VIC METRO 0.2 | 4.3 | 5.6 | 6.8 (44)<\/strong> GOALS: BEST:<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n VIC METRO:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n #4 Freddie Hardman (Oakleigh Chargers)<\/strong> Stats: <\/strong>23 disposals, 5 marks, 3 tackles<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hardman was Vic Metro’s most prolific midfielder, defying his relatively light frame to prise 10 contested possessions. He showed a neat turn of foot to exit congestion after either extracting the ball himself, or getting into position to receive. The classy operator also worked hard to impact around the ground and was prepared to hunt and chase on the defensive end, using his speed to apply pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #6\/30 Liam Basil (Sandringham Dragons)<\/strong> Stats: <\/strong>14 disposals, 7 tackles, 4 clearances<\/p>\n\n\n\n Basil won the first centre clearance of the game but arguably found greater form after a jumper change into the number 30. He picked up 10 of his 14 disposals in the second half, offering spurts of speed at the contest and running hard on the outside. Basil found it difficult at times to break clear of congestion but didn’t stop trying and even put his body on the line with a gutsy forward-50 mark in the third term. Like Hardman, he was also willing to apply himself defensively at stoppage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #14 Will Thornton (Oakleigh Chargers)<\/strong> Stats: <\/strong>21 disposals, 9 marks, 6 rebound 50s<\/p>\n\n\n\n There was certainly plenty of opportunity for Thornton to show his wares as Vic Metro struggled to move the ball out of defence at times, and he was among the more productive users. At his best, he showed class and was able to hit targets with sharp foot skills on the move. Although, perhaps the more impressive facet of Thornton’s game was his marking, taking the ball cleanly overhead and positioning for several intercepts high up the ground. Winning possession in those advanced areas meant he became an even greater threat with his ball use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #15 Mac Hammerstein (Oakleigh Chargers)<\/strong> Stats: <\/strong>28 disposals, 10 marks, 6 rebound 50s<\/p>\n\n\n\n Able to play in each third of the ground, Hammerstein found a home in defence on Tuesday and helped himself to a team-high 28 touches. His distributive skills were sound, able to quickly identify targets both from a standing start or in motion. Being the type of player Vic Metro wanted kicking out of defence, he was fed 20 uncontested possessions and backed himself to make the right decisions. Hammerstein’s instincts drew him up the ground to give his side a chance of effectively entering the front half. That was exemplified by his four forward-50 entries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #17 Louis Hooper (Sandringham Dragons)<\/strong> Stats: <\/strong>17 disposals, 3 marks, 7 rebound 50s<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another Vic Metro defender who did his best to generate some drive out of the last line, Hooper arguably did so with the most impetus. While he drew pressure at times, the Sandringham prospect showed great speed to carry and link-up on the way forward, breaking down the West Australian wall by force. His daring approach also saw him take a couple of kick-ins up the middle, offering his side a direct transitional avenue. When it all came off, it was good to watch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #18 Louis Grinter (Oakleigh Chargers)<\/strong> Stats: <\/strong>16 disposals, 3 marks, 3 clearances<\/p>\n\n\n\n While he was well held in the opening half, Grinter got to show his quality thereafter. On a day where Vic Metro battled for fluent ball movement, the classy midfielder was his side’s cleanest, most composed and effective player in that space. Every transitional passage he touched tended to have a positive outcome, with Grinter able to drive his legs and link up with teammates on the fly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #19 Lukas Koutoufides (Northern Knights)<\/strong> Stats: <\/strong>6 disposals, 4 marks, 2 tackles<\/p>\n\n\n\n With his famous father watching on, Koutoufides offered a slice of nostalgia through his contested marking. Operating as a mobile target up forward, the Carlton father-son prospect had limited opportunities close to goal but presented well up around the wings. His size and strong set of hands made him difficult to beat in marking contests, with the 189cm powerhouse doing his best work aerially. His versatility is a plus, as he is usually able to pinch-hit in the midfield or down back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #23 Angus