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WARRANDYTE JUNIOR FOOTBALL CLUB
David and Goliath at Templestowe
Reserve
by Lance Nilsson
Goliath was brought down with a sling shot and Boroondara Hawks
were dismantled by twenty two committed Bloods who refused to be
beaten. In an epic Grand Final, the Colts 2 side coached by Steve
Blakey produced the upset of the season defeating a side that had
inflicted an 87 point belting upon us in round 15. After six years
of toil in the top division, the boys tasted victory, and how sweet
it was.
The game started in frenetic fashion and it was clear the Bloods
were prepared to pay the price to achieve victory. Neil Brown
kicked beautifully to post the first goal of the game. Jake Wintle
continued his purple patch of finals form and marked strongly in
defence. Tim Nilsson dominated on his back flank constantly
repelling attacks. Despite the endeavour, brilliant individual
efforts saw Boroondara nine points in front at quarter time.
The second quarter epitomised what this Bloods outfit stands
for- commitment, tenacity and teamwork. With Tim Baker placing the
ball to advantage, Ryan Exon and Nick Clapham won plenty of
contested ball to give our forwards enough opportunities to kick
goals. A great snap by Tim Nilsson and a long bomb from the
inspirational Jacob Ballard lifted the spirits of the boys. Jack
Power provided a spark up forward with clever positioning and was
unlucky to hit the thickest of goal pads with a superb running
snap. Lachlan Imeneo won a vital possession that set up a scoring
opportunity. The Bloods went to the rooms 10 points ahead at the
long break.
After half time the Bloods worked ferociously to build a 22
point lead with Nick Lee leading the way as captain. Billy Lavery
and James Munks played with heart and courage and willed themselves
to each contest. Zac Galbally consistently outpointed his opponent
and showed how damaging a player he can be.
How quickly the tide turned. The Boroondara boys played six
minutes of highly skilled football that produced four goals and
wrested the lead away. The red and white supporter group fell
silent as the expected torrent of Boroondara goals appeared a
formality. We sold the Bloods short and years of comradeship and a
bond that could not be broken produced a last quarter that will
live in the memory.
The teams broke from the three quarter time huddle with the
Bloods less than a goal in front. Boroondara constantly attacked
and placed enormous pressure on the backline. The twin pillars
Lauchlan Frowd and Hamish Bradbury saved their best games for the
club on Grand Final day and Jarrod Buzzini won crucial one on one
battles that relieved pressure.
Boroondara hit the post and missed from the square and the
momentum was all the Hawks way. Jurra Dingo took a timely mark in
defence and his run was important in a sapping game. Players
starting cramping and victory would go to the team that exacted
every last effort out of exhausted bodies.
As often is the case, the unheralded backs and wings were a key
component of the victory. Kyle Robertson fought valiantly all day
and was able to win hotly contested ground balls on the last line.
Daniel Nilsson had his best quarter and his kicking to touch under
pressure allowed us to form lines behind the ball. Across half back
where one mistake could prove fatal, Daniel Tester, Luke Taylor and
Johnny Dobbie stood tall under fire. They never panicked and had no
hesistation in backing into packs.
The final five minutes were gut busting. Both sides played their
hearts out and with scrum like packs forming all over the ground,
the siren was greeted with ecstasy from Warrandyte and agony from
Boroondara. Junior football was the winner and both sides should be
congratulated in conducting themselves in such a sportsman like
manner. For Steve Blakey, a fairy tale end to his coaching career.
Ryan Exon was a driving force all day and was duly named best on
ground.
FROM THE BOTTOM TO TOP IN ONE
SEASON!
The Warrandyte U/15’s played off in the Grand Final against
Bundoora at Zerbes Reserve in near perfect conditions. The Bloods
had not lost a game since regrading after round four and under
coach Clem Mifsud’s guidance, had finished top of the division
three ladder.
The pre-game instructions were simple: play four quarters of the
footy that had driven the Bloods to the grand final and the U/15’s
could be confident that such effort would be rewarded.
The starting line up had a back six of Michael Holloway, Ryan
Tester, Brandon Stafford, Braden Pynt, Corey Bartholomew and Kyle
Newman. Their great work in the first half holding Bundoora
scoreless – was simply magnificent. In particular, the
marking and re-bound of Ryan Tester and tireless running of Braden
Pynt, as well as the tough contested work of Michael Holloway and
Corey Bartholomew created enormous drive.
A mid field of Riley Sproule Carroll and Brayden Mifsud on the
wings, Jake Martin, Jack Linney, Harry Vogler, Daniel Mifsud and
Joe Hardy were the engine room for what ended up being a great
win. The Bloods contested ball winning (41 to 16) was driven
by a relentless midfield hell-bent on being first to the
ball. The ruck work led by Martin and Linney was superb
giving the Bloods “run and carry” style of game the best platform
for success.
The half forwards led by Rory Chipman (4 goals) who also rotated
through the midfield, Darcy Lang (3 goals), and our fleet of
forwards Glynn Telford, Kaeshin Bangaar, Campbell Prior, Ryan Paul,
Chris Baxter and Alex Drew finished off some great upfield
work with some 35 forward 50 entries to 13 for Bundoora.
The Bloods increased their lead in each quarter as they
relentlessly asserted authority. A 36 point half time lead and a 60
point winning margin showed the four quarter effort of the
Bloods.
Brayden Mifsud won the umpies “best afield” medal for an
inspirational game on the wing (running his opponent into the
ground!). A great result for a team that at Round 4 was bottom of
the ladder in Division 2 and showed that with hard work, skill and
a bit of Warrandyte spirit great things are achievable.
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