TOP-RATED draft prospects Noah Anderson and Matt Rowell dominated as Vic Metro broke through for its first win of the NAB Under-18 Championships, defeating South Australia by 17 points.
Metro had lost its first two games to Vic Country and Western Australia, but a five-goal third term proved to be the difference in the 9.13 (67) to 7.8 (50) win at Alberton Oval in South Australia.
Anderson recorded 27 disposals, seven inside 50s and two goals in a strong display, while teammate Rowell had 26, seven marks and four clearances.
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After four goals against Western Australia, Josh Worrell followed up with a three-goal haul, while Jack Mahony was constructive with 22 touches and eight inside 50s.
South Australian Harry Schoenberg led the stats sheet for his side with 29 disposals, eight clearances and seven marks, and was ably supported by Jackson Mead (25, nine tackles, seven inside-50s).
Brady Searle kicked two goals, while Joshua Shute had strong hands, taking 10 marks to go with his 19 touches.
In the early game, West Australian skipper Deven Robertson's strong championships continued in his state's 25-point win over the Allies.
Midfielder Robertson had 30 disposals and eight tackles in the 10.8 (68) to 5.13 (43) win.
Elijah Taylor and small forward Tyrone Thorne kicked three goals each, while Jaxon Prior worked the ball out of defence, finishing with 18 disposals, six rebound 50s and five marks.
The Allies will be ruing missed opportunities in front of goal, with Gold Coast academy player Joshua Gore the only one to kick multiple majors.
Tasmania's Mitchell O'Neill had the most ball of his Allies teammates, finishing with 24 touches, six marks and five clearances, while GWS academy player Tom Green (20 disposals, eight clearances) was busy in the middle.
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SOUTH AUSTRALIA 1.2 1.3 4.4 7.8 (50)
VIC METRO 1.4 3.9 8.10 9.13 (67)
GOALS
South Australia: Searle 2, Edwards, McEntee, Grivell, Sladojevic, Tucker
Vic Metro: Worrell 3, Anderson 2, Mahony, Mott, Ralphsmith, Jeka
BEST
South Australia: H.Schoenberg, W.Day, H.Magor, J.Mead, K.Finlay, J.Shute
Vic Metro: N.Anderson, M.Rowell, J.Mahony, T.Bianco, D.Mott, N.Bryan
ALLIES 3.4 3.8 3.11 5.13 (43)
WESTERN AUSTRALIA 1.0 3.2 7.6 10.8 (68)
GOALS
Allies: Gore 2, Lucas, Peatling, Rosas
Western Australia: Thorne 3, Taylor 3, Jamieson, McDonald, Jackson, Sharp
BEST
Allies: T.Green, S.Thorne, C.Buderick, M.O’Neill, J.Peatling, D.Koenan
Western Australia: D.Robertson, D.Grainger-Barass, M.Murphy, T.Thorne, T.Rivers, R.Garcia
