Weekly Times |
A POLISHED Vic Metro outfit claimed bragging rights over its country cousins with a 38-point victory in the AFL Victoria Community Cup today.
In slippery conditions at Werribee, Vic Metro made the most of its inside-50 thrusts while piling defensive pressure on Vic Country and was never headed after quarter time.
Vic Country captain Tim Looby won the toss and teammate Luke Morgan, from Benalla, nailed the first goal of the match at the northern end of the ground.
But Vic Metro’s Rennie Gilchrist slotted a quick reply, before leaving the ground with suspected concussion after a head clash with Looby just minutes later.
Goals from Shepparton Swans forward Justin Maddern, Eaglehawk gun Brodie Filo and Shepparton’s Daniel Willis helped Vic Country to a two-goal lead, but two consecutive majors from Deer Park’s Kwame McHarg late in the term helped Vic Metro to a one-point advantage at quarter time.
Vic Country coach Peter Knights praised the endeavour of his charges but questioned their ball use at the break.
“We’re trying to over-finesse the ball with our hands — just get it on the boot and move it forward,” Knights implored.
The message went unheeded as Vic Country continued to overuse the footy and turn the ball over to its opponents.
McHarg kicked the first goal of the second term before former Vic Country representative Justin Van Unen, now playing for Vermont, extended Vic Metro’s lead.
Ryan Mullett and Joel Perry joined Vic Metro’s goalkickers’ list before Geelong West-St Peters’ Kevin Bourke soccered a goal out of mid-air to give Vic Country its first major of the term.
But the damage was done — Vic Metro had taken control of the match and led by 30 points at half time.
The score remained 30 points in Vic Metro’s favour at the final change, and stretched to 38 points by the final siren, 18.17 (125) to 13.9 (87).
Knights admitted Vic Country’s second quarter performance had hurt its chances.
“We just tended to put our teammates under pressure instead of delivering the ball a little bit better, so that was disappointing,” he said.
“I just think Metro was just a bit cleaner, a bit too slick for us.
“They were too classy but it was never going to come down to a lack of effort from us.
“We were just defeated by a better team on the day, and full credit goes to Vic Metro.”
Vic Country defenders Tom Stewart and Jack Geary refused to give in and were rewarded with their side’s best afield medals.
Ball winners Thomas Paule and Ryan Jackson took home the medals for Vic Metro in a side that had very few passengers.
Sam Boyd and Will Tardiff led Vic Metro’s back six and gave their opponents very few chances to score.
McHarg finished with a match-high four goals, including one after the final siren, while towering teammate Patrick Fitzgerald booted three in the final term.
For Vic Country, Willis booted three and Redan’s Chris Giampaolo and Albury’s Lonnie Hampton two apiece.