Frosty football
Frosty winds and slippery conditions characterised this round of the Warragul and District Junior Football League with four different clubs involved in night matches.
These night games have provided the children with an experience of football they would not normally get during the regular season and it was an excellent opportunity to play football this way.
Under 14
Players were tested in the wet weather conditions, trying their might both mentally and physically.
Both teams struggled to win the ball down their end but the Blues, with the extra numbers, were able to take the game 7-11 (53) to Caldermeade’s 6-12 (48).
Hallora showed good defensive play against a fierce Drouin side.
The Jets pulled away in the second quarter, finally able to convert their forward opportunities into goals.
The teamwork on display by Drouin earned them the game, but Hallora still never gave up in going down 10-13 (73) to 0-0 (0).
It was another tough slog for the Bulls, up against a well-drilled Garfield side.
The Garfield side kicked into gear in the second quarter, booting several goals on the way to winning 19-15 (129) to 2-1 (13).
Tom Fitzpatrick showed great spirit in his side’s win, while Poowong-Loch never gave in.
Soggy conditions made for a difficult start to the Ellinbank and Longwarry clash, the two sides contesting well.
Ellinbank burst ahead in the second quarter and defended their lead ferociously for the entire match, winning 10-7 (67) to 1-1 (7).
The skill level lifted during the third quarter, the final change showing great talent in the sides.
Under 12
The Blues took on Caldermeade in what was a wet slog for the two sides.
The Blues got off to their usual quick start but Caldermeade responded later on in the match playing out a solid fourth quarter.
The final siren granted the Blues the win, 13-9 (87) to 3-1 (19) and both sides reprieve from the icy conditions.
Hallora did their best to control a slippery ball, Drouin picking up possession and moving well across the ground taking a commanding lead by half time.
The Jet’s lead was tough to match in the third quarter as they ran out winners, 12-10 (82) to 0-1 (1). Black Walton played his 50th game. Yarragon and Drouin slogged it out. The Cobras scored early with Yarragon missing several close goals.
The Cobras held firm in defence and managed to convert several opportunities to take the game, 5-4 (4) to 1-2 (8).
Garfield made the long trip to Poowong to take on a small Bulls side who were short on players.
Garfield shared some players so the game was played fairly but still managed to show why they are a top side.
The Bulls tried their best for the full four quarters but weren’t able to topple a high scoring Garfield side, going down 22-11 (143) to 1-0 (6).
An evenly contested first half saw Bryce Joyce kick a goal in his 50th outing for Ellinbank.
Excellent running by the side saw a well-deserved lead going into the third quarter.
Excellent ruck work in the second half saw Longwarry lift but they couldn’t match the possession of Ellinbank, going down 4-8 (32) to 1-2 (8).
Under 10
It was a tightly fought contest between the Blues and Caldermeade.
The Warragul side were able to get a decent score on the board and took the game from a brave Cannons team, winning 9-10 (64) to 0-0 (0).
Hallora gave it their all despite the conditions and a lack of players.
The Jets loaned some of their players and enjoyed a tough slog against Hallora but were able to slowly grind their way to a hard fought win, 5-7 (37) to 0-0 (0).
The Cobras had excellent control of play throughout the game, getting a solid scoreline going in the second quarter.
Drouin were consistent in their style with Yarragon making them earn every mark, kick and tackle.
The Cobras took the game in the end, 4-6 (30) to 0-0 (0).
Poowong-Loch owned the first quarter, which saw the game played in their forward line, gaining a handy 29-point lead at three quarter time.
Half way through the final quarter conditions were too harsh and Garfield and Poowong-Loch had to abandon the game, with the final score 4-5 (29) to 00 (0). Longwarry opened well, scoring in the first quarter. Ellinbank put in some excellent tackles but Longwarry were too strong on the day, doing damage to the scoreboard on the way to winning 5-2 (32) to 00 (0).