VIC METRO overcame a slow start to get the bragging rights over rivals Vic Country at the 2025 AFL Women’s Under 16s Development Championships. The ‘Big V’ trailed by four goals late in the first term, but turned it around after that booting eight of the last 11 goals to secure the 8.10 (58) to 7.4 (46) victory at Shepley Oval.

Metro – who was strong favourite given its big win over Gold Coast Suns Academy and Country’s big loss to Brisbane Lions Academy – took a little while to get going, but once they did it was some great end-to-end play. They controlled the clearances (31-22) and inside 50s (43-33) and while Country took more of their chances, it was always going to be a case of weight of numbers. Even late in the match Country hit the front and lead midway through the fourth quarter, but two goals in favour of Metro secured the win.

Despite goign undefeated, Metro did not win by enough to overtake South Australia for the title, but can finish up knowing they finished second overall in Pool A. Country lost both of their matches, but finish ahead of the Suns Academy (also 0-2) and were far more competitive yesterday than in game one.

>> 2025 AFLW U16s | Scouting Notes: Suns Academy vs Vic Metro

>> 2025 AFLW U16s | Scouting Notes: Lions Academy vs Vic Country

VIC METRO 1.2 | 3.4 | 6.6 | 8.10 (58)
VIC COUNTRY 4.2 | 4.3 | 6.4 | 7.4 (46)

GOALS:
Vic Metro: C. Barbakas 2, K. McKinnon 2, A. Barnard-Rossely, A. D’ambrosio, G. Philip, P. Goulding
Vic Country: A. Clish 2, C. Collins 2, E. Condon, B. Kelly, J. Wright

RMC BEST:
Vic Metro: P. Goulding, C. Parsons-Jones, G. Philip, K. McKinnon, A. Barnard-Rossely
Vic Country: L. Brittain, E. Condon, E. Bologa, S. Dennis, J. Andrews

VIC METRO:

#3 Kiah McKinnon
Northern Knights | 161cm | 20/01/2009

A lively small forward who was Vic Metro’s most damaging player forward of centre, kicking two goals to go with her 12 touches and five tackles. She got on the board early after being held and nailed a set shot from a tight angle 15m out, before snapping around her body late in the third term for her other one. Provided a spark both offensively and defensively in the front half.

#5 Perri Goulding
Eastern Ranges | 162cm | 05/07/2009

Won the most touches on the field with 27, as well as taking five marks, having six clearances and laying 10 tackles. The Eastern Ranges prospect kicked a nice running goal a minute into the second term which was the start the Metro side needed after the first term, and she went on with it from there. After just three touches in the first term, a move into the midfield saw her take control with 24 disposal across the last three quarters including 10 in the final term coming up clutch.

#6 Charli Parsons-Jones
Western Jets | 165cm | 02/10/2009

Showed the same touch of class in the Victorian trials and she was again busy throughout the match though her defensive work was just as good. Laid a match-high 11 tackles to go with 22 disposals, and was busy around the stoppages and driving the ball forward. She had a chance on goal that just missed, but unassumingly picked up a lot of touches given 15 of them were handballs, and the bulk of them came under serious heat. Kept her cool though and was consistent throughout four quarters.

#7 Elebertina Schuliga
Calder Cannons | 165cm | 17/02/2009

While only having the nine disposals, Schuliga’s metres gained would be off the charts. Three times she had bursting runs of multiple bounces down the ground, tucking the ball under her arm and backing herself. Sometimes she was too quick for her own good needing to pull teh kick at the last second, but if she gets goalside, watch out. A perfect wing of the future with her speed and ability to get into space.

#8 Alira Barnard-Rossely
Eastern Ranges | 166cm | 05/10/2009

Another Ranges prospect who worked well in midfield. She had 22 disposals and five clearances, and much like Parsons-Jones, was predominantly handballing under serious heat. She did kicked a nice to cut the deficit back to three points in the third term, and though it took her a while to get going – just two disposals to quarter time – she finished strong with an eight-disposal last quarter.

