POTENTIAL title favourite Vic Country has kicked off its Under 18 National Championships campaign in style, notching a 13-point win over the Allies on Sunday. The win came at a cost though, with co-captains Cody Walker (shoulder) and Noah Williams (hamstring) having their days ended by injury.

The Vics led at every break but were pushed all the way by a gallant Allies side, led by star midfielder Ethan Matthews. After marching out to a game-high 31-point lead early in the final quarter, Country consolidated to salute 14.12 (96) to 12.11 (83) at Blacktown International Sportspark.

We took note of the top performers from either side.

ALLIES 4.3 | 6.6 | 8.9 | 12.11 (83)
VIC COUNTRY 4.5 | 7.9 | 11.11 | 14.12 (96)

GOALS:
Allies: B. Pignatelli 3, C. Hardy 2, B. Ryan 2, G. Jenkin, H. Meaney, T. Murray, M. Owen, A. Watts
Vic Country: K. Boi 2, W. Malady 2, J. Phillips 2, J. Elek, L. Ellerton, A. Elliott, C. Hanegraaf, X. Ladbrook, M. Neocleous, A. Sousa, M. Thompson

RMC BEST:
Allies: E. Matthews, C. Murray, H. Meaney, C. French, B. Pignatelli, A. Devine
Vic Country: W. Malady, E. Drever, M. Neocleous, J. Phillips, T. Armstrong, K. Boi

ALLIES:

#3 Cooper French (Giants Academy/ACT)
Wing/Midfielder | 179cm | 28/03/2009

Stats: 20 disposals, 4 clearances, 7 inside 50s

Starting on the wing before coming to life with a move into midfield, French provided his usual run and drive in the attacking phase. The bottom-ager surged forward with vigour, getting on the end of handball receives to take ground and unload long kicks at full tilt. While prone to blazing away with scrappy delivery at times, French’s energy lended to dangerous transitional ball movement and posed questions of Vic Country’s defence. With a touch of composure, he can do plenty of damage.

#6 Jake Beams (Glenorchy/Tasmania)
Defender | 181cm | 22/12/2009

Stats: 18 disposals, 16 kicks, 5 rebound 50s

Another star bottom-ager at the Allies’ disposal, Beams assumed a familiar role down back. The kick-first defender bit off risky passes when time and space were afforded to him, and offered plenty of drive out of defence. He looked potent when taking the ball on the move and gained plenty of meterage with his uncontested possessions, although perhaps could have taken a little more care with the ball before blasting it long. Beams ended up finishing the game up forward and continued to have little trouble finding the ball, although doing so without pressure was a little more difficult.

#7 Archie Devine (North Hobart/Tasmania)
Defender | 181cm | 13/02/2008

Stats: 16 disposals, 7 marks, 3 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s

North Melbourne NGA

Devine was among the Allies’ most assured ball users out of defence, getting creative but remaining classy and composed. The Tasmanian looked to playmake by combining with teammates, going short by foot and following up to get the ball back. He provided overlap run up the ground but also relied on his punchy foot skills to pick a way out of defensive 50. Devine also chimed in with a couple of intercept marks and handled the ball cleanly all day in an efficient outing.

#9 Caylen Murray (Lions Academy/Queensland)
Defender | 181cm | 16/01/2008

Stats: 22 disposals, 4 marks, 4 inside 50s

Murray’s relentless run and combination play were outstanding throughout the day. Stationed across half-back, he couldn’t be stopped in his pursuit to chain possessions up the ground, using his speed and foot skills to transition the ball. The Queenslander sometimes invited pressure with such aggressive attacking instincts, but dealt plenty of damage when able to overlap and break through congestion. He played in a high gear all day, so perhaps can shift lower at times.

#17 Henry Meaney (Swans Academy/NSW)
Midfielder | 184cm | 23/08/2008

Stats: 28 disposals, 7 marks, 5 clearances, 1 goal

After a scintillating Talent League stint with the Swans Academy, the question was always going to be whether Meaney could translate that form onto the big stage. On Sunday, he put any doubts to bed. Plying his trade through midfield, Meaney was typically slick by hand and combined with teammates to bring the ball to the outside. He also spread hard to rack up possessions around the ground, getting involved in transitional waves and finding space to mark unmanned. As has become a habit, he capped off his game with a goal in the final quarter.

