

#8 Jett Flower (Eastern Ranges)
Defender | 180cm | 25/05/2009

Stats: 24 disposals, 5 marks, 5 rebound 50s

Flower was another of Vic Metro’s industrious defenders, racking up possessions and getting dangerous in transition. He helped launch and continue several counterattacks throughout the day, working into space and using his speed to drive the ball forward. A couple of his more defensive-oriented acts included a gutsy overhead mark in term two, and a rundown tackle in term four.

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

Stats: 27 disposals, 7 inside 50s, 4 goals

An MVP and Pool A best and fairest medal would have been as sweet a birthday gift as Sruk has ever received, though he truly earned both honours. He got off the chain countless times in transition, working over the back to carry the ball into launch zones or shoot on goal. He was absolutely lethal when going alone, slotting four running goals, including a couple of long bombs to showcase his remarkable power for a 16-year-old. Sruk’s link-up ability was highlight by 16 handball receives, as the left-footer was used time and time again by teammates with raging success.

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

Stats: 18 disposals, 3 marks, 1 goal

Part of Vic Metro’s enviably deep and talented midfield rotation, Barker made an impact when his number was called. The Western Jets prospect was typically clean by hand and helped facilitate his side’s fluent ball movement out of the middle through that modus operandi. His strength in the contest and willingness to give the first option were key features throughout the series.

#26 Jake Miller (Western Jets)
Key Forward | 195cm | 07/05/2009

Stats: 12 disposals, 8 marks, 4 goals

It was a day out for the title-winning skipper, who booted four goals from eight marks and demanded even more. The spearhead forward was a force to be reckoned with on the lead, gaining separation from his quality opponent and clunking marks out in front. Even when it wasn’t so easy, he competed well one-on-one and was able to bring the ball to ground. Miller sunk a set shot goal on the half time siren and while some of his finishing was hit-or-miss, he displayed great power with snaps around the corner. He has all the makings of a dominant key forward for the future.