Winning goal: Vic Metro's Jonathan O'Rourke celebrates after kicking the first goal of the final term. Picture: Michael Copp
CALDER Cannons' Jonathan O'Rourke played a stellar role for Vic Metro in its 15-point win against Vic Country in the NAB AFL under-18 championships at Simonds Stadium on Friday.
O'Rourke, who is sure to be in AFL selectors' minds at the end of the year, kicked the opening goal of the final term to break the deadlock.
Country fought hard for the rest of the quarter but a 50m penalty and resultant goal to Western Jets' Lachlan Hunter with just minutes to go ended its challenge.
Metro won 8.18 (66) to 6.15 (51).
Both teams struggled to adjust to windy conditions early which resulted in inaccurate kicking, with Metro managing only 1.7 for the first term.
Goals were hard to come by and it was an even contest for the whole day but the Metro players stepped up at the pointy end of the game.
O'Rourke, who was named among the best, was one of those.
Goals - Vic Country: Calvert 2, Crouch, Membrey, Wines, Wood. Vic Metro: Boyd 3, Hrovat, Hunter, Jaksch, Kelly, O'Rourke
Best - Vic Country: Wood, Smith, Sherman, Garner, Wines, Hams. Vic Metro: Temay, O'Rourke, Boyd, Kelly, Vlastuin, Viney, Gilmore