By Matt Ahern
The Under-18 Gippsland Interleague Carnival was held last Wednesday 3 July at Ted Summerton Reserve in Moe.
The ground was in terrific condition albeit a bit frosty for the first game, with the temperature gauge showing -2 degrees on the drive down the highway.
The format for the carnival is that all leagues WGFNC, Gippsland (GFNL), North Gippsland (NGFNL), Mid Gippsland (MGFNL) and Ellinbank (EDFNL) play each other throughout the day with the league finishing on top of the ladder crowned the champion league for 2024.
The games are made up of two halves of 18 minutes.
WGFNC played its first game at 9am and the boys were ready to go after an almost two-month trial period to select the team of 24 players and one emergency.
GAME 1 WGFNC V ELLINBANK
In almost freezing conditions, WGFNC started slowly in the first half but worked its way into the contest nicely and via a clever left foot snap by Noah Airdrie held a seven-point lead at the half. Coach Chris Terlich had told the boys to expect a low scoring game for the first game and he was right. The second half yielded only one goal to each side with Rem Del Pozzo kicking a crafty checkside goal on the run to secure WGFNC’s first win. Although not a large margin, the game felt in control with the backline setting up well behind the footy to cut off any entry by EDFNL and rebound the ball.
WGFNC 2.2(14) def EDFNL 1.1(7)
Best Players: Zac Walker, Yianni Caffieri, Noah Airdrie.
GAME 2 WGFNC V NORTH GIPPSLAND
The sun appeared and the dew had dried out and conditions were now perfect for football with a slight easterly wind. Coaches Chris and Jason had now seen the boys in action and were intent on getting the forward line to make the most of their entries. Well, a five goal to two first half certainly made the coaches happy. Jarvis Harvey opened the scoring with a nice set shot. Then he was able to set up Rem for the next off some excellent half back spread to move the ball forward. Jarvis then hit up Regan Awty for a long set shot goal. Yianni Caffieri was able to snap truly on his right foot, and a squaring kick to Charlie O’Garey for a goal and WGFNC went into the break 19 points up.
The second half produced the same, albeit with some inaccurate kicking, with Jarvis putting through another set shot off the back of an excellent chain of handball led by Chalie O’Garey. Two right foot snaps to Rem Del Pozzo were enough to give WGFNC a convincing second game victory. The backs, marshalled by the team’s captain Zac Box and Jaxon Foon, were able to set up behind the footy well and the lateral movement had begun to appear.
WGFNC 8.5(53) def NGFNL 4.1(25)
Best Players: Yianni Caffieri, Charlie O’Garey, Damien Leslie, Zac Box.
GAME 3 WGFNC V GIPPSLAND
With some lunch and a break, the boys now found themselves up against the reigning champions in the highly regarded Gippsland League. With a sneaky listen to the Gippsland coach in their previous game, a plan was put together to dismantle the Gippsland team which up until this point had played a fast, fluent, high scoring brand of football. The message was clear from coach Chris. The boys were to front up the pressure on their mids, expect and intercept the forward handball and stop their outlets across half back. Within the first five minutes of the first quarter, it was obvious that the boys were committed to the task and Gippsland weren’t getting the game on their terms. Regan Awty and Yianni Caffieri were imposing excellent tackling pressure through the midfield. With this Clancy Pope was able to snap a fine goal and after a set shot conversion from Jarvis, the WGFNC lead by four points at half time.
The second half was an arm wrestle early with Zac Walker imposing himself in the air.
Jarvis converted another set shot goal from some excellent forward pressure to force a forward 50 turnover and when Jarvis and Zac Banks snapped truly the game was secured in an outstanding team effort. Many of the top-age boys were having an influence through the middle which was obvious, but just as important was the likes of Seth Lawler, Zach Barrett, Daniel Ahern, Clancy Pope and Jesse Dugard to either pressure the ball carrier or shut down the outlets, not giving the Gippsland League their fluent ball movement. Even more pleasing was WGFNC was able to win the footy and have long periods of control throughout the game. At the final siren, the smile on the dial of Footy Ops Brett Tessari was priceless.
WGFNC 5.1(31) def GFNL 2.3(15)
Best Players: Zac Walker, Regan Awty, Campbell Gibbons, Zac Banks.
GAME 4 WGFNC V MID GIPPSLAND
After the excitement of beating the well-fancied Gippsland League, the boys still had a job to do by winning the last game of the carnival against Mid Gippsland. Coach Jason asked for the players to switch back on and put the game to bed early. Big-game player Jarvis Harvey had the boys up and about after a set shot goal from outside fifty. Then a deserved goal to Zac Walker from the top of the square and a set shot from Rem Del Pozzo from long range had the boys well on the way to victory. Zac Banks kicked a crafty goal on the run from the pocket and Yianni converted a set shot from a lateral forward entry. WGFNC went into the break with a 32-point lead.
Coach Jason’s message was clear. Enjoy the last half as the hard work had been done. Goals to Rem, Jesse, Zac Walker and a lovely goal to Chris Inverno from the half back line finished the opposition off. The mids and backs were hitting the angles with players getting the ball in space and producing better forward entries.
WGFNC 9.5(59) def MGFNL 3/02/20
Best Players: Zac Walker, Rem Del Pozzo, Zac Box, Chris Inverno.
SUMMARY
WGFNC was crowned 2024 Gippsland Interleague champions with all players and coaches presented with a medal in front of family and friends. WGFNC best player was presented to Regan Awty and the Player of the Carnival, chosen by the other leagues, was awarded to Zac Walker who was a stand out on the day, in particularly in the air. WGFNC Football Operations Manager Brett Tessari presented captain Zac Box with the winning trophy and the boys celebrated with pride.
Thanks must go to the Moe Football Club for hosting the event and thanks to coaches; Chris Terlich from Inverloch, Jason Kelly from Kooweerup and the Ramos boys for assisting. Thanks to Archie Terlich and James Ahern for running on the day. The water girls, trainer Kylie, team manager Alicia, both from Cora Lynn. Thanks also to Brett and Coaching Coordinator Matt.
But the major thanks must go to the class and sportsmanship of the playing group lead by their captain Zac Box of Inverloch.
A successful and rewarding interleague season for both the under-16 and under-18 age groups with endless talent across both age groups.
Bring on 2025!
THE SQUAD
Cora Lynn: Chris Inverno. Dalyston: Jesse Dugard, Jaxon Foon. Inverloch-Kongwak: Jordan Bertacco, Zak Box, Rem Dal Pozzo, Jarvis Harvey. Kilcunda-Bass: Will Campbell. Kooweerup: Zak Banks, Seth Lawler, Robbie McMahen. Korumburra-Bena: Zac Barrett. Nar Nar Goon: Noah Airdrie, Clancy Pope. Phillip Island: Yianni Caffieri, Beau Davies, Oliver Hibbert, Charlie O’Garey, Zac Walker. Warragul Industrials: Regan Awty, Declan Burton, Tom Cornwall, Campbell Gibbons, Damian Leslie. Tooradin-Dalmore: Daniel Ahern.
Coaches: Chris Terlich (Inverloch-Kongwak), Jason Kelly (Kooweerup). Assistants: David and John Ramos (Kooweerup). Coaching Coordinator: Matt Ahern (Tooradin-Dalmore). Team Manager: Alicia Chatfield (Cora Lynn). Trainer: Kylie Rout (Cora Lynn).
