THE Riddell District Football League under 14 and 15 sides remain winless after two rounds in the Victoria Metropolitan Junior Championships, but have shown enough to indicate a win is just around the corner.
It was a match that slipped through the fingers of the 15s in wet conditions at Gardiner Reserve.
They could easily have pinched the match if not for their poor goalkicking, as South Metro Junior Football League snuck home by eight points, 6.7(43) to 4.11 (35).
Click on the image below for our gallery of the big clash.
RDFL junior development officer Robbie Beatson said it was a “terrific result” for the older boys despite the loss.
“They were extremely competitive in very wet and slippery conditions.
“We could have easily pinched the game to be honest, but our kicking for goal let us down.”
Beatson said Robbie Burns, Jonah Bucki and the “in and under” work of Dylan Tarczon impressed in the belting rain. Meanwhile, he said the under-14s never recovered from a terrible first quarter, and it took until the final quarter to register their first major through Jaidyn Owen.
“It was a tough day at the office for the coaches and the team,” Beatson said.
“The boys really struggled against those who are simply bigger, stronger and better.”
It was also a massive struggle in division 2, with the 15s being thrashed by 117 points by Yarra Juniors Football League, 17.23 (125) to 1.2 (8), and the 14s copping a 112-point hiding 20.12 (132) to 3.2 (20), orchestrated by six-goal bursts in both the opening and final quarters.
The solitary goal for the 15s came through Jake Conolan while Liam Barton, Darcy Kelly and Conolan could hold their heads high amid the YJFL onslaught. Division 1 travelled to Bulleen Park on Monday to play Yarra Juniors Football League while division 2 took on South East Juniors at Diggers Rest.
