Round two found four of our five teams at home at the Showgrounds with our under-12 Black side getting the bye this week.
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A beautiful autumn day provided the perfect conditions for a full day of junior footy. We didn’t come away with the clean sweep, but there were positives across all grades and still plenty of improvement to come.
Next week sees our under-12s and under-14s face each other in a classic Anzac Day weekend clash topped off with the under-17s hosting the Imperials.
Results
U12 Black – BYE
U12 Red
The under-12 Reds kicked off their season in style with a strong team performance against Bright, securing a 34 to 9 victory. From the first bounce, the Reds applied consistent pressure, with sharp tackling and excellent teamwork setting the tone for the game. Their ability to work together across the ground proved the difference.
Scores: Benalla Red 4.10 (34) def Bright 1.3 (9)
Goals: Jaxson Heatherill 2, Mitchell Murray, Maximus Reynolds
Best: Oli Ross, Jono Goodwin, Tom Lambert, Izayah Williams, Leo Barker, Fraser De Fazio
U14 Black
Coming off a loss to the Mansfield Blue team last week, the under-14 Black team were looking to make an impact against Mansfield’s Gold side back on home soil.
Every player on the team knew their job for the day and executed it to perfection.
The midfield was dominated by our dynamic duo of Jack Hart and Jimmy Jackson who were under pressure from Mansfield the whole day.
Jack Davis had the ball on a string, snagging six goals and putting on a masterclass.
Tyson Brown was dangerous forward with three majors of his own and Jack Christie showed why he is a force to be reckoned with.
Benalla’s defensive end gave nothing away with thanks to the hard work and clean hands of Angus Roscoe and Jake Soyer, both taking intercept marks when needed most.
It was a whole team effort, with every single player contributing to a convincing 74-point win.
Final Score: Benalla Black 14.12 (96) def Mansfield Gold 3.4 (22)
Goals: Jack Davis 6, Tyson Brown 3, Jack Christie, Jordan Streader 2, Benji McKean
Best: Jimmy Jackson, Jack Hart, Jack Davis, Caleb Thwaites, Angus Roscoe, Jake Soyer
U14 Red
On a beautiful autumn day, and with a near full-strength side, the Reds were confident of securing their first win for the season. However, a slower-than-ideal start saw us on the back foot early, and from there it was always going to be a fight.
Strong four-quarter efforts from Tom Snell and Lachie Osborne kept us in the contest and gave us a chance to respond. The second quarter showed clear improvement, with Jakobi Williams presenting well at centre half forward and the midfield beginning to win its share of the ball. Unfortunately, we couldn’t convert that effort into scoreboard pressure.
The third quarter followed a similar pattern, with the midfield working hard to gain the upper hand and the defenders doing an excellent job halving one-on-one contests. With a few deeper forward entries, we were able to register a goal, which was a deserved reward for the team’s effort.
The final quarter was another tough battle for field position, with all players giving their best to generate scoring opportunities. A couple of strong transitions moving forward offered a glimpse of the style of play we’re working towards, which is a positive to build on heading into next week.
Final Score: Benalla Red 2.2 (14) def by Bright 9.10 (64)
Goals: Hudson Pickering, Jackson Quarrell
Best: Thomas Snell, Lachlan Osborne, Hudson Pickering, Jakobi Williams, William Staggard
U17
The Benalla under-17s displayed significant progress in their round two clash against Bright at the Showgrounds. For three quarters of the match, Benalla played a fantastic, high-pressure brand of football that kept them well within striking distance and challenged the visitors at every turn.
However, the game was ultimately decided by a lapse in the third term. A clinical seven-goal to zero burst from Bright during this period shifted the momentum and created a margin that proved too great for the young Benalla side to overcome.
Despite the result, the defensive unit stood tall under immense pressure. Nick White, Charlie Bell and Mason Willett were named among the best for their tireless work in the back half.
Riley Hilton provided a strong presence as a focal point in the forward line, while Jack Pollard worked himself to a standstill in the midfield, toiling away to provide the team with vital clearances. While the third quarter was a tough lesson, the team's competitiveness for the majority of the day shows they are moving in the right direction.
Final Score: Benalla 6.11 (47) def by Bright 14.8 (92)
Goals: Jude Binion, Trevor Maru, Josh Ward, Ben Wells, Tyson Williams
Best: Nicholas White, Charlie Bell, Mason Willett, Riley Hilton, Jack Pollard, Hugh Ross