THE Vic Metro squad has been finalised for the NAB Under 18 AFL National Championships.
The Calder Cannons have dominated selection with eight out of its 11 players who trialled selected in the 30-man squad.
The Northern Knights and Western Jets were also heavily represented with five and three players included respectively.
Vic Metro coach David Dickson said the final squad “picked itself” after the final practice match against Vic Country at Victoria Park on Sunday 10 June.
“In the end the side really did pick itself, which I guess made our jobs as selectors a little bit easier,” Dickson said.
“The game itself at Victoria Park clearly identified the 30 and when we picked it every selector had no disagreement and there was no difference in votes.
“Even talking to a few recruiting people so far they all said they think we pretty much got it right in the end.
“It has worked out well for us.”
The Vic Metro squad will go to a camp at the Vibe Hotel on Royal Parade on Friday night, which will include a theory session on team structure and style followed by a skills session at M.C. Labour Park on Saturday.
The 25 who will travel to Perth for the opening match with Western Australia on 30 June will be finalised later today (Tuesday).
The match will be played as a curtain raiser to the round 13 AFL clash between Fremantle and Carlton at Subiaco Oval.
“It’s going to be tough dropping the squad from 30 to 25 for the match,” Dickson said.
“There were a few blokes who missed out on the 30 purely because of injuries and their timing was just off.
“It comes down to timing sometimes.
“You need to be fit and healthy and playing good footy at the right time.”
Vic Metro’s final two matches will be against opponents to be decided, but will be played on Friday 13 July at Geelong and Wednesday 18 July at MC Labour Park.
Knights pair Jack Grimes and Matt Kreuzer are the frontrunners for the captaincy.
Dickson believes the opportunity to take on Western Australia in its home state will test the resolve of his young side.
“By all reports (WA) looks the team to beat this year and playing them at Subiaco before the Fremantle game the crowd could be pretty hostile,” he said.
“I don’t think it matters if its under 18s – the WA people will want to see the Vics get beaten.
“So it will be a massive test and one I am really excited about.”
