A contentious 50-metre penalty and converted goal after the siren has seen Vic Metro claim the 2024 U18 Boys National Championships, taking the crown with an undefeated carnival and deciding win over rivals Vic Country.
Both sides entered their fourth and final match of this year's series with three wins from as many games against South Australia, Western Australia and the Allies, with an even bout expected in the concluding clash of this year's carnival.
And that's exactly what fans got, with a goal from Sandringham Dragons swingman Luke Trainor from point-blank range after this siren putting Metro ahead by a single point.
Trainor won a free kick for 'holding' in a marking contest, with Country defender Tobie Travaglia seemingly penalised by the officiating umpire shortly after to see a 50-metre penalty award with less than 30 seconds left in the game.
The siren sounded as Trainor walked his way to the top of the goalsquare, with the potential top-five draft prospect slotting the Championships-defining major after a close battle all morning.
Vic Metro wins the U18 championships after the siren, after a 50-metre penalty set up a kick from the goalsquare! pic.twitter.com/QCOZn8HiNb
โ Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) July 14, 2024
Scores were tied at the main break and three-quarter time, with an eight-goal final quarter seeing the lead change on multiple occasions late.
A goal from Archer Day-Wicks put Country back in front with just over a minute remaining, stealing back the buffer after Harry Armstrong's fifth goal of the day for Metro.
Armstrong led all scorers for the game while Calder Cannons small forward continued his impressive campaign with a further three goals.
Murray Bushrangers livewire Joe Berry led the way for Country in the front half with three goals as tall Jack Whitlock and Day-Wicks also managed multiple majors each.
Potential Pick 1 selection Jagga Smith was among the best performers for Metro in the final game of the 2024 carnival, collecting 25 disposals, eight clearances and 425 metres gained in midfield.
Northern Knights gun Jesse Datoli was also prominent, as was big-bodied ball winner Josh Smillie for the victors, while the match-winning Trainor did his stocks no harm with 17 disposals from six marks.
Sandringham Dragons ace Murphy Reid was again a lively presence and had his efforts at this year's National Championships recognised with MVP honours for Vic Metro.
Dandenong Stingrays midfielder Harvey Langford claimed the MVP title for Vic Country at the cessation of his own stellar campaign, while the top 10 draft fancy managed to tie with Allies hard-nut Leonardo Lombard for the Larke Medal, which recognises the best player across the National Championships.
Langford was kept to 19 disposals but amassed five clearances, six marks and a goal in the narrow loss, with Gippsland's Xavier Lindsay arguably Country's best at Marvel Stadium on Sunday.
The defensive-minded midfielder had a game-high 30 disposals and eight tackles to go with four clearances and almost 600 metres gained.
The aforementioned Travaglia was also impressive with his outside work rate and ball-winning nous, while Xavier Ivisic and Matt Whitlock were also strong in defeat.
The win for Vic Metro is their 12th title of the 21st century and their second in three years.
