Grand Final off the table
Young footballers who placed top of the ladder in the Warragul and District Junior Football League will each receive a medal after the season was called off.
Buln Buln u10s and U12s will dress in their full footy gear and be presented with minor premiership awards on the club’s presentation day, after both teams went undefeated this season. The same goes for Longwarry U14s, who dominated with nine wins.
No junior teams in the WDJFL will get to experience the feeling of playing in a Grand Final this year, as community sport competitions are currently banned under Victorian Government restrictions.
The Buln Buln U12s got together for a final training session last week, where they celebrated their achievements.
“They were excited because they got the Minor Premiers but it’s not the same as winning a flag on the day,” Buln Buln U12s coach Cameron Aubrey said.
The coach said the Lyrebirds success came down to the enthusiasm from the kids, who kept a footy in hand throughout lockdowns and managed to train at home throughout the year.
It showed in their last game of the season, where the U12s played a practise match against Ellinbank while the season was on hold.
“That was our best game, it really stood out that the kids were ready for finals and they were ready to go,” Aubrey said.
Aubrey said he was proud of how the team progressed over the year, despite lockdowns.
“The development of the kids was amazing, gelling as a team and playing with a game plan.
“To finish the year undefeated was disappointing because they were all looking forward to the finals,” Aubrey said.
There was also an incredible effort from the Buln Buln u10s, whose 28 players got a run in every game.
“Our philosophy at Buln is to bring kids in young, so we don’t knock kids back even if they want to play with us as seven-year-olds in the U10s, it’s a big flow on effect,” Aubrey said.
There was one close call for the U10 lyrebirds against Poowong-Loch, which came down to three points. The Bulls had as many chances at goals, but Buln Buln got over the line 4.0-24 to 3.3-21.
Aubrey looks forward to coaching the younger age group when they play up next year.
The coach thanked the WDJFL for their management, praising the quick updates to the home and away season throughout COVID lockdowns.
“Whenever we were in lockdown and we needed to reshuffle the fixtures (WDJFL President) Paul Osborne had it instantly, he was so quick getting information out to clubs so we were able to adapt,”
The Longwarry U14s will also be awarded Minor Premiers for their stellar year, flowing on from 2019 where they won the premiership in the lower age group.
The closest any team came to triumph over Longwarry was Hallora, who kicked 3.2-20 to the Crows 10.9-69. The U14s won every other game by more than 80 points.