By Nick Creely
SOUTH EAST JUNIORS SEMI FINALS
UNDER 15s-PREMIER
Finals football has arrived in the South East Juniors, with some of the most talented youngsters in the region going to battle with one prize in mind…an elusive premiership.
In the Under 15 Division 1 semi-final on Sunday, Narre North Foxes Black emerged victorious in a tight, gritty affair against Berwick Springs Blue at Narre North Reserve, 8.9 (57) to 6.9 (45).
The Foxes got the jump in the first term to be leading by 14 at quarter time, but the Springs – led superbly by the likes of Caleb Whittam, Kayden Buselli and Tom Nelson (three goals), worked back into the contest, but fell just short after the Foxes flexed their muscles late.
In a superb performance for the winners, young Jayden Lemon was the star with a dynamic four goal display.
But down at Marriott Waters Oval in Under 15 Division 2, a classic between Noble Park and Lyndhurst resulted in a nail-biting one-point win to the young Lightning, 8.14 (62) to 9.7 (61).
In a brilliant match with plenty of twists and turns, the Lightning were outstanding in the second term to open up a 28-point half time lead.
The Bulls were simply not going away, and worked back into the contest with a seven goal third term, but couldn’t find enough momentum to fall over the line in an early classic to start the finals series.
For the winners, Dion Colantuodo was on song with three goals in attack, while the likes of Tristan Walton and Nyot Bidong were terrific all day. For the Bulls, Ashton Brunning was superb with three goals.
In Premier 1, an amazing last quarter effort by Berwick White proved too hard to handle for Pakenham Maroon, 7.10 (52).
Trailing all game and down by 13 at three quarter time, the young Berwick team produced a five goal to one last quarter to run over the top, with youngsters Jai Neal and Lewis Hill kicking four goals between them.
For the Lions, Cameron Debruin booted three and was a menace in attack, while the likes of Tom Gamble and Matthew Orford were very good.
Officer White got the chocolates in a terrific Premier 2 contest with Fountain Gate Blue, 8.4 (52) to 6.6 (42).
The young Kangaroos basically lead for the entire day, and held firm despite the Gaters never giving in until the final siren.
On a great day for the Kangaroos, Blake Henderson and Conor Benson booted four goals between them to be a problem for the Gaters, while Austin Edsall and Sinclair Laird ran hard.
And finally, Narre South Lions emerged victorious in the Premier 3 semi against Fountain Gate White, 7.11 (53) to 1.10 (16).
The Lions were unstoppable, holding the Gaters to just one goal for the first three quarters, and were running in waves to boot seven goals for the game.
Young Lions Matthew Phillips, Jett Kearney and Dylan Sorbello were strong all day, while for the Gaters, Lachlan Hann was able to score the goal for his team.
UNDER 13-14s
Despite trailing by four points at three quarter time, Berwick Springs Blue ran over Pakenham Blue in the Under 13 Red match at Narre North Reserve, 6.9 (45) to 5.4 (34).
The Lions were ahead for the first three quarters after getting off to a fast start, but the likes of Riley Purton, Samuel Frangalas and Matthew Nelson fought back brilliantly to produce a two goal final term and keeping the opposition scoreless.
Young Lions Tom Falkingham was superb with three goals, while Iziah Lefau, Kade Perkins and Brodie Ellery fought hard.
In Under 13 Blue, Cranbourne Blue made the most of their chances to defeat Berwick North, 7.4 (46) to 3.18 (36).
After trailing by 18 points at three quarter time, the North certainly had their chances, but kicked eight behinds in the final term while keeping the Eagles scoreless.
Despite the result, there were plenty of stars on show, with Eagles’ trio Brad Hodge (three goals), Maynard Dunn and Jack Grimsey all hitting the scoreboard, while for Berwick, Ben Wemyss, Dean Milivojevic and Jeran Leroy Gunaratnam all tried hard.
Berwick Springs Green, meanwhile, defeated Nar Nar Nar Goon/Cora Lynn in the Under 13 White semi, 9.11 (65) to 3.5 (23).
The Goon led by 12 at quarter time, but it was all the Springs from that point on, kicking nine goals to one after quarter time.
Young star Harrison Waters was brilliant for his side all day, and got great support from the likes of Bailey Paton, Ben Raines and Jordan Brady.
Berwick Springs also got a big win in the Under 14 Red match against Officer Blue, 20.13 (133) to 2.3 (15).
Eric Prvulj (five goals), Jack Cornish (four), Brodie Howie (four), Liam Stokes (three) and Kai Maas (two) were dominant all day for their side.
In the other Under 14 Red semi, Narre North Foxes Black were too strong for Narre Warren Black, 10.13 (73) to 6.8 (44).
The Foxes actually trailed at three quarter time, and kicked six unanswered goals in the final term to run away with the win.
Josh Verna was brilliant for the Foxes, while others such as Ryan Hutton, Aaron Luxmoore and Patrick Sinnema were also terrific.
In the Under 14 Blue, Beaconsfield Gold ran over Tooradin-Dalmore, 11.18 (84) to 2.4 (16).
The Eagles had a terrific first half and continued on with a dominant second half, with Andrew Samawi booting four majors and Liam Floyd also snaring three himself.
Seagulls youngsters Ben Sellings, Bailey Ray and Ryley Watts all tried hard for their side.
In the other Under 14 Blue, Parkmore defeated Lyndhurst in a strong performances from the Pirates, 14.16 (100) to 8.6 (54).
It was a very even team performance from the Pirates who had winners all over the ground, but for the Lightning, young Jye Scicluna kicked an incredible seven of his side’s eight goals.
