Luke Trainor capped off a stellar campaign with Vic Metro at the Under-18 Championships as he stood up to be the hero and kick a match-winning goal after the siren. The kick saw his side prevail over a gallant Vic Country team and win the championship in a one-point thriller, 12.13 (85) to 13.6 (84).
It was a Sunday spectacle as the best talent of the 2024 draft pool battled it out under the roof at Marvel Stadium with some incredible skills on display. And while we are used to seeing Trainor take big intercept marks or use his beautiful penetrating kick off the half back line, he played a different role late in the game to help his side scrape over the line.
Following a controversial and hectic final two minutes of play, Trainor received a free kick on the arc of his team’s forward 50 with no longer than 30 seconds left in the match – Metro trailed by five points. A contentious 50 metre penalty was to follow as the decision, which appeared to have been paid against Vic Country for ‘dissent’, took the defender to the goal square. The siren sounded as he strolled in with the game resting on his fluorescent pink Puma boots. The Vic Country players watched on helplessly praying for a stray kick from the side of his boot.
But the defender walked into the square and kicked Metro into the record books with a comeback championship victory at the eleventh hour. Incredible scenes followed as the Metro boys went crazy jumping on one another, while the Country boys fell to the ground with an overwhelming feeling of heartbreak.
A natural goal kicker in his younger days, Trainor was thrown forward in a bid to be the difference in the dying stages, and the plan couldn’t have worked out any better for Metro.
The Brighton Grammar student revisited the last play of the game adding that the final moments were a bit of a blur.
“I got the call to swing forward in the last minute and luckily enough got a free kick … I actually don’t know what the 50 was for but I will take it,” he told Scribe Sports.
Trainor said his celebration was inspired by an AFL player who has definitely had his fair share of clutch moments, Collingwood star, Jamie Elliott.
Trainor said he knew the game wasn’t going to be easy as he lined up on some of the top forwards in the draft. But he was pleased with the way his team came together and complimented each other.
“It was unbelievably fun having so much talent come together, it just made everyone’s job so much easier,” he said.
“Country has a stacked team so going into it we definitely knew there was going to be a challenge … they’ve got some great forwards."
Trainor finished the game with 17 disposals, six marks and a goal to round out his Metro campaign which the 18-year-old felt had been very beneficial for him.
“I am pretty happy with my individual champs, taking on new roles, versing the best of the best whilst having some form to go with it is definitely pleasing,” he said.
The exciting defender has been an integral part of a number of teams this season and hopes to taste the ultimate success with each of them as the end of the footy season approaches.
“(Now it’s) back to school and Sandringham Dragons footy from now on, so aiming to win premierships in both of those,” Trainor said.
“Then just enjoy the rest of the year and get ready for it all.”
More success looks inevitable for the young gun with both his Sandringham Dragons and Brighton Grammar teams sitting on top of the ladder in their respective competitions.
Luke Trainor is definitely a player to keep your eye on as the draft approaches with the elite defender looming as a potential early first round selection.
Trainor’s U18 Champs … by the numbers
Game 1 vs Allies – 19 disposals, 5 marks, 5 tackles – 81 Ranking Points
Game 2 vs Western Australia – 26 disposals, 6 marks, 715 metres gained – 94 Ranking Points
Game 3 vs South Australia – 17 disposals, 6 marks – 70 Ranking Points
GF vs Vic Country – 17 disposals, 6 marks, 1 goal – 71 Ranking Points
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