Under 9 Black
A perfect day for round 1. We played away against Wantirna South with the new format. Our team was broken into 2 groups of 8x8. The format was quite successful due to some great coaching by Rhys Coulson and Josh McConnell. Our 2 captains today were Ben (The Aviator) D'Costa and Chloe (The Pressure Queen) Linnett. They both had terrific games and lead from the front. Our medal winners were Ben D'costa for some wonderful leadership and team play and Jake (The Extractor) McConnell for tearing it up and 4 first quarter goals. Our Zagame award went to Brody Wolst for some terrific work in the around the ground and the milkshake went to Austin Loring who looks like a new player this year and seems to be thriving under the new format. Austin also played really well in the practise match last week. I also have to mention some wonderful performances by Ethan (Captain Courageous) Reed and Thomas (The Terminator) Coulson who finished with 3 goals each and were both a bit stiff not to get an award. Thomas had leather poisoning today and I particularly enjoyed a look away handball that found its target. Ethan was on the bottom of most packs and played one of his best games today. Max (The Machine) Lazarus also had a huge first quarter and found plenty of it despite playing on one leg in the second half. We could have easily given awards to every player this week. Some terrific team play was shown by all. Perfect weather to boot and the only rain was Mitcham goals (21 in total). A wonderful start to the season. Go Blacks
Best Players: Ben D'Costa, Jake McConnell, Brody Wolst, Austin Loring, Ethan Reed, Thomas Coulson
Goals: Jake McConnell 4, Thomas Coulson 3, Ethan Reed 3, Brody Wolst 2, Ben D'Costa 2, Max Lazarus 2, Daniel Sagwan 2, Jack Cruse 1, Ethan Schutt 1, Canden Walters 1
Under 12 (Girls)
The girls started of the season with a different result in which we had hoped for, but they still went out fighting. The girls stopped many goals down the other end and even though they didn’t get a goal on the board they did get the ball down to our end lots. Being the first game for many of them and the first game for most of them to be able to tackle the girls went out strong and excited that the season had finally begun
Best Players: Flic, Erin, Akybe, Zahli and Chloe
Under 12’s (boys)
In sunny yet windy conditions, we took on Norwood at Walker Park with 2 boys, LeBron and Matty, celebrating their 50th game for the club. After both teams used the full advantage of the wind in the first half, we blew the game open in the 3rd quarter with some great team play and we continued controlling the contest in the last to eventually run out 38 point victors. Great team effort!
Best players- LeBron Gencarelli, Jaylen Allen, Jack Ewison, Will Serong, Max Irvine, Tong Atak Goal kickers- William Aujard 3, Mason Porter 2, Tong Atak 1, LeBron 1, Daniel Chin 1, Jesse Horvat 1.
Under 13’s
Round 1 had the young Tigers heading down Eastlink to Brentwood Reserve Glen Waverley. Good result for the boys today. Rovers played hard, tough football and made the boys work to get on top. We gained midfield dominince which was a key factor in our victory. Terrific result we still have lots of hard work ahead to do! Big, Big, Big welcome to Annguyen Tran, Jimmy Wilson, Jai Townsend, Josh Peters & Kaedin Levy
Best Players: Peter C, Lachlan G, Annguyen T, Jack B, Hamish G, Aiden P
Goals: Peter C 7, Jack B 4, Hundson G, Luca O, Aiden P 2, Ryan O, Josh P, Ryan M, Annguyen T, Jimmy W, Luke M 1
Under 14 Girls
best player awards from Zagame;s and Two Brothers Cafe
Another winner of the Zagame's best player award for round 1
Under 14’s
Big thanks to Two Brothers cafe for this award
Under 15’s
Our 2019 season started off with a tough match-up against last year’s premiers in Wantirna South. We were able to get off to a good start and went into the first break only 4 points down even though we were kicking into a stiff breeze. The second quarter saw us use the ball well and we were able to keep it in our forward half for much of the quarter. Unfortunately, we couldn’t capitalize on our dominance of control and we only went into halftime with a 1 point lead. The third quarter saw a significant drop off in effort and combined with the breeze, Wantirna South were able to get out to a 6 goal lead. The challenge was put to the group to increase their intensity and effort. The response was resounding. Players were taking the game on, shepherding for teammates, running in support, providing multiple options and applying enormous pressure to the opposition. However, we weren’t able to get over the line and came an agonizing 4 points short. Well done to Mac, Josh and Jasper down back for continuing to defend the footy and repel the opposition attacks. Cal, Joel, Connor, DT and Denzell were instrumental in the middle of the ground using the ball well and pushing it forward. Boothy, JP and Jack provided options for us up forward and were able to create goals to keep us in the game. Even though we lost a close game, the boys played well and we can see the potential to come.
Goal kickers: JP 3, Boothy 2, DT 2, Connor, Sheraz
Best: Boothy, Cal, Connor, Denzel, DT, Josh, Mac, Tonnam
big thanks to our Sponsors Zagames and Two Brothers Cafe
Under 17’s
Sunday @ South Croydon was a massive day not only for our club, but also for the long hours put in by Jeff and Sam Howell into our two under 17 teams. This is a first in 130 years for the MJFC to field 2 teams in this age group and testament to the people behind the scenes that have made this possible.
Round 1 was a tough affair all day and a genuine arm wrestle, but our midfield in Dom, Wu, Dec and Cam took control and through our elusive forwards in Jimmy and Jack we were able to come away with the chocolates 59 to 51. Such a great moment for the boys who have not had a heap of success over the years. Enjoy the holidays, can’t wait for round 2