VIC METRO brought Western Australia back down to earth with a runaway 36-point win in Cockburn on Saturday. The visitors started their campaign in style with three unanswered goals in the opening term before being reigned back in heading into half time. Riding the momentum of a two-to-three goal scoring end, Metro snuck back ahead in term three and rode out a seven-goal to one second half.

We took note of the top prospects and performers from either side.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA 0.3 | 4.5 | 5.6 | 5.9 (39)
VICTORIA METRO 3.4 | 3.6 | 7.6 | 11.9 (75)

GOALS:
Western Australia: L. McGlade 2, K. Perera, H. Spawton-Guy, A. Walsh
Victoria Metro: A. Butler 2, L. Houndsome 2, S. Gayfer, S. Harris, L. Hicks, T. Krasna, H. Leeder, G. Teixeira, A. Tippett

BEST:
Western Australia: L. Steed, H. Mellody, G. Gale, T. Brown, B. van Rooyen, H. Spawton-Guy
Victoria Metro: A. Spencer, K. Parker, B. Wigmore, A. MacGowan, J. Miller, G. Teixeira

WESTERN AUSTRALIA:

#1 Axel Walsh (East Perth)
Ruck | 202cm | 20/01/2009

Stats: 10 disposals, 4 marks, 10 hitouts, 1 goal

Putting together several moments of pure talent and athleticism, Walsh showed why he is regarded as an early frontrunner in next year’s draft crop. Capable of impacting in each third of the ground, the bottom-ager provided a chop-out in the ruck and competed hard aerially, utilising his strong leap and long reach to access the ball. Whether dropping back or drifting forward, Walsh showed a great ability to pluck marks at full extension overhead, but was also nimble in open play and snapped a terrific goal during term three. Just a freakish talent.

#3 Benji van Rooyen (Claremont)
Ruck | 203cm | 17/09/2008

Stats: 11 disposals, 17 hitouts, 4 clearances

Going head-to-head with arguably the best ruck in the country, van Rooyen won the hitout count and more than held his own. He was sometimes outgunned physically at stoppages around the ground but leapt confidently at centre ball-ups and used his aerial range to take strong marks down the line. He provided a great target in packs and showed a clean set of hands in each phase of play, allowing him to impact both aerially and at ground level. While he made a couple of errors when opting to go by foot, van Rooyen competed well and outlined his upside in the ruck.

#10 Harvey Spawton-Guy (West Perth)
Key Forward | 196cm | 08/09/2008

Stats: 10 disposals, 4 marks, 1 goal

A genuine focal point in attack, Spawton-Guy presented full-chested all day and crashed each contest with intent. While not overly quick, he utilised clever leading lanes to connect his side into the final third and bring WA’s smalls into play. Spawton-Guy had a few ‘almost’ moments and could have ended up with double-digit marks, but his competitiveness and physicality were integral to the Sandgropers’ cause – especially in the first half. He ended up with one goal on the end of a lead.

#22 Tom Brown (Claremont)
Defender | 188cm | 29/07/2008

Stats: 10 disposals, 7 marks

Defensive acts are being increasingly celebrated and Brown had plenty of cause for celebration on Saturday. He was near-impossible to beat in the air, doing just enough to split or win each contest out of pure desperation. Brown had a decisive say in several crucial one-on-ones and scrambles on the last line, applying great physicality and standing tall to intercept. He proved his ability to shut down smalls and talls at 188cm, showing good power and speed to match his competitive spirit. The next step will be to become more effective and proficient heading forward.

#23 George Gale (Claremont)
Wing/Midfielder | 190cm | 06/09/2008

Stats: 28 disposals, 5 tackles, 5 inside 50s

No stranger to racking up bulk possessions, Gale helped himself to another 28 touches. He started out on the wing before turning into a wildcard at the centre ball-ups, using his 190cm frame to advantage. He continued to find width and be an asset in transition, amassing 18 handball receives. Gale tended to be more effective from stagnant kicks and wasn’t quite as potent on the move, but still handled the ball cleanly and tackled strongly in the cut and thrust of the contest.

#29 Harper Banfield (Claremont)
Midfielder | 181cm | 18/12/2008

Stats: 20 disposals, 6 tackles, 5 inside 50s

It was another industrious day for Banfield, who impacted on the inside and outside. The West Coast father-son prospect was clean and quick at stoppages, releasing teammates into space and showing his turn of foot to exit congestion. Banfield also used his leg speed to take ground, although lacked the same finishing touch he showed in game one when delivering inside 50 at full tilt. If anything, he’s a competitor who plays with great energy and vigour.

#35 Heath Mellody (Claremont)
Defender | 186cm | 27/07/2008

Stats: 29 disposals, 2 marks, 10 rebound 50s

Usually an incisive ball user, Mellody’s made some uncharacteristic errors by foot but delivered just as many dangerous passes. He penetrated well when going up the middle from kick-ins or linking up with short and sharp combination play on the rebound. His creativity was aided by spurts of agility and clean handling, proving robust at ground level and in the air. Mellody’s quick thinking and daring decision making put him in positions to do damage, showing great instincts few others possess.

#44 Leo Steed (Swan Districts)
Midfielder | 177cm | 07/03/2008

Stats: 24 disposals, 8 tackles, 6 clearances

Steed was once again the standout for WA, showcasing his inside-outside balance as a midfield mainstay. The co-captain was full of grit, winning a team-high 11 contested possessions and six clearances thanks to his lightning set of hands. Steed’s running power then allowed him to stay involved on the outside, providing an outnumber or overlap option to put speed on the ball. He was another whose foot skills wavered at times, but he carried the ball into dangerous launch zones and showed great evasiveness in doing so. A top 15 contender.

