Calder Cannons’ Nick O’Kearney and Northern Knights’ Jade Gresham were among the best for Vic Metro in the opening round of the AFL under-18 championships.
But Vic Metro suffered a heartbreaking loss against arch rival Vic Country, with a goal after the siren giving Country an 11.7 (73) – 10.8 (68) win.
Metro had the early lead and led at quarter-time. Not much separated the two teams all day and, in the end, Jy Simpkin marked the ball in the goal square just before the siren. His kick sealed the game for Country.
Gresham, the only Knights’ player in the first match, kicked two goals and had 22 possessions. Fellow Knights’ players Matthew Perry, Brayden Fiorini, James El Moussalli and Tyrone Leonardis are still in the squad and could play in other matches.
O’Kearney was one of three Cannons to play in the opening match.
He had 26 possessions, the second highest of any Metro player.
Hisham Kerbatieh kicked a goal, while Mark Kovasevic was also part of the team.
Matthew Stillman, Bruno Laguda, Callum Moore, Karl Brown, Jack James and Tom Wallis are all still in the mix to play for Vic Metro, having made the 50-man finals squad.
