{"id":135127,"date":"2023-07-02T13:32:54","date_gmt":"2023-07-02T03:32:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/?p=135127"},"modified":"2023-07-02T13:32:56","modified_gmt":"2023-07-02T03:32:56","slug":"five-star-mcdonald-stars-as-metro-down-allies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/2023\/07\/02\/five-star-mcdonald-stars-as-metro-down-allies\/","title":{"rendered":"Five star McDonald stars as Metro down Allies"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

VIC METRO forward Emma McDonald<\/a> has starred with five goals to help steer her side to a 19-point win over the Allies in the AFLW Under 18 National Championships. The Oakleigh Chargers product helped the travelling side kick away in the second half, to notch a key first up win at Brighton Homes Arena.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The small to McDonald’s tall, Ava Jordan<\/a> also snared two goals from 20 touches as a major threat inside 50, while midfielder Kayley Kavanagh<\/a> was prolific throughout to lead all comers with 23 disposals, 11 clearances and six inside 50s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Surprise packet Cleo Buttifant<\/a> was among the Allies’ best with 13 disposals and five inside 50s from defence. The Giants Academy product, also a talented touch footballer, provided plenty of rebound run. Meanwhile, Tasmanian midfielder Mackenzie Ford<\/a> (17 disposals, six tackles) was a force around the ball.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was goal for goal in the opening term, as McDonald lit up the crowd with a clever dribbler to open the scoring. She would become the game\u2019s first multiple goal kicker in term two with a more conventional set shot, among a three-goal run which put Metro ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first half was also highlighted by a couple of Maria Rioli<\/a> moments, as the top-ager finished coolly from the boundary in term one, before blazing a trail over the back and hitting up Grace Whittaker<\/a> for a goal in the second.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As momentum swung back and forth, it was the visiting side which led at the first two breaks, albeit by under a goal each time. The Allies proved more clinical with their fewer chances, though, booting five straight majors in the opening half.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Tasmanian link-up between helmet-donning midfielder Ford and strong marking forward Georgia Clark<\/a> saw the Allies hit the front soon after the main break, but the scoring flow began to slow as both defences turned the screw.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It took another McDonald major – assisted by Jordan for the second time – for Metro to enact yet another lead change after 13 minutes. She marked strongly before converting a fourth minutes later, opening up a 13-point buffer for Metro at the final break.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Though another quick Allies score through Sophie Berry<\/a> gave the home side a good look at the comeback win, Metro kicked away with a wealth of opportunities in term four. McDonald booted her fifth, helping seal the first-up win. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vic Metro takes on South Australia next weekend at Werribee, while the Allies playing Queensland at Heritage Bank Stadium on August 6.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALLIES 2.0 | 5.0 | 6.1 | 8.3 (51)
VIC METRO 2.3 | 5.5 | 7.8 | 10.10 (70)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

GOALS:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Allies:<\/strong> G. Whittaker 2, S. Berry 2, M. Rioli, T. Kikoak, G. Clark, A. Patton
Vic Metro:<\/strong> E. McDonald 5, A. Jordan 2, A. Pisano, K. Russell, S. Grunden<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RMC BEST:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Allies:<\/strong> C. Buttifant, M. Ford, G. Clark, T. Perry, H. Cooper
Vic Metro:<\/strong> E. McDonald, A. Jordan, K. Kavanagh, L. Stone, G. Stubs<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mentions<\/span><\/span><\/div>