Frank Christie looks to take possession ahead of his College opponent during the under-12 Benalla Black victory at the weekend. Photo: Rob Ashworth.
Week two of the Wangaratta and District Junior Football League finals was filled with excitement as both Benalla under-12 sides approached their games with confidence, with our Black side needing to win to continue their finals campaign and the Red team with the double chance up their sleeve if needed.
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Unfortunately, the Red side didn’t get the win they wanted to book their seat at the grand final, which means an all-Benalla preliminary final awaits us next week to see who can knock Myrtleford off their mantle.
U12 Black vs College – Elimination Final
Bill Bourke gets his kick away during the under-12 Benalla Black victory at the weekend. Photo: Rob Ashworth.
Under-12 Benalla Black faced College for the second elimination final at WJ Findlay Oval.
Blacks came out strong, taking control of the game early and keeping College scoreless for the first quarter. Max Reynolds was always dangerous in the forward 50 and finished the day with four goals. Harley Kupke and Bill Bourke were pillars at the contest, standing tall and claiming the ball for the Blacks whilst Frank Christie fought it out all match for the contested ball.
Jack McKenzie was fantastic all game and was notably sweeping behind the play to create his own clearance multiple times, while Spencer Whitechurch also battled away in the engine room pushing out the clearances our way throughout the game.
The team really put it all together this week for an exciting round of finals footy, ending the game 38 points ahead of College to lock in a preliminary final berth. Let’s go Blacks.
Score: Benalla Blacks 9.3 (57) def College 2.7 (19)
Goals: Max Reynolds 4, Dustin Nolan, Frank Christie, Jack McKenzie, Ted Clancy, Bailey King
Best: Harley Kupke, Bill Bourke, Max Reynolds, Jack McKenzie, Frank Christie, Spencer Whitechurch
U12 Red vs Myrtleford – Qualifying Final
The under-12 Benalla Red side regroups at quarter time during their qualifying final loss to Myrtleford. Photo: Kristen Ramage.
The under-12 Reds took on Myrtleford in the qualifying final, with the winner earning a place straight through to the grand final.
It was a tough and physical contest, with Myrtleford’s pressure and their ability to win the contested footy proving too strong on the day. The Reds battled hard throughout the game and showed glimpses of the football they are capable of playing, but unfortunately we couldn’t match Myrtleford’s intensity when it mattered most.
Despite the result, the boys have plenty to be proud of and will have another opportunity this Sunday in the preliminary final against clubmates Benalla Black.
