By David Nagel, Russell Bennett and Nick Creely
SOUTH EAST JUNIORS – FINALS REVIEW
The finest teams in the South East Juniors did battle on the weekend with grand final positions up for grabs. Our Gazette team sums up a great Sunday of football that saw dreams realised – some runied – and some of the best young stars in the region taking their turn to shine. A full list of scores and fixtures has also been included.
UNDER 15s-18s
Bitterly cold winds and thumping rain were replaced with brilliant sunshine giving the best teams in the South East Juniors the chance to showcase their skills on the weekend.
Mt Eliza is the first team through to the Premier 1 grand final after disposing of a wildly inaccurate Beaconsfield Blue by 38 points at Shepley Oval.
The Eagles had the chance to really impose themselves on the contest in the first term but kicked 2.5 to 1.1 to take a 10-point lead to the first change. The Redlegs responded in style, booting 4.5 to 1.3 in the second quarter before the Eagles once again shot themselves in the foot in the third.
They kicked 1.6 to 1.1 – including four consecutive misses at the end of the term – to trail by 11 points at three-quarter time.
The Redlegs, having dodged a bullet, played with freedom in the last quarter kicking 4.4 to 0.1 to run away with the victory.
Kobe Dalais kicked three for the winners and Jackson Mcilwraith two, while Lachie Graham, Matt Johnson and Ryan Steicke slotted a single each for the Eagles. Beaconsfield’s Jackson Old and Redleg Logan Edwards were both yellow-carded during the contest.
Beaconsfield will take on Berwick White in this week’s preliminary final after the Wickers ended the season of Bonbeach with a 35-point victory on Sunday.
The Wickers were super-efficient against the breeze in the first quarter, kicking 3.0 to 2.4, before slamming home four unanswered goals in the second term to take a five-goal lead to the major interval.
The Sharks responded, narrowing the margin to seven points at the final break, before the Wickers charged home in the last. The Wickers just had too many options up forward with Kane Tyrrell and Jacob Bernard kicking four, Myles Wareham three, while two conversions from Jack Stephens were also crucial to the final outcome.
Narre North Foxes Black has made its way through to the Premier 2 grand final from fourth place after upsetting Beaconsfield White by 35 points at Marriot Waters.
The Foxes had a 19-point lead at half time before the Eagles cut the deficit to just three points at three-quarter time. But an early goal to Justin Dewet, two more to Nathan Power, and a sealer from five-goal hero Josh Smith, saw the Foxes book a date with Pakenham Maroon next week.
In Premier 3, Fountain Gate has bounced back from last week’s loss to Beaconsfield Gold with a 26-point victory in the preliminary final over Lyndhurst.
The Gators hit Sweeney Reserve running, opening up a 19-point lead and were never headed, despite the Lightning cutting the margin to just 10 points with a quarter to play. Malcolm Elliott and Rhys Clark kicked three each for the Gators, and Beau Gibbs two, while Harvey Nicholls ended his season on a high with two goals for the Lightning.
The action was hot in Under 15 Division 1 with Berwick White overcoming a 15-point deficit at half time to steamroll Narre Warren Black by 11 points at Shepley Oval.
Ashton Williamson was the star of the show for the Wickers, kicking four, with Luke Hartley also having an impact on the scoreboard.
Berwick will now sit back and wait to see to who its grand final opponent will be with the Magpies set to take on Beaconsfield Blue in next week’s preliminary final.
The Eagles were incredibly impressive against Pakenham Maroon, scoring a 115-point win in the first semi-final. The Eagles had plenty of scoring options with Jacob Helybut kicking four and Sam Mackinder, Patrick Ward and Luke Matson slamming home three apiece. The Eagles finished the game off with a seven-goal final term.
Beaconsfield White has progressed to the grand final for teams that finished outside the top-five of Under 15 Division 1 after scoring a 10-point victory over Endeavour Hills.
Jayden Joyce was impressive up forward with three goals for the Eagles while David Lega-Frost kicked three of his own for the Eagles, who now take on Cranbourne Blue in the prelim.
Cranbourne defeated Officer by 12 points at Sweeney Reserve.
Cranny kicked 2.9 in the first half, but players like Lachlan Cooper and Josh Lloyd straightened up after half time to guide their side home. Aidan Pipicelli led the way for the young Kangaroos with three goals for the afternoon.
Narre South Lions Gold is going to take a power of beating in Under 15 Division 2 after a comfortable 74-point triumph over Fountain Gate. The Lions marched into the grand final in a fortnight’s time with a resounding performance which featured a 6.2 to 0.0 second quarter.
The Lions had dangerous players all over the ground with Thomas Reddy and Jett Kearney kicking four, and Mat Phillips three, while the efforts of Hayden Waters and Zak Gunn were also instrumental in the victory.
