Victoria Metro has claimed the 2024 under-18 national title following a controversial finish, with Metro goaling after the siren to down Victoria Country.
With 30 seconds remaining in the championships decider and Metro down five points, Country’s Tobie Travaglia appeared to mark courageously in defence before the umpire ruled he’d held opponent Luke Trainor.
The umpire then paid a 50-metre penalty against Travaglia — seemingly for dissent — taking Trainor to the goalsquare. As time expired and the siren sounded, Trainor saluted from point-blank range to secure glory for Metro.
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“Incredible scenes here at Docklands!” exclaimed caller Jess Webster on Fox Footy. “They reclaim their throne in the most thrilling of circumstances at Marvel Stadium!”
AFL talent ambassador Kevin Sheahan encapsulated the occasion on Fox Footy, saying: “You couldn’t have written a script like this.
“And to think it was a defender (Trainor) — who is the grandson of Doug Wade, one of the greatest goalkickers of all time — he rarely gets to that end of the ground. What a moment.
“Look, I feel for the Country boys. So brave, they were brilliant in defeat. Marvellous game, what a contest — I’ve already had a few texts from some AFL clubs saying: ‘get more games at this sort of venue’.
“They have seen a brilliant contest, it’s great for their talent ID. Terrific for these boys to have played in such a high-pressure game, at this level, in these dry conditions in the middle of July in Melbourne. There’s no loser out of this.”
Fox Footy’s Ben Waterworth added: “(Country) threw everything at this star-studded Metro side, but Luke Trainor with the matchwinning goal on the siren for Vic Metro in somewhat controversial circumstances. Incredible scenes.”
Archer Day-Wicks put Country in front by five points with 90 seconds remaining before Metro made their final title-winning push.
And, while the broadcast initially suspected Travaglia encroached on the mark, Waterworth noted post-game the Country young gun was more likely pinged for umpire abuse.
Post-game, Metro forward Harry Armstrong — who booted a game-high five goals and took five marks in a tremendous effort — expressed his joy.
“It’s unbelievable,” he told Fox Footy. “It was a close game the whole time, it was great.
“I think it was drawn at half-time, drawn at three-quarter-time — it was a great game … the dramatic fashion was good.”
Country’s Harvey Langford was awarded the Larke Medal for his best-on-ground effort, notching 19 disposals, six marks and a goal.
Xavier Lindsay (30 disposals) was Country’s major ball-winner, while Jagga Smith (25) led the way for the victorious Metro.