Benalla Juniors lace up for road safety in round 14

It wasn’t just about footy this week, it was also a powerful reminder of what really matters. Benalla and District Junior Football Club proudly participated in the 2025 TAC AFL Victoria Road Safety Round.

Players, officials and supporters donned blue armbands in honour of the cause, while local police brought home the message with chats and even some goal umpiring duties – thanks to Leading Senior Constable Chris Di Ciero for stepping in.

This year’s Road Safety Round spotlight was on speeding– a leading cause of road trauma. Even going just 5km/h over the speed limit increases crash risk by 44 per cent. It’s a sobering statistic and a reminder that every choice counts.

“Show up for your team. Slow down on the road”.

U12 Benalla Black

Thank you to Chris from Benalla police for taking on the goal umpiring in our top-of-the- ladder thriller against Bright. It was a clash of the titans on a muddy, rain-soaked Benalla oval as under-12 powerhouses Benalla Black and Bright locked horns in a high-pressure classic. With both teams sitting atop the ladder, the crowd was treated to an electrifying contest from start to finish.

Benalla Black dazzled early with silky ball movement and smart link-up play that had the crowd cheering, a real showcase of junior footy at its finest. Despite soggy conditions and steady drizzle in the second half, Benalla Black moved the ball with class, showing maturity beyond their years.

Bentley Parker was a brick wall in defence, repelling attacks with calm composure. Bill Bourke impressed across every line, whether in the ruck, down back or up forward. Caleb Thwaites was tireless, even rolling back from the forward line to support the back line when needed.

Blake Piggott showed strength and smarts with his bodywork and crunching tackles. Lachie Osborne and Jimmy Jackson ran through the guts, delivering strong central play. Ollie Ross was smooth at centre midfield, creating opportunities, while Bailey King continues to grow in confidence and skill each week.

A hard-fought battle saw Bright edge ahead late, but Benalla Black walked off with heads held high.

Goal kickers: Owen Schirmer, Caleb Thwaites

Best players: Caleb Thwaites, Oliver Ross, Jimmy Jackson, Lachlan Osborne, Bentley Parker, Bill Bourke.

Score:

Benalla Black 2.3 (15) def by

Bright 3.7 (25)

U12 Benalla Red

Heavy conditions greeted Benalla Red and Myrtleford on Sunday with Benalla trying to avoid its third straight defeat and the Saints fighting to maintain top spot. The first quarter was an arm wrestle with Angus Roscoe winning the ruck battle and providing Benalla’s midfield with many opportunities.

Young pocket rocket Max Reynolds kick started the scoring with a typically classy finish. The strong Saints outfit answered straight back with multiple goals, applying scoreboard pressure.

The second quarter saw the Reds outfit challenged giving up field position however the backline was committed led by first year dynamo Harley Kupke, Benji McKean, Bodie Gall and the Staggard twins. The second half of the match saw both teams trading blows with a grandstand finish awaiting.

Unable to capitalise on opportunities, a committed Benalla Red outfit went down to the tune of 17 points. Toby Smith had another dominant game assisted by his captain Xavier Beriman. Manny Bourke played another stellar games at both ends of the ground and as always Teddy Sheehan gave his all.

Goal kickers: Max Reynolds, Ted Sheehan.

Best players: Toby Smith, Harley Kupke, Emmanuel Bourke, Ted Sheehan, Benji McKean, Xavier Beriman.

Score:

Myrtleford 4.8 (32) def

Benalla Red 2.3 (15)

U14 Benalla Black

Black hosted Bright at the Benalla Showgrounds in wet, muddy conditions.

Benalla began the game in slick fashion with some impressive passages of play despite the conditions, moving the ball like it was a dry day. Hugh Ross was relishing the conditions and was instrumental in many of Black’s attacking moves, with his ability to find teammates in better positions impressive.

