Metro hangs on in U16 thriller

THE NAB AFL Under-16 Championships got underway in thrilling fashion on Saturday with Vic Metro defeating arch rivals Vic Country by one point at Blacktown International Sportspark in Sydney.

Metro got off to a good start and held a 21-point lead at three-quarter time, but had to withstand a sensational late charge from Country, who put on four goals to one, but just fell short.

Country received good contributions from Jaden McGrath and Lukas Webb, who booted three goals each, while Peter Wright and Daniel McKenzie added two goals apiece for Metro.

The opening game of the day saw Western Australia take on South Australia and it was the Sandgropers who prevailed by 19 points.

The Croweaters got off to a decent start and led at the first break, but WA booted five goals in the second quarter to move ahead at half-time. 

Despite the Sandgropers' wayward kicking for goal, they ended up with 18 behinds for the match, they held on for the win in the final term with Cody Grace (four goals) and Jesse Watchman (five goals) doing the damage for WA and SA respectively.

Vic Metro      4.2   7.6   10.9    11.11 (77)
Vic Country  3.1   5.4    7.6     11.10 (76)

Goals
Vic Metro: McKenzie 2, Wright 2, McLaren, Goodyear, Viojo-Rainbow, Lever,
Blake, Sheriden-Ferrie, Ahern
Vic Country: McGrath 3, Webb 3, Lamb 2, Goddard 2, McCartin

Best
Vic Metro: Urban, Moore, Wright, Lever, Brayshaw, McKenize, Miller
Vic Country: Kempster, Webb, Pritchard, McGrath, Goddard, Marchbank


Western Australia  1.5   6.10 10.12   13.18 (96)
South Australia      2.2   5.4    7.8       11.11 (77)

Goals
Western Australia: Grace  4, Anderson 2, Miller-Lewis 2, Smith, Waterman, Deluca, Garlett, Ah Siu
South Australia: Watchman 5, Markova, Wilkie, Carey, Gregson, Stretch, Johansen

Best
Western Australia: Smith, Ash Siu, Lim, Winton, Tanner, Pickett, Anderson, McPhail
South Australia: Watchman, Pobke, Donkersley, Johansen, Bampton