By JARROD POTTER
EXCISING the wounds of last year’s defeat, Vic Metro Youth Girls reclaimed what is rightfully theirs – the AFL Youth Girls National Championships cup.
A south-east studded Vic Metro side – coached by Dandenong Stingrays assistant coach Wayne Siekman – is once again the champion of Australia after knocking off Queensland 3.4 (22) to 2.3 (15).
Playing on the monstrous Mandurah Stadium – which has a bigger surface than the MCG – the first hurdle of the week came and went with flying colours as Vic Metro knocked off the reigning premiers West Australia.
“It was massive – the first two days was very open,” Siekman said. “We played WA and kicked seven goals day one, Vic Country we kicked eight and Queensland on Thursday in the game that meant nothing we kicked seven.
Wins over Vic Country and Queensland in the Pool A matches set up a rematch against Queensland in the carnival grand final to decide who would be crowned the best in Australia.
With early goals on the board and ramping up their defensive pressure – Vic Metro was able to kick away and hold onto the slender lead to bring the cup back to Victoria after a 12-month absence.
“Absolutely we’ve gone one better and we had 12 months to work on it and the girls were just fantastic,” Siekman said.
“We came up with an AFL-style game plan and had structures in place to offset our smaller, running team and it worked.
“Grand final – pressure was on – it goes up an extra notch.
“We kicked two goals in the first five minutes – which was good news for us as it got the girls up and nearly won us the game as we only kicked one more for the next three quarters.”
Siekman was impressed with his co-captain – Beaconsfield utility Lauren Hojnacki – throughout the carnival and in particular in the first two matches where she stood up and took control in the ruck.
“Hojie was super for us on the first two days,” Siekman said. “Gave us a target up forward and chucked her in the ruck when we needed a bit of a lift as she was co-captain.”
It wasn’t all great news from the week-long carnival though as Cranbourne midfielder/defender Georgia Gourlay ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the first quarter of the first match of the week.
“Unfortunately Georgia Gourlay did her ACL in the first 10 minutes, “Siekman said.
“She had a tough week, but she was always positive when the girls were around her, which was great as it got the rest of the team up and probably had a small impact on the way we performed yesterday (Sunday).
“Lose the best kick in Australia 10 minutes into the carnival – but it shows the depth of this squad and the commitment of the girls to get the job done.”
“She’s got a tough road ahead, but she’s a great kid and she’s got a chance to get back bigger and stronger.”
Five players from Vic Metro were also selected in the All Australian team.
SOUTH EAST JUNIORS VICTORIAN REPRESENTATIVES
Beaconsfield – Taylah Clayton, Georgia Fisher, Tyla Hanks and Lauren Hojnacki. Cranbourne – Georgia Gourlay, Courtney Jones and Kayla Ripari. Lyndhurst – Emily Rose Browning and Logan O’Connell-Webb. Officer – Taylah O’Hagan. Parkmore – Teagan Sheldon.
