Tara Murray
Vic Metro claimed the under-18 AFL National Championships title with a one-point win over Vic Country at Marvel Stadium on Sunday.
Both sides went into the match undefeated, with Metro winning the title with a 12.13 (85)-13.6 (84) triumph courtesy of a goal after the final siren to Luke Trainor.
Metro last won the title in 2022 and reclaimed its crown from the Allies, who last year made history to win the title for the first time.
The title-deciding match was a close battle throughout, with scores level at half time and three-quarter time.
Vic Metro midfielder Levi Ashcroft kicked the opening goal of the final term in the first minute before Country responded with three majors in the next eight minutes to take a 12-point advantage.
In a see-sawing contest, Metro took back the lead when Harry Armstrong booted his fifth goal with six minutes remaining on the clock, before Archer Day-Wicks converted a goal-line scramble to put Country ahead by five points with 90 seconds remaining.
Metro surged the ball forward from the resulting centre bounce, with Trainor winning a free kick in a marking contest before being paid a 50 metre penalty and kicking truly from the goal line after the final siren.
Harry Armstrong was a standout for Metro with his five majors accompanied by five marks, while Jagga Smith (25 disposals) and Calder Cannon gun Isaac Kako (three goals) also featured prominently.
Xavier Lindsay put in a herculean effort for Victoria Country with 30 disposals, 11 marks, eight tackles and four clearances.
Victoria Country midfielder Harvey Langford and Allies on-baller Leo Lombard shared the Larke Medal as the best and fairest player of this year’s championships. The pair each polled 21 votes to finish ahead of metro captain Jagga Smith on 19 votes.
The All-Australian team will be announced this week.
