VIC COUNTRY has pinched second spot in the Under 18 National Championships after rounding out the series with a 30-point win over rivals, Vic Metro. Country led from the first goal and responded to every challenge Metro conjured, finishing the higher-ranked of the two Victorian sides on both head-to-head and percentage. Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards were handed out at the conclusion of the carnival, with pick one contender Willem Duursma rewarded for his prolific game four performance.

VIC COUNTRY 4.4 | 6.7 | 9.8 | 14.10 (94)
VIC METRO 2.2 | 3.6 | 6.8 | 9.10 (64)

GOALS:
Vic Country: T. Byrne 5, H. Mikunda 2, J. Pickett 2, W. Duursma, J. Mellor, Z. O’Keefe, J. Scapin, C. Walker
Vic Metro: L. Dovaston 2, C. Duff-Tytler 2, O. Ainsworth, H. El Achkar, L. Emmett, J. Ison, Z. McCarthy

BEST:
Vic Country: T. Byrne, W. Duursma, H. Dean, C. Walker, H. Mikunda, R. Onley
Vic Metro: C. Duff-Tytler, J. Dalton, A. Sweid, O. Greeves, M. Kondogiannis, X. Taylor

MVPs:
Vic Country: Willem Duursma (Gippsland Power)
Vic Metro: Oliver Greeves (Vic Metro)

VIC COUNTRY:

By: Declan Reeve

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

Stats: 13 disposals, 7 marks, 5 goals

A real ‘pick me’ game from Byrne, who has been flying at Coates Talent League level as a midfielder but hadn’t quite replicated that form on the bigger stage until now. Byrne led the game for goals with five majors to his name, as well as contested marks despite standing at 174cm. Byrne’s usual pressure game was present throughout as he made desperate efforts to pressure opposition disposal, and thwart Metro’s attempts to exit defensive 50. Byrne slotted three of his goals from set shots, demonstrating good leading patterns and contested marking craft, but the highlight came from a fourth quarter speccy as he got onto an opponent’s back and held on. With his athletic base, deadly left foot, and now proven forward craft, look for Byrne to quickly rise up draft boards.

#5 Hugo Mikunda (Geelong Falcons)
Forward | 180cm | 13/03/2007

Stats: 20 disposals, 7 inside 50s, 2 goals

The creative small was one of the main conductors for Country when heading forward with six inside 50s. Mikunda was one-touch throughout the day at ground level or in the air to complement his typically clean disposal, with only a few attempts not finding their target when under pressure. Mikunda looked to push further up the ground to give his side an option out of the defensive half, utilising his speed and darting kicks on the way back to goal. Mikunda hit the scoreboard with two majors, one from a free kick on the quarter time siren, and the second coming as he positioned well for the crumbs off a marking contest, collected cleanly and dribbled it through.

#6 Josh Lindsay (Geelong Falcons)
Defender | 183cm | 07/04/2007

Stats: 16 disposals, 3 marks, 3 rebound 50s

Whilst it was Lindsay’s least productive National Championships game to finish off the carnival, in part due to not taking as many kick-ins, the classy defender was still able to impact with ball in hand as he constantly looked to get his side moving through the corridor. There were times where Lindsay perhaps committed too much further afield and struggled to get back to perform his defensive duties, which will remain a development point for the season.

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

Stats: 27 disposals, 6 marks, 6 inside 50s, 1 goal

Arguably saving his best until last, Duursma was able to impact all across the ground with his cleanliness at ground level and in the air, displaying a more composed approach to his ball use than has been usual lately. Duursma was still prone to some inconsistencies by foot when under pressure, but executed well over the mark around the ground, particularly when heading forward, leading the game for inside 50s and registering eight score involvements. Perhaps most impressive from this display was Duursma’s confidence in the contest and defensive application, both areas of his game that have had question marks, being at a really good level. Duursma capped off the game with a goal, as he cleanly grabbed a ball off the ground and snapped truly in the final term.

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

Stats: 22 disposals, 8 marks, 4 rebound 50s

Carlton F/S

The Carlton father-son prospect has cemented himself as the best key defensive prospect in the draft throughout the series and finished his campaign strongly with another intercepting masterclass. Dean’s craft in marking contest is extremely good for a junior prospect as he regularly put himself in the best position to launch at the footy, or force an opponent to giveaway a free kick to stop him marking it. He followed up with typical clean left-foot kicks, bar a couple that went into the man on the mark in the first quarter. Dean displayed his closing speed on numerous occasions to get a fist in, lay a tackle, or create an outnumber aerially and rarely let anything past him. 

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

Stats: 24 disposals, 7 marks, 1 goal

Carlton F/S

Another reason for Carlton fans to get excited, the bottom-ager was one of his side’s better players just days after announcing his intention to nominate for father-son status 18 months out from his draft. Walker’s cleanliness at ground level and overhead was a standout feature of his game, as he was regularly seen grabbing the ball at speed and handballing quickly on the up to keep his side moving forward. Walker’s kicking was a feature for the most part, able to rip some bullets heading forward when in space, but suffering a little bit when there was pressure on the pass.

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

Stats: 22 disposals, 5 marks, 6 inside 50s

The AFL Academy member has certainly increased his draft stocks throughout the championships after a slow start to the season, finding moments to exhibit his ability to burst away from opponents with ball in hand. That was best demonstrated when he received a kick out of the defensive 50 and went for a three-bounce run before delivering forward, along with some creative handballs from congestion to release runners. Onley worked hard in the offensive phase to be an option as his side headed forward throughout the day, running to receive from teammates into dangerous space.

