U18 national championships: Metro back with a sting

VIC Metro is on the board in the under-18 national championships after a convincing win against Tasmania on Sunday at Visy Park.

After a shock loss to the Northern Territory in the opening round, Metro bounced back, winning 21.11 (137) to 6.5 (41).

Metro made a number of changes to the side which lost to the Northern Territory and they seemed to work as Metro took control from the first bounce.

Click on the image below for our gallery of the big game.

Leading by 28 points at half-time, Metro kicked eight goals in the third quarter to blow the match open.

As well as the forwards hitting the scoreboard, the defence and midfielders held strong, allowing the Devils only one inside-50 for the term.

Metro forwards Kristian Jaksch and Jackson Macrae kicked six goals each.

Western Jets’ Lachie Hunter was among the goalscorers, kicking one goal.

Nathan Hrovat (32 touches), Jacob Ballard (28), Nick Vlastuin (28) and Nick Haynes (26) were other players to push their names in front of recruiters with strong games.

Jackson Thurlow was the best for Tasmania with 45 possessions and 11 rebound 50s.

Metro’s next game is against South Australia at Alberton on Saturday.

SCORES

VIC METRO 6.4 9.7 17.8 21.11 (137)

TASMANIA 2.2 5.3 5.3 6.5 (41)

Goals: Vic Metro: Jaksch, Macrae 6, Temay 2, Stewart, Hunter, Tyquin, Wood, Ballard, Corr. Tasmania: Smith, Kendall, Hibberd, Z Webster, Van Den Berg, Bones

Best: Vic Metro: Macrae, Vlastuin, Ballard, Jaksch, Hrovat, Temay. Tasmania: Thurlow, Templeton, Van Den Berg, Z Webster, Walsh, Murphy