U16 INTRALEAGUE REVIEW
The EDFNL U16 East v West Intraleague clash on Wednesday night saw the West team win by 22 points on a cold night at Lang Lang’s home ground in Caldermeade. It was only the second time the league has held this clash – the first was last year – when the teams drew. The East side was represented by players from Buln Buln, Trafalgar, Neerim South and Nilma Darnum and the West team was represented by players from Poowong, Lang Lang, Ellinbank and Longwarry.
Fuelled by a strong start the West team piled on five unanswered goals to lead by 28 points at quarter time. Thereafter the East team lifted but could make few inroads on the scoreboard.
The West played with far more unity and purpose in the first quarter and was far better setting up attack from defence and through the midfield and with goals to Blake Lyon and Hugh Cunningham both after marks close in - it skipped to an early lead. Their dominance was reinforced with a hattrick of majors off the boot of captain Rory Nettle who led well, marked strongly and was posing a real threat early. In the second quarter spectators were taken with an absolute screamer of a mark by East ruck man Juddson Ryan whose spring heeled effort on the social side wing was as good as any this scribe has seen this season. A few moments later Memphis McQualter showed good pace to set up Isaac Caroleo who produced a composed finish when he dribbled home the East’s first goal, but it still trailed by 27 points at the main break.
After half time the West only kicked two goals but had few issues closing out the match. The East team could draw positives that it played the better football in the second half and finished strongly with a goal by Kade Rossborough and two opportunistic majors by the lively Declan Shortis.
Among the better players for the West and the winners were Ellinbank’s Logan Joyce who won plenty of the contested ball and was an avenue to attack all match and justly deserved the West best player medal presented after the match by EDFNL Junior Development Officer Stephen Pratt while Poowong’s Rory Nettle with four first half goals paved the way for his teams’ victory. Longwarry’s Cody McInnes offered strong rebound out of defence, Lang Lang’s Blake Ryan and Ellinbank’s Joel Armstron regularly pumped the ball forward, Ellinbank’s Vincent Onslow moved well across the forward line and Longwarry’s Harrison Gilbert was prominent in his ruck role. Longwarry pair Mitchell Grant and Hamish Colvin also caught the eye on occasions with their dash in a good team effort.
The East team will rue its slow start. Neerim South tall Kai Mounsey used his body well through the middle and up forward to set up many forward thrusts and his influence was such that he won the medal for the best player for the East team. Trafalgar’s Memphis McQualter until injured in the third quarter, showed good ability to escape his opponents and his Bloods teammate Toby McCabe provided good drive out of defence. Neerim South’s Ash Mounsey initiated some nice moves from his wing position and his Cat teammate Keegan Friedlander popped up with some handy mid and forward possessions and produced a terrific snap goal in the third quarter. Trafalgar’s Isaac Caroleo was busy through the middle and up forward, Neerim South Declan Shortis read the ball well off the packs around goal and Neerim South Kyson Cornwall affected many important spoils behind centre.
The league executive would like to acknowledge the respective coaches, Wayne Oswald & Matt Irwin and assistants Peter Joyce, Corey Jagoe, Matt Devon and Zac Gray. Also, thanks to Alan Massaro, Tony Stewart, Helen Bould and Hailey McCauley from the Trainers Association, photographer Jeff Tull, the Lang Lang Football Netball club for the use their ground and facilities and the Gippsland Umpires Association # who officiated the match.
The leagues is also grateful to all the parents, guardians, families and friends that provided the boys with transport and attended training and tonight’s match. The EDFNL Board of Management believes the foundations of all clubs and the league rest with the development of its junior ranks so hope this match remains an annual event. Undertaking this match for the second consecutive year was also largely due to the positive feedback from all parties and players last season so we trust everybody derived as much satisfaction as those involved last year. Moving forward to the U16 Interleague, a squad will now be selected for our match against the WGFNC on the 5th July and also at Lang Lang.
# Denotes our GUA umpires who officiated were:
Field - Kohen Lott-Stephens, Flynn Pallot, Roger Croxford
Boundary - John Stuckey, Geoff Galbraith, Andre Elliott
Goal - Carmen Stuckey, Renee Marriott
QTR by QTR SCORES
WEST: - 5.0.30, 8.1.37, 8.3.51, 10.5. 65
EAST : - 0.2.2, 1.4.10, 3.7.25, 6.7.43
