VIC METRO made it a Victorian double on Saturday after defeating Queensland by 26 points in their Under 17 Futures clash at Casey Fields. The Vics led at every break and weathered the Maroons’ challenge early in term three to run out 12.11 (83) to 8.9 (57) victors in Cranbourne East.

>> Scouting Notes: Vic Country vs. NSW/ACT Under 17s

VIC METRO 3.0 | 7.2 | 10.7 | 12.11 (83)
QUEENSLAND 1.3 | 3.6 | 5.8 | 8.9 (57)

GOALS:
Vic Metro: K. El Souki 2, L. Houndsome 2, J. Knapp, M. Gillan, A. Spencer, J. Watkins, H. Chapman, A. Fogarty, F. Woolhouse, J. Lawrence
Queensland: J. Callinan 2, H. McPherson 2, E. Duke, M. Owen, T. Hall, E. Welsh

BEST:
Vic Metro: J. Knapp, A. Spencer, B. Justice, S. Harris, H. Chapman, J. Lawrence
Queensland: C. Murray, A. Hill, M. Owen, J. Callinan, H. Paterson, A. Watts

VIC METRO:

#7 Sam Harris (Calder Cannons)
Midfielder/Wing | 179cm | 17/01/2008

Stats: 21 disposals, 4 marks, 1 goal

Harris made a bright start to proceedings and was seemingly everywhere in the opening quarter, gathering 11 of his 21 disposals before the first break. The North Melbourne father-son prospect exhibited his clean hands and ball winning craft in midfield before petering out on a wing. Whether extracting the ball at ground level or marking overhead, he hardly fumbled and looked assured when stepping out of traffic. His composure and decision making in those instances stood out, along with a handy basketball bounce and gather to hit up Khaled El Souki in the fourth term.

#11 Jordan Knapp (Eastern Ranges)
Wing/Midfielder | 179cm | 05/01/2008

Stats: 26 disposals, 5 tackles, 6 clearances

Knapp topped Vic Metro’s disposal charts in a typically industrious and poised outing. He started out on the wing before getting a run in midfield after half time, showcasing high footy IQ to work into all the right spots. He accumulated possessions with ease, holding his width to become a viable exit option from the contest, or getting involved in dangerous running chains through the middle. Like Harris, he displayed a strong set of hands and good spring when marking overhead, and rounded out his points of difference by hitting the scoreboard with a running goal in term four.

#12 Mitchell Gillan (Eastern Ranges)
Defender | 180cm | 27/05/2008

Stats: 20 disposals, 5 marks, 2 rebound 50s

Gillan was among Vic Metro’s main distributors from the backline and trusted his kicking to get the job done – 14 of his 20 disposals were delivered by foot. The productive defender made a couple of early errors but straightened up and found his rhythm to kick a running goal in the opening quarter. He wasn’t afraid to search for possessions high up the ground and was a supporting option on the overlap to compliment his ability to mop up and intercept inside defensive 50.

#14 Archie Spencer (Eastern Ranges)
Midfielder/Forward | 180cm | 24/09/2008

Stats: 24 disposals, 4 tackles, 6 clearances

One of the liveliest members of Vic Metro’s midfield, Spencer’s ability to take the ball cleanly and burst out of congestion caught the eye. He wasn’t afraid to step through traffic and proved evasive once he had collected the ball off either rucks’ taps. Spencer also balanced his game with some strong tackles, but looked dangerous when carrying the ball forward in attacking chains and drifting into space across the front half. He did most of his work by hand, dishing out 16 handballs.

#16 Jackson Watkins (Calder Cannons)
Forward | 184cm | 04/10/2008

Stats: 11 disposals, 5 marks, 1 goal

Watkins made a menace of himself in Vic Metro’s forwardline, generating plenty of scoring opportunities. He ended up with 1.2 but had several guilt-edge shots on goal, creating his chances through dynamic and energetic movement. Whether hitting up along a leading lane or attacking the loose ball, he found a way to get involved. Watkins’ lone goal came in the third quarter as he marked at the top of attacking 50, before wheeling around and slamming the ball home. He could have had more if not for some less ideal finishing attempts – albeit mostly under pressure.

#19 Harrison Chapman (Eastern Ranges)
Wing | 189cm | 06/01/2008

Stats: 21 disposals, 8 inside 50s, 1 goal

Chapman was a vital link in Vic Metro’s attacks, able to use his speed and flair to chain up by hand on the outside. At 189cm, he was also a handy outlet in the air and such traits helped him rack up eight inside 50s, driving his side forward into dangerous launch zones. Chapman got on the board himself with a goal in the third quarter, bursting away before steadying for the finish.

#21 Blake Justice (Calder Cannons)
Forward/Midfielder | 190cm | 29/09/2008

Stats: 19 disposals, 5 tackles, 4 clearances

Essendon fans are set to be blessed with some exciting club-tied talent, and Justice is one who has shown promising signs for next year. A versatile type, he started as a connection piece up forward before swinging into midfield, but can also operate out on the wing. Justice built into the game with competitive efforts, using his strong frame to win loose balls and present up to half-forward. He did the grunt work at the contest too, feeding his teammates to help get the game moving forward.

