Narrow loss for WA in opening game of National Championships

Victoria Metro pulled off a terrific comeback to defeat defending champions Western Australia by 10 points on day one of the 2015 AFL Youth Girls National Championships in Mandurah, Western Australia today.

WA led at every change and by 19 points during the second quarter, spearheaded by three goals from full-forward Asha Price, before Victoria Metro took control in the second half.

Trailing by nine points at the main break, the Vics reduced the margin to three points heading into the fourth quarter and then held WA goalless while adding two goals of their own to secure the win 7.6-48 to 6.2-38.

The deadlock was broken nine minutes into the final term when Victoria rebounded out of defence to set up a mark in the goal square for Monique Conti, who kicked truly to put her side in front for the first time since the opening quarter.

WA fought hard to try and reclaim the lead but another goal to Victoria by Teagan Sheldon sealed the win.

VIC METRO 2.0 3.4 5.4 7.6 (48)

WA 3.1 5.1 6.1 6.2 (38)

GOALS – Vic Metro: T. Hanks, J. Provan, T. Sheldon, M. Prespakis, T. O’Hagan, L. Hojnacki, M. Conti 1. WA: A. Price 3, K. Brown, B. Devlyn, Shanaya Dorizzi 1.

BEST – Vic Metro: B. Bonnici, M. Prespakis, L. Hojnacki, K. Smith, T. Clayton, J. Allen. WA: D. Okely, J. Stewart, E. Gelmi, A. Price, Z. Huggett, R. Ashley.

Photo: Phil Barnes