DESPITE an inaccurate and slow first half, Vic Metro wrestled control back from Western Australia to post a 26-point victory at Cockburn on Saturday. The Vics remained undefeated from the national carnival, with the 6.9 (45) to 2.7 (19) victory giving them a 2-0 start in the AFLW Under 18 Championships.

>> MATCH REPORT: Metro hits WA for six with strong second half

We took note of some of the players who caught the eye.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA:

#5 Tahlia Head (Peel Thunder)
Wing | 167cm | 28/12/2009

Stats: 16 disposals, 6 marks, 3 tackles, 1 clearance, 3 rebound 50s, 1 behind

One of the inclusions for the match, the bottom-age Head showed some draftable qualities on teh outside where she covered ground well, applied defensive pressure and was most notably strong in the air. She clunked several big intercept marks including three in the final term – as well as a team-high seven disposals – with only really her kicking letting her down at times. Other than that final execution, she showed some promising signs for the next 18 months.

#6 Charli Bassett (East Perth)
Midfielder | 156cm | 19/11/2008

Stats: 18 disposals, 2 marks, 7 tackles, 6 clearances, 4 inside 50s

When it comes to Bassett, you know exactly what she is going to offer, and she does it every week. Unrelenting pressure, an ability to get to the drop of the ball, and a knack for extracting it from the coalface. After almost being exclusively inside last week, the East Perth small covered the ground and got some more outside game going, able to transition the ball not just from the stoppage but also inside 50. While her disposal can be a little hit or miss, she is usually under immense pressure and she does well to clear the immediate danger.

#8 Charlie Fletcher (Peel Thunder)
Midfielder | 167cm | 04/02/2009

Stats: 18 disposals, 5 marks, 13 tackles, 2 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

Building on a promising first-up performance last week, Fletcher has thrived returning to the insdie this season after being on the wing with Peel Thunder in her Under 16s year. She showed during that same national carnival that she is more than capable around the ball, and while she is more of a second or third possession winner because of her speed, she brings enormous pressure too. Can still build on her confidence when in traffic because she has the speed to get out of it, but once she is in open space she is hard to stop. Another player who is so good in the air for her size.

#15 Cara Dziegielewski (West Perth)
Ruck | 182cm | 19/04/2008

Stats: 15 disposals, 1 mark, 9 tackles, 24 hitouts, 2 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s

The reigning All-Australian ruck’s top-age carnival rolled on with another strong performance where she was amongst the best on ground. Though her aerial impact was not as great – which given the game style was not too much of a surprise – Dziegielewski really took control around the stoppages and applied fantastic follow-up pressure. Her decisive taps at different points helped the Sandgropers, and she had the equal second most touches for her side in the fourth term when Metro was on top.

#16 Caitlin Boss (Subiaco)
Midfielder/Forward | 164cm | 07/12/2010

Stats: 23 disposals, 3 marks, 6 tackles, 2 clearances, 6 inside 50s

The double bottom-ager is one who looks a class above for her age, and will rack up plenty more Under 18s games for the state side over the next two and a half carnivals. Her work around the ball and going forward was important, and she often just bobs up and finds the ball unassumingly, but puts her head over it and is very clean at ground level. Was unlucky to be pinged for running too far at one stage in the third term after a great burst down the middle, but overall was among the Sandgropers’ best on the day.

#17 Lexi Strachan (West Perth)
Midfielder/Forward | 169cm | 30/09/2008

Stats: 13 disposals, 1 mark, 5 tackles, 6 inside 60s, 1 behind

After a quiet first game by her lofty standards, the National Academy member returned to show some of the qualities that she has at her disposal. While Strachan has still had bigger games, she was having more ‘moments’ than in her first match, with that trademark powerful burst from the stoppage and booming kick coming to the fore. She had a couple of chances on goal from long-range that, although they didn’t amount to much on the scoreboard, showed the confidence and damaging play was back. Didn’t register a clearance but there were quite a few times she was the second possession winner breaking clear and pumping it inside 50.

#19 Heidi Ireland (Peel Thunder)
Defender | 173cm | 14/08/2008

Stats: 5 disposals, 2 tackles, 1 clearance, 1 rebound 50

Ignore the stats, because Ireland’s performance was one of the most critical in the game. She had the big job on pick one contender Bailee Martin and produced arguably the best ever defensive job on the Chargers tall. It’s one thing if Martin had lack of supply, but the amount of one-on-one wins or at least neutralisations that Ireland had, was incredible. She has deceptive all-round athleticism that ensures she can at least keep most opponents honest, and Martin was the last player on the ground to win a disposal. Kept her to four touches when she was on her, with. Martin’s only goal coming during a rare switch of defencers.