#25 Angus Tippett (Western Jets)
Midfielder | 192cm | 12/02/2008

Stats: 18 disposals, 3 tackles, 6 clearances

Tippett was among Vic Metro’s fast starters, collecting 12 of his 18 touches in the first half. He was super clean in the clinches, proving capable below his knees for a taller player and distributing the ball efficiently. Tippett also helped generate some run and link-up play through the middle, combining well with teammates to add hints of dynamism to his play. He knew where to be as a sweeper at the contest and supported his teammates accordingly on the way out.

#29 Lewis Houndsome (Northern Knights)
Ruck/Key Forward | 199cm | 29/05/2008

Stats: 9 disposals, 13 hitouts, 2 goals

Houndsome was Vic Metro’s secondary ruck, chopping out in stints with his base being up forward. The imposing 199cm unit didn’t take long to get going, booting two quality goals in the opening quarter; the first from a clean overhead mark, and the second after grabbing out of the forward 50 ruck contest. His output slowed thereafter, but Houndsome still attacked the ball hard and presented nicely when his moments came. That included grabbing the ball from the ruck to clear.

#30 Jaden Lawrence (Eastern Ranges)
Ruck | 199cm | 08/08/2008

Stats: 11 disposals, 4 marks, 34 hitouts, 1 goal

Lawrence was a force to be reckoned with in the ruck, dominating his domain with 34 hitouts. He was also useful beyond the initial ruck contests, peeling forward to help his side surge into attack and providing a marking target around the ground. He held his own in physical battles, particularly aerially, and impressed with a terrific set shot snap goal late in the second quarter.

QUEENSLAND:

#1 Archie Hill (Suns Academy)
Defender | 182cm | 04/03/2008

Stats: 21 disposals, 4 tackles, 7 rebound 50s

Hill offered plenty of run and drive out of defence, being Queensland’s main distributor from the last line. He took on most of the kick-in duties and it showed with 16 of his 21 disposals being kicks, often taking metres before pumping the ball long or looking for a target. Hill was also aggressive on the overlap, venturing high up the field to take the game to Vic Metro through the corridor. It showed as he notched up four forward 50 entries to go with his game-high seven rebound 50s.

#6 Matthew Owen (Lions Academy)
Midfielder | 179cm | 01/03/2008

Stats: 32 disposals, 9 clearances, 1 goal

Owen is no stranger to racking up possessions and that was no different on Saturday as he led all comers with a casual 32 touches. The prolific midfielder was prominent at the coalface, defying his lean build to win nine clearances. He complimented that inside work by leaning on his running capacity to get busy on the outside, helping produce clean stoppage exits and fluent forward chains. While his disposal was sometimes impacted by pressure, Owen booted a goal out of nothing in the last quarter, needing only one step to slam the ball home out of congestion.

#7 Archie Watts (Lions Academy)
Wing | 183cm | 30/06/2008

Stats: 16 disposals, 5 marks, 3 inside 50s

Watts was lively out on the wing, tracking up and back to help Queensland develop attacks out of stoppage situations. His darting pace helped connect and break the lines, even surging through the corridor or becoming an outlet on the open side when the Maroons looked to change lanes. Watts exhibited deceptive power and evasiveness to slip out of tackles, while also holding his own to take marks overhead. He did plenty of work on the run, so sometimes wavered with his delivery.

#14 Caylen Murray (Lions Academy)
Defender | 183cm | 03/01/2008

Stats: 21 disposals, 3 clearances, 4 rebound 50s

Murray hardly ever looks fazed on a football field and that was no different on Saturday. Operating off half-back, he utilised his silky skills to hit targets going forward and seemed to make all the right decisions with ball in hand. The Lions Academy prospect got busy on the overlap but was also clever enough to manufacture intercepts, then turn defence into attack. Murray ventured high up the ground but was also willing and capable of defending, holding up well in one-on-one duels.

#16 Jake Callinan (Suns Academy)
Midfielder/Forward | 190cm | 18/08/2008

Stats: 14 disposals, 4 tackles, 2 goals

A big body in the midfield battle, Callinan has many of the classic tropes you’d come to expect of a 190cm onballer. He showcased clean hands on the inside, dishing out nine handballs among his 14 disposals and feeding teammates into space. Callinan absorbed pressure when doing so, credit to his size, and also made himself useful when rotating forward. There, the Suns Academy member booted two goals in open play during the second half, showing good touch and classy finishing.

#20 Hamish Paterson (Lions Academy)
Defender | 186cm | 09/03/2008

Stats: 11 disposals, 4 marks, 4 tackles

While Murray and Hill were the more aggressive rebound runners, Patterson was a steadfast part of Queensland’s defence – situated a little deeper. He worked into the game with solid defensive acts, intercepting loose Vic Metro kicks with good attack on the ball. Patterson also laid a desperate tackle to force the spill and prevent a shot on goal in term one. He continued to shut down dangerous attacks with spoils and marks, also contributing to Queensland’s rebound play with his distributive work.