By: Lachlan SHIRLEY

A TOTAL of eight Grand Finals of the various Geelong Region Junior Boys’ divisions was fought out on Saturday and Sunday at Myers Reserve, with Geelong Rangers triumphing in four Finals, Elcho Park capturing two titles and both Barwon and Breakwater Eagles prevailing in one apiece.

On Saturday morning in the U12 Wallabies/Joeys’ Grand Final, Elcho Park Cardinals kicked off the presentation ceremonies by coming away with a convincing 4-1 victory over Drysdale Lions to secure a gold medal and the Grand Final winners’ pennant.

There was another successful Elcho Park side in the U12 Kangaroos’ division, as the Cardinals won their Grand Final against Surf Coast Blue with a 2-0 victory.

Barwon Blue took out the U13 B Division Grand Final when they defeated Surf Coast 1-0 in a very close encounter

Geelong Rangers were awarded the title of U13 Division A Grand Final champions after they comprehensively defeated Lara United 4-1. It was to be the start of a dominating weekend of finals’ football by the Dark Blues.

The next morning in the U14 Division B competition, Breakwater Eagles were victorious over Surf Coast after coming away with a 2-1 win to secure their Grand Final champions’ medals.

The U14 A Division Grand Final saw another Geelong Rangers team secure a grand final win after they triumphed over Surf Coast 5-2.

In the U16 Division B Grand Final, Geelong Rangers held on to overcome Elcho Park Cardinals after managing to hold onto a 1-0 lead in what was a captivating contest which came right down to the wire.

Unfortunately for the Cardinals, they couldn’t snatch an equalizer despite several convincing attacks and in the end Rangers’ one goal advantage was enough to see them lift the trophy.

The Geelong Rangers U16 A Division team also secured its age division’s Grand Final victory after defeating opponents Surf Coast White 3-0. It capped off an incredibly successful weekend for the local leagues’ heavyweights who secured no less than five titles over the course of the weekend.

Lachlan Shirley is a young SEDA student, currently doing work experience with FFV Geelong. He will be compiling regular weekly reports on the Geelong Region Men’s and Women’s Division 1 competitions.