By David Nagel
The finest football and netball talent from the Ellinbank and District Football Netball League (EDFNL) and West Gippsland Football Netball Competition (WGFNC) converged on Lang Lang on Wednesday 19 June.
The EDFNL and WGFNC locked horns at under-16 level in football, while talented young netballers took to the court in both the 13 and 15-Under age groups.
The WGFNC narrowly took honours on the night, winning the football and 15-under matches, while the EDFNL took home the 13-under trophy with a heart-stopping win in the dying stages of the match.
WGFNC Under-16 assistant-coach Matt Ahern penned a report from a WGFNC perspective, while the EDFL administration gave its thoughts from the opposition’s standpoint.
WGFNC REPORT
The Under-16 interleague match between the EDFNL and the WGFNC was held in fine but very cold conditions.
It is a once off game between the two leagues to showcase the best young talent locally and also create a pathway for further development.
In an even first quarter, it was WGFNC hitting the scoreboard first with Augustas Finsterer kicking his first of three for the night.
Both teams were nervous and fumbled the ball, but it was WGFNC, through some strong defensive efforts, which held the lead at the first break.
The EDFNL coaches asked for a lift at quarter time, and they got it, with a lift in intensity around the stoppages.
After some impressive clearances, they were able to create some scoring opportunity.
They had WGFNC flat footed and made them pay, kicking two second quarter goals to lead by two points at half time.
With the coaches sorting out some structure issues in the midfield and forward line it didn’t take long for the WGFNC to get the lead back in the third quarter.
A sharp out-the-back goal to Harrison Carlon finished off some solid midfield work up the ground.
A spinning stoppage goal to Declan Shortis helped the EDFNL cause, but a third goal to Augustus Finsterer helped WGFNC wrestle back the momentum and went into the last break with an eight-point lead.
The message from WGFNC coach Jason Hill was to break the hearts of the opposition early and the players responded.
The WGFNC midfield, with its pressure and intensity, was able to overcome a gritty EDFNL midfield.
The WGFNC coaches had been looking for lateral ball movement for the first three quarters and the team provided this in the last quarter, producing more forward-50 entries and better looks at goal.
A set shot goal to James Patterson and a great long goal on the run to Jayden Worrell gave WGFNC a solid victory in the end.
Jeremy Kelly was clearly the WGFNC’s best player on the night with his attack at the contest, clean hands, tackling and clearance work standing out on the night.
His opposing number-one, Declan Shortis, was EDFNL best on the night with his leg speed and work rate a stand out.
WGFNC coach Jason Hill was buoyant after the game, pleased that the boys stuck to the task and played some quality football, especially in the last quarter to open the game up and create more scoring opportunities.
Assistant-coach Luke Walker had a terrific impact on the midfield of WGFNC; winning that battle in the end.
EDFNL coaches Sam Pratt and Lachlin Guy were both full of praise for their players sustained effort throughout the game.
Thanks must go to WGFNC coaches Jason Hill, Matt Ahern and Luke Walker and all of the support staff including the hard-working trainers Kylie and Jonesy.
Thanks also to the EDFNL coaches Sam Pratt, Lachlin Guy, Stuart Casey, Zac Gray and Matt Irwin and all their support staff.
Thanks to the EDFNL and the Lang Lang Football Netball Club for hosting the night at an outstanding venue.
Thanks to both the WGFNC and the EDFNL Boards of Management for supporting the Under-16 Interleague as a pathway for our talented lads to excel.
EDFL REPORT
In the Under-16 Interleague clash the EDFNL pressed the WGFNC for three-and-a-half quarters before the visitors drew clear with the final three goals of the match to run out 21-point victors in bitterly cold but dry conditions.
The hard-fought win made it back-to-back victories for the WGFNC after it secured a 58-pointvictory in last year’s game.
The opening quarter saw the WGFNC kick early and late goals to go into the first break with a 10-point lead.
It was a real arm wrestle for the 15 minutes between the goals and the good crowd in attendance could not help but be impressed with the tackling and pressure applied by the EDFNL when it did not have the ball.
In the second term the EDFNL generated far more inside 50’s and were rewarded with late goals by Archie Thompson, with a clever snap, and Charlie Armour, to take a two-point advantage into the main break.
The EDFNL held the WGFNC goalless during the quarter largely due to many timely interceptions by full back Charlie Kilmartin, centre half back Riley Butters and half back Dan Christian, while Blair Loft did well to quell the early dominance of WGFNC playmaker Jeremy Kelly.
In the third quarter the WGFNC midfield lifted and thrust the ball forward on a regular basis but could only manage two majors – but enough to hold an eight-point lead at three quarter time.
The highlight of the term was a brilliant goal by the well performed EDFNL vice-captain Declan Shortis, who spun out of heavy traffic to steer through the goal of the match.
In the last quarter the WGFNC finished the stronger and with goals at the 11 and 18-minute mark it achieved a well-deserved win.
While the EDFNL were outplayed in the last quarter it was not for lack of effort.
To cut them some slack it did not have an interchange bench to draw upon after three quarter time due to a few injuries and the boys appeared to tire in the latter part of the term.
Declan Shortis provided plenty of run and grunt around packs and was awarded by coach Sam Pratt the EDFNL best on ground medal.
Defenders Charlie Kilmartin, Dan Christian, Riley Butters and ruckman Nate Murphy provided a lot of resistance while Blair Loft, Ethan Seskis, captain Gavin Monson, Jhy Good and Jesse Etchell all produced some fine moments in a solid team effort.
Congratulations to the WGFNC; Its defence proved hard to penetrate and its forwards displayed more polish.
