The NFNL’s junior football stars scored three wins and a draw from six games in the opening round of the 2018 AFL Victoria Metro Junior Championships.
Both Under-14 Boys teams scored wins against the Essendon District Football League at Watsonia’s A.K. Lines Reserve.
The two Under-15 Girls teams played out thrilling matches against the Yarra Junior Football League at Panton Hill’s Cracknell Reserve. The Division 1 team claimed a come-from-behind two-point win, while the Division 2 match finished in a draw.
Despite their best efforts, the two Under-15 Boys teams suffered defeats against the Essendon District Football League at Burnside Heights Recreation Reserve.
The Under-14 Boys A were in control from start to finish against the EDFL – taking a 17-point lead into quarter time, before extending their advantage at every break in the 14.7 (91) to 2.10 (22) win.
Jason McCormick booted five goals, while Thomas Neale, Henry Way and Ben Ham also featured among the best players.
The Under-14 Boys B team came from behind to score a runaway 28-point triumph. The boys kicked eight of the final ten goals after trailing by 13 points at quarter time.
A four-goal to one second quarter got the team back on track, before they stretched their lead in each of the final two quarters.
Lachlan Yeats, Nicholas Storer, Daniel Lansfield were all outstanding in the win, while Jack Maruff kicked two goals.
The Under-15 Boys A team was left to rue wasteful kicking at goal – recording three more scoring shots in their 4.11 (35) to 6.6 (42) defeat.
The team did show great spirit to fight their way back into the game after looking down and out when trailing by 17 points at the last change.
Jesse Hanel, Jack Harper and Joel Fitzgerald led the way, with Fitzgerald booting three of the side’s four goals.
The going was tougher for the Under-15 Boys B team, who were comfortably beaten despite giving their all at Burnside Heights Recreation Reserve.
The side never dropped their heads and managed to be much more competitive in the second half, when they kept their hosts to just one goal.
Joel Leslie and Jarred Coutts were among the best players, while Cody Bunworth also played a good game and scored the NFNL’s goal.
Our Under-15 Girls A team got its premiership defence off to a great start, downing rival Yarra Junior Football League by two points in very tough conditions at Cracknell Reserve.
In a low-scoring game, the girls trailed by six points at three-quarter time, before a goal to Pippa Bell in the final term handed the NFNL the lead.
They were able to hold on to the advantage, scoring a thrilling 1.9 (15) to 1.7 (13) win.
Teleah Smart, Peppa Poultney and Angelique Reibelt all played great games to ensure the NFNL made a winning start to the Championships. Collingwood AFLW coach Wayne Siekman coached the side in the absence of Chyloe Kurdas.
The action was just as gripping in the earlier Under-15 Girls B game, where the NFNL and YJFL split the points in a 5.6 (36) draw.
The NFNL made a great start and kicked the only two goals of the first term. The girls retained the lead throughout the opening three quarters and led by 14 points at three-quarter time.
However, the YJFL made a spirited comeback in the last quarter and kicked the final two goals to tie the game.
Imogen Hammond, Lauren Jatczak, Leah Jones were the NFNL’s best players in the thriller, while Jade Ventura kicked three goals.
The six sides will be back in action on Saturday June 9 for Round 2 of the Metro Championships.
Our Under-15 Boys will host the Yarra Junior Football League at Coventry Oval, Diamond Creek, while our Under-14 Boys travel to Bulleen Park, to also play the YJFL. Our Under-15 Girls take on the South Metro Junior Football League at Highett Reserve, Highett.
Round 3 of the Championships will be played on Monday June 11.
Continue below for last night’s Round 1 results.
ROUND 1 RESULTS
UNDER-15 DIVISION 1 A
NFNL 2.1, 2.2, 2.7, 4.11 (35)
EDFL 0.2, 1.4, 5.6, 6.6 (42)
Best: Jesse Hanel, Jack Harper, Joel Fitzgerald, Noah Dalmau, Darcy Wilmot, Harry Hirt
Goals: Joel Fitzgerald 3, Anthony O’Sullivan
UNDER-15 DIVISION 1 B
NFNL 1.0, 1.1, 1.4, 1.5 (11)
EDFL 3.6, 8.11, 8.12, 9.23 (77)
Best: Joel Leslie, Jarred Coutts, Cody Bunworth, Harry Beattie, Blake Harris, Ethan Robertson
Goals: Cody Bunworth
UNDER-15 DIVISION 1 GIRLS
NFNL 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 1.9 (15)
YJFL 0.3, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7 (13)
Best: Teleah Smart, Peppa Poultney, Angelique Reibelt, Maykaylah Appleby, Maree Stephenson, Tarrah Delgado
Goals: Pippa Bell
UNDER-15 DIVISION 2 GIRLS
NFNL 2.0, 4.3, 5.5, 5.6 (36)
YJFL 0.1, 2.3, 3.3, 5.6 (36)
Best: Imogen Hammond, Lauren Jatczak, Leah Jones, Mia Tolson, Jasmyn Kernaghan, Victoria Lawrence
Goals: Jade Ventura 3, Leah Jones 2
UNDER-14 DIVISION 1 A
NFNL 4.2, 7.4, 10.5, 14.7 (91)
EDFL 1.3, 1.4, 2.8, 2.10 (22)
Best: Jason McCormick, Thomas Neale, Henry Way, Benjamin Ham, Daniel Gikovski, Nicholas Younes
Goals: Jason McCormick 5, Benjamin Ham 2, Henry Way 2, Thomas Neale 2, Cooper Harvey, Darcy Hogg, Jordan Nguyen
UNDER-14 DIVISION 1 B
NFNL 0.2, 4.3, 6.6, 8.11 (59)
EDFL 2.3, 3.5, 4.6, 4.7 (31)
Best: Lachlan Yeats, Nicholas Storer, Daniel Lansfield, Riley Gaylard, Brody Glenn, Ralph Bamblett
Goals: Jack Maruff 2, Ralph Bamblett, Riley Gaylard, Flynn Riley, Steven Sarandopoulos, Nicholas Storer, Joshua Thompson
