By Alex Woods
Football and Netball is back for the 2023 Season. After a strong preseason in both departments and good numbers, it was time for Warbuurton-Millgrove to convert what they’ve worked on into round 1.
The Burras ventured up to Broadford for 4 netball games and 2 football games. The weather was fresh with some wind and slight rain at times. It made for some interesting matches but we still put out best foot forward.
Up first was the 17 and Under netball. After a positive finish to the 2022 season, it was a new day and a new start for this young team. With 10 players remaining from last year, with the inclusion of Lexi Cole,
this team was ready to put their skills into action. A strong start that saw Tayah Humphrey put up 6 goals in the first quarter, to Broadford’s 3. The team manage to keep Broadford scoreless in the second quarter whilst still putting up another 3 themselves, having a halftime score of 3-9. The third quarter seems to lean towards Broadford’s way slightly, having added another 5 goals to make their total at 3-quarter time 8 to 11. But a quick reset, some adjustments and the team went out refreshed outscoring them 1-8 in the last term, producing an end score of Broadford 9 to WMFNC, 19. A solid game from co-captain, Tegan Bucher, Tayah Humphrey (shooting 16 of Warby’s 19 goals) and Lucas Rush in defence. Good start, team!
Up next was C Grade, who once again turned it on. A new team, with only Mel Hancock being the only player remaining from last season’s Grand Final team. With a couple of new players, some returning and some stepping up, they produced a strong first half having a total score of 11-16 in their favour.
Broadford stayed close in the third quarter, but with some strong defence, and great mid-court work into the goals, the girls retained the 5-goal lead heading into the last term. In the last quarter, the C Grade girls managed to increase the lead out shooting Broadford 5 to 12. The final score was 21-33 with great defence from new inclusion Ruby Kelly. Captain, Mel Hancock was also in the best shooting 18 goals.
Nicole Winzer also had a strong game assisting the girls with her defensive skills also, as the D Grade Grand Final ‘Best on Court’ getter, moves up to C Grade. Ella Meerkotter also contributed 15 goals to the team’s winning start.
The first football match was now getting underway, as the Reserves ran out on the field to take on Broadford. This team is a mix of young, experienced and older players, which is perfect for the development of the club and assisting last year’s Under 18’s in growing their football. This team of 22, ran out strong from the beginning. The Reserves managed to kick 20.6-126 to Broadford’s 2.1-13.
Young Liam Westlake contributed 6 goals in his first Reserves game, Josh Read also put away 4 and Marcel Kocher 3 goals to his name also. Dave Bedggood, Brayden Ferguson, Robbie Marshall, Charlin Nyhuis, Hudson Semple, Matthew Sidari and Christian Toy also contributed 1 goal to the team’s win. Solid performances from Liam Westlake, Marcel Kocher, Josh Read, Brayden Woolridge, Matthew Sidari and Dave Bedggood, who all earned themselves in the bests for the day.
Next up was B Grade netball. Broadford’s B Grade were a strong side, and the Burras definitely had to give everything they had. The girls were strong but couldn’t get the lead at the quarter-time break, being down 12-8. By the halftime break, the scores were 22-14 as Broadford added another 10 goals to their total to Burras 6. Some changes, a refresh and back out they went. Some silly mistakes were slightly costly as Burras shot 8 goals to Broadford’s 12 in the third quarter, but that didn’t let them put their heads down. The total at this point was Broadford 34 to Burras 22, and the aim heading into the last term was
to use defensive pressure all throughout and convert turnovers into goals. They did and won the last quarter by shooting 10 goals to Broadford’s 9, but unfortunately, Broadford won the match having an ending score of 43 to Burras 32. Solid performance from Captain, Chelsea Barnard in the defensive end, as well as Alex Woods in the goaling end, putting up 18 goals for the match.
Advancing from C grade to B Grade, we saw Emily Hay come up and also put herself in the best working in both defence and goals (putting up 5 goals in the third quarter). Jordana Butcher also contributed 9 for the match also. Some things to take away from the game but definitely can see this young team putting it up to Broadford next time they meet.
The last game to take the court was A Grade, and intense this was. A close game throughout and Broadford definitely tested the A Grade side. Last time this team met was in the 2022 Grand Final, which saw the Burras premiers. But with a couple of players out, a new inclusion in Indiana Pinnock and returning face, Karly Wappett, it was a fresh start and a new season. Broadford had a strong start leading at quarter time 7-9, and by the halftime break, Warburton-Millgrove only had a 1-goal lead. Broadford’s defensive pressure was present all through the match and had some strong drives and passes. But we managed to hold onto a 3-goal lead at the 3-quarter time break. The last quarter was intense, and the Burras started to feel depleted as the last term went on. Great defence from Ally Langdon and mid-court work from Ashlyn Elliott, but unfortunately some things didn’t go their way and Broadford took the win home by 3 goals. With a total score of 35 to 37, Ashlyn Elliott, Karly Wappett and Ally Langdon put in solid performances, with Karly putting up 19 goals and Bianca Daniels with 16.
The last match for the day was Seniors Football, just like the Reserves side, this team features a range of fresh, young talent coming up, as well as some experienced players to help them develop their game. The Burras welcome Tom Barr, Ben Pretty, Jono Farrar, Will Farrer to the club who carry a wealth of football experience and new, fresh young faces in, Lachy Marr and Toby Mitchell, as well as Dylan Walker debuting in the Seniors after playing Under 18s in the 2022 Season. Tyson Henry has also stepped up into the Seniors after playing Reserves and Unders for the majority of 2022, as well as 2 Seniors games. In the first half, new recruit, Will Farrer put away 5 goals. 14 to 78 was the halftime score, but with a quieter third term, the last break was 23 to 80. The boys definitely turned it back on in the last quarter, keeping Broadford scoreless in the last quarter and contributing another 29 points to our total score of 3.5-23 to 16.11-107. Solid performance in this match from Tom Barr, contributing 2 goals to the Burras’ win. Will Farrer was also named among the top performers, kicking 5 goals for the match. Young gun, Lachy Marr saw himself in there also kicking 2 goals, as well as Ruckman Nelson Aldridge giving a solid game, Patty Huynh and Tom Marr also starred. 2 goals from young stars Bailey Humphrey, Blake Muir and Josh Sharp as well as one from Trent Elliott.
