One round to go before WDJFL finals
The second last Warragul and District Junior League matches before finals threw up a mixture of weather for players and spectators.
There were some strong performances with some games not decided until the dying seconds. DROUIN GOLD v. BUNYIP Under 10 Drouin Gold hosted Bunyip at Bellbird Park for a ripper of a game. Bunyip was first on the scoreboard with a great goal and although Drouin’s defence was good throughout but Bunyip came through at the end. Under 12 A really tight and hard-fought first half saw Drouin Gold hold a narrow lead before kicking away in the second half especially in the final quarter. Under 14 On a cold morning both teams started strongly.
However, Bunyip`s bigger bodies and good ball movement proved too strong for a brave Drouin Gold effort.
Drouin Gold’s Declan Burton played his 100th game and Tyler Lovell his 50th. COLTS v. YARRAGON Under 10 It was a wintry morning at Eastern Park where after a tight early contest Colts pulled ahead in the second quarter and came away with the win in the end despite Yarragon’s young and undersized team’s hard fought game. Under 12 In a top quality game Colts and Yarragon contested hard all game.
The Colts good team structure across the ground and set-up behind the ball allowed them to lock the ball in with Yarragon finding it hard to break free.
The result could have gone either way and at the finish a draw was a fitting result for two sides that played the game in great spirit. Under 14 No report provided. HALLORA v. NEERIM DISTRICT Under 10 In a tight and tense contest with the evenly matched teams both hungry for a win Hallora was able to kick plenty of points in the second quarter, but not a goal. Scores were tied when the siren rang. Under 12 No report provided. Under 14 In the cool conditions at kick off both clash Hallora and Neerim made good starts to put scores on the board.
It was a highly competitive game between sides that have had a challenging year but moved the ball up and down the ground with some great team play.
Hallora fought hard but couldn’t hold off the Neerim team. GARFIELD v. BULLS Under 10 Conditions were wet and slippery for the match played at the Loch ground.
The two teams attacked the ball hard to make great contests all over the ground.
The Stars tried hard but struggled to clear the ball out if their backlines. The Bulls kept the pressure on in the second half to ran away comfortable winners. Under 12 It was drizzling for the game in which the Bulls had the better of early play the first quarter with two quick goals.
Garfield steadied in the second creating a much closer contest for the rest of the match and in an exciting last quarter the Bulls finished stronger to get the points. Under 14 Garfield made a great start in the slippery conditions to open a large lead by half time.
The Bulls’ second half was much better and took the game up to Garfield. It showed they could match Garfield but they were unable to close the gap by the final siren.
Garfield’s Raph Hayward, Aaron Braaksma, Ray Borgonovo and Theo Zaccari all played their 100th games. WARRANOR v. DROUIN MAROON Under 10 As the weather held off Warranor dominated the first quarter to hold Drouin scoreless.
Drouin fought back in the third quarter but not enough to prevent a strong win for Warranor. Under 12 Logan Park was in good condition for the clash between Warranor and Drouin Maroon.
The intensity of both allowed few opportunities for scores.
Warranor made the most of their chances for a one-goal lead at the end of the first quarter.
Drouin contained Warranor a little bit but Warranor got several goals towards the end of the match to win a great contest.
Warranor’s Stephen Oling played his 75th game. Under 14 Two highly competitive teams fought out a tight contest for a potential place in the finals.
Warranor’s consistent play after getting a first quarter lead over Drouin kept a gap in the scores throughout. ELLINBANK v. WARRAGUL BLUES Under 10 A muddy ground set the tone for a hard fought, in and under game.
A low scoring but highly contested match saw lots of great tackling with Ellinbank getting home by a narrow margin. Under 12 Conditions made it a heavy slog for both sides who had to work hard to keep the ball in their control.
The low scoring not only reflected conditions but also hard endeavours.
Ellinbank held a small lead for most of the match and into the final quarter until the Blues snagged a late goal to take the win. Under 14 In a congested game due to the ground condition and heavy ball there was little opportunity to open up the play.
Ellinbank, with a bit more endeavour and desire for the ball, came out the winner of a close match. LONGWARRY v. CALDERMEADE Under 10 Both teams fought hard to get the ball from the start but Caldermeade was able to score first after some clean possessions.
Longwarry played well over the four quarters but it was a great win to Caldermeade. Under 12 Caldermeade travelled on Sunday morning to take on Longwarry.
After Longwarry put first score on the board Caldermeade lifted its defensive play.
Both teams played with good skills and freeflowing styles with Longwarry having a winning score on the board at the siren. Under 14 After a slow start Longwarry hit the scoreboard with three first quarter goals.
Caldermeade tackled hard all day and the final scoreboard, a convincing win to Longwarry, was not a true reflection of the game.
BULN BULN had the bye.