After having its under-18 national championship title controversially stolen by a divisive 50m penalty in 2024, Vic Country has returned serve against state rival Vic Metro.
With a 30-point victory, the regional draft prospects held the lead early and never relinquished it in four quarters of consistency.
Goulburn Valley products Cody Walker and Riley Onley once again shone for their state, producing damaging performances that lifted the country outfit to a win in their final game of the championships.
Onley’s 22 possessions were the third-most by any Vic Country player, behind only highly-touted number one pick fancy Willem Duursma and 2026’s number one draft prospect Walker.
Onley recorded six inside 50s and five score involvements to boot.
Walker’s performance was of even higher regard, as the now-confirmed Carlton father-son prospect tallied 24 touches, eight score involvements and a stabilising goal after half-time.
Walker officially announced his commitment to the Blues on Friday, providing an exciting glimpse to Carlton fans of what the Echuca junior can produce.
Walker’s allegiance to the storied AFL club is well-known as his father, Andrew, played 202 games in navy and clunked arguably one of the greatest marks of all time.
Walker said officially announcing his decision to become a father-son selection was “a dream come true”.
“Being involved with the club over the last few years, today is another step closer to pulling on that Carlton jumper – I just can’t wait," Walker said.
“I have been involved in the Carlton Academy for three years now and have been so appreciative of everything the club has done for me and the people who have helped me to this point in my career, both at Carlton and at every level of football I’ve been fortunate enough to play at so far.
“To have already been able to work hard alongside the likes of Patrick Cripps, Sam Walsh and that entire midfield group, while getting to know everyone at the club already, I just want to keep soaking up as much as I can and learn off them.
“Seeing Ben and Lucas do it this year, Harry Dean closing in on his dream and me next year, it is really exciting and such an honour for me to be able to continue the family name at the Blues.”
Rochester’s Harry Moon also took to the field in the victorious result.
Vic Country’s under-16 side also completed its national carnival with two games last week.
Alex Whitlock, brother of AFL-listed Shepparton products Jack and Matthew, featured across both of Vic Country’s Tuesday and Friday fixtures in Queensland, while Bears junior Lincoln Brand also played the Friday affair.
Both games resulted in losses for Vic Country, but only by slim margins, with Tuesday’s match against South Australia a five-point defeat, while the loss to Western Australia had Vic Country trailing by nine at three-quarter time before WA pulled away to win by 23.
Brand earned votes in the best against the West Australians, notching 22 disposals and five inside 50s.
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