Round 14 gave us some differing results across the grades but positive takeaways for all teams.
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Our weekend of footy officially kicked off on Friday night under lights with our Super Kick and under-12 Interleague matches against friendly rivals, Mansfield.
It was a great display of skill and sportsmanship with Mansfield taking the points in the Super Kick game but our under-12s were able to hold Mansfield at bay in their contest.
U12 Red – Bye
U12 Black
U12 Blacks played at Wareena Park against the Tigers this week. The contest became tight at times but the Blacks were able to push through as a team and pull away to a comfortable win.
Dustin Nolan ended the day with four goals, kicking one from longer range than most thought possible. Lewis Ashworth was fantastic in defence again this week. Ted Clancy finished with three classy goals playing deep forward.
Well done Blacks on another good win!
Score: Benalla Black 9.3 (57) def Tigers 4.6 (30)
Goals: Dustin Nolan 4, Ted Clancy 3, Frank Christie, Max Reynolds.
Best: Dustin Nolan, Eli Fielding, Cooper Rheese, Riley Phillips, Lewis Ashworth, Harry Lang
U14 Red
Another big test awaited us today as we took on fourth placed Mansfield.
Whenever you come up against a team above you on the ladder, a fast start is crucial and the players delivered exactly that. From the opening bounce they played a fantastic brand of team first football.
It was especially pleasing to see the work we've been doing at training pay off, particularly with the way we set up behind the ball once play was in our forward half. Our ability to stop Mansfield's exits and create repeat forward entries was a real highlight.
With Mansfield putting on a charge during the second and third quarters, we challenged the group to own the last quarter. The response was outstanding. Every one of our 18 players had their moment in that final quarter, stepping up when the team needed them most and helping us come away with a well earned win.
What stood out most, was the respect both teams showed each other from start to finish. In my opinion, that's exactly how all games should be played.
Super proud of this group.
Score: Benalla Red 6.10 (46) def Mansfield Blue 4.12 (36)
Goals: Jackson Quarrell 3, Jack Hart 2, Lachie Osborne
Best: Jack Hart, Jakobi Williams, Sam Mount, Jackson Quarrell, Tom Snell, Josh Bamford
U14 Black
After a promising first half performance against Kangaroos last weekend Benalla were hoping to start well against Mansfield (away) however a dominant opening quarter from the home side set the tone and put the match out of reach early. Benalla's coaches demanded a response and received a competitive performance for the remaining three quarters, eventually going down by 70 points.
Benalla’s defence battled hard against the odds with Robin Arnold’s determination and willingness to complete a feature in his continued improvement. Bodie Gall played one of his best games well supported by captain Brayden Jacobs and the versatile Teddy Sheehan who also tried gainfully.
Caleb Thwaites played various roles, hitting the scoreboard with an inspirational goal along with Jimmy Jackson playing one of his best games of the season looking most dangerous across the half back line.
Manny Bourke and Bella Hazell both performed well in the second half with clean hands and composure under pressure. Jack Davies again provided the Benalla crowd with some highlights including two goals throughout the match.
Score: Benalla Black 4.3 (27) def by Mansfield Gold 14.13 (97)
Goals: Jack Davies 2, Jimmy Jackson, Caleb Thwaites
Best: Robin Arnold, Caleb Thwaites, Teddy Sheehan, Jimmy Jackson, Jack Davies, Bodie Gall
U17
The under-17s displayed incredible resilience on the road today in a spirited contest against a tough Kangaroos outfit, before ultimately falling by 53 points. Despite missing key personnel, the boys never wavered in their effort, maintaining a fierce attack on the ball right up until the final siren.
Ryan White continued his outstanding, dominant form in the engine room, working tirelessly across all four quarters and getting brilliant support through the middle from the hard-nosed play of Josh Montgomery. Across half-back, Mason Willett was at his dashing best, breaking lines and intercepting with signature composure to repeatedly turn defence into attack under heavy pressure.
Up forward, Josh Ward produced his finest performance of the year with a great game across half-forward, constantly creating space and driving the ball deep. His efforts were well rewarded, opening up room for a dangerous new target in "Super" Cooper Walsh, who turned heads by booting two fantastic goals in a standout display.
While the scoreboard went the Kangaroos' way, the unconditional work-rate, structural buy-in, and team-first character shown by the under-17s prove this group will never take a backward step.
Score: Benalla 2.10 (22) def by Kangaroos 11.9 (75)
Goals: Cooper Walsh 2
Best: Ryan White, Josh Montgomery, Josh Ward, Mason Willett, Tom Osborne, Noah Langlands