VIC METRO:

By: Michael Alvaro

#4 Adam Sweid (Calder Cannons)
Midfielder/Forward | 175cm | 14/09/2007

Stats: 23 disposals, 6 clearances, 8 score involvements

Essendon NGA

Sweid was at his productive best on Sunday, proving lively around the packs and clean with his distribution by hand. The diminutive onballer helped conjure link-up play between the arcs, finding stoppage exits and helping the team most as a primary distributor, prising a game-high six clearances. He went at nearly 100 per cent efficiency by hand and was neat when kicking in straight lines, but was sometimes made to wheel wide and kick around the corner less effectively. Sweid was again prominent in the way of score involvements, posting an equal team-high of eight.

#7 Jack Dalton (Sandringham Dragons)
Midfielder | 178cm | 05/04/2007

Stats: 28 disposals, 11 tackles, 6 inside 50s

Dalton led all comers on Sunday in a truly industrious effort, proving his running ability is second to none. He was utilised on either side of midfield, positioning smartly at the packs to either win his own ball or be the receiver, playing both roles well. Dalton also got stuck in with 11 tackles, an inside midfielder’s act which was complimented by plenty of running chains on the outside. There was balance in every facet. While his kicking was hit-and-miss, Dalton made some clever decisions and crafted useful improvisational passes on the move. His ground coverage allowed him to accumulate throughout the day as Vic Metro’s out-and-out workhorse. Expect his stocks to rise.

#14 Sam Grlj (Oakleigh Chargers)
Defender | 182cm | 26/07/2007

Stats: 17 disposals, 5 marks, 4 tackles

Touted as a potential top-end prospect after his blistering start to the year, Grlj found some confidence reverting to his role across half-back for Vic Metro’s final two games. The speedster was tested by Vic Country’s frontal pressure, but continued to turn and go at every opportunity. He was also made to defend by clever opposition forwards and proved an aggressive competitor when the ball was there to be one, or a tackle could be laid. His usual flashy forays through the corridor were fewer and further between, but Grlj’s ability to take the game on is a truly top trait.

#18 Kye Fincher (Sandringham Dragons)
Defender | 185cm | 18/11/2007

Stats: 20 disposals, 8 marks, 8 rebound 50s

St Kilda NGA

Fincher is no stranger to racking up possessions and was again among a prolific group of Vic Metro defenders. While caught on more than one occasion, he looked to provide some run on the rebound and compliment the weapon that is his kicking. Fincher showcased good range on his passes and was willing to hit the switch kick when possible. The St Kilda NGA prospect also took a few strong intercept marks and was willing to contest the ball, although looked more dangerous when released on the overlap. With kick-ins to aid the stat, he notched a game-high 562 metres gained.

#22 Max Kondogiannis (Oakleigh Chargers)
Tall Defender | 190cm | 14/11/2007

Stats: 22 disposals, 4 marks, 6 rebound 50s

Another of Vic Metro’s productive and versatile defenders, Kondogiannis trailed only Fincher in the way of metres gained for his side with 483. He was able to cut off Vic Country attacks in motion and wasn’t afraid to take on opponents with a side-step before finding his boot. The Oakleigh defender’s team-high nine intercept possessions included several marks, showcasing a strong aerial game to compliment his composure in possession. Kondogiannis was a little less efficient by foot than usual but displayed decent kicking range to help launch counterattacks from deep in defence.

#23 Xavier Taylor (Eastern Ranges)
Tall Defender | 191cm | 30/01/2007

Stats: 15 disposals, 8 marks, 5 rebound 50s

Taylor’s numbers may not quite meet that of his contemporaries from game to game but he arguably has the biggest impact. He ran at 100 per cent disposal efficiency as an interceptor who could double his threat on the rebound. Although, he was caught out a couple of times early in the piece thinking he had more time than was the case, forced to use his athleticism to escape danger. Taylor seemed to be in everything that entered Vic Metro’s back 50 and wasn’t afraid to get his hands dirty to win the ball back for his side. He complimented that by then taking the game forward.

#27 Oliver Greeves (Eastern Ranges)
Midfielder | 191cm | 07/02/2007

Stats: 23 disposals, 4 marks, 4 clearances

Greeves’ output was consistent throughout the day, though he proved a fast starter and typically hits full flight when his side is on top. He again led Metro for contested possessions (11) as a clean releaser by hand, but then proved he could also link up on the outside as his team surged forward in waves. Greeves tends to cruise with ball in hand and while he is capable of hitting slick passes by foot, also had a few of his low-percentage kicks cut off. His frustration also came out late in the piece as he lost a one-on-two marking contest and shoved his opponent to concede a 50m penalty.

#34 Cooper Duff-Tytler (Calder Cannons)
Ruck/Key Forward | 200cm | 22/08/2007

Stats: 12 disposals, 5 marks, 2 goals

Along with Duursma, Duff-Tytler used his final Champs game to serve a reminder of why he is considered a pick one contender. He was particularly impactful in the opening quarter, posting six of his 12 disposals and taking three marks to go with the first of his two goals. Duff-Tytler started in the ruck but spent plenty of time up forward where he showcased his improved marking craft, protecting the drop zone and extending nicely overhead. The athletic 200cm prospect also moved typically well around the ground and was slick below his knees, even applying defensive pressure to compound his impact. It was a performance full of presence and authority.