By ADEM SARICAOGLU
BOTH of Vic Metro’s Western Jets representatives enjoyed a good start to their AFL Under-18 Championship campaigns on Sunday against Queensland in Yeronga, Brisbane.
James Sicily was named among Metro’s best on the ground, while fellow Keilor junior Jake Greiser got among the goal kickers in the 40-point win.
Sicily also kicked a goal on his way to 15 kicks, five handballs and nine marks, drawing praise from Metro coach Martin Allison after the game.
“He was dominant across the wing, particularly in his marking, that was the pleasing thing for him,” Allison told Star.
“To have a tall, strong-marking target going through the wings and through the midfield was really pleasing, particularly early when the game was a bit tighter and a lot quicker.
“He was very good then.”
The Jets have used Sicily as a utility so far this season, but Allison and his team chose to play Sicily as a link man through the middle of the ground against Queensland.
“We predominantly played him across the wings and played through him,” Allison explained.
“Particularly in the first half when he was really dominant with his marking – he took some really telling marks.
“He’s got an ability to play a number of roles, he’s developing his game and that’s going to continue to evolve and today was just a really good step in the right direction.”
Inside midfielder Greiser collected 19 disposals and four clearances for the game.
“Jake Greiser was also very good, he played through the midfield and he had seven kicks and 12 handballs,” Allison said.
“We’re looking for Jake to play a role with that inside midfield stuff, and today he was pretty good (in what was) a really tight game in terms of confined space.
“They put in a very good performance those two boys from the Jets, and they can be very proud of their performances.”
Despite the warm Queensland conditions Metro was very inaccurate in front of goal and managed a whopping 40 scoring shots to the home team’s 15, but could only manage to escape with a seven-goal win, 12.28 (100) to Queensland’s 9.6 (60).
Jason Cooke (Calder Cannons/Sunbury Lions) and Ben Cavarra (Eastern Ranges) each kicked two goals for Metro on the day.
Cavarra, Mitchell Honeychurch and Calder’s Touk Miller were named among the best alongside Sicily.
Round two of the carnival pits Vic Metro up against NSW/ACT on Sunday week at Visy Park.
However, with team policy stipulating that all Vic Metro squad members get at least one game in the opening two rounds, it is unlikely Sicily and Greiser will line up in that clash.
