Family Fun Day at Benalla Showgrounds was a huge hit, blending junior footy action with community cheer.
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Budding netballers enjoyed a fun clinic, while sprint races, a raffle overflowing with prizes and a bake sale that would make the CWA proud kept the crowd buzzing all day.
U12 Benalla Red v Benalla Black
Benalla Red
The annual family fun day match is always pencilled in on the Benalla junior sporting calendar with both teams providing an entertaining spectacle played in great spirits.
The first quarter was all Red with Angus Roscoe setting up field position and the dangerous Red forward line looking sharp with Manny Bourke leading the way. The second quarter saw the Red outfit challenged giving up field position and leaking easy goals.
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 went down to the tune of 12 points.
Jack Davies kicked a couple of majors with fellow midfielders Toby Smith (MVP winner), Jack McKenzie and Xavier Beriman all competing well. Ben Staggard and Bodie Gall defended well throughout the day with utilities Pickering and Bourke playing stellar games at both ends of the ground.
After two narrow defeats Benalla Red will travel to Myrtleford to take on the strong Saints outfit.
Goal kickers: Jack Davies 2, Teddy Sheehan, Louis Horne.
Best Players: Toby Smith, Jack McKenzie, Teddy Sheehan, Manny Bourke, Xavier Beriman, Bodie Gall.
Benalla Black
A picture-perfect Sunday at Benalla Showgrounds set the stage for a thrilling under-12 clash between Benalla Red and Benalla Black. Though teammates at training, the kids became fierce rivals for four quarters of footy in front of a lively crowd, an irresistible cake stall and a bustling raffle ticket sale all supporting the Benalla Junior Football Club.
Red came out firing, holding Black scoreless and taking a 15-point lead into quarter-time, but the Black team roared back in the second, piling on 21 points and flipping the momentum.
The second half was a nail-biter, with end-to-end footy and no shortage of grit. Black edged ahead and held firm, eventually claiming a hard-fought win by 12 points.
Jackson Quarrell was electric with ball in hand despite close attention, while Frank Christie made a welcome return, bringing composure and energy. Ollie Ross was everywhere – a tackling machine with no off switch.
Bill Bourke battled hard across multiple positions and Bailey King’s skill improvement was on full display. Lachie Osborne and Tom Lambert stayed strong in the centre while Max Yuen-Francis ran and leapt tirelessly for the ball. Tyson Brown was a forward powerhouse, helping to seal the deal.
Goal kickers: Tyson Brown 4, Lachie Osborne, Jimmy Jackson.
Best Players: Jackson Quarrell, Frank Christie, Ollie Ross, Max Yuen-Francis, Tom Lambert, Lachie Osborne.
Score:
Benalla Red 4.5 (29) def by
Benalla Black 6.5 (41)
MVP winners: Jackson Quarrell (Black) and Toby Smith (Red).
U14 Benalla Red v Benalla Black
Benalla Red
It was mates v mates at Benalla Showgrounds for Family Fun Day, as Benalla Red took on Benalla Black in a spirited under-14 showdown. The day was filled with fun and friendly rivalry, with both teams showcasing great sportsmanship.
Benalla Red came out strong, linking up well through the midfield and creating plenty of opportunities up forward. Jude Binion was a standout, putting on a dominant performance in front of goal with an impressive five-goal haul. His clean hands and ability to find space were key to Red’s attacking pressure.
Tom Snell was given a new challenge, stepping into the ruck for the first time, and he didn’t disappoint. His work at stoppages and around the ground earned him the best on ground award, showing great athleticism and game awareness in his new role.
Despite the competitive edge, the game was played in great spirits, with players from both teams encouraging each other and enjoying the chance to play alongside friends and familiar faces. It was a fantastic day for the community, with plenty of smiles both on and off the field.
Goal kickers: Jude Binion 5, Tyson Williams, Harry Bast 2, Jack Hart, Tom Mount, Cash Nolen, Tom Snell, Charlie Pollard,
Best players: Xavier De Fazio, Jack Hart, Jack Pollard, Sam Mount, Tom Snell.
Benalla Black
Black faced off against Club mates Benalla Red in the Family Fun Day.
The first term was an even affair, Jakobi Williams was prominent up forward presenting to the ball carrier with long leads taking some impressive marks. Benalla Red began to hit the scoreboard and Black’s back six were working overtime to repel their attacks forward.
Nicholas White was rock solid at half back working hard to keep black in touch, while Josh Montgomery was giving Red something to think about with his hard running and penetrating kicking on show for all to see.
Hugh Ross continued with his recent good form with intelligent foot passing giving Black’s forwards every opportunity. Black needed to lift their intensity and not allow Red to run freely through the corridor of the ground.
Ryan White lifted his work rate and tried valiantly to lift his teammates laying some bone jarring tackles and bullocking his way through packs. Josh Bamford worked hard both ways on his wing, creating some great link up plays.
Unfortunately, Black was unable to sustain the pressure against Red’s impressive running game and were soundly beaten as the final siren sounded. We congratulate our club mates Red on their win and now look forward to taking on Bright next Sunday.
Goal kickers: Jackson Quarrell 3, Ollie Parker 2, Ben Wells, Ollie Wardill.
Best players: Nicholas White, Josh Montgomery, Hugh Ross, Jakobi Williams, Josh Bamford, Ryan White.
Score:
Benalla Red 15.7 (97) def
Benalla Black 7.4 (46)
MVP winners: Tom Snell (Red) and Nicholas White (Black)
U17 Benalla
After a month of close matches, Benalla’s under-17 team went into Sunday’s match against Mansfield with confidence that they could match it with the Eagles.
Starting the match strongly, Benalla was the first to hit the scoreboard with clever forward Kobi Thwaites kicking the first of his three goals for the match. Leading at quarter time by 10 points, the home side was getting good service from on-ballers Lucas Ham, Nate Nicholas, Hunter Carter and Braedon Blackford in the ruck.
Riley McCarthy was given a midfield lockdown role by the coaches and performed well in his best game of the season. In an even contest, Benalla was able to defend strongly thanks to Angus Richardson and first-year defenders Harry Skelton, Jackson Fry, Mason Willett and Tom Osborne. With the match in the balance, Benalla held a two-point lead at half time.
Co-captain Bryce Cooney played another impressive game on the wing, working deep defensively and then running the ball through the corridor. Forwards Oscar Beaton and John Byers were dangerous, while Boden Hazell and Trevor Manu contested strongly and applied good pressure.
In an exciting final quarter, it was Mansfield’s experienced players who stepped up and closed out the game with two late goals to win by 14 points.
Score:
Benalla 8.3 (51) def by
Mansfield 9.11 (65)
Goal kickers: Kobi Thwaites, Oscar Beaton 3, Nate Nicholas 2.
Best Players: Kobi Thwaites who continues to have a standout first year, Oscar Beaton, Bryce Cooney, Riley McCarthy, Harry Skelton, Angus Richardson, Josh Byers.
MVP winners: Kobi Thwaites (Benalla) and Cruz Purday (Mansfield).
BDJF extends a huge thank you to the sponsors of the event also, including Family Fun Day major sponsor JCS Thoroughbreds, U12 MVP sponsor Complete Forklift Services, U14 MVP sponsor Ray White Benalla and U17 sponsor Myrtleford Holiday Park for their continued support.
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