VICTORIA’S representative hopefuls took to Avalon Airport Oval on Sunday in a double-header of trial games. It was Vic Metro who claimed victory in both matches over their Country counterparts, though far more importantly a bunch of prospects got to prove their wares with plenty of recruiters watching.

>> SQUADS: 2024 Victorian Under 18 trials

GAME ONE

VIC COUNTRY 3.2 | 6.3 | 8.5 | 10.6 (66)
VIC METRO 3.2 | 7.5 | 12.9 | 16.12 (108)

VIC COUNTRY:

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

Not his most prolific game, however Duursma still managed to show some of his traits that will have him much spoken about for 2025. Showed excellent movement around the ground and delivered the ball to teammates well. He provided excellent defensive pressure throughout the day and his follow up work was good, switching to defence after starting out on the wing.

#8 Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves (Dandenong Stingrays)
Forward | 185cm | 16/11/2007

Hibbins-Hargreaves played his role as a high half-forward exceptionally well. He showed excellent athleticism with his vertical leap to jump and mark at the ball, and is dangerous when in space. His set shot kicking from angles was excellent, however the bottom-ager could back himself more often when kicking for goal, deciding to hit up teammates at a closer range instead of going alone. Work rate was solid, moving up the ground to provide options for teammates to kick to a target.

#12 Archie Watt (Bendigo Pioneers)
Midfielder | 181cm | 31/01/2006

Showed excellent layer one work as an inside midfielder and his ball delivery inside 50 was accurate and pinpoint early, to the point where he beautifully hit up Hibbins-Hargreaves on a lead. Watt’s play reading ability was excellent to cut off a passage inside the defensive 50 and his follow up work was excellent. He wasn’t drawn into his opponent and showed great composure and made excellent decisions. Forward entries were unpredictable and got them into spots which caused chaos.

#22 Zac McInnes (Geelong Falcons)
Key Forward | 196cm | 13/01/2006

Was prominent, especially in the first half and he managed to kick two goals from set shot kicking routines in the first quarter. Competed strongly in the contest and made it hard for his opponent to handle him. Timed his leads well throughout the day and managed another two goals from set shots in the quarter making it four goals in the first half. He was quiet in the second half, however that didn’t stop him from continuing to work hard by moving up the ground and trying to provide an option for his teammates to kick to.

VIC METRO:

#9 Lucca Grego (Western Jets)
Midfielder/Defender | 184cm | 15/08/2006

Starting off in the midfield, he covered the ground exceptionally well and got the ball at the bottom of the packs before distributing to his teammates. He then spent some time in the forward line in the second quarter where he took a few good marks, however failed to capitalise on his opportunities. Grego further showed his versatility where he played in the back line, displaying strong one-on-one work. He looked a lot more composed with his kicking and decision making.

#14 Patrick Retschko (Oakleigh Chargers)
Defender | 186cm | 28/02/2006

Coverage of the ground throughout the day was excellent. Was prominent early with his run and ball delivery out of defence, especially by foot being a highlight. He was very strong one-on-one. His left-foot delivery out of the back line was a feature, as was his excellent work at ground level. He fared well running alongside his Chargers teammates in Kerr and Cochrane. Defending his opponent is one thing he needs to work on down back, though.

#15 Zane Cochrane (Oakleigh Chargers)
Midfielder | 187cm | 11/07/2006

After a quiet first quarter, Cochrane became more involved in the game in the second half. His work rate and follow up work around the contest was excellent and always looked dangerous looking to split the opposition open with his long penetrating kicking across the ground. He is strong with his overhead marking and looked to play a key role in helping his backs out. He kicked a long set shot goal from outside 50 to start the last quarter and worked well with his Chargers teammates, and timed the length of his kicking perfectly.

#16 Keighton Matofai-Forbes (Western Jets)
Forward | 188cm | 02/02/2006

The forward goaled from a neat set shot from a free kick early. His leading patterns are excellent and knows how to time them. Needs to work on his set shot kicking on angles, after missing one from 40m out on a tight angle that failed to register a score at all. He had another shot later in the game and decided to use the unorthodox snap set shot kick method. Showed his long penetrating left foot kick however his ball delivery by foot sending it inside 50 needs to be worked on. Matofai-Forbes used his intercepting ability as a forward to capitalise on a few turnovers late in the game and demonstrated his strong work rate to lead up the ground especially in the second half.

