A COMPLETE four-quarter performance has powered the Metro Senior Squad to victory over WorkSafe AFL Victoria Country in today’s AFL Victoria Community Cup.
Metro flexed their muscle in the second term and were never headed by an error-ridden Country side, eventually winning 18.17 (125) to 13.9 (87).
Metro’s clean hands in slightly damp conditions at Werribee’s Avalon Airport Oval and ability to move the ball clinically into their forward half proved the major difference between the two teams.
With a resolute back six led by Sam Boyd and Will Tardiff and a midfield of incredible depth, Metro was never seriously challenged after half time.
Country refused to give in but their overuse of the ball and countless turnovers continually halted any momentum.
Metro’s Kwame McHarg started like a man possessed and finished with four goals, including one after the final siren.
Patrick Fitzgerald booted three final term goals while Jesse Donaldson and Fort Caruso each bagged two each.
Montmorency’s Ryan Jackson and Old Melbourneians’ Tom Paule’s won plenty of the ball and were both rewarded with the medal for best on ground, while Tim Jenkins was another key players for the winners.
For Country, Daniel Willis finished with three goals and showed glimpses of his talents but failed to capitalise on other opportunities.
Small forwards Chris Giampaolo and Lonnie Hampton and the rangy Justin Maddern snared two each.
Country’s best players were clearly defenders Jackson Geary and Tom Stewart, with neither giving an inch all day.
The match was just the second time in history the two strands of community leagues have clashed in representative football.
With seven representative in the squad, the Northern Football League was the most well represented metropolitan football league in the Vic Metro squad.
The NFL players in the victorious team were Ryan Jackson, Jesse Donaldson, Patrick Fitzgerald, Shane Tennant (all Montmorency), Patrick Flynn (Lower Plenty), Matthew Dennis (Bundoora) and Nick Carter (Northcote Park).
Final score: Vic Metro 18.17 (125) def Vic Country 13.9 (87)
Goal Kickers:
Vic Metro: McHarg 4, Fitzgerald 3, Donaldson 2, Van Unen 2, N Caruso 2, Mullet 1, Gilchrist 1, Jordan 1, Perry 1, Barker 1.
Vic Country: Willis 3, Giampaolo 2, Maddern 2, Hampton 2, Morgan 1, Bourke 1, Filo 1, Erskine 1,
Best Players:
Vic Metro: Paule, Jackson, Jenkins, Tardiff, Spitiri, Dennis, Rice, McHarg
Vic Country: Stewart, Geary, Waters, Symes, Sheringham, Wallace
