The final round of the home season saw mixed results across the board, but Benalla can hold it head high as the Under-12s Reds head into finals next week.
It has been a great year for the Benalla and District Junior Football Committee, who would like to thank everyone who has been involved with the club.
Under-12s — Benalla Red vs Bright
A beautiful day at The Friendlies greeted a pivotal contest with finals implications between Bright and Benalla Red.
Bright came out strong early looking to secure a finals position, but was unable to hit the scoreboard.
Despite this, it managed to keep a dangerous-looking Benalla outfit to one point at quarter-time.
The second term saw Benalla dominate possession. However, Bright was able to take the lead into half-time by a goal.
The third quarter was played in similar terms with heavy congestion around stoppages making it hard for either team to score.
However, it was Bright who furthered its lead, looking to have secured a match-winning lead at the final break.
Urged on by oaches, Benalla responded, with Jack Hart and Ted Sheehan kicking critical goals early in the last quarter.
Benalla continued to pepper the scoreboard, with Samuel Mount a standout on the day as his side looked to hang onto its ladder position which would grant it a double chance come finals time.
Despite these efforts, a goal in the dying embers of the match by Bright would secure victory for the visitors.
The two sides will now meet again in Wangaratta on Sunday for a much-anticipated elimination final.
Final score: Benalla Red 2.4 (16) def by Bright 3.1 (19)
Goals: Jack Hart, Ted Sheehan
Best players: Jack Hart, Samuel Mount, Thomas Snell, Angus Roscoe, Edward Sheehan
Under-12s — Benalla Black vs College
Benalla travelled to Barr Reserve on Saturday to clash with College for the final round of the regular season.
With Benalla needing a win to play finals, the first half was an arm wrestle, with College taking a nine-point lead into the half.
The second half was similar to the first, a tough, low-scoring contest.
Despite Max Yeun- Francis going into the ruck, Benalla was unable to make an impact on the scoreboard.
An Ollie Parker goal to give the host some hope, but it wasn't to be, with the visitors winning by 16 points when the final siren sounded.
Final score: Benalla Black 1.0 (6) def by College 2.10 (22)
Goals: Oliver Parker one
Best players: Jimmy Jackson, Josh Bamford, Max Yeun-Francis, Jack Davies, Jack Christie, Kayden Randell
Under-14s — Benalla Red vs Mansfield Yellow
Despite having only won three games for the season, the Benalla Reds have much to be proud of and have grown immensely as the season has worn on.
Hosting Mansfield Yellow on Sunday, Benalla welcomed Kobi Thwaites and Josh Montgomery to field a full team — with both players having much to be proud of performance wise.
Skipper Harry Skelton set the game alight in the first quarter with three majors as the hosts took the lead into half-time.
The final half saw a solid all-round team performance with standout performances by Noah Hogan, Jack Pollard, Lucas Webster, Jude Binion, Noah Cooney, Mason Willet, Riley McCarthy, Charlie Bowen and Shaun Hurley.
The Reds have so much to be proud of this season and the 2025 season promises to be their strongest yet.
Final score: Benalla Red 8.7 (55) def Mansfield Yellow 3.9 (27)
Goals: Harry Skelton 3, Thomas Mount, Harry Bast
Best players: Harrison Skelton, Thomas Mount, Jack Pollard, Noah Hogan, Riley McCarthy, Lucas Webster
Under-14s — Benalla Black vs College
Benalla travelled to Barr Reserve for their final match of the season against a strong College outfit.
The first quarter was a close affair, with the ball moving from end to end at a frantic pace.
Leader Kobi Thwaites worked as hard as ever, putting his head over the ball and using his smart foot skills to hit up teammates.
By half-time College had kicked away and held a commanding lead which it would hold until the final siren and won by 79 points.
Standouts on a tough day for Benalla were halfback Nicholas White, as well as midfielders Josh Montgomery and Ryder Humphries.
Final score: Benalla Black 2.6 (18) def by College 15.7 (97)
Goals: Kobi Thwaites, Hugh Ross
Best Players: Charlie Bell, Kobi Thwaites, Jackson Fry, Nicholas White, Josh Montgomery, Ryder Humphries
Under-17s — Benalla vs College
Benalla faced off against College in a match which kept fans on the edge of their seat until the final siren sounded.
Five goals in the opening term gave Benalla an ideal start to the day with forwards Toby Reeve and Christian Squire dominating.
The pairs’ contribution was backed up by Ryder Levy and Josh Matheison who were having equally dominant gamed in defence.
Alongside the quartet, other players to have solid games were Logan Hyland and captain Sam Gates, who bravely took the field with a fractured finger.
Gates’s resilience and leadership have been an inspiration to his teammates throughout the year.
The 15-point victory was a brilliant send-off to the coaches and volunteers who have stood by the team all season.
Final score: Benalla 10.3 (63) def College 7.6 (48)
Goals: Toby Reeve 4, Christian Squires 3, Bryce Cooney, Logan Hyland, Josh Mathieson
Best players: Josh Hart, Josh Mathieson, Logan Hyland, Braedon Blackford, Toby Reeves.