U18 VIC METRO v VIC COUNTRY Championship Preview

VIC METRO is set to clash with VIC COUNTRY in the finale of the 2024 under-18s national championships - boys in a winner-takes-all game at Marvel Stadium on Sunday 14 July at 10.35am.

It’s set to be a high quality hitout with guns, bolters, and risers on every line. Read our full breakdown below.

Midfield Masters

Vic Metro

It’s undeniably the strongest midfield in the championships led by the big three in the draft.

• JOSH SMILLIE will be a brute force to be reckoned with, and a stellar performance in the biggest game of them all might cement himself as the number one pick.
• JAGGA SMITH has been explosive at the stoppages, crafty and agile with his decision-making, an elite ball user in the contest.
• LEVI ASHCROFT has class written all over him, and the electric ball mover has become one of Metro’s best offensive weapons, much like midfield counterpart CHRISTIAN MORAES, stacked with dash and dare with ball in hand.
• Draft bolter MURPHY REID has been elite with his crafty ball handling in transition and may be the key to victory for Metro, while livewire Tom Gross has the potential to mix through the middle.

Josh Smillie of Vic Metro for the Eastern Ranges earlier this year IMAGE: Iggy Spiller

Vic Country

Vic Country’s midfield has been led by draft riser HARVEY LANGFORD, while dashing Geelong Falcon XAVIER IVISIC has also had a consistent carnival.

Number one pick contender FINN O’SULLIVAN is set for more midfield minutes in his second match back from a finger injury.

Big-bodied pair SAM LALOR and COOPER HYNES add brute, while coach Paul Corrigan could use ARCHER DAY-WICKS’ x-factor as a point-of-difference, as he did in the first game.

The underdogs also have RILEY ONLEY who won seven clearances in his team’s two-point win over the Allies, and will be hoping the efficient XAVIER LINDSAY returns.

Forward Firepower

Vic Metro

THOMAS SIMS has become the number one forward target for Metro with his long reach and contested marking, backed up by the presence of HARRY ARMSTRONG.

Metro’s small forwards are dynamic, led by ISAAC KAKO who catches the eye with his pounce and electricity inside forward 50, boosted by his impact further afield.

JOSH DOLAN and JESSE DATTOLI have great running capacity forward of centre, both able to hit the scoreboard and generate offensive ball movement.

Late inclusion KEIGHTON MATOFAI-FORBES will look to launch a few majors with his booming kick, after strong form at the Western Jets.

Vic Country

AFL Academy tall forward JONTY FAULL has kicked multiple goals in all five games he's played since his return from injury, while Murray's Jack Whitlock has been a threatening linchpin, alongside brother Matt.

LALOR and HYNES will both spend time in the forward line and are aerial weapons, while JOE BERRY and JASPER ALGER have emerged as opportunistic and creative.

Defensive Dominators

Vic Metro

Sandringham’s LUKE TRAINOR has gone from strength to strength this year as an athletic intercepting presence down back, and will play a big part in shutting down Vic Country’s tall forward stocks.

HARRY O’FARRELL will be tough to take down with his defensive poise, able to overcome tall opponents and remain proactive in his positioning in defensive 50, similar to HARRISON OLIVER who has been impressive with his run and ball use further up the ground.

LENNOX HOFFMAN has been vital as a third key defender, providing some transition presence out of defensive 50 and able to impact with his intercept marking.

LUCCA GREGO has gone under the radar with his productivity and efficiency off half back, while ZAK JOHNSON has made use of his time in the defensive half, showing off his versatility.

Vic Country

Athletic pair TOBIE TRAVAGLIA and LACHIE JAQUES have been the eye-catchers in Vic Country’s backline.

TRAVAGLIA looked unstoppable in his team’s first game, expertly mixing defence with offence in a 24-disposal outing which included a match-high 13 intercepts.

JAQUES, has been a poised presence with ball in hand, draft bolter ALIXZANDER TAURU has shown glimpses as an aggressive and daring interceptor since coming into the lineup, and swingman JAMES BARRAT has spent time behind the ball for Bendigo and Vic Country in the last month.

GWV’s HARRY CHARLESON has been productive, while teammate MITCH LLOYD is a chance to return after 28 disposals for the Rebels last week.

Game Tips:

Nathaneal Coory, Baseline Sports:

Jonty Ralphsmith, Craft of the Draft: Vic Country by 1 point:

Nathan Sepe, Craft of the Draft: Vic Metro by 18 points:

Larke Medal tips Nathanael Coory, Baseline Sports:

Jonty Ralphsmith, Craft of the Draft: HARVEY LANGFORD

Nathan Sepe, Craft of the Draft: MURPHY REID