GIPPSLAND U18 FOOTBALL LEAGUE CARNIVAL
The EDFL U18 team finished with two wins and two losses in the Junior Gippsland football carnival.
It was won by the Gippsland Football League who won three of their four matches - only losing to West Gippsland. Oddly West Gippsland lost to Mid Gippsland who were beaten by the EDFL.
Match 1 – EDFL 1.2.8 lost to the West Gippsland FNC 0.11.11.
The WGFNC began well and regularly tested the EDFL defence. Due to a combination of poor kicking on goal by the WGFNC and some strong chasing, tackling and harassing in defence by the EDFL it only trailed at half time by eight behinds. The EDFL lifted in the second half and after a goal to Alex Henshall it could have stolen victory with two inside fifties to press for a major in the dying minutes. Midfielders led by captain Ryan Atherton, Brendan Wall, and Bryce Joyce picked up regular possessions, ruckman Lachlan Spinks had the better of the knockouts all over the ground and in defence Hardy Kenny and Mathew Dore repelled plenty of threatening attacks.
Match 2 – EDFL 5.9.39 defeated North Gippsland FNL 0.4.4.
The EDFL started well and led by 18 points at half time mainly due to the terrific finishing skills of Matthew Roberts who kicked all three first half goals. In the second half the EDFL continued to dominate with tall Lachlan Spinks leading the way. Bryce Joyce instigated plenty of forward attacks, Jack Dean led well and kicked two goals, likewise Matthew Pecoraro who marked strongly. Alex Henshall was busy across the forward line. Atherton and Wall again good in a very good team effort.
Match 3 – EDFL 4.5.29 defeated Mid Gippsland FNL 2.4.16
After trailing by eight points early in the second quarter the EDFL hit back with goals by Bryce Joyce, after he reeled in a strong contested mark, Joseph Conley with a super finish on the run and Matthew Pecoraro with a long goal. It was the EDFL’s best performance. Ryan Atherton did plenty of good work in close, Lachlan Spinks had a big say again, Gaige White, Ayden Ramm, Brendan Wall were all prominent midfield while Matthew Clynes, Nathan Whitten and Lachlan Axford made important contributions. The midfield pressure in the second half corralled the MGFNL into many turnovers in the second half to set up the victory.
Match 4 – EDFL 1.1.7 lost to the GFL 10.8.68
The GFL proved too slick for the EDFL. It produced a constant stream of attacks. When Aaron Mitchell kicked the EDFL’s first goal at the 13 minute mark of the first half it was only one point in arrears but thereafter the EDFL fell away. Ryan Atherton was outstanding all game with his attack on the ball. Dare again proved effective with many timely interceptions in defence.
It appeared after the pressure and effort expended to beat the MGFNL the EDFL was a spent force in the last half of this match.
The EDFL was very pleased with the commitment of all the boys over the campaign and their efforts.
Post match Ryan Atherton was awarded the EDFL Best Player Medal provided by the hosts of the carnival - the GFL. The league would also like to thank ‘Speedy Locksmiths’ who donated three $250 vouchers for our three best players. These were awarded to Ryan Atherton, Lachlan Spinks and Mathew Dare. The league would also like to thank Coach Chris Morse, his assistants Leigh Stanfield and Andy Spinks, trainers Alan Massaro and Tony Stewart, all the parents and league Junior Football Director Steve Pratt for all the hard work in the lead up to the carnival.
Last Modified on 05/07/2021 08:51
