VICTORIA Metro had to withstand a fourth quarter comeback from the Allies to enjoy a two-point AFL Women’s Under 18 Championships win up at Brighton Homes Arena yesterday. In an even contribution across both teams, we took note of some of the players who caught the eye from the match.

ALLIES:

#1 Mischa Barwin (Lauderdale/Tasmania)
Wing/Forward | 164cm | 04/12/2007

Stats: 21 disposals, 7 marks, 3 tackles, 1 clearance, 7 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s

The most prolific of the Allies, Barwin was lively all game, predominantly in a wing role where she covered ground well. Her ability to create separation on her opponent and get into the right spots to win the ball was important and she was effective both at ground level and in the air. At times when under pressure she rushed the ball forward but was clean by hand and then when forward found pockets of space to lead into.

#5 Shakaila Gardiner-Dunn (South Adelaide/Northern Territory)
Forward | 157cm | 22/11/2007

Stats: 10 disposals, 4 marks, 3 tackles, 1 clearance, 3 inside 50s, 1 goal

Returning from another appearance at SANFL Women’s level, Gardiner-Dunn showed some X-factor inside 50 and looked lively at ground level. She got into the right positions inside 50 with terrific forward craft to mark on the chest and then convert the set shot goal at a crucial time in the third quarter. Provides a point of difference inside a predominant marking forwardline.

#15 Mia Anderson (Clarence/Tasmania)
Midfielder/Forward | 171cm | 14/02/2007

Stats: 15 disposals, 7 tackles, 3 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50s, 1 goal, 1 behind

The in-form Tasmanian was a fierce player on the inside and often rotated between midfield and half-forward. Her finishing this season has been a real point of difference and after nearly nailing a long-range shot that was rushed through out the line, Anderson did finish off a handball receive well. Just kept popping up with some eye-catching moments.

#16 Priya Bowering (Lauderdale/Tasmania)
Midfielder/Forward | 167cm | 02/01/2007

Stats: 19 disposals, 4 marks, 4 tackles, 1 clearance, 3 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

Another consistent game from Bowering who seemed to impact more in space rather than as much around the ball, but was able to show off her quick burst and thumping kick. Her disposal when having time can be deadly going forward and she is a clean ball user both at ground level and in the air. Everything seemed to work for her even when looking to pass to a teammate inside 50, just missing the target but landing in the arms of Gardiner-Dunn fortunately stationed behind her.

#19 Alex Neyland (Swans Academy/NSW)
Tall Defender | 178cm | 04/09/2007

Stats: 13 disposals, 2 marks, 3 tackles, 2 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 5 rebound 50s, 1 behind

Played behind the ball and pushed up the ground when possible, Neyland consistently competed in the air, and even without marking it brought the ball to ground. On several occasions she crashed important packs and showed fantastic desperation, coupling nicely with her cleanliness and ability to read the play. Had an early shot pushing right up the ground but missed for one behind.

#23 Majella Day (Murray Bushrangers/Giants Academy/NSW)
Tall Forward | 175cm | 11/03/2008

Stats: 19 disposals, 4 marks, 3 inside 50s, 3 goals

The star of the show, particularly up forward. Day was such a handful for the Vic Metro defence, finishing with three goals and even looked to pass off a couple more. She could spin onto the right or left, and her obvious footy IQ and forward craft came to the fore. Day’s one-on-one ability to nudge her opponent under the ball then win it was a consistent feature of her game inside 50. Vision and smarts are off the charts.

#24 Rose Bell (Murray Bushrangers/NSW)
Defender | 170cm | 18/03/2008

Stats: 13 disposals, 4 marks, 2 tackles, 1 inside 50, 3 rebound 50s

An intercepting force behind the ball, Bell was a thorn in Vic Metro’s side with her bodywork one-on-one and ability to begin attacking transitions from defence. She competes so well against players of any size and though Bell can easily play in attack, she was far more important in defence with her penetrating kick and footy smarts around the ground.

#35 Zoe Curry (Oakleigh Chargers/Giants Academy/NSW)
Midfielder/Forward | 172cm | 09/10/2008

Stats: 14 disposals, 1 mark, 3 tackles, 3 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 1 goal, 1 behind

Started really strong on-ball getting her hands on it around the coalface and spread hard to the outside as well. Curry showed her ability to match it one-on-one and after missing an earlier chance in the third term kicked truly with a classy snap midway through the quarter. Kept bobbing up around the half-forward mark and linked well between the arcs going forward with her strength and clean hands.

VIC METRO:

#3 Tayla McMillan (Eastern Ranges)
Midfielder | 162cm | 25/05/2007

Stats: 16 disposals, 1 mark, 3 tackles, 4 clearances, 3 inside 50s

The talented top 10 prospect might not have had as many touches as she is often prone to, but her impact was still felt, particularly through the middle two quarters. McMillan was key in winning some crucial centre clearances and getting it forward in the second term, helping Metro build a lead. She was clean by hand and fought hard to win the ball at ground level.

