VIC METRO stormed home to a 33-point win over Western Australia at Optus Stadium on Sunday, remaining undefeated in the 2024 Under 18 National Championships. While the Sandgropers continue to uncover talent, the Victorians’ class rose to the occasion and dominate our Scouting Notes.

>> Match report: Cream rises to the top as Metro sinks Sandgropers

WESTERN AUSTRALIA:

#2 Luke Urquhart (East Fremantle)
Midfielder | 183cm | 19/09/2006

Stats: 27 disposals, 5 clearances, 7 inside 50s

The bullocking midfielder continued his strong form across the Championships, as he once again found plenty of the football in the engine room. Urquhart was the major catalyst for Western Australia’s fast start, with his power and combative style of play giving his highly touted Metro opponents plenty of headaches in the first quarter. While his clearance work and ground level play were outstanding, Urquhart’s ball use left a little to be desired as he proved wayward by foot, particularly when looking to change angles. Nonetheless, it was another lion-hearted effort from Urquhart, who continues to impress while leading an unheralded Black Ducks midfield.

#3 Malakai Champion (Subiaco)
Small Forward | 172cm | 17/05/2006

Stats: 8 disposals, 2 marks, 3 goals

The AFL Academy prospect showed flashes of brilliance and threatened to be the difference between the two sides in the first half, where he booted all of his three goals. While he wasn’t prolific, Champion always looked dangerous when the ball was in his vicinity and his finishing was a feature, kicking three goals straight, including an excellent snap from 35m after pouncing on a loose ball. His impact faded after half time as Metro ran over the top, although he continued to remain dangerous and almost hauled down a screamer in the third term to exemplify why he is only one moment away from changing a game.

#12 Bo Allan (Peel Thunder)
Midfielder | 191cm | 16/02/2006

Stats: 19 disposals, 6 marks, 2 goals

Continuing in his new midfield role, the West Australian skipper led from the front with his size and physicality proving effective around the ball. Against a highly touted Metro midfield group, Allan threw his weight around in the contest, making his presence felt with some strong tackles and bumps at the coalface. He also showed his value on the outside with consecutive goals in the third term; snapping truly for his first, before getting on the end of a lovely handball chain to finish on the run from outside 50.

#13 Jaxon Artemis (South Fremantle)
Wing/Defender | 180cm | 24/08/2006

Stats: 20 disposals, 3 marks, 7 rebound 50s

Artemis was a key contributor for the home side, with his kicking and transitional work catching the eye. Alongside Austin Van de Struyf, he was the main distributor for Western Australia and his ball use was sound, as he often looked to pierce through the Metro defence by looking through the corridor. His movement in traffic was also a feature, with the 17-year-old showing terrific evasion and poise. A prime example was where he set up a goal by hand in the first term, before showing his dash and class with a driving run from defence to set up another score in the final stanza.

#23 Charlie Burke (Subiaco)
Wing | 183cm | 11/04/2006

Stats: 16 disposals, 8 marks, 2 tackles

The Subiaco skipper played his role nicely on the wing, continuing his solid run of performances across the Championships. While he was largely unassuming across the afternoon, Burke was clean and reliable with ball in hand, as he regularly made good decisions by foot. He also held his width nicely, helping himself to eight marks and providing a good option as an outlet or switch.

Others:

Fred Rodriguez continued his strong carnival as a bottom-ager, fighting hard to gather 23 touches in the midfield. Cody Angove provided some class with ball in hand and while his Claremont teammate Will Hayes was less influential than last week, he showed glimpses of his skill and produced some courageous efforts. Austin van der Struyf had some good moments down back, while Hamish Davis kicked two first quarter goals and competed well in front of the ball.

VIC METRO:

#4 Jesse Dattoli (Northern Knights)
Small Forward | 179cm | 07/08/2006

Stats: 14 disposals, 9 marks, 1 goal

Playing as a high half-forward, Dattoli found himself involved in several scoring chains and made something happen whenever he touched the football. The Northern Knights prospect played with good work rate and intensity, working high up the ground to take nine marks while also proving a threat crumbing packs at ground level closer to home. He showed no qualms in backing himself around goals, looking to hit the scoreboard whenever he got the chance, although his radar proved inaccurate as he finished with 1.4. While at times looking to bite off too much, Dattoli’s productivity, spark and creativity saw him finish as one of Metro’s stronger contributors.

#9 Jagga Smith (Oakleigh Chargers)
Midfielder | 181cm | 28/01/2006

Stats: 34 disposals, 5 clearances, 1 goal

In a game which saw momentum swing back and forth, Smith was the one constant across the four quarters as he produced a consistent and classy best afield performance. The likely top five selection brought his own football across the Nullarbor, gathering 34 disposals, and while others may have been more line-breaking than Smith, no one oozed more class or had more time than him with ball in hand. An accumulating rather than explosive performance, it was Smith’s weight of numbers and cleanliness that saw him as Metro’s best midfielder.

#10 Levi Ashcroft (Sandringham Dragons)
Midfielder | 179cm | 18/12/2006

Stats: 27 disposals, 3 clearances, 7 inside 50s

The Brisbane father-son prospect was an important part of Metro’s group which one the midfield battle, finding plenty of football at the coalface and absorbing pressure from Western Australia’s well-drilled engine room. Ashcroft provided plenty of penetration from the contest, as he often drove the ball inside 50 from congestion to give his forwards a look. While not as silky as some of his midfield contempotaries, Ashcroft was just as effective and found himself involved in more scores than any other player on the ground.

#24 Josh Smillie (Eastern Ranges)
Midfielder | 194cm | 17/05/2006

Stats: 22 disposals, 9 clearances, 1 goal

The Eastern Ranges product shook off a slow start to be an influential figure. After struggling to find the football early, Smillie gradually began to impose himself on the clash, particularly at the coalface where his sheer size began to tell. He found more uncontested ball the longer the game progressed and showcased his excellent kicking, including a thumping set shot from 50m to put Metro back in front in the third term. While far from the complete performance, Smillie is too good a prospect to be down for four quarters and he lifted to be one of the prime movers in Metro’s second half surge.

#35 Thomas Sims (Northern Knights)
Key Forward/Ruck | 199cm | 12/05/2006

Stats: 11 disposals, 7 marks, 3 goals

The best key-position player on the ground, Sims was a strong aerial presence and looked imposing in every marking contest he found himself in. While Sims’ hands were vice-like, his bodywork and ability to read the ball drop quicker than his direct opponent were equally impressive, as he often manoeuvred himself to his defender’s back shoulder to nudge them under the footy and help himself to the grab. While he may feel as though he missed an opportunity to head home with a bigger bag having kicked 3.3, he no doubt played his part in a solid win for the Metro side. 

Others:

Luke Trainor continued his fine season, notching 26 disposals in a classy display behind the ball. Tom Gross was lively with 23 disposals and worked tirelessly across the four quarters despite some poor moments, while Murphy Reid showcased his silky skills with 24 touches. Joshua Dolan was busy with 19 disposals and two goals, while Isaac Kako showcased his goal nous with a superb snap in the opening stanza. Down back, Adrian Cole was solid while Harrison Oliver and Jayden Nguyen provided good rebound at times.

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REMAINING AFL U18s FIXTURE