U16 EDFNL v WGFNC Review
The West Gippsland FNC (WGFNC) preserved their unbeaten record - now three victories in a row - against the Ellinbank & District FNL (EDFNL) at U16 level after they toppled it by 45 points on Wednesday evening at the Lang Lang Community reserve at Caldermeade. Persistent rain all day, intermittent drizzle and a gusty breeze during the match saw that skilful passages of play were few and far between. The WGFNC adapted better to the difficult conditions and had the game well in their keeping at half time but credit to the EDFNL who fought the match out strongly and were very competitive in an even second half.
On a freezing cold night the WGFNC kicked with the aid of a three to four goal blustery wind and with better team work, unity and tackling it set up a 25 point lead at quarter time. Thanks to ruckman Ryder Comben the EDFNL had the better of the centre clearances during the first term but many of their inside fifties were regularly intercepted.
In the second term the WGFNC increased their lead to go into the main break 42 points to the good. The EDFNL scored just two behinds but battled gamely. To be forgiving, the strong breeze behind them dropped significantly just prior to a rain shower which in tandem with tight WGFNC defence stifled their scoring opportunities. Midfielders Wes Scott and Corey Smith both bore in hard and tried to lift the EDFNL throughout the quarter.
In the third term the EDFNL showed pleasing signs, played with more self assurance, better team work and bridged the gap with goals by Oscar Blackwood (Buln Buln) and Dylan Strating (Neerim South) however any hopes of a comeback were stymied when the West Gippslanders scored a late goal to go into the last change 39 points ahead.
In the final term Ollie White steered through a third EDFNL major before the opposition produced two goals to cruise to victory.
At the conclusion of the match EDFNL Junior Development Officer Stephen Pratt thanked WGFNC Operations Manager Brett Tessari for his assistance with the organisation of the match and providing the kids with the opportunity to represent their respective leagues in the now regular absence of the Gippsland Carnival at U16 level. He introduced the coaches Mitchell Smith (EDFNL) and George Morgan (WGFNC), who presented 'best on ground medals' to their team's best player. The EDFNL medal was won by Longwarry ruckman Ryder Comden, who won many tap outs and made his presence felt around the ground. The WGFNC medal was awarded to Phillip Island forward Sam O'Garey, who played an influential role in attack especially in the first half when the visitors seized control and set up the win.
For the EDFNL, other good players included the midfield trio of Trafalgar's Wes Scott, Yarragon's Corey Smith and Lang Lang's Jackson Bennett along with Trafalgar's Tait Kersten and Nilma Darnum's Jackson Marx, the later two who gave the defence some substance. Catani's Nathan Miles, Trafalgar's Hudson Grujic and Ellinbank pair Josh Tylee & Jeremy Baxter all chimed in with handy disposals a number of times.
Congratulations to the WGFNC, in addition to medal winner Sam O'Garey, its ruck duo of the Dusties Jack Morgan and Nar Nar Goon's Aidy Patterson were prominent, its backline led by Tooradin's Kane Angleton stood up well and often turned defence into attack with help from his Seagull teammate Will Setford and the Dusties Cooper Belsham, both a driving force all game in a strong team effort.
The league executive would like to acknowledge the coaches over the campaign, Mitchell Smith and Gabe Marsden along with assistants Ben Johnston, Steve Tweddle along with runner Mitch Vant'Hoff, and Lochie Wilson and Lachie Child, emergencies in the team that ran water. Also thanks to our trainers, Hailey McAuley, Helen Bould & Jess Short. We would also like to pay recognition to our photographer Jeff Tull, timekeeper Keith Fort, the Lang Lang Football club for the use of their ground and facilities and the Gippsland Umpires Association # who officiated this and the lead in - East v West match.
We would also like to express our gratitude to the families and friends that provided the boys with transport and attended the training sessions over the six weeks. While the EDFNL has not won any of the three clashes, this Interleague match is still an investment that assists the players with their football and social development. We don't want kids disengaged from football and sport. If you lose your youth - you lose your next generation; hence our interest to stage this match and give players a pathway to improve and stay in the game. One that benefits the individual, their club and thus the quality of the league.
Thank you Intersport Warragul for your support of the Junior representative program. Players are kitted out with the support of Intersport!
# Denotes the GUA umpires who officiated:
Field - Charlotte Waller & Flynn Pallott
Boundary - Zaiden West, River Firth & Aiden Noonan.
Goal - Jack Flegg & James Stuckey.
QUARTER by QUARTER Scores
EDFNL - 0.1.1, 0.3.3, 2.4.16, 3.4.22
WGFNC - 4.2.26, 7.3.45, 8.7.55, 10.8.68
EDFNL Goals: - Oscar Blackwood, Dylan Strating & Ollie White.
EDFNL Best: - Ryder Comben (BOG medal), Corey Smith, Wesley Scott, Jackson Bennett, Tait Kersten & Jackson Marx.