#21 Sienna Lilly (East Fremantle)
Tall Forward | 176cm | 07/03/2008

Stats: 7 disposals, 3 marks, 2 tackles, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50, 1 goal, 2 behinds

Lilly threatened to be the difference between the sides in the first half where she couldn’t help but get the ball in her hands close to goal. She slotted one from a set shot, but realistically should have had three by the main break. A quick kick taking out of the ruck from close range, and then winning the ball storming in from 10 metres – albeit under pressure – both resulted in behinds, the latter hitting the post. Her aerial strength and presence caught the eye and provided a target for her teammates to kick to inside 50.

#22 India Bonadeo (Claremont)
Tall Defender | 177cm | 05/08/2008

Stats: 12 disposals, 3 marks, 4 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 5 rebound 50s

Another reliable game from the West Australian tall defender who cleared the ball consistently and provided a thorn in the side for Vic Metro. She has a lovely long kick, and when having the time to compose herself, can breakdown opposition defensive zones. Really got aggressive late in the game where she pushed up to delivered several long balls to one-on-ones or deep inside 50 but could not quite connect. Has a lot of upside.

#26 Mia Carlshausen (Perth)
Defender | 171cm | 10/04/2008

Stats: 19 disposals, 2 marks, 7 rebound 50s

Calm and composed with ball in hand, Carlshausen just knows where to be to have the most impact in the defensive 50. She can push up and provide drive, or hold back and be a third-up or intercepting option, gatekeeping the big sticks. She is so strong overhead, and the Perth prospect is leading the charge from the defenders at the national carnival, with her ball use and decision making of knowing when to change lanes, and when to play it safe. Carlshausen also dropped into the hole in front of the likes of Martin to stop any leads, and has been a shining light during the tough times.

#33 Hannah Seaborn (Claremont)
Forward/Midfielder | 177cm | 16/04/2009

Stats: 9 disposals, 2 marks, 4 tackles, 2 inside 50s

The bottom-aged Tiger does not need a lot of disposals to have an impact on the match with her presence and determination to fly for grabs indicative of her growing confidence. She spent time around the ball to get her hands on it more, and her tackling pressure was on show throughout. Not afraid to lead right up the ground and be a target for defenders out of the back 50, even if Seaborn doesn’t mark it, she is rarely outmarked.

VIC METRO:

#3 Maddison Meagher (Northern Knights)
Wing | 164cm | 02/08/2008

Stats: 19 disposals, 5 marks, 1 tackle, 4 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 1 goal, 1 behind

The explosive Northern Knight had a quiet start to the game with just the three handballs in the opening quarter, but quickly got involved and began to be the driving force for Vic Metro after quarter time. She had a checkside snap on goal from the pocket that missed, but it was her line-breaking run that really made the difference. Meagher worked her way into ball-winning positions and teammates found her to create some chaos ball going forward, and on one occasion read the ball from the kickout to swoop in and slot the first for Metro eight minutes into the third term.

#6 Addison West (Western Jets)
Forward/Midfielder | 167cm | 16/05/2008

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

The niece of Western Bulldogs royalty (Scott) is showing she belongs at the level with another really solid display. She is competing for midfield minutes against some quality opponents, but has also been contributing as a high half-forward. West covers the ground exceptionally well and has good hands out of traffic, while able to extract it effectively when given the chance. She can tend to rush by foot going forward, but generally puts it into advantageous positions, and competes strongly overhead.

#11 Scout Semple (Eastern Ranges)
Midfielder/Forward | 162cm | 03/10/2008

Stats: 14 disposals, 2 tackles, 4 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 2 behinds

The National Academy member had her moments again, spending more time on-ball and getting her opportunities from early on while teammate Anderson had the forward duties to begin with in the match. She has a penetrating kick and can use both sides of her body effectively, which makes her such a damaging player be it in the middle or up forward. She had some chances on goal – including a flying shot in the second quarter that hit the post, but constantly looked a threat anywhere within range when inside 50, and a problem if given space to break out of the middle.

