The cream of the Western Jets crop is on the verge of delivering a successful title defence for Vic Metro in the NAB AFL under 18 national championships.
The Big V only needs to beat South Australia in the final game at Etihad Stadium on July 4 to be crowned champions.
The sides could head into the blockbuster undefeated, though it is dependent on SA, who has played one less game than Vic Metro, beating the Allies in Geelong on Friday.
A Jets-inspired Vic Metro made it three-from-three with a hard fought 26-point win over Vic Country at the MCG on Sunday.
Jets captain Xavier O’Halloran was huge in the final quarter, taking a telling pack mark and kicking a crucial goal to set Vic Metro on its way to victory.
Playing as a forward, away from his primary spot in the midfield, O’Halloran, who also has the honour of Vic Metro captaincy, showed his versatility and stood up when it counted to finish with two goals.
“He played a little bit of a different role today, forward for most of the day, which is good for his development,” Western Jets coach Torin Baker said.
“He chimed in with a couple of goals and went on the ball at stages as well and did what he normally did.
“It was a big moment in the last quarter that mark and grab.
“It probably sealed the deal.”
Buku Khamis was magnificent for Vic Metro in defence. Khamis is one of the form players at the championships and could be an All Australian by the end of the competition.
A South Sudandese refugee who is part of the Western Bulldogs next generation academy, Khamis has demonstrated a multi-faceted skill set that has translated to national under-age level.
“It’s a positive that he’s been able to take his TAC Cup form, which he’s really built over the last few weeks with us, and taken that into the championships and had a very good period,” Baker said.
“He just reads the play really well, backs himself in the air and is pretty neat by foot.
“He can play on talls and smalls as well because he’s got this leg speed that closes space quickly.”
Zak Butters was influential for Vic Metro across the midfield. His ability to work his way out of the congestion and deliver with pinpoint accuracy was a feature.
He was also not afraid to mix it verbally with his Vic Country opponents. “He just shows those moments of class,” Baker said.
“When he’s around the ball, things happen.
“Whether it’s the way he moves, he’s able to off-put defenders with a step and open up space for teammates.
“He also plays on the edge a little bit and he’s certainly not backward in coming forward, but he’s a likeable kid off the field and he’s just a ball of energy.”
Stefan Radovanovic has been mainly used as a midfielder for the Jets, but Vic Metro is using him as a deep defender.
Radovanovic was assigned to Sam Flanders, one of the most promising bottom-age players and enjoyed a tantalising battle.
“I thought he had some really key one-on-ones and he held up really well in a lot of them,” Baker said.
Potential Western Bulldogs father-son Rhylee West, the son of seven-time Charles Sutton Medal winner Scott, continued his impressive form at the championships for Vic Metro.
West, who plays in the TAC Cup with Calder Cannons, is second-to-none in his age level when it comes to contested ball and his quick thinking moves in traffic have allowed Vic Metro to find a way out of some sticky situations.
For a report on the Western Jets big win over Northern Knights in the TAC Cup on Saturday, log on to www.starweekly.com.au