Jake Carter booted two for the Gators who had Riley Allan fight the game out to the bitter end.
The Gators will play Berwick Blue in this week’s preliminary final after the Wickers sent Noble Park packing with a 27-point win at Sweeney Reserve.
Scores were level at half time before the Wickers kicked seven goals to two after the break to win for the second week running. Luke Waddell was outstanding for the winners with five goals, while Riley Van Eede and Will O’Sullivan chimed in with a couple each. Tarny Bun kicked two for Noble, who were eliminated in straight sets.
Lyndhurst will take on the massive challenge of trying to defeat Beaconsfield in this week’s grand final after cruising its way to a 39-point win over Cranbourne in the Under 18 Girls’ preliminary final.
The Lightning were impressive from start to finish with Courtney De Kroon, Chloe Freeman, Melissa Dingle, Tahlia Fellows and Alesha White all playing key roles in the win.
Alexandra Gray and Kayla Germanier never stopped trying for Cranbourne.
And Cranbourne will look to turn the tables on Narre North Foxes in this week’s grand final after rolling Beaconsfield by 44 points in the Under 15 Girls’ preliminary final.
The Cranbourne team led by just 11 points at the final break but slammed home five unanswered goals in the last quarter to score an impressive win.
Kayleigh Hower and Charlotte Blair both kicked two for the winners who will need to turn around a five-point loss to the Foxes in week-one of the finals.
UNDER 13s-14s
The Kangaroos have charged through their South East Juniors Under 13 Blue preliminary final with a commanding 69-point win over the Foxes at Lois Twohig Reserve on Sunday afternoon, 11.12(78) to 1.3(9).
Officer Blue led by just a goal at quarter time but started to heat right up in the second term, booting four unanswered goals and piling on 11 scoring shots.
They kept the foot down through the second half to record their big win off the back of four goals from Kody Seing, three from Baxter Murphy, and two from Ben Myers.
In the earlier Under 13 Blue preliminary final at Sweeney Reserve, Endeavour Hills rallied to get the better of Parkmore by 22 points, 8.4(52) to 4.6(30).
The Eagles were down early – trailing by 14 points at quarter-time – before clawing their way back into the contest.
They took a one-point deficit into half-time but turned that around to lead by three with just a quarter left to play.
It was in the final term where they really took hold, booting four answered goals. Aaron Findlay kicked three majors for Endeavour Hills while Brendan Alievski (three goals), Roi Roi, and James Owen were stellar for Parkmore.
An inspired Pakenham Blue mustered plenty of courage to defeat Cranbourne Blue by five points in their Under 13 Red preliminary final at Marriott Waters on Sunday morning.
Scores were deadlocked at two goals apiece at quarter time and Pakenham edged ahead by the main break only to see Cranbourne charge back into the lead with a quarter left to play.
But that’s when the Lions really stepped up with a pair of crucial unanswered fourth-quarter goals to win 5.3(33) to 4.4(28).
Luke Ryan and Ryan Emerson were simply outstanding for Pakenham, while Vanish Prasad was one of the shining lights for Cranbourne.
The division’s other preliminary final – also at Marriott Waters – saw Berwick White prove far too good for local rivals Berwick Springs, 9.10(64) to 1.3(9).
Pakenham Blue also defeated Cranbourne Blue in their Under 14 Division 2 preliminary final on Sunday afternoon, 7.10(52) to 4.9(33), with Emerson again stepping up to the plate for the injury-hit Pakenham – booting two majors alongside Scott Dalton. Joel Ball and Noah East were two of Cranbourne’s standouts.
In the other Under 14 Division 2 prelim, this time at Lois Twohig, Berwick Springs Green had the better of Beaconsfield Gold by 31 points, 8.11(59) to 4.4(28). Joel Kent and Triston Ferdinand were brilliant for Berwick Springs while Daniel Rechichi booted four majors and Zac Griffith-Brown two.
The two Under 14 Division 1 preliminary finals both went right down to the wire – both decided by less than two straight kicks.
Berwick White bounced back from a 15-point three-quarter-time deficit to beat Narre North Foxes Black 8.3(51) to 6.5(41) thanks in no small part to three goals from Mac Andrew and two apiece from Josh Sawrey and Will Curtain; while Narre Warren Black also won by 10 points – over Noble Park, 9.3(57) to 7.5(47). Duoth Jock booted three goals for Narre Warren while the likes of Jonathan Nguyen (two goals), Jordan Camilleri (three goals) and Cody Murphy (two goals) were gallant for Noble Park.
UNDER 11s-12s
Despite the results over another fantastic weekend, all the youngsters playing for a grand final spot did everything they could to win.
Sometimes it doesn’t quite go your way, and the disappointed kids will no doubt have another chance next year.
