Close contests end junior season
HOCKEY fans could not have asked for more to kick off Geelong’s local grand final day at Stead park on Saturday.
All three junior premierships on offer were decided after extra time, with one, the showcase under 17 Barnes Shield, forced to a penalty shootout.
In the under 12 opener, Torquay gave up a 2-0 lead to finish 2-2 which forced the game into golden goal overtime.
Despite Golden Plains dominating the extra period, Torquay swooped on their one opportunity to secure the title.
Newtown Spirit claimed the under 14 premiership 4-3 over Kardinia in an amazing final.
Newtown scored first, but Kardinia settled and took a 2-1 lead, before Newtown fought back with the next two goals. But the drama was still to come when Kardinia scored in the dying seconds to force the extra time.
Despite dominating the early part of extra time, Kardinia could not find the back of the net with Newtown scoring the winner at its first chance.
The under 17 final between Geelong Jaguars and Torquay was a classic arm wrestle with no goals scored in regular time or two periods of extra time, with respective goal keepers Malachy Archdall and Bosco Edwards in great form.
Sent to penalties, decided on the international standard eight-second one-on-one shots, Geelong prevailed 3-1 off the back of Archdall’s outstanding work.
Also announced on the day was the John Stephenson award for the most outstanding junior in Geelong hockey, which went to Newtown’s Tom Charleson.