Day 2 got off to a great start, with the Traralgon under 16s notching up a win over Omeo and District this morning. The boys played their best game of the three today, and although they did not have their kicking boots on, they were able to have 10 more scoring shots than Omeo and come away with a win 5-12-42 to 4-3-27. Best Players were Ben Truin, Harley Lowrie, Alexander Bermingham, Zac Anderson, Rhys Martin & Luke Price. Goal Kickers were Rob Spector 2, and singles to Stuart Goddard, Harley Lowrie & Dylan Higginbottom. It was good for the boys and the coaching staff to finish with a win as a reward for their effort and participation in the Carnival.
The Under 14s need to win both games today to have any chance of making it through to Sunday's Grand Final. Traralgon's runners were on their game from the start, with the likes of Hayden Britten and Jack Jenkins continually getting their hands on the ball and pumping it foward, giving the forwards every opportunity to score. The boys were able to add some scoreboard pressure against the previously undefeated Central Gippsland. The backline, lead by Christian "Goose" Buykx-Smith, Jayden Hinde and Damian Yates and co were solid for four quarters, and the boys were able to run out winners 8-4-52 to 5-6-36. Best Players were Christian Buykx-Smith, Alastair Salerno, Damian Yates, Doug Grining, Hayden Britten and Cameron Graham. Goal kickers Eden Farley & Cameron Graham 2, and singles to Corey Beaver, Ash DiCiero, Jack Jenkins & Alastair "Bubba" Salerno.
With only a limited time to rest and recover, the boys were faced with Barinsdale, and a win by 4-5 goals would get them into Sunday's Grand Final. The Bairnsdale boys came out firing from the first bounce, dominating proceedings for much of the first quarter, and if not for the efforts of the backline, the game may have been well and truly over. The Traralgon boys gradually worked their way back into the game, matching Bairnsdale around the ground better and starting to make some inroads into the deficit, but still struggling to get their outside running game going, and injuries were now starting to take their toll. Bairnsdale's determination and effort in the last quarter ensured that they ran out winners 6-8-44 to 5-3-33. Traralgon's best players were Ash DiCiero, Jack Jenkins, Damian Yates, Chrsitian Buykx-Smith, Doug Grining & Conner Ambler. Gola kickers were Jack Jenkins 2, and singles to Ash DiCiero, Cameron Graham & James Jacobson.
Overall, it was a good solid effort from the Under 14s in a very even competition that did not see any team win all their preliminary matches, highlighting the eveness of the teams.
The Under 12s was in the same situationas the Under 14s, having to win both games to play in the Grand Final. In their first game today, they came up against a very determined Central Gippsland outfit that were well drilled and very hard at the contest, trying to win the loose ball at all costs. The Traralgon boys worked hard and tried to implement the Coach's instructions, but found the opposition a little too strong and went down 1-4-10 to 4-4-10. Best players Jacob Petersen, Zac Tactor, Joel Phelan, Justin Little, Tristan Turpin and Ben Britten. Goal kicker was Trent Prosser.
In their second game, the boys hit the deck running against Bairnsdale, knowing that a final spot was gone, but still wanting to end the carnival with a win. All their first quarter effort went unrewarded with no goals, but they remained positive at the break and managed a goal in the second quarter to lead aby a couple of points at half time. The Traralgon boys clicked in the second half, adding two goals in each of the quarters and run out winners 5-5-35 to 2-0-12. Best players were Mason Shields, Trent Hourigan, Joel Phelan, Riley Livingstone, Kade Duncan & Fletcher Ormrod. Goal kickers were all single to Kade Duncan, Lachlan Gilroy, Aaron Lynch, Zac Tactor, & Tristan Turpin.
It was a very good learning expereince for these boys, with only 2 having expereince from last year, and hopefully this will give them more drive to succeed with their football.
Although none of our teams made the Grand Finals, all the kids that participated will be better for the expereince and have gained a greater understanding of how the pace of the game and the bigger bodies on a consistent level can impact on your own performance. All the kids committed themselves well and did the League proud. Well done!
Last Modified on 30/06/2010 21:33
