Maximus Reynolds gets his kick away in the preliminary final against Bright. Photos: Kylie White.
The little champs have done it - the Reds are grand final bound!
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From fourth spot on the ladder to the biggest stage of all, the Benalla Reds have defied the odds and battled their way into the big dance. Every step of the finals series demanded grit, courage and a never-say-die attitude, and this young side delivered in spades.
Now, with momentum on their side and belief running high, the Reds are ready to take on the ultimate challenge.
Benalla and District Junior Football is calling on the whole community to get behind them. Local businesses, it’s time to paint the town RED. Dress up your shopfronts, fly the colours and show this determined group of footballers that Benalla is right there with them as they chase premiership glory.
U12s Benalla Red vs Bright JFC – Preliminary Final
With a prized spot in the grand final up for grabs, Benalla Red versus Bright looked on paper to be a tantalising match up, especially after the narrow one-point margin in the final game of the home and away season between the two sides.
The game certainly lived up to expectation with both teams locked in a high pressure arm wrestle for the entire first term. Benalla jumped out of the blocks and goaled within 30 seconds due to a strong contest by Teddy Sheehan and a classy finish by pocket rocket Max Reynolds.
With the match tied at quarter time, it was Benalla that broke away in the second with Angus Roscoe dominating both in the air and around the ground, with his supporting cast of Toby “Turbo” Smith, Xavier Beriman and Spencer Whitechurch instrumental.
The third quarter saw Bright bounce back, putting scoreboard pressure on the young Reds outfit, and it looked as if Bright team would run away with the victory.
However, as they have done all year Benalla Red fought, scraped and tackled like they were possessed, with neither side able to kick a major in the last term leaving Benalla to hold on for a famous six-point victory.
Benji McKean boots a clearing kick forward.
On a tough day for forwards, Sheehan and Woodhams worked tirelessly creating many contests and following up with strong physical play.
Jack Davies looked dangerous throughout the day, and Benalla’s ever reliable backline held up well, with the electric running play of Hudson “The Wiz” Pickering and the towering contested marking of Ted Clancy a feature.
Benalla Red sung the song with gusto and now look to take their great momentum into another grand final against the top-of-the-table Myrtleford Saints.
Go Reds!
Goal kickers: Max Reynolds, Jack Davies, Louis Horne, Teddy Sheehan.
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