For all the winning teams, they now move onto the grand final, a special day in the football calender that is exciting for all involved.
Kooweerup is through to the Under 11 White grand final after defeating Cora Lynn by 15-points.
But the result could have been a lot different if not for a slow starting Cobras, who failed to score a single point in the first half as the Demons kicked two goals.
But the Cobras won the second half by a point, kicking 3.5 to close to within two goals at the final siren.
Goal kicking machine Luke Briganti kicked another two goals for the Demons and Tim Gethin-Davies played a great game, while Cora Lynn pair Kyran Nicholls and Hamish Hill both kicked fantastic goals.
Kooweerup face a big challenge when they face Endeavour Hills for the premiership this week.
Pakenham Blue is through to the Under 11 Blue grand final against Narre North Foxes this week after overcoming Berwick Springs Green by 26-points.
After a fairly even first three quarters, in which the Springs managed to stay with the Lions, it was anyone’s game at three quarter time.
But a brilliant 2.3 final quarter by the Lions held the Springs off, with Tarkyn Nicholls playing a starring role up forward, kicking three goals.
Blake Earle, Azariah Borg and Mason Hall were all excellent for Pakenham, while Berwick Springs youngsters Lachlan Martin, Kira Emery and Tom Norton battled hard.
And a stunning 46-point win to Pakenham Maroon sees the Lions through to the Under 11 Red grand final against Cranbourne Blue this week.
Up against Berwick White, the Lions led by six-points at quarter time and extended its lead at every change.
But its final quarter was the one to remember, kicking 4.1 to kick an impressive seven goals for the match.
Josh Greig (four goals) was outstanding and Riley Blackwell was one of three other goalkickers, while youngsters Riley Lawrence, Reagan Billing and Charlie Inglis never stop trying for Berwick White.
Berwick North was truly magnificent against Noble Park in the Under 12 White preliminary final, winning by 63-points.
In a fantastic first half, the Tornadoes kicked eight goals to none to lead by 49-points at half time.
The Bulls didn’t stop trying, kicking goals in each of the third and last quarters, but the Tornadoes continued on in the second half with another four goals.
There were four multiple goalkickers for the Tornadoes, with Ben Wemyss (three goals), Jack Fowler (two goals), Rory Mitchell (two goals) and Josh Davis (two goals) kicking goals.
Rashad Abdul-Khalek never stopped trying for Noble and Nick Balica was also very good.
The Tornadoes will play Narre North Foxes in the grand final on the weekend.
In the Under 12 Blue division preliminary final, Berwick Blue has pulled off an incredible come from behind victory to steal a win against Beaconsfield Blue by just a solitary point.
The Eagles were on fire in the first quarter, kicking three unanswered goals and keeping the Wickers scoreless to open up a 20-point lead.
That lead was slashed slightly in the second quarter, before the Eagles held firm to hold a three quarter time lead of 18-points.
But all of a sudden the Wickers stormed home, kicking four final quarter goals to stunningly fall over the line at the final siren.
Riak Andrew (two goals) and Cormac O’Brien were excellent late for the Wickers, while Luke Morrell and Josh Roche battled hard in a tough loss for the Eagles.
And Berwick Springs Blue is through to the Under 12 Red grand final after defeating a wildly inaccurate Pakenham by 48-points.
The Springs were never really threatened in the victory, but the Lions kicked 1.12 for the match and could have been in the game if they kicked straight.
Hayden Poke played well for the Springs, while Charlie Shankland kicked Pakenham’s only goal for the match.
On to the Under 12 Girls, and Beaconsfield has booked itself a grand final berth after defeating Narre Warren by 39-points.
The impressive Eagles were simply brilliant in defence through the first half, holding the ‘Pies scoreless while kicking two goals themselves.
That defence then turned into attack, with the Eagles managing to find another five goals in the second half and hold the ‘Pies to just the one.
Abbey Beck, Ava Stillwell and Bridie Dillon all played great games for the Eagles, while Meg Buhagiar, Jasmin Georges and Hayley Bellocchi all tried hard for the Magpies.
The win means the Eagles will play Cranbourne in the grand final this weekend.