#14 Grace Philip
Sandringham Dragons | 172cm | 09/06/2009

Has a lot of tricks and traits that stand out on the field and she was once again amongst the busiest players out there. She kicked a lovely goal off step that sailed home early in the second quarter and showed off her powerful burst early in the fourth going forward. Is the type of player who can play midfield or forward and loves to run by for the handball receive and break down the opposition defence.

#23 Maya Duane
Sandringham Dragons | 180cm | 16/03/2009

Played the first quarter up forward before stepping into the midfield and the results showed the difference. A wonderfully gifted player who has enormous upside, Duane quickly established herself on-ball and won important clearances. Not only that, but with her booming kick she was able to thump the ball forward and let her teammates close to goal go to work. She applied pressure and had a great hip-and-shoulder midway through the third term as well. Her stoppage work and strength both overhead and at ground level stands out.

VIC COUNTRY:

#3 Ella Bologa
Dandenong Stingrays | 162cm | 10/09/2009

Has really found a role off half-back for Vic Country as she reads the play well and likes to burst away to create transitional plays that turn into scoreboard impact. She mops up behind the ball, dishes off or looks for the short pass to run on and be involved in multiple contests. Though she is smaller, she competes well and she has a penetrating kick that can hit targets in space further afield.

#4 Sage Dennis
Bendigo Pioneers | 160cm | 22/08/2009

Spent most of her time deep in defence and competed so well overhead for a player of 160cm. She read the play exceptionally and then looked to pick out options to drive the ball from the back 50. She can draw free kicks with her aggressive attitude to try and win the ball, and she is usually a clean user by foot. Has smarts and toughness which will be exciting to see for the Pios over the coming years, and was the standout from their 16s campaign.

#5 Lily Brittain
Dandenong Stingrays | 163cm | 26/01/2009

Vic Country’s eye-catcher across both the trials and Championships, Brittain once again had the most disposals (22) for her side, while playing between attack and midfield. She moves well, can slip out of tackles and is very good at getting into pockets of space to win the ball. Brittain works both ways and mops up in defence, while looking for the one-two combinations to release into space with teammates. She always seems to have control of the ball in front of her and even when caught can often get her hands free to pass off.

#6 Annie Clish
Dandenong Stingrays | 171cm | 25/05/2009

Was on fire early looking dangerous inside 50, kicking a nice goal from a set shot 25m out after a great tackle that lead to a holding the ball free kick. Clean at ground level with a nice handball that lead to a Jayda Wright goal midway through the first term, Clish remained involved throughout the contest as that high half-forward. She kicked a second goal early in the fourth term to put Vic Country in front again, but would turn out to be her side’s last score.

#7 Jemma Andrews
Geelong Falcons | 179cm | 28/09/2009

Started on-ball and won the first clearance out of the middle, and looms as a high-upside player given she is a 179cm midfielder. Really bossed around opponents in the middle with a match-high eight clearances, four more than any other Country player as she found her home in there. She worked well to get behind the ball when required as well which was important. Andrews looked to get distance on her kicks and provided an option between the arcs going forward.

#8 Brooke Kelly
Gippsland Power | 168cm | 07/08/2009

Impressed in game one and again caught the eye in game two, Kelly has a lovely left foot that can find targets forward of centre. She kicked a slick goal off a great finish early in term three, but set up numerous other scoring forays. One of those players who might be suited to that mid-forward or high half-forward role, Kelly is a facilitator going inside 50 and looks for options with her head on a swivel.

#22 Ella Condon
Geelong Falcons | 182cm | 23/04/2009

Earned Vic Country’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) award for her work across multiple lines, Condon is a great intercepting defender, though she played a fair bit through the ruck. Finishing with 15 hitouts for the match, Condon was not afraid to lay some fierce tackles at ground level, and kicked na important goal during the third term which put Vic Country back up by nine points midway through the quarter. Very strong overhead and hard to move once she has front position, while also doing a great job of reading the play.