Dunstan (Oakleigh Chargers)<\/strong> Stats: <\/strong>12 disposals, 7 marks, 2 goals<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dunstan was arguably Vic Metro’s best and most important figure in the forward half and finally got his side on the board after over half-an-hour of gametime. He was a reliable marking target up the field and showed great endeavour in all phases of play; diving for marks, applying pressure, and covering plenty of ground. He added a second goal after half time and was the genuine focal point for an attack starved of opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #25 Finn O’Callaghan (Oakleigh Chargers)<\/strong> Stats: <\/strong>6 disposals, 2 marks, 2 goals<\/p>\n\n\n\n Plying his trade up forward after spending a half down back in game one, O’Callaghan produced moments of freakish talent. He kicked two goals in as many minutes to end the second term and apply some scoreboard pressure, the first being a thing of beauty. O’Callaghan latched onto a handball, faked out his opponent with a deft feint before shifting onto his right side to snap truly. He then showed his aerial ability with a nice set and leap to mark in a pack and slot his set shot after the siren. Opportunities were few and far between otherwise, but he made his moments count.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n WESTERN AUSTRALIA:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n #3 Sam Gooch (Claremont)<\/strong> Stats: <\/strong>8 disposals, 3 marks, 9 hitouts, 1 goal<\/p>\n\n\n\n Providing ample support for Joshua Waite<\/strong> in the ruck and a slew of marking targets up forward, Gooch showed plenty of upside. The athletic tall impacted aerially with his sheer reach and range while also impressing with his speed across the ground. Gooch wheeled around to slot his lone goal in term two and caught the eye with a dash along the wing late in the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #7 Nate Cass (East Perth)<\/strong> Stats: <\/strong>12 disposals, 4 marks, 1 goal<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cass certainly wasn’t shy of opportunities, finishing with 1.4 as one of WA’s many viable marking options up forward. The bottom-ager showed his craft and mobility to gain separation on the lead but was also athletic enough to compete in the air from a standing start. Cass’ movement was just as impressive as he worked up the ground, crashing packs and looking smooth with ball in hand. He wasn’t able to capitalise on his set shot opportunities but converted a classy dribble in term four.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #11 Jack Holland (East Fremantle)<\/strong> Stats: <\/strong>13 disposals, 6 marks, 5 tackles, 2 goals<\/p>\n\n\n\n Holland showed why is his one of three co-captains of this side, putting in a strong all-round shift up forward. He could be seen tackling hard, rising for superb marks both high and close to goal, and hitting the scoreboard with 2.3. The dynamic tall produced one of the highlights of the day with a ridiculous snap goal from the boundary, which was particularly special in light of WA’s inaccuracy. His ability to extend at the ball overhead was just as impressive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #18 Jayke Taylor (East Fremantle)<\/strong> Stats: <\/strong>15 disposals, 10 marks, 6 behinds<\/p>\n\n\n\n While he certainly wasn’t alone, Taylor seemed to have a case of the yips as he ended up with a scoring tally of 0.6. Although, everything else he did was exceptionally good. The powerful marking forward provided a focal point in the front half, working high up the ground to help WA connect into the final third. He leapt at the ball with vigour and was near-impossible to stop on the lead, tending to play taller than his 186cm listing would suggest. Taylor’s marking ability also earned him chances closer to goal, and on another day, he would have ended up with a huge haul for his efforts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n #21 Owen Hodge (East Fremantle)<\/strong> Stats: <\/strong>17 disposals, 3 marks, 4 rebound 50s<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hodge was his usual productive self, dictating play across the defensive half. He wasn’t afraid to occupy advanced positions, often possessing the ball in the corridor or finding a teammate through there. Whether driving his legs or spreading the play with a width-giving kick, Hodge brought dynamism to Western Australia’s ball movement. His decision making was sound as one of his side’s most effective playmakers throughout four quarters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #27 Troy Warner (East Fremantle)<\/strong> Stats: <\/strong>27 disposals, 6 marks, 8 inside 50s<\/p>\n\n\n\n It was another industrious display from Warner, who was a constant threat in the attacking phase. He helped himself to 19 uncontested possessions, covering an enormous amount of ground and using his speed to drive the ball into dangerous launch zones. The brother of Sydney’s Chad <\/strong>and Corey <\/strong>showed similarly clean hands at the contest and an ability to break out of congestion, carving up the opposition with equal measures of power and class. A top talent for 2028.