THE Western Region Football League’s talented Under-19 team scored an impressive come-from-behind win over the Northern Football League at Preston City Oval on Saturday.
The NFL led for much of the match, but the team from the west rallied in the third and final quarters to overtake the home side, winning by three points in a thrilling encounter.
It was a tight first quarter, with no team managing to assert any control of the game.
North duo Kyle Green and Jordan Steele kicked a goal each in the first term, opening up a 13-point lead at the first break.
WRFL star Mickey Nicholls kicked the only goal of the second quarter, narrowing the margin to just eight-points at half-time.
A rev up by WRFL coach Matt Dean at the main break inspired his side in second half, with the WRFL clicking into gear and controlling much of the possession.
Jy Lambley and Jordan Dimkovski kicked two late goals for the WRFL in the third term, with scores level at three quarter time.
The WRFL started the final quarter in the best possible way, kicking the first three goals, which was ultimately enough to seal a second-straight Community Championships victory.
Jack Reynolds and Kyle Blake hit the scoreboard, as did Jordan Dimkovski, who finished the game with two goals to his name.
Dean awarded Jack Tessari from the Werribee Districts Football Club the Best on Ground medal for his efforts.
After the match, Dean said it was a great contest.
“It was a ripping game of footy. Hard, contested and the result in the end could of gone either way,” he said.
“If you looked at the paper to see the results you would thought it was wet and blowing a gale, but it was just one of those games, both teams couldn’t nail their chances.
“But we managed to find a way to win. A few things didn’t go away, but we got there in the end.”
Dean said the amount of talent coming through the junior ranks of the WRFL was exciting.
“The future is bright for the WRFL, hopefully some of these boys get looked at for higher opportunities,” he said.
Final score: NFL 5.18 (48) def by WRFL 6.15 (51)
NORTHERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Goal Kickers: K. Green 3, M. Pavlovski, J. Steele
Best Players: M. Pavlovski, C. Bland, W. Le Gassick, N. Beames, K. Green, T. Brindley
WESTERN REGION FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Goal Kickers: J. Dimkovski 2, M. Nicholls, K. Blake, J. Reynolds, J. Lambley
Best Players: J. Tessari, Z. Busuttil, M. Wright, J. Reynolds, M. Galea, J. Harris
Last Modified on 15/05/2017 16:42