#17 Doug Kerr (Oakleigh Chargers)
Midfielder | 192cm | 03/08/2006

Kerr was dominant around the contest all day and positioned himself well around the stoppages. His ball delivery by foot was excellent and always managed to kick it into dangerous spots or hit targets whether that was via a usual composed delivery or a dump kick. Although he tended to lack composure at times especially under pressure, he made up for it with his follow up work and his work rate. Spent a bit of time up forward late in the third quarter and his set shot kicking for goal was neat.

GAME TWO

VIC COUNTRY 4.1 | 9.5 | 11.5 | 15.6 (96)
VIC METRO 5.4 | 6.5 | 11.11 | 16.14 (110)

VIC COUNTRY:

#1 Jasper Alger (Gippsland Power)
Forward | 182cm | 17/12/2006

Played a key linking role as a small forward and kicked a good goal along the ground early to get things started for Vic Country. Was excellent at ground level and worked hard up the ground to mark the ball in packs against bigger opponents. Delivery inside 50 was excellent, however his set shot kicking needed work. Dangerous in space inside 50 and was left unmanned often taking advantage of it. Defended well and is strong for his size, especially one-on-one. Finished with four goals for the game.

#2 Harry Charleson (GWV Rebels)
Defender | 182cm | 26/06/2006

Was excellent providing plenty of drive out of the back line and peeled off his opponent a few times to do so. Backed himself coming out of defence on many occasions and his ball distribution by foot was excellent. Found the ball easily down back and was willing to compete for it.

#9 Joe Berry (Murray Bushrangers)
Small Forward | 180cm | 18/04/2006

Coverage of the ground was exceptional, rotated between the midfield and the forward 50. Dangerous at ground level and has pace to burn and a long kick whether that be via drop punt or a snap kick. Set shot kicking can be worked on, especially with his ball drop. Took the game on at all costs with excellent composure and delivery on the run was excellent, while he found space too easily and his tackle pressure was excellent.

VIC METRO:

#2 Isaac Kako (Calder Cannons)
Small Forward | 175cm | 07/03/2006

Kako started off the game well, taking an intercept mark off a kick-in and goaling from a set shot kick from close range. He then crumbed off a pack for the second goal of the game. His tackling ability was excellent and on show where he ran down his opponent from behind to draw a free kick. The forward looked dangerous as usual every time he got near it or was around the packs and finished with four first half goals, his last being from a snap late in the second quarter. He then took no further part in the game after half time, being rested with hamstring awareness.

#6 Charlie Rozenes (Sandringham Dragons)
Small Forward | 176cm | 09/08/2006

After a quiet first half where he didn’t have much of an impact, Rozenes stepped up especially with Kako not featuring in the second half. He looked dangerous around the ground using his football IQ to position himself well and taking numerous marks to be a key factor in Vic Metro’s comeback. His set shot kicking routine was excellent. Showed great resilience to keep going and making an impact in the second half, playing a pure stay at home small forward role.

#10 Damon Hollow (Calder Cannons)
Midfielder | 180cm | 30/03/2006

Hollow started on the ball and despite limited opportunities early, demonstrated his quick hands to dispose and applied good pressure around the contests. He went forward to start the second quarter with some good one-percenters. As the game went on he showed his booming long kick, however all he needed was his forwards to mark the ball. Showed great resilience to keep fighting for the ball. Delivery inside 50 was a bit inconsistent, though when he gets it right and hits targets it damages the opposition. Positions himself to receive the ball well and with his long kicking should have gone for goal himself on a few occasions.

#11 Nash King (Calder Cannons)
Midfielder | 181cm | 05/01/2006

Started early with the first shot at goal of the game, but King missed. Went quiet for a bit but the longer the game went on, the better King got, delivering and distributing the ball well. His tackle pressure was excellent and his kicking was sharp. He set up numerous plays and his work rate and two-way running was strong, along with his running patterns. Played a key linking role for his teammates along the ground.

#12 Cody Anderson (Eastern Ranges)
Midfielder | 181cm | 30/01/2006

Anderson’s layer two work was exceptional. A big bodied midfielder who is more a crash and bash type, he still managed to show excellent athleticism with his leap, despite his frame. Made his opponents earn every ball they received and pressured their disposal. Moves exceptionally well for his size, however in the first half his kicking and decision making were a bit suspect, and that’s something he needs to work on. Showed quite quick hands, however also needs to curb his discipline after giving away a few free kicks throughout the game.

#18 Charlie Richardson (Oakleigh Chargers)
Forward | 191cm | 20/02/2006

Playing as a deeper forward, Richardson proved to be continually dangerous on a lead and his set shot kicking was excellent from in front and on angled set shots. Marking ability was strong, and he was dangerous with his leading patterns. His work rate was excellent and his overhead marking was a feature, especially when competing against bigger bodies.