The U17 boys headed down the road to Woori to play the unbeaten ladder leaders for the second time this year. Last time they played, the team had just added around 7 players from Monbulk and the players were starting to get to know each other. Eight weeks into the season the boys have been playing better footy and had racked up recent wins. The players were looking forward to seeing where they were now at.
Woori jumped Olinda in the opening stanza, breaking out to an eight goal lead at quarter time and Coach Paddy was worried the team were facing more of the same as last time we played. The group rallied though in the second quarter and started to meet the contest. In a fast moving and entertaining game, the boys evened up the contest and looked the better team around the ground. Whilst the scoreboard didn’t look pretty after the first quarter, at half time the damage had been contained. The boys continued to challenge Woori for the rest of the game and only errant kicking prevented them from putting more pressure on the top of the table Woori outfit. The coaching team were pretty happy with the effort and felt that the improvement in the team so far is paying off as they play more footy together. Paddy was happy that for two and a half quarters the U17s could mix it with the best of them and noted Luca Smith’s role in the ruck and Jacob Bateson’s run with role as being highlights.
The U16 girls headed back out to Healesville in what they knew would be a tough encounter. Down several players, the girls were jumped early with Healesville pouring on five goals in the opening term. At quarter time, coaches Claire and Gramercy looked to see the players contest the ball, run and support and continue to will themselves into each contest. The girls responded and shut down Healesville’s avenues to goal. Celia Clarke, Kaesha Christie and Elsa Leonard provided hard running through he middle and Tobi Monkhurst and Tilly Oleskowski repelled forward entry after forward entry. Jacquie Ring and Eloise Tyler rucked gallantly all day while Claudia Pitts provided good options across the wing and half forward until suffering a nasty finger injury. Whilst they couldn’t control the scoreboard, they certainly provided a tougher contest than last time they played and proved to themselves that even without several of their best layers, they can take the game to the best in the competition.
The U15 boys had the unusual slot of playing after the U17s and enjoyed the attention as they gave their first effort in Yarra division. They demonstrated that they deserved to playing amongst the top teams in the league as they jumped Upwey-Tecoma early and established a five goal lead by half time. Charlie Hooper changed up his role this week playing off the half back and intercepted plenty of Upwey forward entries with strength and skill. Aidan Bates dominated around the ground and still managed to kick four goals. Case Hine’s height and skill proved too much around the ground, Lenny Barry provided dash and carry, Jarvis Reid provided a big body in the contest and Etienne Griersmith-Rowe’s efforts were worthy of mention. Rio Neish’s dash across half forward saw him score and Will Blenkiron goal from forward pocket proved that four goals in the U13s just was not enough. It was a fast paced, high quality game and the coaches were happy that they could start life in the top division with a win and Coach Scott was happy that the win came from a really strong defensive effort.
The U13 boys showed that they are now fighting in the correct division, playing against the Woori Black team. They got an early lead and refused to let it up for the game. James Thornton wasn’t going to let Will Bleniron have all the scoring opportunities, along with Spencer Garrett, Fergus Hourigan and Fletch Brown. Jess Desta provided his usual run and aerial skills, also kicking a goal.
The U12 girls continued their development as they returned to Belgrave to test their wares. Coach Ruby was really happy that the girls were working on improving their skills and asked the girls before the game to use space to move the ball and to best first at the contest. Whilst the scoreline didn’t look great, the team significantly narrowed the gap from last time they played, showing progress for a very young team in the division. Great effort. Ruby was really impressed with the games of Lulu Rayner, Reagan Seamer, Jess Verheyen, mighty little Tahlia Dawson and Lucy’s efforts in the ruck – and Claire Mc Peake’s mark and goal will be the highlight reels for a long time.
The U11s really impressed their coach Stuart in a come from behind win over Woori. Woori came at them hard in the opening half and they had to really look at how they would structure up defensively to counter act. Missing a few midfielders, the magnets were in high rotation to find the balance that would get them back in the game. The team responded, edging their way in front by three quarter time and finishing with a strong 21 point margin. Jack Ford, Will Francis, Syd Higgins and Connor Lourey kept the scorers busy and Stuart also commended Archie green on his game.
The U9s and U10s continued on their footy journeys with great hitouts. They’re definitely not holding back just because no one is keeping score. They are loving the game, their mates, the competition and are pretty happy with a bucket of hot chips as a reward after the game.