In the Under 14 Girls clash between Pakenham Maroon and Cranbourne, the Lions just got the win in an entertaining battle, 6.5 (41) to 5.7 (37).
The Lions led by 31-points at three quarter time, but an amazing last quarter – inspired largely by four goals to Grace Pettigrove – saw them almost clinch an unthinkable victory.
In the Youth Girls competition, Berwick White were too strong for Pakenham Maroon, 4.12 (36) to 2.9 (21).
The Lions fought back admirably after not kicking a goal in the first three quarters, but fell short.
And Cranbourne Blue defeated Fountain Gate by a narrow margin, 3.3 (21) to 2.2 (14) to advance through in a solid performance.
UNDER 11-12s
Beaconsfield Gold bounced back from a scoreless opening quarter in the Under 11 Red semi against Pakenham Maroon, 6.5 (41) to 1.4 (10).
The Eagles were down by one at quarter time, and kicked six goals to one after that to run away winners.
Kayleb Lovett booted two of the six goals, while Dylan Young was also impressive with two goals next to his name.
Young Lion Zakery De Bono kicked the goal for his side in a terrific performance.
In Under 11 Blue, Lyndhurst Orange defeated Cranbourne Blue, 2.13 (25) to 3.2 (20).
The Lightning kicked nine behinds and no goal in the first half, but managed to steady themselves to do enough to claim the win.
Jamieson Burgess and Tyler Cook were fantastic for the Lightning, while for the Eagles, Cohan McMurtrie and Oliver Downe played well.
In Under 11 White, Cranbourne Gold claimed a brilliant win over Hampton Park, 5.6 (36) to 2.5 (17).
The Eagles battled hard all game despite the Redbacks leading at every change, and kicked four unanswered goals to win the game.
Will Nisbet kicked two goals for the Eagles in a great effort, while Redbacks young gun Michael Galway was brilliant.
Berwick White got the job done against Pakenham Maroon in the Under 12 Red semi, 4.11 (35) to 3.0 (18).
The Berwick youngsters got off to a terrific starts and led by as much as 29 points at three quarter time, with the Lions putting together an excellent final term with to straight goals to none.
Liam Barry Petherick was terrific with his two goals for the Berwick side, while the likes of Erik Peterson, Brodie Lawrence and Bradly Bettiol all played well.
For the Lions, Will Kouris booted a goal and played a great game, while youngster Robbie Auld was also full of run.
Berwick Blue claimed a comfortable 31-point win against Fountain Gate Blue in Under 12 Blue, 7.4 (46) to 2.3 (15).
Berwick had a superb six goal second quarter and they didn’t look back, booting another goal in the second half to set up the win.
Ryder Davis and Tyler Fowkes each kicked two goals in the big win, while Hayden Agnello, Oscar Cromie and Matthew King can hold their heads high for the Gaters.
And in the Under 12 White match, Cora Lynn put in a sublime performance against Berwick North, 6.8 (44) to 0.0 (0).
The Cobras built a big lead all day and run around brilliantly, with Noah Crew booting two goals in a very good display.
The Berwick team never gave in and tried hard all day, with Chaise Mason, Jack Brierley and Thando Gazi.
In the Under 12 Girls, Narre North Foxes Black defeated Narre Warren Black at Clyde, 2.2 (14) to 1.2 (8).
The Foxes and Magpies were level at three quarter time, but ultimately the Foxes managed to kick the match winner in the last quarter.
FINALS FIXTURE – WEEK 2
SUNDAY, 12 AUGUST
MAJOR RECREATION RESERVE 1
9.00am U12 Red Semi Final 2 Narre North Foxes Black v Cranbourne Blue
10.30am U13 Blue Semi Final 2 Noble Park v Berwick Blue
12.00pm U14 Red Semi Final 2 Pakenham Blue v Cranbourne Blue
2.00pm Premier 3 Semi Final 2 Berwick Springs Green v Tooradin-Dalmore
MAJOR RECREATION RESERVE 2
9.30am U11 Red Semi Final 2 Berwick Blue v Beaconsfield Blue
11.00am U12 White Semi Final 2 Kooweerup v Nar Nar Goon
12.30pm U13 Red Semi Final 2 Narre South Lions Navy v Beaconsfield Gold
2.00pm U14 Blue Semi Final 2 Kooweerup v Narre North Foxes Grey
SHEPLEY OVAL
9.00am U14 Red Semi Final 2 Beaconsfield Blue v Berwick White
11.00am U15 D1 Semi Final 2 Berwick White v Beaconsfield Blue
1.00pm Premier 2 Semi Final 2 Endeavour Hills v Beaconsfield Gold
3.00pm Premier 1 Semi Final 2 Berwick Navy v Beaconsfield Gold
OFFICER RECREATION RESERVE 1
8.30am U11 Blue Semi Final 2 Officer White v Beaconsfield White
10.00am U12 Blue Semi Final 2 Noble Park v Pakenham Blue
11.30am U13 White Semi Final 2 Officer Blue v Hampton Park
1.00pm U14 Blue Semi Final 2 Endeavour Hills v Berwick Blue
3.00pm U15 D2 Semi Final 2 Beaconsfield White v Narre North Foxes Grey
CLYDE RECREATION RESERVE
9.00am U11 White Semi Final 2 Noble Park v Narre Warren
10.30am U12 Girls Semi Final 2 Cranbourne v Beaconsfield Blue
11.30am U14 Girls Semi Final 2 Narre North Foxes Black v Beaconsfield Blue
1.00pm Youth Girls Semi Final 2 Narre North Foxes Black v Berwick
2.30pm Youth Girls Semi Final 2 Beaconsfield Blue v Beaconsfield