#7 Marlo Graham (Northern Knights)
Forward/Midfielder | 165cm | 15/11/2007

Stats: 13 disposals, 2 marks, 6 tackles, 3 clearances, 1 inside 50, 1 rebound 50

Graham was similar to McMillan in the sense that she has had higher production games, but her impact on the match was still felt through her decision making and execution. Even when she was crunched in the second term, she bounced back up and was able to keep influencing the match, spending time inside 50 as a leading target as well. Clean by hand and looked to run and carry whenever possible.

#11 Jordyn Allen (Eastern Ranges)
Defender | 167cm | 12/11/2007

Stats: 17 disposals, 1 mark, 2 tackles, 6 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

One of the few that when the Allies were on top early, was starring with ball in hand, racking up not just the possessions, but metres gained as well coming off half-back. Allen attacked it hard, used it well and even threw out a ‘don’t argue’ or two in the contest. Had seven disposals by quarter time and 12 by half-time. Was quieter in the second half, but her hands under pressure were sublime and her pass under enormous pressure late in the match deep in defence was sublime.

#16 Teagan Murtic (Oakleigh Chargers)
Midfielder/Forward | 169cm | 22/10/2007

Stats: 15 disposals, 4 marks, 3 tackles, 1 clearance, 2 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s, 1 goal

Certainly played a hard-running role in the side and through a 50m penalty kicked a set shot goal from close range in the second term. She threw herself at every contest and though known for her inside work, was able to impact on the outside, working into space well. Used the ball effectively and her seven-disposal second quarter was one of the key reasons Metro got on top.

#19 Macy Watkins (Sandringham Dragons)
Forward/Midfielder | 172cm | 24/05/2007

Stats: 13 disposals, 3 marks, 3 tackles, 3 clearances, 1 inside 50

Another player whose impact far exceeded statistical impact, Watkins was able to facilitate a lot of plays between the midfield and forwardline, getting her chance in the former with more minutes. Her excellent release by hand to Sienna Sharp to set up Zoe Vozzo‘s behind the head snap was a highlight, as was Watkins’ courage to go back with the flight and take a terrific mark in the first term before dusting herself off and hitting a target in the middle.

#21 Scarlett Johnson (Northern Knights)
Wing/Defender | 175cm | 26/11/2007

Stats: 22 disposals, 8 marks, 3 tackles, 1 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

A standout in the win, Johnson’s national carnival has been nothing short of terrific, backing up her performances in the Coates Talent League Girls competition. While running hard off a wing, Johnson floated back to defence and was able to clunk some vital intercept marks, standing in the way when the Allies were fiercely attacking in the last quarter. Of her eight marks, six came in the first and fourth terms showing her willingness to be an option when her side was under pressure.

#25 Chloe Bown (Oakleigh Chargers)
Midfielder | 173cm | 20/12/2007

Stats: 23 disposals, 1 mark, 4 tackles, 2 clearances, 3 inside 50s

The talented Chargers midfielder found her fair share of the ball, and often looked to thump the ball down the ground to clear the danger. Her kicking efficiency was down on her usual output, but she was still able to be slick by hand and put her body on the line when required. She competed well in the air and Bown was able to finish the game strongly with seven disposals in the red-hot fourth quarter.

#29 Josephine Bamford (Eastern Ranges)
Ruck | 182cm | 03/06/2007

Stats: 12 disposals, 2 marks, 2 tackles, 10 hitouts, 5 clearances, 1 inside 50, 1 rebound 50, 1 goal, 1 behind

Started the match in the ruck and then rotated forward, switching with fellow tall Isobella Hishongwa-Gibb. Bamford was clean at the stoppages, but more so than her ruck craft, was able to win the ball at ground level and clear it down the ground, or take it out of the ruck and dispose of it quickly. She got involved in transition as well, though her big moment would come in the last term. After missing a long-range set shot, Bamford’s hard running goalside was enough to get boot to ball and kick what would be the winning goal for Metro.

#32 Asher Fearn-Wannan (Eastern Ranges)
Wing/Defender | 177cm | 14/12/2007

Stats: 8 disposals, 1 mark, 1 tackle, 3 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s, 1 behind

Fearn-Wannan is a high impact-per-possession player who did not need to have a stack of the ball to make her presence felt. She set up Zoe Wilkinson for a goal in the final minute of the first term with a well-weighted kick after running hard down the wing, then had another passage of brilliant in the third term where she launched a shot from outside 50 that unfortunately bounced up on the line and was rushed through. Took a nice intercept mark at centre half-back in the third term too.

#34 Zara Neuwirth (Oakleigh Chargers)
Key Defenders | 183cm | 06/02/2007

Stats: 11 disposals, 2 marks, 3 tackles, 6 rebound 50s

The athletic tall did her best work deep in defence, having to combat a tall Allies forwardline. Under immense pressure in the last quarter, Neuwirth did not panic and was able to compete in the air then clear the ball outside the defensive 50. Took some of the kickouts as well to use her boot to launch down the ground.