With the senior grand finals run and won, and the awards handed out, it’s time to salute the next generation of footballers and netballers in the Riddell District Football Netball League with Tara Murray’s under-age grand final wrap.
FOOTBALL
Under-16 division 1
Gisborne Rookies 10.5 (65) d Kilmore 6.14 (50)
Gisborne had to come from behind to the claim the under-16 division 1 premiership. Kilmore led for the first three quarters and looked like they were on track for the win but the Bulldogs hit the front late in the last quarter and kicked away to seal the premiership. Samuel McCaskill kicked four goals for the Bulldogs, while Sam Ramsay, Baxter Slater and Sebastien Bell-Bartels were best for the Bulldogs.
Under-16 division 2
Macedon 13.10 (88) d Diggers Rest 9.8 (62).
Having finished on top of the ladder, Macedon entered the grand final as favourites against Diggers Rest. For the Burras, it was their first grand final in more than 10 years. The first quarter proved to be the difference, with the Cats kicking out to a 34-6 lead at the first break. The Burras kept in touch for the next two quarters, before the Cats scored three goals to one in the final quarter to ensure the premiership. Brody Jorgensen kicked three goals for the Cats, with Wilem Floreani named the Cats’ best. Baal Patrice kicked three goals for the Burras.
Under-16 division 3
Melton 15.13 (103) d Wandong 5.6 (36)
The Bloods finished on top of the ladder and showed their intent early on, scoring 7.5 to nil in the first quarter. Wandong never recovered as they struggled to match the Bloods across the ground. The Bloods won every quarter, on the way to an easy win. Johnny Armstrong kicked four goals for the winners, while Lachlan Stewart was named their best.
Under-14 Turner seniors
Gisborne Rookies 5.6 (36) d Rupertswood 4.5 (29)
The last time these teams met, in the final round of the season, the Bulldogs won by just one point. That time, they were playing for top spot – this match was just as close all day. There was no more than five points separating them at any of the breaks. The Rookies scored the last two goals of the game to take the lead, and the win. Jack Keeping kicked two goals for the Bulldogs, with Joshua McDonald named their best. Jordan Flanigan kicked two for the Sharks.
Under-14 Turner reserves
Melton 6.1 (37) d Kilmore 4.3 (27)
Like the Turner seniors’ grand final, the reserves’ grand final was a thriller. Kilmore entered the match as favourites after finishing on top of the ladder. The Bloods had finished third. They led by four points going into the last quarter, and kicked the only goal of the last quarter to seal a 10-point win. It was all single goal-kickers for the Bloods, with Tyler Williams and Conrad Farrugia named their best in the premiership.
Under-14 Beatson
Macedon 6.5 (41) d Gisborne Rookies 4.4 (28)
Macedon completed the perfect season with their grand final win over Gisborne Rookies. The Cats didn’t have it their own way though, with the Bulldogs pushing them all the way. The Cats led by five points at quarter-time, and extended the lead to 13 points at the main break. The Bulldogs scored the only goal of the third quarter to give themselves a chance. But the Cats had other ideas, kicking two goals to one in the final quarter to seal the win. Max Webb and Cody Brand kicked two goals each for the Cats.
Under-12 Turner seniors
Melton South 2.3 (15) d Gisborne Rookies 0.4 (4)
It was a low-scoring hard slog, with Melton South taking home the premiership. Goals were hard to come by, with neither side able to find the big sticks in the first half. The Panthers scored the first goal of the match in the third quarter, then kicked the only goal of the last quarter to extend their lead, which proved to be the winner. Ethan Sullivan and Bryce Lewis were the two goal-kickers.
Under-12 Turner reserves
Rupertswood 2.2 (14) d Melton 1.5 (11)
Rupertswood came from behind to win the under-12 reserves grand final. The Sharks were held goal-less in the first quarter in a low-scoring affair. They kicked the only goal of the second and third quarters to trail by four points at the last break. But the Sharks held the Bloods scoreless in the last quarter, while kicking one goal of their own, which proved to be enough. Ethan Wallace and Kane Oakley were the goal-kickers for the Sharks.
Under-12 Beatson
Macedon 5.4 (34) d Sunbury Kangaroos 3.4 (22)
Macedon came from fifth to win the under-12 Beatson premiership. The Cats started slowly, and were held scoreless in the first quarter. Kicking two goals in the second quarter, they hit the lead and then extended it at the last change. Two goals to one in the final quarter made sure of a Cats’ premiership. Cats’ Roman Felice was the only multiple goal-kicker, with two goals. William Blake was named best for the Cats.
Under-10 competitions don’t score their games, nor have finals.
NETBALL
17 and under-Turner
Melton South 24 d Rupertswood 19
Best: Ameila Williams-Otutaha Melton South), Grace Kavanagh (nine goals, Rupertswood)
17 and under-Beatson
Gisborne 33 d Macedon Junior 13
Best: Laura Potter (Gisborne), Alexandra-May Mumford (Macedon)
15 and under-Turner
Sunbury Lions 28 d Rupertswood 8
Best: Keara Fitzgerald (Sunbury Lions), Madison Pane (Rupertswood)
15 and under-Beatson
Lancefield 20 d Sunbury 19
Best: Kayla Dyer (Lancefield), Sarah Hansen (Sunbury)
13 and under-Turner
Rupertswood 24 d Melton South 18
Best: Jessica Pane (Rupertswood) Akosita Moala Siola’a (Melton South)
13 and under-Beatson
Gisborne 24 d Macedon Junior 21
Best: Alicia Ward (Gisborne), Tamika Bishop (Macedon Junior)
11 and under-Turner
Riddells Creek junior 31 d Woodend 14
Best: Madison Brown (Riddells Creek), Molly Garrahan (Woodend)
11 and under-Beatson
Romsey 16 d Gisborne 12
Best: Gabby Ann Bubb (Romsey), Abbey McKenna (Gisborne)
