VIC METRO arrived at the 2026 AFL Women’s Under 18 Championships chasing a third-straight title, and while two wins from the opening fortnight kept that dream alive, a costly loss to eventual champion South Australia proved the turning point. The Vics finished 2-2 and third overall, with defender Alli Allen collecting her side’s MVP award despite playing just three of the four games.

RESULTS

Vic Metro finished the national carnival with a 2-2 record, placing third overall.

Round 1: Vic Metro 10.9 (69) def. Queensland 5.3 (33) – GMHBA Stadium

Vic Metro kicked five goals to nil in the first half, four of them in the opening term, to open the carnival with a comfortable 36-point win.

Round 2: Vic Metro 6.9 (45) def. Western Australia 2.7 (19) – Cockburn ARC Oval

Despite an inaccurate and slow first half, the Vics wrestled back control after the main break to remain undefeated with a 26-point win.

Round 3: South Australia 9.3 (57) def. Vic Metro 5.7 (37) – Alberton Oval

In a genuine title-deciding clash between the carnival’s two dominant forces of recent years, the home side kicked five goals to one in the third term to break the game open and hand Vic Metro its first loss of the carnival by 20 points.

Round 5: Vic Country 11.4 (70) def. Vic Metro 9.6 (60) – Shepley Oval

Four fast goals into the breeze in the final term proved the difference for Vic Country, who held off a huge individual haul from Bailee Martin to end Vic Metro’s carnival with a 10-point loss.

MVP

Alli Allen (Northern Knights)
Defender | 173cm | 15/10/2008

Stats: 14.7 disposals, 2.0 marks, 5.7 tackles, 1.0 inside 50s, 1.3 rebound 50s

Missing the Round 3 loss to South Australia due to a knock against Western Australia, Allen still did enough across her three appearances to claim Vic Metro’s MVP award, her toughness and defensive pressure in the back half a hallmark of her carnival. She was rewarded with a back pocket berth in the All-Australian team, capping a standout campaign.

KEY PLAYERS

Bailee Martin (Oakleigh Chargers)
Forward | 176cm | 03/09/2008

Stats: 12.7 disposals, 3.0 marks, 1.0 tackles, 1.0 inside 50s, 4.0 goals

The competition’s leading goalkicker with 12 majors from just three games, Martin capped her carnival with a huge haul in the Round 5 loss to Vic Country. A genuine pick one contender, her ability to take contested marks and finish from all angles made her a persistent handful for every opposition defence, missing the Round 3 clash through illness.

Emily Rankin (Eastern Ranges)
Midfielder | 166cm | 11/05/2008

Stats: 21.0 disposals, 1.5 marks, 4.0 tackles, 2.8 clearances, 2.2 inside 50s, 1.5 rebound 50s

Rankin’s has the most disposals of any Vic Metro player, backing up strong form all carnival with a 22-touch, two-clearance display in the Round 3 loss to South Australia. Her selection at half-forward in the All-Australian team reflected a genuinely impressive campaign through the midfield.

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

Stats: 17.8 disposals, 1.5 marks, 4.5 tackles, 3.5 clearances, 1.8 inside 50s

Mazzei worked tirelessly at the coalface all carnival, headlined by a game-high seven-clearance effort in the loss to South Australia, and provided a genuine forward option in the game against Western Australia as well with her pressure and strength.

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

Stats: 16.5 disposals, 1.5 marks, 5.0 tackles, 2.2 clearances, 3.5 inside 50s

Ever-improving across the carnival, West’s inside 50 count was the best of any Vic Metro player, combining that forward-half impact with genuine defensive pressure at the contest.

Maddison Meagher (Northern Knights)
Wing | 163cm | 08/02/2008

Stats: 15.5 disposals, 2.5 marks, 2.5 tackles, 3.2 inside 50s, 1.0 rebound 50s

Meagher’s speed off the outside was a constant weapon all carnival, her run and carry through the midfield corridor rewarded with selection on a wing in the All-Australian team.

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

Stats: 13.5 disposals, 0.8 marks, 2.0 tackles, 3.2 clearances, 1.8 inside 50s

A genuine X-factor when pushed forward of centre, Semple’s clearance work through the midfield was among the best on the team, giving Vic Metro’s forward line first use whenever she found space.

Brylee Anderson (Eastern Ranges)
Midfielder | 173cm | 24/03/2008

Stats: 17.3 disposals, 2.3 marks, 4.7 tackles, 4.0 clearances, 2.3 inside 50s, 1.7 rebound 50s

A National Academy member, Anderson’s clearance numbers led the entire squad across her three appearances, missing the Round 5 finale but leaving a lasting impression as one of the carnival’s premier onballers.

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

Stats: 11.0 disposals, 2.8 marks, 3.5 tackles, 2.8 rebound 50s

A bottom-age representative last year, Boyd’s top-age carnival saw her become one of the most reliable intercept marks in the competition, and was able to both nullify and opponent, while providing run and drive out of the back half.

Grace McIntyre (Sandringham Dragons)
Wing| 174cm | 31/12/2008

Stats: 16.5 disposals, 2.0 marks, 1.8 tackles, 1.0 clearances, 3.2 inside 50s

One of the more consistent wing’s in the carnival, McIntyre’s forward-half work was a constant source of scoring opportunities for Vic Metro, with her constant inside 50 thrusts giving forwards a chance.

FUTURE STARS

Vic Metro’s bottom-age crop was headlined by a trio who offered genuine signs for the 2027 carnival.

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

Stats: 16.0 disposals, 1.3 marks, 1.3 tackles, 11.7 hitouts, 2.3 clearances, 2.7 inside 50s, 1.0 rebound 50s

Sharing ruck duties across the carnival, Barbakas repeatedly went toe-to-toe with the competition’s best talls, including a tough battle against eventual MVP Cara Dziegielewski, and offered genuine midfield-esque production when not directly involved in a ruck contest.

Maya Duane (Sandringham Dragons)
Forward | 180cm | 16/03/2009

Stats: 5.5 disposals, 0.5 marks, 1.5 tackles, 1.0 inside 50s, 1.0 goals

Tipped as one of the most promising bottom-agers in the squad before a ball was bounced, Duane’s carnival was interrupted by injury, but she still found the goals when given the opportunity, adding a genuine tall target for the years ahead.

Holly Clough (Calder Cannons)
Ruck/Forward | 184cm | 20/01/2009

Stats: 10.3 disposals, 0.3 marks, 3.0 tackles, 4.3 hitouts, 2.0 clearances, 2.0 inside 50s, 0.3 goals

A tall, athletic type who provided ruck relief and forward-half presence throughout the carnival, Clough backed up strong Talent League form with a goal in the Round 3 loss to South Australia.