The EDFNL thank the WGFNC Operations Manager Brett Tessari and his league for their co-operation in making the match happen for the second consecutive year for once again there was no Under-16 Gippsland Carnival this season.
The league executive would like to acknowledge the coaches over the campaign, Sam Pratt and Lachlan Guy, assistants Stuart Casey, Zac Gray and Matt Irwin.
Also, thanks to our trainers, Helen Bould, Jess Short, Hailey McCauley, Patrick Dorian and Alan Massaro who helped over the last six weeks.
Also, thanks to photographer Jeff Tull, timekeeper Keith Fort, the Lang Lang Football Netball club for the use of their ground and facilities and the Gippsland Umpires Association who officiated the match.
Much appreciation to the EDFNL Junior Co-Ordinator Stephen Pratt for the preparation he put in that made this match a big success.
The league is also grateful to all families and friends that provided the boys with transport and attended training and the match.
The EDFNL Board of Management strongly believes the strength of all clubs and the league centres around the development of its junior ranks and thus looking forward to this match being an annual fixture.
ELLINBANK 0.2 2.4 3.4 3.5(23)
WEST GIPPSLAND 2.0 2.2 4.6 6.8(44)
EDFNL Goals: Archie Thompson, Declan Shortis, Charlie Armour. Best: Declan Shortis (Medal), Nate Murphy, Charlie Kilmartin, Dan Christian, Charli Armour, Blair Loft.
WGFNC Goals: Augustus Finsterer 3, Harrison Carlon, James Patterson, Jayden Worrell. Best: Jeremy Kelly (Medal), Rylan Butler, Xavier Williams, Jayden Worrell, Froley Andrson, Liam Pirotta.
SQUADS
UNDER 16 FOOTBALL
EDFL: Declan Shortis (Neerim South), Charlie Lindau (Buln Buln), Jackson Bennett (Lang Lang), Blake McDonald (Neerim South), Van Wilson (Longwarry), Max Steenholdt (Buln Buln), Archie Thompson (Lang Lang), Blair Loft (Neerim South), George Edwards (Poowong), Dan Christian (Neerim South), Ashley Debenham (Ellinbank), Flynn Bravington (Buln Buln), Gavin Monson (Poowong), Wes Scott (Trafalgar), Ethan Seskis (Longwarry), Will Mills (Trafalgar), Bryce Broadmore (Poowong), Tait Cornwall (Neerim South), Jhy Good ((Ellinbank), Jesse Etchell (Neerim South), Hugh Cunningham (Ellinbank), Charlie Kilmartin (Buln Buln), Kohen Mandemaker (Poowong), Nate Murphy (Ellinbank), Riley Butters (Ellinbank).
WGFNC: Jeremy Kelly (Phillip Island), Heath Mollison (Bunyip), Harrison Carlon (Phillip Island), Kasy Deren (Tooradin-Dalmore), Xavier Williams (Phillip Island), Liam Pirotta (Kooweerup), Riley Eden (Kilcunda-Bass), Jayden Worrell (Tooradin-Dalmore), Austin Schram (Nar Nar Goon), James O’Neill (Inverloch-Kongwak), Rylan Butler (Warragul Industrials), Joel Cochrane (Tooradin-Dalmore), James Patterson (Warragul Industrials), Lukas Palmer (Kooweerup), Ryan Fox (Nar Nar Goon), Zack Reid (Warragul Industrials), Matthew Simpson (Kooweerup), Augustus Finsterer (Inverloch-Kongwak), Charlie Fischer (Phillip Island), Joseph Zaccari (Garfield), Froley Anderson (Kilcunda-Bass), Cody Welch (Bunyip). Emergencies: Taye Prasad-Taylor (Kilcunda-Bass), Blake Eden (Kilcunda-Bass).
15 UNDER NETBALL
EDFL: Miley Warde (Catani), Skye Black (Neerim South), Jenna McDonald (Longwarry), Ruby Bridger (Buln Buln), Charlotte Kemp (Yarragon), Nicola Fort (Poowong), Mischa Moore (Yarragon), Claire Finger (Catani), Jorja Burslem (Trafalgar).
WGFNC: Annabelle Scott (Cora Lynn), Miley Schade (Cora Lynn), Daisy Soumilas (Inverloch-Kongwak), Lucy Watts (Nar Nar Goon), Sienna McPherson (Cora Lynn), Tiahli Dedigama (Nar Nar Goon), Annabel O’Hara (Kooweerup), Ella Clarke (Warragul Industrials), Matilda Trew (Phillip Island), Ruby Morris (Dalyston), Maya McDonald (Warragul Industrials), Aisha Hibbert (Phillip Island).
13 UNDER NETBALL
EDFL: Tiffy Walsh (Buln Buln), Sapphire Pratt (Buln Buln), Mia Wilson (Poowong), Ainsley Logan (Poowong), Blake McClimont (Lang Lang), Pallas Jackman-Riches (Poowong), Addy Moore (Yarragon), Ava Harvey (Yarragon), Eden Murnane (Ellinbank), Rachael Finger (Catani).
WGNFC: Emilia Scott (Cora Lynn), Mae Cornthwaite (Tooradin-Dalmore), Chloe Langley (Nar Nar Goon), Taya Smith (Nar Nar Goon), Lilly Adams (Tooradin-Dalmore), Indigo Henwood (Nar Nar Goon), Keira Ingham (Warragul Industrials), Zali Hermon (Nar Nar Goon), Avenah Misiluki (Cora Lynn), Kenzie Shave (Nar Nar Goon), Laila Csincsi (Tooradin-Dalmore), Gracie McQualter (Nar Nar Goon).
