A DETERMINED Allies outfit has held off a fast-finishing Vic Metro to record their first win of the NAB Under-18 Championships, scraping home by two points at GMHBA Stadium in Geelong on Friday.
Highly rated draft prospects Tom Green (Allies) and Noah Anderson (Vic Metro) were dominant for their respective sides, with the Allies' five-goal-to-one third quarter denying Metro a second win at this year's championships.
A Patty Cripps-like performance from Allies midfielder Tom Green gets his side over the line against Vic Metro. 33 disposals, 9 clearances, 5 marks and a goal in a brilliant showing. That bid's getting earlier and earlier.
— Callum Twomey (@CalTwomey) June 28, 2019
U18 HUB All the news and scores from the NAB AFL Under-18s championships
Straight kicking was a feature of the first half in a tight contest, with the Allies ahead by a point at half-time.
The Allies flew out of the blocks in the third quarter, hitting the scoreboard with four majors as Metro struggled to stem the flow. Metro turned the tables in the final term with four goals of their own before the Allies responded and held on to win.
Potential No.1 pick Matt Rowell was strong around the contest for Vic Metro, recording 22 disposals, 12 tackles and six clearances. Fellow top prospect Anderson overcame a quiet start to have an influence in the second half (24 disposals, seven clearances, five inside 50s).
Finn Maginness, son of two-time premiership Hawk Scott, was ferocious in the middle for Metro with 27 touches, nine tackles and seven clearances.
Hawthorn father-son Finn Maginness was Vic Metro's best player. 27 disp, 7 clearances, 9 tackles and 6 inside-50s. Continues to grow as a player. Inside mid could attract a top-20 bid.
— Callum Twomey (@CalTwomey) June 28, 2019
Vic Metro may have fallen short, but Finn Maginness was a standout. Picture: AFL Photos
Allies midfielder and GWS Academy prospect Green was prolific, leading his side on the stats sheet (33 disposals, nine clearances) and showing why the ball magnet is considered a likely top-10 pick.
Green, Ben Jungfer (16 disposals, six clearances) and Errol Gulden (17 disposals) were standouts in the middle for the Allies. By contrast, Metro spread the load more evenly with eight players having 15 or more touches.
Sandringham Dragons product Fischer McAsey was prolific for Metro, racking up 19 disposals, seven marks and six rebound 50s.
Both sides were served well in the ruck, the Allies' over-ager Ben Kelly (28 hitouts) standing up well against Metro's Nick Bryan (29 hitouts), who is widely regarded as the best ruck prospect in this year's crop.
The loss was Vic Metro's final match of the championships with the bye next week, while the Allies take on reigning champions South Australia at Marvel Stadium in the final round.
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VIC METRO 2.0 5.1 6.4 10.8 (68)
ALLIES 4.0 5.2 10.3 11.4 (70)
GOALS
Vic Metro: Mahony 3, Bergman, Jeka, Jones, Rossiter, Rowell, Sturgess, Williams
Allies: Gore 3, Ellem 2, Gulden 2, Rosas 2, Green, Oea
BEST
Vic Metro: McGuinness, Rowell, Mahony, McAsey, Anderson, Bergman
Allies: Green, Gulden, Gore, Parks, Cumberland, Peatling