Wednesday June 1st.
Tonight was the first leg of our 3 part series of games in the Vic Metro Junior Championships. Our Under 14 Teams (Division 1 & Division 2) were fixtured as a home game, which was played at RAMS Arena in Craigieburn, against the Essendon District Football League. I have been informed by our Junior Development Officer Rob Beatson, that our Division 1 team were victorious by 24 points, which is an outstanding effort. With the EDFL having a far greater number of players to pick from, it should come as no surprise that our Division 2 team were soundly beaten, whilst still giving their all for the RDFNL jumper.
I headed to Burnside Heights Rec Reserve, to have a look at our Under 15s, who were also taking on the EDFL. As was the case in the Under 14s, our Division 2 team struggled to match it with the Div 2 team from EDFL, and went down by 109 points. Best players were Ned Young (Gisborne Rookies) who won the medal, Jake Syme (Melton), Harrison Hanley (Melton), Liam Agar (Diggers Rest), Jake Briffa (Kilmore), & Joshua Alford (Lancefield). Jake Briffa kicked both of our goals.
The Division 1 game was a much more tightly contested affair. Scores were level at quarter time, but at the start of the second quarter, EDFL kicked 3 quick goals and threatened to run away with the game. The RDFNL boys dug in, and kicked the only other 2 goals for the quarter to trail by 5 points at half time. Coach Damian O’Connor urged the boys to keep taking the game on during the second half, and reminded them that we had the talent in the room to knock off the highly fancied EDFL group. Just one goal was kicked in a tight quarter of footy, and at ¾ time scores were locked on 4-4 apiece. RDFNL had a lot of the play early, and got out to a 7 point lead. EDFL answered, and scores were again level with about 5 minutes to play. A couple of things didn’t quite go our way, and resulted in a goal to give EDFL back the lead. RDFL had a couple of late chances to either draw or win, but could not find the accuracy required, and when the siren went they had gone down by 4 points, in a fantastic effort. Best players were Josh Jenkins (Melton) who won the medal, Sam Ramsay (Gisborne Rookies), Milan Savic (Melton Centrals), Baxter Slater (Gisborne Rookies), Jake Sutton (Rupertswood) & Jack Dalgleish (Lancefield). Goal scorers were Josh Jenkins (2), Jack Ozanne, Baxter Slater & David Tyquin.
Thanks to coaches Damian O’Connor (Division 1) and Jacob Bennett (Division 2), together with all of the support staff who were on hand this evening, and well done to all of the boys who participated.
Steve Williams
RDFNL Operations Manager
Last Modified on 02/06/2016 00:27