VICTORIA METRO:

#7 Toby Krasna (Northern Knights)
Wing/Midfielder | 181cm | 28/02/2008

Stats: 19 disposals, 3 inside 50s, 1 goal

Part of a heavily rotated Vic Metro midfield, Krasna got to show his wares along the wing and on-ball. While capable of punching above his weight, he thrived in the uncontested game – spreading forward and wide to receive and carry the ball into space. Krasna’s running power was on show in both roles as he got dangerous in the attacking phase, helping his side gain quick territory. He rushed his disposal at times but backed himself with a wonderful long-range goal in term three.

#9 Gus Teixeira (Sandringham Dragons)
Midfielder/Forward | 181cm | 29/03/2008

Stats: 15 disposals, 5 marks, 7 tackles, 1 goal

A high-impact type, Teixeira was more prominent than his disposal count would suggest. The powerful midfielder showed great endeavour at stoppage, making repeat ball-winning efforts and applying himself with strong tackles. His clean hands and solid frame allowed him to break open congestion and supply teammates, while he managed to find space when rotating forward. Whether flying for marks or gaining separation on the lead, Teixeira was a threat inside 50 and slotted a goal in the third term. He’s the type of player you want two of to play in either role.

#12 Archie Spencer (Eastern Ranges)
Defender | 180cm | 24/09/2008

Stats: 25 disposals, 9 marks, 3 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s

Arguably the surprise packet of the day, Spencer ran riot in a new role off half-back. He had no trouble getting his hands on the ball, helping Vic Metro control possession in slow play while also proving able to flick the switch and attack with speed. Spencer was typically combative and used his power to buy time in possession, fending and burst away from opponents. He also chimed in with a few strong intercepts before looking to take off and provide drive out of defence.

#16 Lachlan Hicks (Western Jets)
Midfielder/Forward | 183cm | 19/01/2008

Stats: 18 disposals, 5 marks, 1 goal

One of the Talent League’s most consistent performers, Hicks proved typically solid for Vic Metro. He was part of the starting midfield mix and covered the ground well, picking up a good amount of uncontested ball. The Western Jets product also impacted with his gutsy overhead marking and slotted a set shot goal in term three, although can continue to iron out his ball use by foot.

#17 Arki Butler (Sandringham Dragons)
Forward | 183cm | 23/04/2008

Stats: 14 disposals, 5 marks, 4 tackles, 2 goals

It was a game of moments for Butler, who showed high class in his natural position up forward. While quiet for large patches of the game, he worked himself into it with pressure acts and by working up the ground. The mercurial talent also pounced when opportunities to score arose, slotting two goals, including an important one at the start of term four. His ability to change angles and create with ball in hand will put him in good stead should he get the opportunity in midfield.

#18 Albert MacGowan (Sandringham Dragons)
Wing/Midfielder | 187cm | 27/07/2008

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

MacGowan was another player who spent time on-ball but was most prominent out on the wing. If there was an unattended patch of grass on Victor George Kailis Oval, he found it, using the width of the ground to dominate transitional play between the arcs. MacGowan’s clean hands and sheer running power made combination play seamless, popping up every time his side exited a stoppage or looked to shift out of defensive 50. He was certainly among the most impactful players afield.

#19 Kai Parker (Northern Knights)
Defender | 189cm | 17/10/2008

Stats: 24 disposals, 13 marks, 6 rebound 50s

Teaming up with Wigmore as a defensive wall, Parker put together a huge second half. Of his 24 disposals and 13 marks, 17 and 10 came after half time respectively. A versatile type at 189cm, he helped his side control possession but also impacted with an several intercept marks to showcase his aerial ability. Parker stood strong under high balls to ensure Vic Metro would hold on grimly, before distributing the ball calmly by foot on the rebound. He withstood plenty of pressure.

#20 Billy Wigmore (Western Jets)
Defender | 189cm | 29/03/2008

Stats: 23 disposals, 8 marks, 4 rebound 50s

Wigmore was utterly enormous in helping withstand Western Australia’s plus-13 inside 50 count, clunking several intercepts among his eight marks. He was just about unbeatable in the air, proving too good in one-on-one situations and reading the flight of the ball remarkably well. Wigmore showed an ability to take grabs at full extension overhead and backed himself to mark from any position. He can continue to work on some of his decision making and execution with ball in hand, particularly by foot, but was otherwise immense throughout the day.

#32 Jake Miller (Western Jets)
Key Forward | 197cm | 07/05/2009

Stats: 12 disposals, 9 marks, 3 tackles

Vic Metro had no shortage of marking options up forward, but Miller was arguably the best of the lot. He repeatedly presented up the ground, gaining separation on the lead to provide a connection piece between the arcs. The bottom-ager searched all the way up to half-back at times and proved strong overhead, playing with genuine presence. On top of being a target up and down the line, he showed an ability to hit inboard kicks and keep his side moving with fluency.

#36 Harry Van Hattum (Northern Knights)
Ruck | 205cm | 07/01/2008

Stats: 11 disposals, 3 marks, 15 hitouts

Faced with a pair of game opponents in the ruck, Van Hattum was beaten on occasion but got his own back at different stages. A physical beast, his bodywork was useful in ruck duels around the ground but he had to work hard to impose himself in marking contests. There were moments where he got to show his mobility and composure with ball in hand, moving fluently to the outside. Van Hattum’s competitiveness came to the fore with a couple of strong follow-up efforts, but it seems his best is yet to come.