WA fall short of brave comeback win against Vic Metro in AFL U16 ChampionshipTuesday, July 15, 2025 - 2:44 PM - by Jordan McArdle

Western Australia’s unbeaten start to the AFL National U16 Championship came to an end after a heart-breaking three-point loss to Vic Metro on the Gold Coast on Tuesday.

The brave Black Swans recovered from a slow start to make a game of it, with Perth goalsneak Ashley Clayton’s chase-down tackle and goal making it a two-point margin in the dying minutes.

Clayton kicked two final-quarter goals as WA clawed their way back from 20 points down at the nine-minutes mark of the final term to give the Vics a scare.

But Vic Metro held on to prevail 11.9 (75) to 11.6 (72) and prevent WA securing back-to-back wins after they started the carnival with a big victory over South Australia at home.

East Fremantle midfielder James Artemis and key forward Jayke Taylor and Subiaco ball magnet Angus Abbonizio were instrumental in WA’s fightback after the team conceded three of the first four goals of the see-sawing contest.

Artemis booted two goals and setup another in an impressive midfield performance, racking up 18 disposals, six clearances and six inside 50s.

Bottom-ager Taylor kicked an equal game-high three majors including back-to-back efforts during WA’s second-quarter revival.

Abbonizio was outstanding all game, finishing with a team-high 26 disposals and 10 marks to go with a goal straight after half-time.

Highly-rated East Perth ruck Axel Walsh continued his strong carnival with 20 disposals, 25 hit-outs and five clearances.

West Perth’s Campbell Creyk was lively across half-forward with 22 touches and four score assists, with Demons’ Kye Inferrera (20 disposals, three clearances and a goal) also finding plenty of it.

Western Australia were trailing by 23 points late in the first quarter before brilliant team goal, capped off by a long-range effort from Artemis on the run.

Artemis then turned provider early in the second, running along the wing before driving the ball inside 50 to Taylor who snapped one through from the pocket.

Taylor kicked WA’s third in a row and his second a few minutes later thanks to a 50m penalty which took him to the goal square and it was all of a sudden a five-point margin.

Vic Metro steadied before half-time to stretch their buffer out to 21 points.

The Black Swans kickstarted their second half with an early goal from Abbonizio who slotted through a set shot from 45m out.

The third quarter was WA’s best, kicking four goals to one to level things up at 54-apiece just before three-quarter time with Inferrera nailing the leveller.

The Vics booted three goals in seven minutes to start the final term to open up a 20-point margin before WA fell just short of a stunning comeback.

WA’s are back in action on Friday against Vic Country at Fankhauser Reserve on the Gold Coast, kicking off at 9.45am WST.

The game is streamed live and free on the AFL Play YouTube channel.

SCOREBOARD

Victoria Metro 4.5 7.6 8.7 11.9 (75)

West Australia 2.0 4.3 8.6 11.6 (72)

WA goals: J Taylor 3; J Artemis, A Clayton 2; A Abbonizio, K Inferrera, C Williams, N Hannaford.

WA best: J Artemis, A Abbonizio, A Walsh, J Taylor, C Creyk, K Inferrera.