The 2023 AFL Metro Junior Development Series wrapped up last week 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!
UNDER 14A
Coach: Cole Harvey
Game One - EDFL 5.6 (36) def. by WRFL 16.5 (101)
After a short preparation and our group of players and coaches still getting to know each other, we ran into a very good team from the WRFL. In blustery conditions on a cold Wednesday night, our boys battled hard however, we were no match for a WRFL team that were well coached very well structured. What was pleasing was the way we finished off the game. Kicking against the breeze in the final term we kicked three goals and we really started to put some nice chains together which provided us with some genuine excitement for the next two games.
Goal Kickers: Slayde Law 2, Lachlan Mitchell, Isa Merhi, Koby Bewick
Best Players: Tevita Rodan, Koby Bewick, Charlie Tudor, Oliver Ashworth, Archer Legudi, Slayde Law
Game Two - EDFL 10.18 (78) def. NFNL 11.3 (69)
We headed to Canning Reserve and it was great to play before our other 14s team. Our boys arrived very determined to atone for our first game and from the outset we took control of the game. Our skipper Koby Bewick led from the front and was unstoppable all over the ground. Following on from game one Tevita Rodan, Charlie Tudor and Oliver Ashworth also stamped their authority on the game. Ashworth was a rock at CHB. The NFNL’s accuracy in front of goal certainly kept them in the game. Mac Dullard and Slayde Law took control in the ruck feeding plenty of ball to our mids. Isa Merhi was causing headaches in our forward line, while Archer Legudi dominated in the midfield. Noah Hanegraff was great on a wing as was Bailey Summers. Although the margin was only nine points, we had 28 scoring shots to 14 in a confidence-building performance by our boys.
Goal Kickers: Koby Bewick 3, Noah Hanegraaf, Lachlan Mitchell, Cain Davis, Charlie Tudor, Isa Merhi, Tevita Rodan, Baxter Payne
Best Players: Koby Bewick, Marcus Longo, Charlie Tudor, Isa Merhi, Oliver Ashworth, Mac Dullard
Game Three - EDFL 19.12 (126) def. SMJFL 6.4 (40)
Our final game of the carnival was against the highly fancied SMJFL at Boss James Reserve in Hampton. Traditionally a powerhouse in these carnivals, our boys were determined to continue their rich vein of form and finish off with a competitive effort against the SMJFL. Our coaching group made some positional changes to allow the boys to experience some different match scenarios and they took all before them. After a tight first quarter our boys came out in the second quarter and really flexed their muscles. Kicking 7.4 to one behind in the second quarter, our boys really hit top gear. Moustafa Darwish, Koby Bewick, Tevita Rodan, Charlie Tudor, Oliver Ashworth, Noah Hanegraaf took complete control in the midfield with Slayde Law giving the mids plenty of ball in the ruck. Archer Legudi and Bailey Summers ran riot on wings. Mac Dullard was put to CHB and was outstanding. Cain Davis, Tom Rendelman, Tyson Oppy provided targets up forward with our small forwards and mids dining out on their aerial presence. Tevita Rodan kicked six goals playing in a midfield/forward/half back rotation along with being tagged all game. Our skipper Koby Bewick was brilliant again in what can only be described as the complete team performance.
A fine group of young men who were a privilege to coach. To all the families thank you for your support and allowing us to mentor your boys on their footy journey.
Best players and goal kickers not supplied
UNDER 14B
Coach: David Connell
Game One - EDFL 0.9 (9) def. by RDFNL 11.12 (78)
The boys headed out to East Sunbury for our first game to take on RDFNL A side. It wasn’t a great start losing the toss and kicking into a five-goal breeze in the first quarter. Plenty of nerves among the boys, RDFNL were simply too big and dominated around the contest. Playing catch up all night the boys battled hard but were out gunned by a far superior outfit. We had a few chances in front of goal and couldn’t convert which made the scoreboard look worse than it was. Holland-Lees was great through the midfield taking out the medal for BOG. Davoli was our most dangerous forward with five shots on goal.
Best Players: Cooper Holland-Lees, Xavier Murphy, Rex Papal, Shannon Cossor, Lucas Davoli, George Holderhead
Game Two - EDFL 4.5 (29) def. by WRFL 11.11 (77)
The focus in game two was on improving from game one rather than focusing on the outcome. We continued to work on our zone and midfield set up and had a real focus on making the ground small and defending as a group when WRFL were in possession, and then spreading hard and making the ground big when we were in possession. There was a massive improvement in all aspects of this from game one and the effort was through the roof. The scoreboard didn’t reflect the competitiveness of the game after WRFL opened up a four-goal lead after 10 mins again kicking with a breeze. Overall, it was a great improvement from game one and gave us some optimism to finish off on a strong note in game three.