#20 Ben Pignatelli (Swans Academy/NSW)
Tall Forward | 191cm | 14/03/2008

Stats: 8 disposals, 3 marks, 3 goals

A real focal point inside forward 50, Pignatelli had more impact than his stats would suggest. Most often stationed close to goal, his strong overhead marking helped forge scoring opportunities as the Allies made quick and deep entries. He stood out with that ability to read the flight of the ball and take it at the highest possible point, faring well in packs and one-on-one situations. Fortunately, his set shot radar was on and he booted goals in each of the first three quarters.

#23 Ethan Matthews (Giants Academy/NSW)
Midfielder | 186cm | 09/04/2008

Stats: 35 disposals, 8 marks, 11 clearances, 11 inside 50s

Clearly best on ground in a losing cause, you would be forgiven for thinking there were three or four players running around with an Allies number 23 guernsey. The Giants Academy prospect was everywhere all day, forging several clean stoppage breaks and dominating between the arcs. In a stat-stuffing performance, Matthews beat all comers in both contested (13) and uncontested (20) possessions, showcasing the balance in his game. His composure, running power and pinpoint delivery inside 50 were standout features throughout four quarters, as the midfielder well and truly cemented his place at the top-end of this year’s draft crop.

VIC COUNTRY:

#2 Tanner Armstrong (Murray Bushrangers)
Small Defender | 178cm | 27/02/2008

Stats: 29 disposals, 2 tackles, 7 rebound 50s

Richmond NGA

It was an industrious day for Armstrong, who topped his side’s disposal count. The combative defender was full of running in the back half, often going short with the intention of surging past to get the ball back. While prone to error at times, Armstrong backed his skills on either foot to hit targets under pressure and racked up possessions with ease. His work rate allowed him to do so, and while scrappy at times, he bought himself time in possession with sharp and shrewd side-steps.

#4 Ethan Drever (GWV Rebels)
Midfielder | 188cm | 10/07/2008

Stats: 22 disposals, 5 marks, 7 inside 50s, 4 behinds

Usually quite clinical when closing in on goal, Drever could have had an absolute day out with better finishing. He had several opportunities to slam home running goals, finishing with four behinds having done so much good work to get in scoring positions. From the outset, he looked keen to show his ability to be expansive and explosive, taking ground through the corridor in powerful bursts. He was typically clean below his knees and fired out handballs effectively, but looked most dangerous when driving the ball inside 50.

#6 Marlon Neocleous (Gippsland Power)
Small Forward/Midfielder | 169cm | 26/02/2008

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

With Vic Country holding good early territory, Neocleous manufactured a couple of snaps on goal in the opening term for 1.1, but was most damaging with a second half move into midfield. He injected energy and speed to the on-ball battle, getting dangerous with his ability to hit precise passes heading inside 50. Neocleous’ skills and smarts were key to unlocking a different dimension as the Vics looked for ways to make their possessions count.

#7 Max Thompson (Bendigo Pioneers)
Small Forward/Wing | 175cm | 03/06/2009

Stats: 15 disposals, 5 marks, 1 goal

Having played all sorts of roles at Talent League level, Thompson returned to the familiar surroundings of Vic Country’s attacking 50. His exceptional foot skills were on show as he picked out targets in the final third, often crafting inboard passes and making all the right decisions. He even found space to become an option for teammates and was lively with his pressure at the fall of the ball. Thompson’s slotted a set shot goal in the final term having shifted up to the wing.

#9 Wil Malady (Gippsland Power)
Tall Forward/Wing | 190cm | 12/10/2008

Stats: 13 disposals, 9 marks, 2 goals

Malady was absolutely exceptional with his forward craft and leading patterns throughout the day, resulting in nine marks and 2.3. The athletic prospect gained separation on the lead at will, providing a focal point inside 50 by timing his runs and having the speed to lose his opponent. He also showed his ability to extend overhead when required and had more chances inside 50 than his scoring shots suggest, but was just beyond his range atop the arc. Still, he impacted the scoreboard and showed his competitiveness despite appearing to be gasses in the late stages, having ventured up to the wing. On pure talent and footy IQ, he looks primed for a run towards the top 10.

