VICTORIA Metro survived a late scare to put away Victoria Country in a 19-point AFLW Under 16s Championships win at Trevor Barker Beach Oval today. In blustery conditions making efficiency and goalkicking tough. Country actually had one more scoring shot – and drew level late in the contest – before Metro kicked three goals in the last eight minutes to stretch out the margin.

It was a really even game across the board with no complete dominant standout players, and instead a handful of eye-catchers and key role players who all contributed to the result. Northern Knights’ Grace Robinson was one such eye-catcher, racking up eight clearances on the inside from her 25 disposals, while defensive pair Georgia Naughton and Camryn Rabie combined for 59 disposals.

For Vic Country, Tilly McErlain and Sienna Bilinski looked to take the game on with their run, while Taylah Mizzi provided an all-round performance despite the defeat. While each of the side’s second games are yet to be locked in, both teams will head to Shepley Oval next Thursday to conclude the series.

VIC METRO 2.2 | 3.2 | 4.5 | 7.6 (48)
VIC COUNTRY 1.2 | 2.7 | 2.9 | 3.11 (29)

GOALS:
Vic Metro: M. Giardina 2, I. Le 2, G. Robinson, A. Denny, T. Franchina
Vic Country: Z. Dalton, G. Quaife, L. Harvey

RMC BEST:
Vic Metro: G. Robinson. A. Mathieson, C. Rabie, G. Naughton, M. Giardina
Vic Country: T. McErlain, S. Bilinski, T. Mizzi, Z. Dalton, H. Delamare

VIC METRO:

#4 Aggie Mathieson (Western Jets)
Wing | 163cm | 10/11/2010

Stats: 18 disposals, 1 mark, 2 tackles, 6 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s

Really liked her attack on the ball and she provided plenty of run between the arcs getting it forward. While at times her kicking was a little hit and miss, she provided great value in her run and carry. Her ability to spread into space and then linkup in transition going forward was important for Metro and with ball in hand was quick to dish off.

#5 Grace Robinson (Northern Knights)
Midfielder | 165cm | 03/02/2010

Stats: 25 disposals, 2 marks, 1 tackle, 8 clearances, 7 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 1 goal

One of the more consistent four-quarter players in the win, Robinson racked up the ball early and set the tone for her side. She is strong in the core and when under pressure can get her hands free, while also showing an ability to go forward and hit the scoreboard. Recorded a game-high eight clearances and her one goal was a slick long-range kick. Will be a prominent midfielder for the Knights over the next few seasons.

#10 Milla Giardina (Northern Knights)
Forward/Midfielder | 165cm | 09/07/2010

Stats: 13 disposals, 3 marks, 4 tackles, 2 clearances, 1 inside 50, 2 goals, 1 behind

Giardina caught the eye with her smarts in teh front half, setting up an early goal to Talia Franchina with a nice dribble to the goalsquare. She finished the game kicking two herself and had a number of other chances or set others up too. Got some opportunities in and around the stoppages as well, and her smarts extended to her leading patterns, protecting the ball drop when she got front position and timed her leads just right.

#14 Georgia Naughton (Sandringham Dragons)
Defender | 167cm | 06/06/2010

Stats: 31 disposals, 1 mark, 7 tackles, 1 clearance, 2 rebound 50s

Brought her own ball to the game coming out of defence, mopping up plenty and pushing up the ground at times too. She tried to be creative at different points that did not always pan out, but her defensive pressure was a constant in the back half as she laid seven tackles in the win. Provided a rebounding option in transition.

#19 Camryn Rabie (Eastern Ranges)
Tall Defender | 175cm | 24/07/2010

Stats: 28 disposals, 5 marks, 2 tackles, 1 hitout, 8 rebound 50s

Teaming up well with Naughton in the back 50, Rabie was often tasked with either the kickouts or the next disposal post-kickout as she drove it long from the defensive 50. Boasting a long boot, Rabie cleared the danger on quite a few occasions and showed strength both in the air and at ground level. Aside from a couple of turnovers in dangerous areas, was reliable across the board and did well one-on-one.

VIC COUNTRY:

#4 Taylah Mizzi (Gippsland Power)
Defender/Midfielder | 169cm | 12/06/2010

Stats: 16 disposals, 2 marks, 6 tackles, 2 clearances, 1 inside 50, 2 rebound 50s, 1 behind

Spent time both behind the ball and then rotated into the middle, Mizzi provided a stack of run and carry down the ground and was clean with her release by hand. While only small, Mizzi provided a fierce attack on the contest and opponent, laying half a dozen tackles. She stood up when needed and even had a shot on goal after bursting from a half-forward stoppages that missed. Has some nice athletic traits.

#5 Zaria Dalton (Gippsland Power)
Forward | 159cm | 15/09/2010

Stats: 18 disposals, 4 marks, 3 tackles, 1 clearance, 1 goal

Prominent early when she intercepted off the kickout in the second term and slammed home a goal, remaining active in the front half. She provided a target on the lead and always remained alert, even intercepting the ball close to the attacking 50 from a dump kick, though was forced to rush and went to the pocket and out of bounds. Overall she showed some promising signs for the future.

#7 Sienna Bilinski (Geelong Falcons)
Defender/Midfielder | 170cm | 22/03/2010

Stats: 17 disposals, 1 mark, 9 tackles, 4 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 1 behind

Another Vic Country player who had no problems providing run and carry down the ground, Bilinski looked confident out of the back half, and then was another player who moved on-ball later in the game. During the third term, Bilinski had a multi-bounce run down the ground and hit Dalton on the lead in the opening minute. While offensively she provided plenty of run, Bilinski was just as effective on the defensive end with a game-high nine tackles as well.

#15 Harper Delamare (Bendigo Pioneers)
Forward/Midfielder | 160cm | 26/10/2010

Stats: 25 disposals, 2 tackles, 3 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

Part of the forward/midfield rotation, Delamare linked up well between the two regions well. She looked lively and while not hitting the scoreboard herself, constantly drove the ball into dangerous positions. Clean by hand and linked up through handball chains which helped provide run and carry going forward. When she went into the middle, Delamare accumulated even more.

#19 Tilly McErlain (GWV Rebels)
Midfielder/Defender | 166cm | 11/09/2010

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

The GWV Rebels talent loves to run and take the game on, and she showed those traits in the game. Her strong driving tackling was a feature of her game, but as soon as she sees grass, she is off and gone. McErlain’s ability to have multiple disposals within one transition was also impressive, at one point taking a strong intercept mark on the wing then having a one-two before thumping it into the central corridor.