FINALS RESULTS – WEEK 2 – SUNDAY 13 AUGUST
LOIS TWOHIG RESERVE
U11 White Preliminary Kooweerup 5.8(38) v Cora Lynn 3.5(23)
U11 Blue Preliminary Pakenham Blue 6.5(41) v Berwick Springs Green 2.3(15)
U12 Blue Preliminary Berwick Blue 5.4(34) v Beaconsfield Blue 5.3(33)
U13 Blue Preliminary Narre North Foxes Grey 1.3(9) v Officer Blue 11.12(78)
U14 Div.2 Preliminary Berwick Springs Green 8.11(59) v Beaconsfield Gold 4.4(28)
MARRIOTT WATERS OVAL 1
U11 Red Preliminary Berwick White 0.1(1) v Pakenham Maroon 7.5(47)
U13 Red Preliminary Cranbourne Blue 4.4(28) v Pakenham Blue 5.3(33)
U13 Red Preliminary Berwick White 9.10(64) v Berwick Springs 1.3(9)
U14 Div.2 Preliminary Cranbourne Blue 4.9(33) v Pakenham Blue 7.10(52)
Premier 2 Preliminary Beaconsfield White 6.6(42) v Narre North Foxes Black 11.11(77)
MARRIOTT WATERS OVAL 2
U12 Girls Preliminary Narre Warren 1.2(8) v Beaconsfield 7.5(47)
U15 Girls Preliminary Cranbourne 6.9(45) v Beaconsfield 0.1(1)
U14 Div.1 Preliminary Noble Park 7.5(47) v Narre Warren Black 9.3(57)
U15 Div.1 Semi Final 2 Beaconsfield White 9.11(65) v Endeavour Hills 8.7(55)
SWEENEY RESERVE 1
U14 Div.1 Preliminary Berwick White 8.3(51) v Narre North Foxes Black 6.5(41)
U15 Div.2 Semi-Final 1 Noble Park 5.13(43) v Berwick Blue 11.4(70)
U15 Div.2 Semi-Final 2 Narre South Lions Gold 15.7(97) v Fountain Gate 3.5(23)
Premier 3 Preliminary Fountain Gate 9.9(63) v Lyndhurst 5.7(37)
SWEENEY RESERVE 2
U12 White Preliminary Berwick North 12.4(76) v Noble Park 2.1(13)
U12 Red Preliminary Berwick Springs Blue 10.6(66) v Pakenham Blue 1.12(18)
U13 Blue Preliminary Endeavour Hills 8.4(52) v Parkmore 4.6(30)
U18 Girls Preliminary Cranbourne 2.1(13) v Lyndhurst 7.10(52)
U15 Div.1 Semi-Final 1 Officer 6.10(46) v Cranbourne Blue 7.16(58)
SHEPLEY OVAL
U15 Div.1 Semi-Final 1 Beaconsfield Blue 18.17(125) v Pakenham Maroon 1.4(10)
U15 Div.1 Semi-Final 2 Berwick White 9.2(56) v Narre Warren Black 6.9(45)
Premier 1 Semi-Final 1 Berwick White 13.9(87) v Bonbeach 7.10(52)
Premier 1 Semi-Final 2 Mount Eliza 10.11(71) v Beaconsfield Blue 3.15(33)
FINALS FIXTURE – WEEK 3 – SUNDAY 20 AUGUST
NARRE NORTH RESERVE EAST
9am U15 Div.2 Preliminary Fountain Gate v Berwick Blue
11am U15 Div.1 Preliminary Endeavour Hills v Cranbourne Blue
1pm U15 Div.1 Preliminary Narre Warren Black v Beaconsfield Blue
3pm Premier 1 Preliminary Beaconsfield Blue v Berwick White
MARRIOTT WATERS OVAL 1
8:30am U11 Red Grand Final Cranbourne Blue v Pakenham Maroon
10am U12 Blue Grand Final Narre South Lions Gold v Berwick Blue
11:30am U13 Blue Grand Final Kooweerup v Endeavour Hills
1pm U14 Div.2 Grand Final Narre North Foxes Grey v Pakenham Blue
3pm U14 Div.1 Grand Final Berwick Springs Blue v Narre Warren Black
MARRIOTT WATERS OVAL 2
9am U11 White Grand Final Endeavour Hills v Kooweerup
10:30am U12 Red Grand Final Beaconsfield Gold v Berwick Springs Blue
Noon U13 Red Grand Final Narre South Lions Navy v Pakenham Blue
1:30pm U13 Red Grand Final Beaconsfield Blue v Berwick White
3pm U15 Girls Grand Final Narre North Foxes v Cranbourne
BARRY SIMON RESERVE
9am U11 Blue Grand Final Narre North Foxes Black v Pakenham Blue
10:30am U12 White Grand Final Narre North Foxes Grey v Berwick North
Noon U12 Girls Grand Final Cranbourne v Beaconsfield
1:30pm U13 Blue Grand Final Lyndhurst v Officer Blue
3pm U14 Div.2 Grand Final Tooradin-Dalmore v Berwick Springs Green
SHEPLEY OVAL
9am U18 Girls Grand Final Beaconsfield v Lyndhurst
11am U14 Div.1 Grand Final Beaconsfield Blue v Berwick White
1pm Premier 3 Grand Final Beaconsfield Gold v Fountain Gate
3pm Premier 2 Grand Final Pakenham Maroon v Narre North Foxes Black
