By NICK GALEA - Under-19s
WE end the 2017 WRFL Under-19 season with the Altona Vikings crowned premiers after they displayed a disciplined brand of football to defeat the Werribee Districts, 6.7. (43) to 3.9. (27) in a low scoring Grand Final at Whitten Oval.
Altona started the better of the two sides as they controlled the opening stages of the quarter to kick the first two goals of the game through Joel Menadue and Jack Papachatzakis, but Werribee eventually settled and got on the board through Lachlan Rzanovski to see them trail by eight-points at quarter-time.
The pressure rose in the second term where each side had limited time to dispose of the ball. Despite the intensity, the Vikings looked more fluent and assured when in possession as they played alongside the boundary and the corridor.
Werribee on the other hand were making uncharacteristic errors, but their combative game plan kept them in the hunt.
Werribee needed to hit back when the momentum headed towards the Vikings after Matthew Wright put them 15-points up, and it came through a brilliant piece of play in a stoppage by Jaden Rice who created a goal from nothing and brought the margin back to seven points.
Altona responded shortly afterwards and at half-time it was the Vikings who lead 4.4. (28) to 2.3. (15).
Werribee pressed hard in the third quarter, but the Vikings were resolute in defence as they absorbed and repelled every forward thrust by the Districts keeping them scoreless.
To rub salt into the wounds, when Harrison Minett went forward and kicked truly for Altona, the margin became 21-points giving the Vikings confidence heading into the final quater
If Werribee were any chance of making a memorable comeback they had to kick the first goal of the final quarter, but when Altona's Jack Reynolds slotted his first major early in the term to make the margin 28-points it seemed to be the knockout blow.
The Districts made their charge and had their chances to bridge the gap, but were inefficient as they blazed away when going inside 50 which would ultimately cost them dearly.
For Altona everyone played their roles but Harrison Minett, Matthew Wright and Ethan Taylor had the biggest influence on the contest with strong four quarter efforts to help their side become premiers.
Werribee's Trent Donnon tried hard and Jack Tessari had some good moments, but it was a tough day for the Districts.
*The WRFL Footy Show re-capping the Under-19 Grand Final will be uploaded on Tuesday.
Last Modified on 18/09/2017 10:31