VIC METRO has held off rival Vic Country by 15-points in a spirited round four encounter in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships at Simonds Stadium on Friday.
 
The teams were all square on 6.14 (50) at three-quarter time before Metro's Jonathan O'Rourke snapped truly to break the deadlock early in the final term.
 
Country battled manfully to work the ball forward for the rest of the quarter, but a 50m penalty and resultant goal from Metro's Lachlan Hunter with just minutes remaining snuffed out that challenge.
 
Metro ball-magnet Nathan Hrovat displayed vision and poise in congested situations, as he collected 21 disposals to be amongst the best.
 
Tom Temay's positioning at half-back for Metro was also noteworthy, finishing with a game-high 24 touches and acting as a conduit between attack and defence.
 
Both teams struggled to adjust to the windy conditions in Geelong, which led to inaccuracy in front of goal and some wasteful use of the ball.
 
Metro key forward Thomas Boyd provided a strong presence up forward with three goals.
 
Possible GWS mini draft prospect and Metro forward Josh Kelly gathered 19 disposals, as his decision-making under pressure set him apart.
 
Country's Matt Crouch, brother of Adelaide's Brad, laid seven tackles for the game to go along with 18 touches to be one of his side's best.
 
That mantle, though, belonged to teammate Oliver Wines, who continued an impressive carnival with an unrelenting attack on the ball to finish with 18 touches, six tackles and a goal.
 
Country defender Mason Wood (13 disposals) also showed an ability to chop off attacking moves from Metro.
 
Although it was not enough, as O'Rourke, whose spread from the contest was important, stepped up at the right time to help deliver his side a hard fought victory.
 
VIC COUNTRY   2.5     3.8    6.14   6.15 (51)
VIC METRO        1.7    4.11   6.14   8.18 (66)            
 
GOALS
Vic Country: Calvert 2, Crouch, Membrey, Wines, Wood
Vic Metro: Boyd 3, Hrovat, Hunter, Jaksch, Kelly, O'Rourke
 
BEST
Vic Country: Wood, Smith, Sherman, Garner, Wines, Hams
Vic Metro: Temay, O'Rourke, Boyd, Kelly, Vlastuin, Viney, Gilmore