VIC Metro is gunning to take back the AFLW Under 18 Championships title after being held by their western neighbours, and they kick off their campaign against the Allies tomorrow. Metro always has fantastic depth to rely on, but still has some star studded talent at the top-end of the list.

In today’s article, we take a look at some of the names to watch and all you need to know about the Vic Metro’s national championships campaign.

AFLW ACADEMY MEMBERS

Sophie McKay
Prahan / Sandringham Dragons
Midfielder / Forward | 168cm | 27/04/2006

The Carlton father-daughter prospect is one to watch coming out of the middle with some serious explosive speed, and an ability to get forward as well. She is who can impact the scoreboard when forward, but adds a point of difference around the stoppages. A second possession winner who still has that competitiveness to hit the contest hard, she complements the Vic Metro midfield with a point of difference.

Emma McDonald
Ashburton / Oakleigh Chargers
Key Forward | 179cm | 18/04/2006

The standout key forward from Victoria, McDonald is hard to quell when leaping for a mark. Boasting safe hands and a reliable set shot, she burst onto the representative scene in this very game 12 months ago when causing a handful for the Allies’ defenders. Likely to do that again, expect her to spend most of her time up forward, but do not be shocked if over the course of the championships she pinch hits in defence, as she has at times for the Chargers.

Sienna Tallariti
Whitehorse / Oakleigh Chargers
Defender | 168cm | 10/07/2006

The intercepting defender has a knack of standing up in big games, winning the best on ground medal in last year’s Talent League Girls Grand Final. Having also played well in the Under 17 Futures match and for the AFLW Academy, Tallariti has settled into that dual offensive/defensive role in the back 50 after starting her career as a utility that included playing up forward and through the midfield. She is a natural leader who will provide composure in the back half of the ground.

Sierra Grieves
Yarraville Seddon Eagles / Western Jets
Midfielder | 163cm | 18/05/2006

Coming off a 35-disposal game on the weekend which speaking to her ball-winning numbers is around par for the Western Jets star, Grieves also won the AFLW Academy MVP for her performance against the Under 21 All-Stars recently. One of two Western Jets in the side – and both from Yarraville Seddon Eagles – Grieves will be that first possession winner and one of the most prolific tackles across the carnival.

Grace Baba
Mooroolbark / Eastern Ranges
Tall Defender | 176cm | 17/09/2006

Recovering from injury at the moment, Baba caught the eye in a massive debut season for the Eastern Ranges. Boasting a rare vertical leap and a knack for both clean spoils and big marks, Baba is a player who has the potential to be a terrific running defender. She has been building on her consistency over the last 12 months, but kicks well and runs off with almost reckless abandonment wanting to take as much grass as possible to break down opposition defensive zones.

OTHERS TO WATCH

Sarah Poustie
Old Scotch / Oakleigh Chargers
Midfielder | 170cm | 05/01/2006

The MVP from the Under 21 All-Stars is one of the top prospects to watch outside the AFLW Academy. Having begun her career as a wing, Poustie has developed into a fully fledged inside midfielder who racks up enormous tackle numbers but also finds plenty of the ball herself. She is a nice balance between the Grieves first possession-winning midfielders and the McKay second possession-winning midfielders, but could also find herself out on a wing given her elite endurance base and understanding of the role.

Georgie Brisbane
Blackburn / Eastern Ranges
Forward / Wing | 175cm | 13/12/2006

It has been an exciting time over the last month since Brisbane returned to Talent League Girls action, where the top-ager and Ranges’ skipper has recaptured her form from last year. After a slower start to the season, she looks every bit an exciting tall, with great hands, strong forward craft and an ability to work up the ground and even play as a tall winger. As a late year born player, Brisbane has natural upside and that will come with time. One who could explode at the championships.

Zoe Hargreaves
Fitzroy / Northern Knights
Utility | 172cm | 03/06/2006

It will be fascinating to see what role Hargreaves plays at the championships, with her versatility perhaps a little better than most, and other pure midfielders will likely start inside. She did well in this corresponding game 12 months ago, and she could well be that half-back rebounder, a role she has tasted for the Knights this season. Expect her still to roll into the midfield, and with her strong hands she can also play forward.

Grace Belloni
Olinda Ferny Creek / Eastern Ranges
Midfielder / Forward | 174cm | 09/09/2006

Belloni has been another big improver this season, stepping up as that more pure inside midfielder who can rest forward and still impact the scoreboard. In the past she has been that 50/50 type, but with her clearance work and strength around the ball key, Belloni continues to impress each and every week. She is one who could match up on a bigger bodied opposition midfielder, and her desire to win the ball and competitiveness really stands out.

Lou-Lou Field
Yarraville Seddon Eagles / Western Jets
Defender | 167cm | 18/10/2006

Due to school football has not played as much Talent League games as one would like, but she has been a really handy player over the last couple of years for the Jets. She has a raking left foot and is able to use it well coming out of defence, while also reading the play to intercept. At Metro she will have a lot more experience around her compared to the younger Jets side, so might get some more freedom to run and carry and show what she did when the Jets stormed to a flag in her double bottom-age season.

Stasia Stevenson
SBL Wolves / Eastern Ranges
Midfielder / Forward | 164cm

The dual position player has not put a foot wrong all season and the weekend’s match might well have been her best thus far from a midfield perspective. She has proven she can play at VFLW level, and is clean by hand with lighting quick reflexes. In 2024 she has found great consistency in her play, and with a stacked Ranges midfield, Stevenson has not been lost, holding her own and earned a deserving spot with Metro. Expect her to play more forward and pinch hit through the middle, but she has the craft to do it.

BOTTOM-AGE STARS

Chloe Baker-West
Strathmore / Calder Cannons
Utility | 163cm | 02/02/2007

The reigning back-to-back Vic Metro MVP at Under 16s level gets her chance to step up to the Under 18s, and should benefit from more experience around her. A massive accumulator of the ball, Baker-West has it on a string most weeks, but due to school football has not spent a lot of time with the Cannons in 2024. One of a couple of top-end talents for Calder next year with Jade McLay, expect her to play in defence, but could slot in anywhere on the field.

Chloe Bown
Kew Comets / Oakleigh Chargers
Midfielder / Forward | 174cm | 20/12/2007

Bown has come along in leaps and bounds this season, and though she is only 12 days off being a double bottom-ager, deservingly slots into the Metro side. Good overhead and capable of playing forward or midfield, she will prove a handful with her athleticism and footy smarts. It is almost certain she will play more of the former given she is a bottom-ager and the midfield depth of Metro is envious, but could slide under the radar for opposition states.

FIXTURES

Saturday, June 29 | vs. Allies @ Blacktown, 11am AEST
Sunday, July 14 | vs. Vic Country @ Ikon Park, 1:30pm AEST
Sunday, August 11 | vs. South Australia @ RSEA Park, 10:30am AEST

TEAM LIST

PREDICTION

Vic Metro is a team with great potential to at least win two of its matches. They should be too strong for the Allies on the weekend with the depth across the board fantastic. Against Country it is always hard to pick, but again the depth looks a little better and with bottom-agers who can make a serious impact for the ‘Big V’. South Australia looms as the massive test, and the back-to-back champions might be a bridge too far to close, but should be a closer game than last year.