PREMIERS: UpweyTecoma’s Under 11s put up a brilliant fight against a hardplaying Wandin to claim the first flag of the day. By DOUG EVANS
THE Dandenong Ranges Junior Football League (DRJFL) played its grand finals on Sunday in perfect conditions at the Woori Yallock football ground.
A large crowd was in attendance to watch some very skilful and exciting young footballers strut their stuff and impress their parents and friends.
The day started with Upwey Tecoma scoring a threepoint victory over Wandin in the Under 11 competition keeping their unbeaten record intact to become both premiers and champions with final scores Upwey Tecoma 2.3.15 to Wandin 2.0.12.
League Best and Fairest winner Sam Raru from Upwey was awarded Best on Ground for his outstanding performance on the day.
In the Under 13 competition Emerald after finishing top of ladder were able to turn the tables on Healesville following their loss in the second semi final to run out 19 point winners with final scores Emerald 7.4.46 to Healesville 4.3.27. Jedd Ralph Oakley was awarded Best on Ground for his stellar fourquarter performance.
The day’s games continued at a frenetic pace and in the Under 12 game Mt Evelyn and Gembrook kept the crowd enthralled with a performance of the highest standard. The skill level and teamwork exhibited in this game was a credit to both clubs and was the talking point for many senior footballers in attendance.
Gembrook Cockatoo eventually came out winners by 17 points over Mt Evelyn. Damian Volta from Gembrook was awarded Best on Ground for his performance in this game. Final scores were Gembrook Cockatoo 7.6.48 to Mt Evelyn 4.7.31.
In the Under 14 game Healesville continued their dominance of this age group becoming both premiers and champions by maintaining their unbeaten record. Wandin fought bravely to upset the more fancied Healesville side, however in the end Healesville were able to run out 29 point winners with final scores of Healesville 9.14.68 to Wandin 6.3.39.
Andrew Moore from Healesville continued his form through the year to be awarded the Best on Ground medallion.
The final game for the day saw Upwey Tecoma and Monbulk battle it out for the Under 16 Premiership.
Upwey had been the benchmark in the Under 16s all year and were attempting to keep their unbeaten record intact and emulate their Under 11 team’s performance of becoming premiers and champions. However, Monbulk were undaunted by their more fancied opponents and took the game right up to Upwey.
At half time there were only two points the difference and the crowd was enthralled by the endeavour and exceptional skills on display. In the second half the crowd was witness to some of the best football exhibited in the junior league for many years with both teams throwing everything into the contest.
Again the skills exhibited by both teams were of the highest order and proved that the Dandenong Ranges Junior Football League was home to an exceptionally talented group of players.
In the end, Upwey Tecoma were able to overcome Monbulk to score a 12point win but this game was in the balance right up to the final siren. Final scores were Upwey Tecoma 10.7.67 to Monbulk 9.1.55.
Kane Willie from Upwey Tecoma was awarded the umpires’ Best on Ground medallion and Ben Hinton also from Upwey Tecoma was awarded the Victorian Country Football League medallion by VCFL regional manager Tony Vagg.
Mr Vagg complimented all of the players and supporters in attendance on the day for their presentation, conduct and attitude with all games being played in the spirit of junior football and the day’s proceedings conducted without any concerns or issues being raised.
All in all, a great day’s football.
