Woollam Constructions AFL Mackay Junior Grand Final
The AFL Mackay Junior premiers were crowned on the weekend at Etwell Park, with the winners jubilant and the runners up pondering what could have been. The conditions were perfect for football with a finals atmosphere that can be attributed to the terrific crowd supporting their respective teams or just supporting local football in general on the final day in September. The Woollam Constructions AFL Mackay Junior grand finals had all the theatre of finals football including some upsets that many would not have predicted.
In the under 17 match it was the Andergrove Kangaroos looking to create history as the clubs inaugural premiership team, up against Mackay City Hawks out to defend the title and go back to back. Both evenly matched teams this match could have gone either way with the Kangaroos perhaps slight favorites after defeating the Hawks in the semi finals. The Kangaroos were doing all of the attacking early in the game giving themselves a two goal lead at quarter time. For the Kangaroos Jaebyn Drefke in the ruck was getting first hands to the football and was pushing forward to be a marking target. The Kangaroos defence stood up well against the tall and normally strong marking forward line. It was the Kangaroos second term that really set them up to be in a strong position at half time with seven goals, six behinds on the board to the Hawks two goals, one behind. The Hawks challenged in the third knowing it was now or never and at three quarter time they had a glimmer of hope trailing by 27 points. The Kangaroos were able to hold out the Hawks even with the Hawks kicking the only two goals in the last. When the final siren sounded with the Kangaroos 16 point winners, the celebrations started with the players and many volunteers finally achieving the ultimate reward since the clubs inception into the competition in season 2002. In a team that has an even spread of contributors it was Jaebyn Drefke from the Kangaroos that was named best on ground, with captain Matty Hungerford not too far behind in a another impressive display. The multiple goal scorers for the Kangaroos were Darcy Webb and Joey Penfold, with Matt Crow kicking three for the Hawks who was a standout out player winning the football through the mid field. The Kangaroos can now proudly display the clubs first premiership cup.
In the under 14 match the undefeated Mackay City Hawks were tipped to take out the premiership against the Eastern Swans, with the Hawks clearly the stand out team during the home and away season. The Eastern Swans were not intimidated by their opponents record and went out their like a team with nothing to lose. The Swans started well kicking two goals in the first quarter and holding their opponents goalless. The Hawks were lacking marking options in front of goal with two key forwards missing due to injuries sustained in the lead up to the game. For the Swans all their key players were winning the football, starting in the ruck with Cameron Squires giving them first use of the football. The Hawks were only 8 points down at three quarter time but the Swans were able to withhold any challenge and kicked the only goal of the final term to ensure they had done enough. At the final siren the Swans were ecstatic, it was a win that proved that anything is possible on grand final day. The Swans player awarded the best on ground medal was Brad Hehir who ran hard and finished well playing through the midfield also finishing with two goals. The other standouts amongst a strong team performance were Alex Jokovich, Tim Chapman (two goals), Joel Cashman and Cameron Squires.
The under 12 game opening the grand final day was between Mackay City Hawks and the Whitsunday Sea Eagles. Despite the Hawks finishing the season minor premiers, these two teams were closely matched all season with the Hawks missing some key players going into grand final. The players had to adapt quickly to the slippery conditions early in the game with Whitsunday proving to be the team that was able to do this with greatest effect slamming on five goals to the Hawks one in the first quarter. From this point forward it was a tough ask for the Hawks to claw their way back. It wasn’t to be with the Sea Eagles taking advantage of their early momentum finishing the game with 13 goals and four behinds, to the Hawks two goals, five behinds. The best player on the ground was awarded to the Sea Eagles Shane Wright who played through the mid field and was dangerous running forward finishing with three goals. The leading goal scorers for the Sea Eagles were Tom Werner and Jaikob Norman both finishing with four goals.
The 2008 Woollam Construction AFL mackay Junior season is now complete, congratulations to the three premiership teams. A great finish to the year with many already talking and planning for 2009 which will be on us before we know it. Enjoy the break and for those players sitting around waiting for next season, early November will be the start of an AFL Summer training program, contact AFL Queensland staff on 4951 0622 for more details.
Under 17
Andergrove Kangaroos
4 1 7 6 9 7 9 10
Goals: 2 D. Webb; 2 J. Penfold; 1 B. Adams; 1 B. Cooper; 1 J. Drefke; 1 J. Williams; 1 K. Powell
Best: Team effort
Defeated
Mackay City Hawks
2 1 2 1 5 4 7 6
Goals: 3 M. Crow; 1 M. Stansborough; 1 J. Andrews; 1 L. Wade; 1 M. Hunt
Best: Not provided
Under 14
Eastern Swans
2 0 4 2 5 4 6 5
Goals: 2 T. Chapman; 2 B. Hehir; 1 C. Squires; 1 B. Younger
Best: B. Hehir; A. Jokovich; T. Chapman; J. Cashman; C. Squires
Defeated
Mackay City Hawks
0 3 1 6 3 8 3 11
Goals: 1 B. Alexopoulos; 1 C. Dick; 1 J. Reeves
Best: Not provided
Under 12
Whitsunday Sea Eagles
5 1 8 1 10 2 13 4
Goals: 4 T. Werner; 4 J. Norman; 3 S. Wright; 1 B. Reents; 1 R. Longridge
Best: S. Wright; T. Werner; B. Reents
Defeated
Mackay City Hawks
1 0 1 2 2 3 2 5
Goals: 1 D. Hair; 1 R. Park
Best: Not Provided