By JARROD POTTER
ATHLETIC. Hard-Running. Determined.
Make no bones about it – Vic Metro Youth Girls have not crossed the country for a friendly run-around against the likes of Western Australia, Queensland and Vic Country.
They’re out for vengeance and coach Wayne Seikman knows this week is about returning the silverware to Victoria – gleefully taken last year by Western Australia in a hard-fought grand final.
“It’s good that we can hunt now – we’re not the hunted – we can go over there and hunt WA, rather than every other team wanting to beat Vic Metro,” Siekman said.
“They all have to worry about WA and that’s a great position for us and the girls.”
With Mandurah Oval geographically outranking the MCG, the need for fast players who can run all week – let alone just for a single match – was crucial and Siekman and his assistant coaches have assembled the most athletic Vic Metro side in many years.
“We wanted to pick an athletic, running side as the ground we’re playing on is 166m – which is bigger than the MCG,” Siekman said.
“We wanted someone that can run all day and play four games in five days, so we’ve found that great balance and also got some great depth in our midfield – which we haven’t had for a few years – and some good talent coming through.”
Seikman praised the South East Juniors contingent in the representative colours – especially one of his side’s co-captains Lauren Hojnacki.
“She’ll be a key forward and pinch-hit in the ruck,” Siekman said.
“Today (Monday) – being one of the captains – she’ll start in the ruck and get involved form the start and get forward.”
Another to impress from the south east will be Cranbourne’s Georgia Gourlay – an “elite kick and great decision maker” according to the coach as he looks to cultivate the midfielder’s defensive prowess in years to come, off the half-back line.
The coach is also impressed with the young stars from Lyndhurst – Logan O’Connell-Webb and Emily-Rose Browning – both fledging state representatives making their way at the national level.
“This week is really good for Logan – she’s a very smart footballer, small and there’s not a lot of her, but she makes up for it with her footy smarts and gets in the right spots at the right time,” Siekman said.
“Emily-Rose Browning – it’s hard to describe her as she’s such a great inside mid – hard and tough – and only fourteen-years-old.
“I would think she’s 16 the way she plays.”
Vic Metro started its campaign against Western Australia as the Gazette was going to press, with matches against Queensland and Vic Country scheduled for later in the week week. All going to plan Vic Metro can make its way back to the grand final on Friday, which is scheduled at 5.45pm Melbourne time.
