The 2024 AFL Victoria Metro Junior Development Series recently wrapped up so we thought we'd catch up with the coaches of each side to review the carnival, and highlight some of the key moments and performers!
Next up, Under 14 Boys Division 2.
Coach: Will Wright
Game One - EDFL 3.10 (28) def. by NFNL 8.10 (58)
Game one saw us take on Northern FNL at Sewell reserve on a cold Wednesday night. The boys started the first quarter really well, supplying a mountain of pressure against the opposition. It was a very hot footy early on and created some chances having four shots on goal in the first quarter without being able to convert a major. We started really well, however in the second quarter Northern seemed to settle better around the contest and were a lot cleaner at ground level which provided them better looks going inside 50. We continued to have our chances throughout the night and the game was a lot closer than the scoreboard suggested, we just unfortunately weren’t able to capitalise in front of goal kicking three goals and 10 behinds for the game. Credit to Northern though who applied a great deal of pressure and was the reason for us not having any great looks on goal.
Kane Waters, Chase Green and Zack Robertson were huge for us in the midfield all night with Zack Robertson taking out the best on ground medal.
Goal Kickers: Riley Anset, Ned Dullard, Maikeli Rodan.
Best Players: Zack Robertson, Orlando Macri, Henry Smith, Kane Waters, Chase Green, Benjamin Tranter.
Game Two - RDFNL 0.1 (1) def. by EDFL 20.19 (139)
Our second representative match against the Riddell District FNL was a brilliant performance from our EDFL U14 Division 2 boys. Cold and dewy conditions meant being clean in the contest was going to be of foremost importance. Led by our captain Zack Robertson, the boys got to work early. Jack Wallis in the ruck regularly gave us first use with Orlando Macri, Chase Green, and James Whelan driving home the advantage, accumulating numerous clearances. The first goal coming quickly followed by six more saw the score at 7.4 to no score at the first change. While clean possession didn’t come easy early, EDFL were strong in the contest and were able to take advantage in the territory game. Messages from the coaches about enjoying the moment and taking this opportunity to share the ball in open space were taken on board as the game progressed. Some delightful link-up transition play through the middle from Damon Lynch, Ned Dullard, and Maikeli Rodan and real drive down the wing from Green, Max Featherby, and Whelan gave our forwards the best opportunity to find space and score. Capitalising on these quick forward-50 entries, Benjamin Tranter top scored with four goals. Rafael Santilli also taking advantage of the fast play, crumbing two nice goals. James Whelan proved influential with a best on ground performance. Involved in many clearances out of middle, driving the legs and his team forward, he was also able to hit the scoreboard with three goals. With so many contributors, EDFL steadily pulled away to win by 138 points. Despite the margin, the squad demonstrated a strong desire to selflessly work hard for each other and build on their connection as a team.
Goal Kickers: Benjamin Tranter 4, James Whelan 3, Dean Micallef 2, Rafael Santilli 2, Cooper Sellwood 2, Henry Eales, Max Featherby, Lachlan Fleming, Chase Green, Damon Lynch, Finlay Mumford, Jack Wallis.
Best Players: James Whelan, Chase Green, Benjamin Tranter, Dean Micallef, Orlando Macri, Damon Lynch.
Game Three - WFNL 11.8 (74) def. EDFL 10.4 (64)
In our final match of the carnival we took on Western FNL at Caroline Springs. The start of the game didn’t quite go to plan with Western kicking four goals to none in the first quarter. Western adapted to the conditions a bit better at the start of the game playing with a wet footy due to the amount of water on the ground. After that though, the ground started to dry out and the game became a lot more even. However Western still held onto that four-goal buffer at half time. Our midfielders got on top in the second half and our ball movement looked a hell of a lot better, however it was just the final kick inside 50 that we kept struggling with. We had 21 entries inside 50 in the third quarter to their three, but we could only get one goal from those entries as they managed to kick two goals from just their three entries. An already tough game with only having three on the bench and coming off a one-day break, the boys were keen to give it absolutely everything they had going into the last quarter. It was a 33-point lead to Western at the final change but the boys still believed we were a massive chance to win the game of footy. We had six scoring shots to their one in the final quarter which lead to an unfortunate 10-point defeat. Understanding the game was lost in the first quarter with the start they had, it was always going to be difficult to mow them down.
The most pleasing thing from the last game was to see the development of the boys and the team as a whole. The connection in the playing group both on field with our ball movement, celebration and in our line groups blossomed over the carnival, as well as the connection off field with the new friendships the boys had made with people from other clubs.
Chase Green finished a wonderful carnival winning the best on ground in match three, however it could’ve gone to 10 different boys each game. Damon Lynch, Maikeli Rodan, Orlando Macri, Ben Tranter, Kane Waters, and James Whelan were all standouts throughout the carnival.
Goal Kickers: Benjamin Tranter 3, Ned Dullard 3, Jack Wallis 2, Riley Anset, Brandan Muhtari.
Best Players: Chase Green, Damon Lynch, Maikeli Rodan, Rafael Santilli, Benjamin Tranter, Orlando Macri.
