Round 10 of the Wangaratta and District Junior Football League saw the Benalla and District Junior Football Club celebrate Respect Round.
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In conjunction with the Centre Against Violence (CAV) and La Trobe Uni, the junior football club wore purple to show support for respectful behaviour both on and off the football field.
U12 Red
Round 10 saw the Benalla under-12 Reds host the Junior Magpies, and the Reds came away with a strong victory.
There were plenty of positives across the ground, with strong tackling, determined pressure, and a solid defensive effort. It was a true team performance, with every player contributing and working together to secure the win.
Well done to all involved on a fantastic team effort.
Score: Benalla Red 7.12 (54) def Magpies 1.1 (7)
Goals: Hunter Symes 3, Archer Pickering 2, Tanner Vanderzee, Tom Lambert
Best: Owen Schirmer, Ollie Ross, Hunter Symes, Mitch Murray, Leo Barker, Jack Crook
U12 Black
Play at the Arundel Street ovals this week started with Benalla locking the ball in its forward half for majority of the first quarter, which paid off in a first quarter goal to Jack McKenzie.
Bill Bourke was a rebounding force across half back in the first quarter, a phenomenal effort that he was able to keep up all game, as Benalla managed to keep Mansfield scoreless in the first.
Frank Christie and Harley Kupke set the standard providing constant drive off turnovers all game. Darcy Wallace found plenty of the footy in the last quarter.
A great effort from Benalla Blacks this week well done to everyone on well fought out game of footy, but unfortunately we couldn’t walk away with the win.
Score: Benalla Blacks 2.6 (18) def by Mansfield 3.6 (24)
Goals: Jack McKenzie, Fletcher Relf
Best: Frank Christie, Harley Kupke, Bill Bourke, Darcy Wallace, Caiden Vanderhorst, Eli Fielding
U14 Red
With the coaches pumped for the game, they were keen to see the boys run out especially knowing how the whole under-14 group had been training recently. The players knew exactly what was required to perform this week as individuals and as a team.
The tone was set in the first quarter with some great football played. The second quarter was even better and we were also able to capitalise on the scoreboard with what I would say was our best quarter of football for the season.
The last two quarters were much of the same with great ball movement, forwards playing in front and hitting up at the kicker. A major step forward in our progression. Not to go unnoticed were the special efforts of all the players that played in the backline.
A big shout out to Ben Staggard for his game, playing on ball most of the day his performance in there was probably overshadowed by his teammates but certainly not unnoticed by the coaches. It was also pleasing the way he dusted himself off and just went about his business after a heavy collision.
Train how you play! It’s taken three weeks of great training to get the win we wanted but all the credit goes to the players for the way they have performed over that time.
Score: Benalla Red 12.11 (83) def Magpies 2.4 (16)
Goals: Jack Hart, Jackson Quarrell 3, Louis Horne, Tom Snell, Ollie Ross 2
Best: Jack Hart, Tom Snell, Jakobi Williams, Ben Staggard, Sam Mount, Lachie Osborne
U14 Black
Benalla Black hosted Tigers at the Benalla Showgrounds on Sunday in soggy conditions.
After starting slow in their recent games, the Benalla coaching staff urged their side to bring tackling pressure and intensity which the young Black side certainly did, going in at quarter time just a goal behind in what was an even contest.
Benalla Black continued to apply pressure and control the game in patches however they were unable to take advantage on the scoreboard, with Tigers finding easier avenues to goal, maintaining their lead throughout the match which ended in a 39-point victory to the visitors.
Improved team play was a highlight of the match with all players contributing. Angus Roscoe was a standout throughout the day overcoming the opposition’s physical play to dominate clearances and completing a high number of pressure acts.
Jack Christie and Jack Davies looked dangerous in the forward line along with the versatile Teddy Sheehan and Tyson Brown who both played solid games in various positions on the ground.
Co-captains Caleb Thwaites and Jimmy Jackson found plenty of the ball with Matt White and Jimmy Humphrey both playing their best games of the season. Black take on Mansfield Blue in what is sure to be a fantastic clash next Sunday.
Score: Benalla Black 4.3 (27) def Tigers 9.12 (66)
Goals: Jack Davies 2, Teddy Sheehan, Tyson Brown
Best: Angus Roscoe, Jake Soyer, Caleb Thwaites, Jimmy Jackson, Teddy Sheehan, Jimmy Humphrey
U17
The Benalla under-17s suffered a heartbreaking setback at the Showgrounds on Saturday, falling to a tough Tigers outfit by just five points in an absolute thriller.
In a fierce, high-intensity contest that mirrored their two-point nail-biter back in May, there was nothing separating the two sides all afternoon. Despite the narrow defeat, the Benalla defensive unit put in an incredible shift under immense pressure.
Tom Osborne, Mason Willett, and Nick White were absolute standouts in the back half, consistently cutting off opposition thrusts and rebounding with immense strength and composure.
Up forward, Josh Ward led from the front all day, using his explosive pace to slice through the Tigers' defence and create constant dangerous scoring opportunities. While the result didn't go the boys way, the performance proved this group can match it with the best.
Benalla will regroup at training this week as they prepare to bounce back.
Score: Benalla 8.6 (54) def by Tigers 8.11 (59)
Goals: Jude Binion 3, Xavier De Fazio, Josh Ward, Tom Mount, Josh Byers, Riley Hilton
Best: Joshua Ward, Tom Osborne, Noah Langlands, Harrison Skelton, Mason Willett, Nicholas White