The Bairnsdale and District Junior Football Association finals series got underway last week at the Bairnsdale City Oval, with Wy Yung emerging as the weekend’s big winner after securing grand final berths in both the under 13 and under 15 competitions.
In the under 15 major semi final, the Tigers maintained their undefeated record with a comfortable 37-point victory over Lakes Entrance. Jett Anderson, Rory Hansen, Flynn Ashwood, Jackson Calabro, Dante Desio and Oakley Hughes all delivered outstanding performances for the winners.
Jeremy Rotheram, Lochie Yates (three goals), Patrick McGinty, Cohen Kleinitz, Harry Strong and Reide Ymer battled hard for the Seagulls, who will now face Lindenow in this Sunday’s preliminary final.
The Cats earned their spot in the preliminary final with a commanding 59-point win over Lucknow, though they will need to break new ground to defeat Lakes Entrance after suffering two convincing home-and-away losses to the Seagulls.
Lucas Evans bagged five goals for Lindenow in a best-on-ground performance, receiving strong support from Jack Sheridan, Emilio Williams, Izieaha Cook, Angus Durie and Harrison Storer. Ned Strong, Tristan Ebbage, Hayden Garth, Boyd Martin, Lincoln Podubinski and Max George were among the better players for the Magpies.
In the under 13s, Wy Yung proved too classy for Lucknow, cruising to a 36-point victory where inaccurate kicking in front of goal actually flattered the Magpies. Hugh Carroll, Rocky Wetere-Katipa, Oaklee Pearce, Xanda Barnes, Alexander Banson and Arlo Roberts dominated for another unbeaten Tigers outfit on track for premiership glory.
Bailey White, William Savige, Zaiden Penglase, James Matthews, Mitchell Holland and Levi Trinder were the pick of the Magpie players on a tough opening weekend.
Lucknow will now take on Bairnsdale, who eliminated Lakes Entrance by 10 points. The Redlegs defeated the Seagulls for the second time in five weeks, upsetting a Lakes side that had looked like the second-best team in the competition for much of the season.
Hudson Kurrle was instrumental in the Redlegs’ victory, booting five goals in a sensational outing, well supported by Zac Hughes, Daisy Brown, Tate Richards, Jimmy Neate and Simon Lynch.
It was a disappointing end to the season for the Seagulls, with Kobi Caldwell, Jake Christison, Sunny Eiseman, John Sowden, Ivy O’Donnell and Jude Campisi fighting hard to the end among their better performers.
