By JARROD POTTER
AFL VICTORIA YOUTH GIRLS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS – GRAND FINAL
FROM the first bounce, there was only one side that could win.
Vic Metro stole the show from Western Australia and the hosts made sure the home of football became its happiest hunting ground yet.
It was as clinical a performance as ever seen on the MCG, as the Metropolitan charges left no stone unturned en route to its second consecutive national championship.
Taking it to Western Australia straight up the guts, Vic Metro’s Olivia McFawn, Georgia Gee and Tyla Hanks pushed the ball out of the centre.
Too long and too direct for the Swans to handle, it flew into the waiting hands of Isabel Huntington and captain Katherine Smith.
The Metropolitan mainstays lit up the ‘G and showed the best calibre of Youth Girls’ football seen for a long time.
Both girls put their hands up for AFL selection at the upcoming National Women’s League (NWL) draft as they were everywhere throughout the grand final – in particular a staggering four goal second term from Huntington as she racked up five for the game.
It wasn’t just forward of the ball the Metro stars shone though.
The back end surged at every chance – albeit limited by Victoria’s midfield and forward dominance – as the likes of Jordy Allen, Charis Ulu Peniata and Jas Grierson made sure the visitors would remain shut out of the contest.
Such was their domination that Western Australia’s handful of forward opportunities barely looked like troubling the goal umpires as Vic Metro wanted to not only win, but do it in emphatic style.
But it’s hard to single anyone out – every Vic Metro footballer truly held up their end of the bargain.
Maddie Prespakis roaming the forward line with two goals, Brooke Struylaart jagging another two to cap off an extraordinary first state campaign as the competition’s leading goalkicker, Deanna Berry throughout the ground, Gemma Lagioia pinpointing passes… and so on the list could go on throughout the whole side.
Not even a 10-goal margin at the final change would give Vic Metro cause for early celebration.
Vic Metro coach Wayne Siekman told the side to remain respectful, push hard and enjoy the last 15 minutes of an extraordinary campaign.
They knuckled down, cleared the ball from Western Australia’s last ditch efforts at scoring – and generally kept the foot down until the final siren when the bench erupted and everyone ran onto the field as premiers.
For Western Australia, Courtney Hodder flew the flag all night while Rachel Ashley was serviceable down back.
Siekman was without many words after the win – his second in a row as state coach – but wanted to say how immensely amazed and blessed he felt to coach this side and cap off the 2016 championships’ story.
“I was just so proud that the girls had the opportunity to play on there and I ensured that my coaches and assistant coaches did all they could to make sure they had that chance,” Siekman said.
“They delivered on the biggest stage in the world and with that result – 95 to zero – everything just fitted in perfectly.”
Captain Katherine Smith bowed out of Youth Girls football in her trademark fashion – hard-edged, under the packs and splitting the defence with a couple of extraordinary goals.
But the skipper takes away more than the medal and the 95-point premiership victory – the Vic Metro spirit and the camaraderie among the group made it a week for Smith to savour forever.
“It’s just unbelievable – it’s a dream to play on the ‘G, but to do it with such a great bunch of girls and winning in the end was a huge buzz,” Smith said. “It was an electric feeling and I just can’t describe it.
“The girls really delivered on keeping composed and making sure we didn’t get ahead of ourselves – it’s a 60-minute game of football and that’s we needed to continue doing.”
Captain and coach farewelled the Vic Metro ranks in the best way possible – with Siekman moving on with a smile and Smith ageing out of the program after four years in the side.
So the celebrations began in the bowels of the MCG, but the last words on a 95-point demolition and three amazing seasons at the helm to an immensely proud Siekman.
“As a coach you just can’t be any prouder – I’m almost speechless,” Siekman said.
YOUTH GIRLS SCOREBOARD
VIC METRO 14.11 (95)
WESTERN AUSTRALIA 0.0 (0)
Vic Metro Goals: Huntington 5, Hayes 3, Struylaart 2, Smith 2, Prespakis 2. Best: Huntington, Smith, Allen, Grierson, Hayes.