#11 Jackson Phillips (Dandenong Stingrays)
Wing/Midfielder | 184cm | 30/01/2008

Stats: 17 disposals, 6 marks, 4 inside 50s, 2 goals

A standout in the early Talent League rounds, Phillips took a little time to find his feet but finished the game in full flight. He slotted two quality second half goals, one on each foot, having established himself in among the on-ball brigade after starting on the wing. Phillips looked stylish when carrying the ball and delivering by foot, driving his legs to connect into the final third. Once he found his radar, he appeared to be one of the most classy decision makers afield.

#12 Charlie Hanegraaf (Geelong Falcons)
Midfielder/Forward | 186cm | 10/11/2008

Stats: 15 disposals, 4 marks, 5 inside 50s, 1 goal

While not a high-accumulating midfielder on Sunday, Hanegraaf was clean and clinical as Vic Country moved into attack. He was often involved in waves of possession through the corridor, dishing the ball out with minimal fuss and showcasing his punchy foot skills. Hanegraaf’s presence gave flow to his side’s ball movement and he eventually got on the end of a nice bit of combination play to snap home a goal in the final term.

#14 Archie Elliott (GWV Rebels)
Forward | 182cm | 10/08/2008

Stats: 9 disposals, 6 marks, 1 goal

Along with Malady, Elliott thrived with his ability to gain separation on the lead. He was particularly prominent in the first half, showing good speed off the mark to hit up at half-forward and provide an avenue inside 50. You could mistake him for being a taller player given how prolific he was at doing so, taking the ball with clean hands out in front. Elliott’s burst speed was exciting when he took the opportunity to play on, and he ended up with a single goal early in term two.

#17 Keenan Boi (Gippsland Power)
Forward | 182cm | 03/11/2008

Stats: 16 disposals, 6 marks, 5 inside 50s, 2 goals

Hawthorn NGA

Another lively figure up forward, Boi worked hard up the ground to provide a connection piece for Vic Country. The Hawthorn NGA member showcased his eye-catching turn of foot upon collecting the ball, often carving a way forward with dare and intent. He sometimes lacked in end product but gave his teammates good looks as he moved the ball quickly inside 50. Boi bagged two goals for his efforts, steadying nicely on both occasions to slot the ball home.

#33 Xavier Ladbrook (Gippsland Power)
Key Forward | 201cm | 16/10/2008

Stats: 14 disposals, 7 marks, 1 goal

While his lone goal came from a set shot in the opening term, Ladbrook got better as the day wore on. He leant on his running power to gain more freedom in the second half, venturing high up the ground where he could provide a mobile marking target. Ladbrook was capable in the air and typically composed in possession, executing his skills on the move. He well and truly got off the leash in term four to finish strongly, barring a costly turnover kick across defensive 50.

#34 Clancy Snell (Gippsland Power)
Key Defender | 197cm | 21/08/2008

Stats: 14 disposals, 4 marks, 4 rebound 50s

The Allies certainly had a few key position threats inside 50 and Snell was tasked with nullifying their influence. He stood out in moments, rising for some sensational intercept marks with his athleticism and ability to extend overhead. Snell attacked the aerial ball bravely and proved he could peel off to get involved on the rebound, although had to work hard to amend a couple of turnovers.

#35 Jett Elek (Geelong Falcons)
Key Forward/Ruck | 201cm | 17/04/2007

Stats: 12 disposals, 9 marks, 5 hitouts, 1 goal

Rotating between the ruck and forwardline, Elek was yet another strong marking target in the front half. He showed terrific mobility for a player his size to lead into space and looked incredibly comfortable with ball in hand. The over-ager’s athleticism and raw talent were on show as he racked up nine marks, doing what he could to impose himself on the contest.