Little-known Sandringham Dragons utility Lochie Burrows was the standout of Vic Metro's trial against Vic Country on Sunday at Kennedy Community Centre, Dingley.
Vic Metro won 11.10 (76) to 7.13 (55) with plenty of players across both sides showing moments, but it was Burrows who proved the real surprise packet.
Having played through the midfield and as a half forward for the Dragons and school side Wesley College, he was recast as a defender on Sunday, only learning of the role change four days out from the game.
But he looked confident with his ball-use and competed well, finding plenty of the footy thanks to his reading of the play, enabling him to set up plenty of Vic Metro counter-attack.
He also ran the game out well and lifted with the game on the line.
Carlton father-son prospect Cody Walker was another clear standout with his competitiveness and poise through the middle and Geelong's Noah Williams' run, leadership and execution was another highlight
Geelong Falcons overaged forward Jett Elek was the anchor of his side's forward line and took some important and strong grabs overhead.
Sandringham's Gus Teixeira was prominent in the first half, likewise GWV Rebels midfielder Ethan Drever.
Danenong Stingrays defender Wil Antrobus continued his strong form with his ball use out of Vic Country's backline.
Club-tied prospects
Carlton-tied star Cody Walker was the barometer for Vic Country, finding space in traffic, and working from contest to contest with ease.
He found plenty of the footy and was clean and composed, laying a foundation for a terrific U18s National Championships.
North Melbourne father-son prospect Sam Harris kicked three goals and was generally clean when he had his moments.
Hawthorn Next Generation Academy prospect Keenan Boi kicked a classy goal in the second goal and showed flair inside 50 after strong form in recent weeks for Gippsland Power.
The matchup
The consensus best defender in the pool against one of the top 2027 prospects was a compelling sub-plot to game chock full of talent.
Gippsland's Clancy Snell had several genuine one-on-one battles with Western Jets' Jake Miller throughout the game and both showed their class in different stages.
Miller worked Snell over on the wide expanses of the Kennedy Community Centre, which has identical dimensions to the MCG, getting high up the ground to take strong marks on the lead and competed hard when the ball came in more slowly.
Miller's field kicking and vision to hit up targets was just as impressive as his ability to generate his own scoring shots and he remained influential when the ball hit the deck.
The pair matched up on each other for just over a half in the first Victorian trial match, with Snell getting the better of Miller, but the Brighton Grammar student put forward an improved showing on Sunday.
Positional watch
The main positional switch of note was AFL Academy member Xavier Ladbrook playing in attack.
The Gippslander took out best afield honours in the second AFL Academy game but has been played forward at times in the last month for Gippsland after proving his capability there last season.
His willingness to get high up the ground and creativity with the footy were on show in the attacking position.
Harvie Cooke played in attack and after applying manic pressure and showing his trademark contest strength through the first three quarters, he kicked three goals in a match-winning five-minute burst for Vic Metro.
An injury to star small forward Khaled El Souki opens up opportunity for Cooke - and fellow Vic Metro small forward George Dimer, with both players showing their dynamic skillset.
As aforementioned, Burrows playing in defence was a surprise but proved a masterstroke, while Oakleigh and Wesley College forward Flynn Whoolhouse spent time in defence in the last quarter.
Absences
ESSENDON-TIED PROSPECT RETURN DATE REVEALED
AFL Academy members Harry Van Hattum, Harry Chapman and Tanner Armstrong were all absent from the trial.
Van Hattum is nursing a minor injury but expected to be available for Vic Metro's first game, while Chapman was rested with very minor hamstring soreness.
Squad member and Essendon Next Generation Academy member Blake Justice also did not play but is set to make his return from a hamstring injury next weekend for Calder Cannons so will come into the selection frame for Vic Metro's first game in a fortnight.
AFL Academy captain and Northern Knights tall Lewis Houndsome played limited game time in his first game since the AFL Academy series.
Western Bulldogs Next Generation Academy prospect Khaled El Souki was absent with an ankle injury set to rule him out of the Under-18s National Championships.
Bendigo's Eamon Austin remains about a month away with a shoulder injury.
