Vic Metro coach Rohan Welsh and Jake McKenzie, right, celebrate victory. 83908_02 Picture: MICHAEL ESPOSITO
By MICHAEL ESPOSITO
JAKE McKenzie was the stand-out Western Jet for Vic Metro at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, but there was also plenty to like about the performances of Lachlan Hunter and Ashlin Brown.
McKenzie played all five games for the dominant Vic Metro side, and was named in the team’s best players twice.
“Jake McKenzie has learnt so much from game one, and his carnival’s been so even as well,” Vic Metro coach Rohan Welsh said.
“He did a really good job against SA on Ben Kennedy. He’s had an outstanding carnival, he’s a really good user of the footy, and he’s smart and tough.”
McKenzie predominately played in the backline at the carnival, and despite a quiet six possession final game against WA last week, had the most one percenters for Vic Metro.
McKenzie gave himself every chance of following in his brother Trent’s footsteps and landing an AFL contract.
“He’s a beautiful kick like his brother, he reads the play well, he’s hard, so from my point of view he’s right up there,” Welsh said.
Brown, who captains the Western Jets, was always going to find it tough to break into Vic Metro’s best 22 considering the side’s bevy of talented tall forwards, but was the team’s best player in the loss to NT, when he kicked four goals, and had a serviceable game against Tasmania in his second and final match.
Hunter played four games and impressed with his ability to kick goals, adaptability and strength.
“Lachie Hunter has a body that’s built to play AFL already. He’s an inside mid, he’s very clean, he finished well against SA,” Welsh said.
Western Jets general manager Shane Sexton said McKenzie’s performance at the carnival demonstrated his versatility.
“He’s a player that reads the game exceptionally well,” Sexton said. “He’s a good decision-maker … his skill efficiency would be one of the higher ones at our club and he’s starting to show some real versatility in the positions he can play.
“He’s played mainly back at Vic Metro, but at our level he’s been able to go through the ball on different occasions and do a good job.
Sexton said McKenzie has improved the defensive, sacrificial side of his game, noting his willingness and ability to spoil and shepherd.
“He’s been really disciplined playing down back and we’ve noted that at TAC Cup level he’s realised and adapted to the fact that they’re very important stats and indications of the way that you’re playing. If you’re going to be playing the best versus the best … you’ve got to get that sort of stuff right, otherwise you’re going to find yourself in a whole lot of trouble very quickly.”
Sexton said Western Bulldogs father son-prospect Hunter, son of Mark Hunter, has had an outstanding TAC Cup season.
“He’s pretty adaptable. He’s a clever footballer, he reads the game well, he certainly executed well on his non-preferred side,” Sexton said. “He’s probably a little bit more inside than outside as a player.”
Brown has impressed with his leadership skills and work ethic, and was rewarded with Vic Metro selection.
“We expected him to be a strong competitor and representative of the club. His leadership skills and his training have been first-class and by sheer execution of those things he’s forced his way into a state side and represented the state with distinction.”
