An imposing early statement from Harry Van Hattum set the tone for Vic Metro’s most dominant national championships win as the emerging ruck strengthened his case as the best open-pool prospect in this year’s AFL draft.

Van Hattum on Sunday saved his best carnival game until last, exploding out of the blocks against Vic Country and showing off his impressive mobility, as well as his spearing field kick at Mars Stadium in Ballarat.

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The 204cm Northern Knights star’s strong opening laid the platform for Metro’s 92-point win over Country, 20.11 (131) to 5.9 (39), to cap off a championship-winning 4-0 campaign.

Van Hattum ended with game-high clearances (6) and contested possessions (12), to go with 17 disposals, five inside 50s and 23 hit-outs, in a game where Country’s rucks had few answers, both at stoppage and around the ground.

Nate Mensch of Victoria Country contests the ruck against Harry Van Hattum of Victoria Metro. Picture: Jordan Sacchetta/AFL PhotosSource: Getty Images

With Dougie Cochrane (Port Adelaide NGA) and Cody Walker (Carlton father-son) widely regarded as the top two prospects in this year’s draft class, Van Hattum cemented his standing as one of the best – if not the best – non-club-tied player. Either Essendon (18th on the ladder) or Richmond (17th) are set to have the first call at the national draft.

He’ll be in the mix to make the Under 18 All-Australian team – along with fellow rucks Benji van Rooyen (WA) and Ethan Herbert (SA) – which will be announced in the next week.

Metro’s triumph was their third carnival win in the past five years. They won every game by at least six goals and kicked over 100 points in three of their four matches.

Sandringham Dragons 196cm defender Tyson Bradley was named Vic Metro’s MVP for the carnival, while explosive GWV Rebels on-baller Ethan Drever claimed Vic Country’s MVP award. Drever – a right-footed Finn Callaghan type who averaged 20 disposals across the carnival – is also in the top-five mix alongside Van Hattum.

Ethan Drever won the Victoria Country MVP medal. Picture: Jordan Sacchetta/AFL PhotosSource: Getty Images

So too is Sandringham Dragons midfielder-forward Gux Teixeira, whose powerful kicking and defensive pressure was on display against Country on Sunday as he amassed 16 disposals, six score involvements and six inside 50s. Fellow Dragon Arki Butler is also considered a top-end prospect, but missed Sunday’s game due to a collarbone injury.

Vic Metro’s key forwards were equally damaging inside 50, stretching the Country defence from the opening ball-up. Oakleigh Chargers’ Flynn Woolhouse kicked 5.0 from 14 disposals and 10 marks in his first – and only – carnival game for Metro, while Northern Knights duo Harrison Leader (3.1) and Sam Gayfer (3.1) cashed in on their team’s slick ball movement.

Sandringham Dragons’ Albert Macgowan (1 goal, 29 disposals, 8 score involvements) had his most prolific game of the carnival, while 194cm Western Jets midfielder Angus Tippett (2 goals, 24 disposals, 8 score involvements, 9 contested possessions, 4 clearances) was clean in tight then pushed forward to great effect to hit the scoreboard.

Eastern Ranges 190cm smooth mover Harrison Chapman, who’s drawn comparisons to Swan Justin McInerney, showed why scouts believe he has modern-day AFL traits, displaying his aerobic workrate, disciplined positioning and precise ball use to finish with one goal from 18 disposals and nine score involvements.

Khaled El Souki of Victoria Metro. Picture: Lachie Chugg/AFL PhotosSource: Getty Images

Western Bulldogs NGA prospect Khaled El Souki also shone in his sole appearance for Metro after recovering from injury. The Western Jets small forward applied great pressure, set up his teammates for scores and threatened the scoreboard himself to finish with 1.2 from 10 disposals, six score involvements and five tackles reinforcing why many clubs have him in the first-round mix.

For Vic Country – which finished the carnival a disappointing fourth on the five-team ladder with a 1-3 record – its defenders were under the pump all game, led by Gippsland Power duo Clancy Snell (11 disposals, 6 marks) and Xavier Ladbrook (13 disposals, 7 intercepts), while Dandenong duo Will Antrobus (15 disposals) and Gus Kennedy (19 disposals) had a few promising moments.

Blues father-son gun Cody Walker was clean in tight with a team-high 19 disposals and six inside 50s, but was brought down by Metro tacklers a few times and coughed the ball up occasionally in crucial spots.

Geelong Falcons’ Noah Williams – a possible top-10 prospect – used the ball well and competed hard to finish with 11 disposals and eight tackles.