Western Australia lose by four points when post-siren Chloe Reilly shot falls short in Under-19 Championships

Western Australia have suffered a thrilling yet heartbreaking, after the siren defeat against Vic Metro to round out their Under-19 National Championships campaign on Thursday. Chloe Reilly had the chance to steal victory with a set shot after the siren at Trevor Barker Oval which was touched on the line as the Vics held on to win 4.13 (37) to 4.9 (33). After playing their “worst football” of the championships during the third quarter, the black swans responded swiftly to kick the first two goals of the final term. Defender turned forward Amy Franklin kept her side in the contest with a clever left-foot soccer off the ground early in the last. Then 16-year-old Ella Roberts made it a five-point margin with three minutes to go via a steadying set shot. MORE WOMEN’S FOOTBALL NEWS The Peel Thunder product collected 31 disposals, five marks, four tackles, six inside 50s and two goals for the visitors to cap off a string of best on ground performances and finish as WA’s MVP of the carnival. But her heroics weren’t enough as WA’s inaccuracy came back to bite, kicking 4.9 for the match. Despite finishing the championships with a 1-2 ledger after a previous loss to South Australia and win over the Allies, coach Beau McDonald was pleased with his side’s resilience. “We were talking after the game and if we could pick anyone to take that shot, it would have been Chloe,” McDonald said. “I think the most pleasing part is in the third quarter, we played probably our worst footy for the campaign but we were able to turn it around and play WA footy in the last quarter. “We could’ve shut up shot and had one eye on the flight home but the girls really wanted it and wanted the win. “The girls are competitors and while we would’ve loved to finish with more wins than losses, we still felt like it was very productive. “The aim of the carnival is to showcase talent and we had the opportunity to do that.” WA dominated large periods of the game but a tall Victorian backline proved the difference, taking countless marks deep in defence to repel the black swans. Midfielder Courtney Rowley was again important, chalking 23 touches and seven tackles while Aisha Wright was lively with 17 disposals. Georgie Prespakis, (23 touches, nine tackles, six clearances), younger sister of Carlton star Madison, led the way for Metro. Players will now return to their WAFLW clubs in anticipation of the AFLW draft later this year. VIC METRO 1.3 2.8 4.10 4.13 (37) WESTERN AUSTRALIA 0.3 2.3 2.6 4.9 (33) GOALS Vic Metro: Staltari, Ling, Campbell, Gillard Western Australia: Roberts 2, Tuhakaraina, Franklin