VIC METRO’s title defence yielded a pair of high-quality wins at the Under 18 National Championships. They were counted by a couple of disappointing losses to bookend the carnival and finish with a 2-2 record, good enough for third place. We recap the Vics’ campaign, which came to an end on Sunday.

>> BREAKING: 2025 AFL Under 18 All-Australian team

RESULTS

RECORD: 3rd | 2-2 | 95.7% | LWWL

Game 1: def. by South Australia 5.9 (39) to 15.10 (100)
Game 2: def. Western Australia 11.11 (77) to 5.12 (42)
Game 3: def. Allies 20.8 (128) to 13.8 (86)
Game 4: def. by Vic Country 9.10 (64) to 14.10 (94)

HOW IT HAPPENED

South Australia ensured Vic Metro entered a baptism of fire to start the series, downing the travelling side by 61 points at Alberton Oval. Despite being handily beaten, the Vics fared much better in their next away venture to defeat Western Australia by 35 points in blustery conditions. That then provided a springboard of momentum for Metro to raid Queensland and come away with a 42-point win over the Allies, who were undermanned but came into the series as a title fancy. It seemed Vic Metro would cement itself as the best of the rest with one game left against rivals Vic Country, although a lacklustre performance in their only home game resulted in a 30-point defeat. The result saw Metro finish with an even 2-2 record, good enough for third behind Country’s superior percentage and head-to-head record.

>> How it Happened: 2025 AFL Under 18 National Championships

WHAT WORKED

Having cliched the Under 16 title in this age group Vic Metro was, on paper, a very good side. That translated to a pair of quality wins in practice, where the Vics showcased daring transitional ball movement and quality on each line. Metro’s defence featured versatile talls and relentless rebound runners who were central to a fluent counterattacking style. At the other end of the ground, their smalls ran amok when given frequent supply, and their ruck rotation featured three top-30 prospects.

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER

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

Stats: 25.0 disposals, 11.8 cont poss, 5.3 marks, 4.5 clearances

A consistent accumulator and natural choice for Vic Metro’s best player across the four games, Greeves cemented his status as a top 15 talent. He led his side’s on-ball brigade with averages of 11.8 contested possessions and 4.5 clearances, proving a clean distributor, but also got dangerous with his forward spread from the contest. Greeves hit the scoreboard with goals in three of four outings, getting dangerous in attacking phases with his ability to take on low-percentage kicks and hit targets on the move. He’s a unique big-bodied prospect at 191cm and held a high level of performance throughout.

>> Remember the Names: 2025 AFL Under 18 MVPs

LEADING GOALKICKER

Lachy Dovaston (Eastern Ranges)
Small Forward | 177cm | 29/05/2007

Averages: 12.8 disposals, 3.5 tackles, 5.5 score involvements, 2.3 goals

Arguably the premier small forward of the crop, Dovaston proved his credentials by hitting the scoreboard in each game. His standout performance came against the Allies as Vic Metro’s smalls ran riot, booting four goals among eight score involvements. He was also lively with 18 touches and five scoring shots against Western Australia, running atop the ground in both his side’s wins. Dovaston showed a terrific ability to work up the ground before impacting closer to goal within single passages. He is consistently dangerous at ground level with his speed and evasiveness, and has a terrific goal sense.

RISING PROSPECT

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

Averages: 17.0 disposals, 4.8 tackles, 4.3 clearances, 6.3 score involvements

Sweid was one of four Vic Metro players to earn All-Australian selection, alongside top pick contender Cooper Duff-Tytler, team MVP Oliver Greeves, and leading goalkicker Lachy Dovaston. The Essendon NGA member is a fierce two-way competitor, able to prise his own possessions (4.3 clearances) while denying the opposition (4.8 tackles). He was quiet in game one but peaked against the Allies with four goals from 16 disposals. Sweid backed that up with a personal-best 23 against Vic Country to round out the carnival and cement his status as a top 25 prospect.

ONES TO WATCH

Vic Metro’s tall stocks were particularly strong in the front half, headlined by Cooper Duff-Tytler. Rotating rucks Louis Emmett and Zac McCarthy also look likely to be top 25 players and provided an option with spearhead forward Archie Ludowyke going down with injury in game three. The likes of speedster Sam Grlj and no-fuss defender Xavier Taylor will also feature high up draft boards, while small forward Hussien El Achkar exhibited his set of skills inside 50. Then there’s hard-running midfielder Jack Dalton, who missed game one but has hardly looked out of place since returning from injury.

THE FUTURE

Vic Metro blooded only two bottom-agers at this year’s championships, one in the opening match and another in the last. Mercurial forward Arki Butler was first up against South Australia and looks like being one of the top prospects for next year’s draft. Imposing ruck Harry Van Hattum then got his chance against Vic Country and looks like featuring among 2026’s promising group of developable talls.