Country shows its class over Vic Metro

By Paul Pickering
VIC Country stamped itself as a legitimate title threat in the 2009 National Under-18 Championships with a first-round victory over Vic Metro at Geelong’s Skilled Stadium on Sunday.
The Country side led at every change en route to an impressive 16-point win over the reigning Division-One champions.
Vic Country was bolstered by the inclusion of two Dandenong Stingrays under the new zoning rules, with Ryan Bastinac and Mitch Hallahan squaring off against TAC Cup teammate and Vic Metro captain Tom Scully – who chose to stick with the team he represented in last year’s carnival.
The victors also boasted Gippsland Power stars John Butcher, Koby Stevens, Nathan Vardy, Russell Lehman and Edward Carr.
The match proved to be a fitting showcase for the state’s top junior talent, with both sides displaying sublime skills and an uncompromising attack on the ball.
It was Country’s on-ball division that proved to be the difference, with Vardy providing great service to the likes of Stevens, Dustin Martin (Bendigo) and Ben Cunnington (Geelong).
Scully, who played on Bastinac across half-back during the first half, led a Metro resurgence when he was unleashed into the midfield in the second half, racking up 24 of his 33 possessions after the main break in a dominant performance.
But it was his opposite number, Country captain Andrew Hooper (North Ballarat), who claimed best-on-ground honours, rebounding brilliantly from half-back alongside Kallen Geary (Bendigo).
Butcher presently strongly throughout the match and finished with three goals.
Bastinac became more influential as the game progressed, while Hallahan, Lehman and Carr provided some spark off the bench.
The result prompted Vic Country coach Rob Hyde to declare that it was the best group he has had during his three-year tenure.
In the other Division-One clash of the weekend, Western Australia confirmed its status as the title favourite by thrashing South Australia by 48 points at Subiaco.