(Photo: Blair Burns)
It has been one week since Vic Metro prevailed over Vic Country in a one-point thriller in the grand final of the 2024 AFL Marsh Under-18 Championships.
The most talented players in the state put their best performances on display and the game did not disappoint, ending after the siren in a dramatic fashion. This game marked the end of the championships which aim to provide a great opportunity for draft prospects to shoot up the rankings and make a name for themselves. Here are five things we learned from the grand final of the championships.
1. This Country trio massively boosted their draft stocks
Coming into the grand final, all eyes were on the likes of Josh Smillie, Jagga Smith, Levi Ashcroft (Vic Metro) or Finn O’Sullivan (Vic Country), but it was a different Vic Country midfield trio that dominated the game. It consisted of Xavier Lindsay (Gippsland Power), Harvey Langford (Dandenong Stingrays) and Tobie Travaglia (Bendigo Pioneers). Lindsay had a game for the ages and gets the nod as my best player on the day as he collected a game-high 30 disposals, as well as 11 marks, eight tackles and four clearances, boosting him into first round draft calculations. The Gippsland Power captain is a smooth mover and has a beautiful left boot with resemblance to Sydney’s Errol Gulden.
Langford is shaping up to be one of the most highly sought after players with his 190cm frame giving him something more than many of the other mids in the 2024 draft pool. He had 19 disposals, six marks, five clearances and a goal. His nine score involvements were more than any other player on the ground. One of his best plays of the match was in the final quarter when he flew into a pack and took a massive mark in the goal square. He was rewarded for his strong carnival with the Larke Medal and has been a force to be reckoned with for the Stingrays this year.
Travaglia had a great individual game which was marred by the two free kicks he gave away late, but the dashing defender-midfielder is courageous, hard at the footy and has a great tank. His intercepting ability is second to none, and his run and carry is as good as anybody in this year’s draft.
2. Small forwards bringing electrifying excitement
Isaac Kako (Metro) and Joe Berry (Country) showed why they are the two highest rated small forwards in the draft as the electric duo kicked three goals each. Kako is an excitement machine with some real X-Factor and is the most enjoyable player to watch in my opinion. He is dangerous around the ball and is a nightmare for defenders. His first goal showcased his speed and talent as he came from nowhere with momentum, streamed through the pack and snapped a terrific goal. Kako is opportunistic and has a strong presence without the ball which will worry defenders. While Berry at the other end was classy and consistent, working up the ground and beating his defender back. He had five tackles, all of which came inside the defensive 50 showing his pressure and intensity in trying to lock the ball in the forward line. He showed he can use both feet, take a strong mark out in the hands and give the ball a bit of a ride from beyond the 50 metre arc.
3. Armstrong might just be the best forward in the 2024 draft
Harry Armstrong (Vic Metro) pushed his case as the best key forward in the draft as the 18-year-old kicked five goals against Vic Country, putting on a clinic and troubling his defenders. While Sandringham Dragons teammate Luke Trainor kicked the goal that won it for the team, without the five majors from Armstrong, they wouldn’t have been a chance at winning the cup, as he single-handedly kept them in the match. He was good in the air and despite having a couple of defenders at times, he showed he could pull down some big, contested grabs with clean hands - he also showed great agility and led at the ball well. Late in the game came my favourite of his contested marks with a massive pack grab on the defensive wing. Perhaps the most pleasing aspect of all was his straight kicking, as he put all five set shots through the big sticks. Including one from beyond the 50-metre arc, where he marked it, backed himself in and launched it for a goal. The big man sums up the word impact, he had seven kicks on the day for five goals and his performance will have him on the radars of many clubs.
4. O’Sullivan is yet to find form since returning from injury
It was clear that potential No.1 pick and Oakleigh Chargers gun, Finn O’Sullivan wasn’t performing at his usual level and he is still a bit rusty from the lack of footy he has played in 2024. O’Sullivan managed just seven disposals and two kicks for the game, struggling to get involved throughout the four quarters. The talented midfielder has pulled on the Chargers jumper just once this season, back in round one, with finger injuries keeping him sidelined for a number of weeks. He missed one of AFL Academy matches and has just played a couple of games since returning. While he showed some good signs in his first champs’ game the previous week, this wasn’t one of his best performances. He normally has no trouble finding the footy and was even thrown at half-back late in the game in a bid to get him going. Another factor that didn't help his case were the significant number of times where he was burnt by his teammates, but I expect this sort of performance to be a one-off for O’Sullivan. Don’t let this performance deter you, as he is going to be a genuine star and will prove that once he gets a few more games under his belt. Just to quickly remind you, FOS made the All-Australian team for the U18 champs last year as a bottom-ager getting midfield time in a side which had Harley Reid, Zane Duursma and Darcy Wilson.
5. There has been no shortage of contentious umpiring decisions in 2024
Umpiring decisions have been the hottest topic of debate this year at every level it seems. A few controversial decisions late in the game which ultimately handed Vic Metro the win, had spectators and players scratching their heads in confusion. It is common knowledge that the umpires generally put the whistle away in the dying moments of a game, let alone in a grand final but this wasn’t the case on the day. A crucial non-decision led to a late goal to Vic Country’s Archer Day-Wicks when the ball appeared to have travelled well beyond the goal line for a point. Before a somewhat harsh holding free kick was paid against Travaglia at the other end, and a ‘dissent’ free kick against him on top of that, helping Vic Metro get a shot on goal from point-blank range through Luke Trainor. While we don’t know exactly what was said to the umpire, the decision ultimately gave Metro the cup – a huge price to pay. It was a decision which ignited debate amongst many fans and people across social media who showed their disapproval at the decision.
Comments