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #33 Jai Keene (Peel Thunder)<\/strong> Stats: <\/strong>16 disposals, 5 marks, 2 tackles<\/p>\n\n\n\n The third of WA’s co-captains, Keene was solid as they come. He did the fundamentals well when posted in midfield, shovelling the ball out with quick and clean hands. Although, his best moments came after a switch to defence where he won out in several one-on-one duels during the second half. Tough as ever, Keene rode plenty of big hits in the process of winning the ball back for his side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #34 Aiden Martignago (East Fremantle)<\/strong> Stats: <\/strong>29 disposals, 9 clearances, 1 goal<\/p>\n\n\n\n A member of Fremantle’s Next Generation Academy, Martignago thrived with a permanent move into the middle. He was utterly dominant around stoppages, showcasing supreme handling and anticipation to extract nine clearances among his 14 contested possessions. Martignago did his best work by hand, roving the rucks’ taps and quickly releasing teammates into space. He simply didn’t fumble and seemed to be everywhere at times. The next step will be for him to become more damaging with his ability to take ground and hurt the opposition by foot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #40 Ashley Clayton (Perth)<\/strong> Stats: <\/strong>17 disposals, 5 tackles, 3 inside 50s<\/p>\n\n\n\n A real pocket rocket, Clayton showed great speed and competitiveness in impactful bursts. His ability to escape to the outside was on show, remaining poised in tight spots and using his quick feet to find space. Clayton showed intent to tackle hard and get the ball moving forward quickly, forming a productive combination with Zinzan Clark <\/strong>to generate some scoring passages. He made an impression in the front half and was utilised on both sides of midfield.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n
WESTERN AUSTRALIA 4.5 | 5.11 | 6.19 | 8.23 (71)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Vic Metro: <\/strong>A. Dunstan 2, F. O\u2019Callaghan 2, J. Auber, M. Stewart
Western Australia: <\/strong>J. Holland 2, J. Oldroyd 2, N. Cass, Z. Clark, S. Gooch, A. Martignago<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Vic Metro: <\/strong>F. Hardman, M. Hammerstein, A. Dunstan, L. Grinter, W. Thornton, L. Hooper
Western Australia: <\/strong>A. Martignago, T. Warner, J. Taylor, J. Holland, O. Hodge, J. Keene<\/p>\n\n\n\nVic Metro<\/h5>
<\/li><\/ul><\/div>Western Australia<\/h5>
<\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
Midfielder\/Forward | 180cm | 04\/11\/2010<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Midfielder | 181cm | 22\/04\/2010<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Defender | 185cm | 25\/06\/2010<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Defender | 185cm | 19\/03\/2010<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Defender | 186cm | 11\/08\/2010<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Midfielder | 187cm | 04\/12\/2010<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tall Forward | 189cm | 16\/07\/2010<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tall Forward | 192cm | 03\/03\/2010<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tall Defender\/Forward | 196cm | 07\/08\/2010<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Finn-OCallaghan-VM-2026-AFL-U16s-1024x683.jpg\")
Tall Forward\/Ruck | 195cm | 12\/02\/2010<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tall Forward | 193cm | 17\/02\/2011<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tall Forward | 190cm | 08\/01\/2010<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Forward | 186cm | 26\/02\/2010<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Jayke-Taylor-WA-2026-AFL-U16s-1024x683.jpg\")
Defender | 187cm | 13\/11\/2010<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Forward\/Midfielder | 179cm | 18\/03\/2010<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Midfielder\/Defender | 176cm | 17\/06\/2010<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Midfielder | 175cm | 06\/05\/2010<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Midfielder\/Forward | 168cm | 01\/04\/2010<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n