#15 Jacinta Eteuati (Western Jets)
Defender | 169cm | 27/05/2008

Stats: 13 disposals, 3 marks, 2 tackles, 1 clearance, 5 rebound 50s

Contributed well in the back half and has that nice balance between offensive and defensive attributes. Her intercepting – including a couple of great marks one of which involved copping a knock and getting up worse for wear – was on display, and she teamed up effectively with Jets teammate Boyd. Eteuati has a great competitive edge, and will often look for the handball receive to deliver outside defensive 50. Has some areas to keep building on, but is holding her place well in the Metro back 50.

#16 Sophia Green (Oakleigh Chargers)
Defender | 170cm | 22/11/2008

Stats: 25 disposals, 5 marks, 2 tackles, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50, 4 rebound 50s

Racking up the most disposals in the game, Green was a busy bee coming out of a defence that was often under pressure and needing to be cleared. She continually was the receiver who stood tall or switched play, and had 18 of her 25 disposals through the middle two quarters. Her drive from defence to link up with midfield was important, and she played a high percentage game with her ball use by foot, placing an importance on possession retention. Has the versatility to play anywhere on the field, but the Carlton father-daughter prospect reads the game well from half-back.

#17 Isabella Mazzei (Oakleigh Chargers)
Forward | 169cm | 06/06/2008

Stats: 17 disposals, 5 marks, 4 tackles, 1 rebound 50, 1 goal, 1 behind

Mazzei’s midfield ability is never in question so the Oakleigh top-ager instead played purely forward where she was able to adapt some of her traits to the different role. She still applied her trademark pressure and was strong overhead, reading the ball in flight effectively. While she kicked a set shot goal from a downfield free kick, Mazzei really should have doubled her tally from close range in the fourth after a nice mark. Her ultra clean hands were on display and she ticked off the versatility box.

#20 Grace McIntyre (Sandringham Dragons)
Wing | 173cm | 31/12/2008

Stats: 19 disposals, 1 mark, 1 tackle, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50, 2 rebound 50s, 1 goal

After having just one disposal in the first term – and she was not alone given Metro struggled to really convert going forward at times – McIntyre worked into the game and was able to pick up eight disposals in the second term and get more involved as the game spread to the outside. She won a lot of her disposals at ground level where she would gather and dish off, or receive the ball from a teammate and then be the next link in the chain. Her efficiency is a work in progress, but she covers the ground well, competes in the air and has some great athletic traits.

#21 Brylee Anderson (Eastern Ranges)
Forward/Midfielder | 173cm | 25/03/2008

Stats: 23 disposals, 1 mark, 5 tackles, 3 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

Anderson started the game forward and got involved with some crucial touches while applying pressure in the front half of the ground. While she worked her way into the midfield rotation and was a handful there, Anderson was able to really influence the game in the front half when able to get into space. She won a couple of free kicks for her troubles going in hard and finished the game as one of the most consistent contributors to Metro. Just does a lot right and has the ability to play anywhere on the field and make an impact.

#22 Alli Allen (Northern Knights)
Defender | 172cm | 15/10/2008

Stats: 15 disposals, 3 marks, 6 tackles, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50, 3 rebound 50s

It was a shame Allen’s day finished a little early when coming off in the fourth term after a big hit. It’s hoped she doesn’t miss too much footy because her form in the last few weeks has gone to another level against the better opponents. So competitive in the air and with some nice speed and defensive pressure at ground level, Allen had another really reliable contribution off half-back. She is a kickout option and has courage that players can aspire to, going back with the flight in marking contests.

#26 Kiara Boyd (Western Jets)
Tall Defender | 173cm | 02/06/2008

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

Showed some nice moves off half-back to create space either sidestepping opponents or switching lanes through the corridor where she was among the better performers coming out of defence. Boyd generally used the ball well by foot and was hyper vigilant at forward stoppages, identifying the most dangerous opposition player and making sure they were covered. Her kicking and footy smarts are a couple of her standout traits.

#29 Cleo Barbakas (Oakleigh Chargers)
Ruck/Forward | 182cm | 07/01/2009

Stats: 18 disposals, 4 marks, 1 tackle, 10 hitouts, 2 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 1 behind

In a tough ruck battle, Barbakas competed strongly in the air and looked to pull it from the contest and thump it away for distance. She provided an aerial presence around the ground and when in transition can act as another midfielder in her production and variety of ball-winning ways. Had a long-range shot on goal from the top of 50 that covered the distance but just went wide for a behind. Overall did well around the ground even though she was beaten by the best ruck in the competition.