IF CARLTON fans arrived at the MCG early before their big clash with Collingwood, they may have just witnessed a future Blue running around for Vic Country.

As Blues’ general manager of list management and strategy Stephen Silvagni sat in the stands, Vic Country’s No. 2 Sam Walsh stood out as a class above in the Under 18 Championships match, with Vic Metro claiming a 26-point victory.

With the Blues near the bottom of the ladder and a strong chance to win the wooden spoon, Walsh put his hand up to be November’s No. 1 pick with a job interview-like performance on the big stage.

Sam Walsh of Vic Country had 29 disposals. Source: Getty Images

Finals Week 1

The Geelong Falcons prospect is arguably the best midfielder in the entire Under 18 competition in Australia, with some recruiters believing the blue-chip midfielder is the best midfielder they’ve seen in recent years.

Walsh didn’t miss a target in the opening half before running out the contest as the game’s leading disposal winner with 29 disposals, six inside 50s, five clearances and a goal.

The 183cm midfielder’s first two games of the Under 18 carnival have been mighty impressive, with 31 disposals against the Allies in Round 1 and 25 disposals against South Australia in Round 2.

Walsh’s Falcons teammates Oscar Brownless (14 disposals) and Ned McHenry (17 disposals, 10 tackles and two goals) were others who improved their draft stocks, with Brownless’ day including a fine ‘banana’ goal from deep in the pocket in the third term.

Gippsland Power’s Xavier Duursma was clean by foot, finishing with 19 disposals, seven inside 50s and five clearances for the losing side.

Metro blew Country away in the second quarter with five goals to one, but Country hit back and it made for an exciting final quarter as forward Sam Flanders brought the margin back to just five points early in the final term.

But Metro’s likely top-10 midfielder Bailey Smith showed his class to nail a set-shot goal — his third for the afternoon — and Metro didn’t look back.

The Sandringham Dragons skipper finished the match with 20 disposals, five tackles and three goals as one of their better players.

Metro got three goals from Bailey Smith. Picture: Michael Klein Source: News Corp Australia

Possible first round draftee Curtis Taylor marked well overhead slotting two second quarter goals, ending the match with 13 disposals, eight marks and three goals.

His Calder Cannons teammate, Western Bulldogs father-son prospect Rhylee West, cracked in at the contest, winning five clearances and finishing with 20 disposals.

“It was a good win,” West said after the game.

“Obviously, Country have got that Victorian rivalry and they definitely showed that with going in hard and we combated that. But you could tell it was a really tough game.

“We didn’t pair up well in the third quarter and we just had that main message to pair up … because we had the game and we just had to defend it to win the game.”

Rhylee West of Vic Metro handballs. Source: Getty Images

It would be a fairytale for Bulldogs supporters if the son of the former 324 gamer Scott ended up in the red, white and blue at the end of the year, but West declared that his goal this season was “just about getting drafted”..

Northern Knights midfielder Tom McKenzie had 23 disposals, 12 marks and six rebound 50s to be Metro’s leading disposal winner.

Carlton would be mad to not consider South Australian key forward Jack Lukosius, who some recruiters have declared as the best player in a decade to come through the Under 18 system.

But Walsh’s standout performance will give Silvagni plenty to think about as the days count down until November’s AFL Draft.