Tenacity squeezed ahead of finals
The squads of the Warragul and District Junior Football League squeezed every last bit of tenacity from themselves to push towards the few remaining spots in the finals series.
Various teams played out come from behind victories to work their way into the latter part of the season.
There is more to come in the final round of the home and away season next week. Yarragon v Poowong-Loch Under 10 Poowong kicked a point in the first half and kept Yarragon scoreless, despite their best efforts.
Yarragon started with the wind, but the Bulls held firm for the remainder of the match. Levi Moore celebrated 50 games. Under 12 It was a hard day for the Yarragon side, playing in strong winds, but both teams did their best.
The first half was very low scoring. The Bulls scored in the last quarter to seal the win for them. Nate White celebrated 50 games. Ellinbank v Jets Under 10 The Jets came out strong with early goals.
Ellinbank defended well but Drouin were too strong, able to maintain the lead for the remainder of the game.
Both teams contested the ball well and should be proud of their efforts. Under 12 The first half was very even with both sides showing good hands.
In the second the Jets pulled away with some fantastic ball use, shutting down Ellinbank at most opportunities.
Ellinbank kept tacking and winning centre clearances but couldn’t take the win. Under 14 Drouin contested the ball well all game but, Ellinbank came out with no surprises, moving the ball well.
The Drouin Jets have showed improvement over the season and that was evident today, controlling the last quarter. Ellinbank won the game in the end. Caldermeade v Colts Under 10 Both teams came out strong and tackled well.
The Cannons kicked the first three goals, in the second quarter the Colts kicked two unanswered goals.
The Warragul side couldn’t match the Caldermeade team in the end. Under 14 The Colts started the game with kicking into the wind, they defended well and worked hard as a team gaining an early lead.
Caldermeade came back to be within eight points but couldn’t take the match. Rhyce Harvie celebrated 100 games. Warranor v Garfield Under 10 Both teams found it hard to score but Warranor used the wind to their advantage just a little better than Garfield.
Warranor came away with the win in the end. Under 12 It was a good even hit out between the two finals teams.
Garfield hit the lead with the wind assisting, but Warranor got their legs and fought back into the lead showing they are on top of the table. Under 14 Warranor came out strong and scored early.
Garfield kept the pressure on and broke through a consistent Warranor defence to come away with a welldeserved win. Cobras v Bunyip Under 10 Bunyip took control after a tight first quarter.
The Bulldogs were much stronger in the second half and ran out winners over the Cobras. Kai McLeish celebrated 50 games. Under 12 Bunyip played off against the Cobras, taking advantage of the wind.
The Drouin side regrouped in the third quarter to put a score on the board, but couldn’t match the Bulldogs who secured a spot in the finals. Under14 In a highly contested game with a very close last two minutes, Bunyip could take the win.
Bunyip had control of most of the play and kept themselves in the game to kick with the breeze in the last, coming home strong and gained the lead late in the game.
With the Cobras final forward surge, Bunyip held firm to record a brilliant win. Warragul Blues v Hallora Under 10 Hallora won the toss and kicked with a strong breeze.
The first half was a battle of the defences with neither team scoring a goal.
The Blues could capitalise in the third quarter, scoring a goal into the wind with Hallora kicking their first major in the shadows of three quarter time.
The Warragul side kicked away in the final term for a hard-earned victory against a much-improved Hallora outfit. Under 12 Hallora kept at the Blues all game to make a good contest but overall the Blues were too strong.
The Hallora defence saw a work out and stood firm, but let the Warragul side kick their way to victory. Under 14 It was a tough contest with blustery conditions, both sides struggled to get goals on the board.
There was a good come back by Hallora in the latter half of the match, but Blues kicked straight in the end and took the game. Longwarry v Neerim District Under 10 Longwarry started strong however only converted minor scores.
Neerim District kicked three behinds in the last quarter to win the game by one point. Under 12 Longwarry showed that they are really starting to link up as a team, shepherding and passing.
The Crows started well, but the Cats were able to hold off Longwarry for the rest of the match.
The damage was done in the first quarter, the Crows taking the win. Ji Oldham celebrated 50 games. Under 14 After a very even first quarter, Longwarry had the better of the next two to set up a good win.
Neerim played well in the last quarter, but the Crows hung on for the win.
Lachlan Spinks and Daniel Pullen celebrated 100 games.