Nichloas White continued his form from last week taking several intercept marks, defying the wet conditions and driving the ball from defence into attack for Benalla. Josh Montgomery’s raking right foot was a weapon for Benalla, with his rebound out of the midfield and half back putting the Bright defence under pressure.

Ryan White and Charlie Bell lifted a cog, winning the disputed ball by working in and under the packs. Jakobi Williams put in a great game, whether as a lead up forward or in the ruck, he was rarely beaten. Jack Christie ran hard all day not allowing the Bright forwards any freedom.

Josh Bamford controlled his wing, at times out-marking much bigger opponents which allowed Black to continue the free-flowing game. Conditions closed in and the rain began to fall even heavier as the game became an old-fashioned slog, and to Benalla’s credit the boys maintained their pressure around the contest and were cleaner with their ball handling, allowing them to come away with the win.

Goal kickers: Ollie Wardill, Riley Hilton 2, Ollie Parker, Ryan White.

Best players: Hugh Ross, Josh Montgomery, Nicholas White, Josh Bamford, Ryan White, Charlie Bell.

Score:

Benalla Black 6.7 (43) def

Bright 0.1 (1)

U14 Benalla Red

On a cold, wet and muddy day in Myrtleford, Benalla Red showed tremendous grit and resilience despite tough conditions and an undermanned line-up. The heavy ground made clean possession difficult, and early on it was clear this would be a hard-fought contest. Benalla were dealt two injuries during the game, forcing the team to reshuffle and dig deep.

A huge thank you goes out to our three under-12 players Xavier, Teddy, and Logan, who stepped up to help the team and didn't look out of place in the older age group. Their energy and determination gave the team a much-needed boost throughout the match.

Despite trailing, Benalla refused to give up, fighting hard to the final siren and displaying the true spirit of the jumper. Myrtleford proved too strong in the end, taking the win by 28 points, but there was plenty to take away from the match, most notably the team's heart, commitment, and never-give-up attitude.

The coaching group was proud of the way the players responded to adversity. With a full squad and some better luck, this team is building something strong heading into the final rounds.

Goal kickers: Jack Hart 4, Tom Mount, Jude Binion.

Best Players: Jack Hart, Xavier De Fazio, Charlie Pollard, Jack Pollard, Tom Snell, Tom Mount.

Score:

Myrtleford 9.14 (68) def

Benalla Red 6.4 (40)

U17 Benalla

While Sunday’s round 14 match was part of the TAC Road Safety Round, there was no slowing down premiership favourites Bright as they opened the game with a nine-goal quarter.

The Mountain Men were unrelenting, smashing the midfield contests and running rampant from defence to attack. In just 20 minutes of football, they had 17 scoring opportunities, leading by 56 points at the end of the first quarter.

Benalla, in contrast, were slow to react, lacked effort and accountability, and were unable to match it with their much more proficient opposition.

After a polite pep talk from coach Jared Brennan, Benalla’s effort and ability to compete improved significantly, however, the damage to the scoreboard had already been done.

For the remainder of the match, Benalla was able to keep Bright to just two goals, the final margin increasing to 64 points.

While midfielders Nate Nicholas and Hunter Carter worked hard, they were outgunned by their opposite numbers. Defenders Josh Ward, Harry Skelton, Jackson Fry, Mason Willett, Will Martin, and Angus Richardson did well under constant pressure.

Co-captain Bryce Cooney led with distinction, spending most of the game as an extra defender.

Forwards Kobi Thwaites, Josh Byers and Trevor Maru made the most of limited opportunities, Maru handling the wet conditions with ease and kicking his first goal since joining the team a month ago. Boden Hazell and Thwaites joined Maru in kicking a goal.

Luke Boulton played his best game of the season in the ruck and defence.

Score:

Benalla 3.0 (18) def by

Bright 11.16 (82)

Goal kickers: Kobi Thwaites, Boden Hazell, Trevor Maru.

Best players: Bryce Cooney, Trevor Maru, Angus Richardson, Jackson Fry, Will Martin, Luke Boulton.