Goal Kickers: Lucas Davoli, Harvey Kelly, Xavier Murphy, Tyson Okines
Best Players: Harvey Kelly, Joseph Dynan, George Holderhead, Nate Millar, Cooper Holland-Lees, Aidan Plant
Game Three - EDFL 6.7 (43) def. by EFNL 17.10 (112)
Game three saw us take a road trip to Mitcham to take on a strong EFNL outfit. The first quarter was really disappointing, after such a great performance in game two, we simply did not turn up to play and found ourselves seven goals down at quarter time. After some reinforcement of some of our fundamentals, we were able to fight our way back in the contest and over the course of the next two quarters kicked five goals to four. The last quarter we ran out of legs after a big couple of weeks.
Overall it was a fantastic experience, the boys came a long way over the course of the 8-10 weeks and by game three, we all felt like we were just starting to form relationships. All players should be very proud of what they achieved and hopefully take it back to club football and just keep improving.
Goal Kickers: Tyson Okines 4, Harvey Kelly, Cooper Holland-Lees
Best Players: Tyson Okines, Luka Saric, Aidan Plant, Cooper Holland-Lees, Nate Millar, Xavier Murphy
BLACK
Coach: Nicola Tenabel
Game One - EDFL 1.0 (6) def. by YJFL 3.8 (26)
It was tough conditions with strong cross winds and rain at Monk Oval. We started strong from the start applying defensive pressure all across the ground. We were able to hold strong for three quarters due to our key theme – repeat efforts. Charli Williams never gave up, continued to chase down every ball, every player, and get to contest after contest. In the end, YJFL were able to utilise the conditions and took control in the last quarter.
Goal Kickers: Isabelle Hannon
Best Players: Charli Williams, Alyssia Randello, Mikaila Theodoropoulos, Taylor Kereopa, Holly Clough, Hayley Parke
Game Two - EDFL 0.4 (4) def. by YJFL 12.10 (82)
Game two was a tough day in the office for the EDFL girls, battling a few injuries and sore bodies. We were outsized and outmatched throughout the game with Charli Williams out momentarily with an ankle injury in which she pushed through in the second half. Key theme of the day was to play fast – when the girls switched, the opportunities opened up with plenty of space and time. Mikaila Theodoropoulos used her speed across the entire field, transitioning from offence to defence rapidly. We couldn’t quite convert any scoring opportunities early, we had some great opportunities late in the game but couldn’t quite convert.
Best Players: Jarrah Wright, Isabelle Hannon, Jayda Scarafilo, Audrey Marnell, Audrey Bray, Sophia Compagnino
Game Three - EDFL 1.1 (7) def. by SMFL 9.18 (72)
The scores didn’t reflect the game on this day. Ball was in both teams forward 50 equally throughout the game, we just couldn’t quite convert our inside 50s to the scoreboard. The game's key theme was no regrets, don’t leave anything in their tanks and the girls stood up and fought to the end. It was the best game out of three with the girls really bonding and taking the game on. There were plenty of hard hits with Jarrah Wright going down in the last quarter with a knee injury. Isabelle Hannon took control in the centre clearances and led the team from the start to the end.
Goal Kickers: Isabelle Hannon
Best Players: Isabelle Hannon, Taylor Kereopa, Marianna Shiba
RED
Coach: Simon Cheel
Game One - EDFL 1.0 (6) def. by SMJFL 11.17 (83)
The first match for the EDFL Red team was against the SMJFL Stars under lights at Monk Oval. In windy conditions, the Stars used a quick handball and run game and were well up at half time. After half time, we adjusted to the speed of the game and applied a lot more pressure on the Stars team, with the hard work resulting in a goal (Grace Cullen) and limiting the scoring by the Stars.
Goal Kickers: Grace Cullen
Best Players: Matilda Gruar, Daniela Curtis, Tamika Fabri, Hollie Capuano, Mia Gustincich, Ella Sutherland
Game Two - EDFL 1.0 (6) def. by SMJFL 12.12 (84)
The second match for the EDFL Red team was against the SMJFL Saints at Martin Reserve. The Saints also used a quick handball and run game which we again found challenging to match. However, the girls continued to work hard throughout the game and following a great passage of team play, were rewarded with a goal (Lyric Mendoza) into the breeze in the last quarter.
Goal Kickers: Lyric Mendoza
Best Players: Lisa Mezzatesta, Daniela Curtis, Chloe Reynolds, Hollie Capuano, Rihaan Paino, Mia Gustincich
Game Three - EDFL 0.1 (1) def. by YJFL 8.19 (67)
The final match for the EDFL Red team was against the YJFL at Ford Park and was the strongest performance by the girls. They defended stoutly as well as producing some strong passages of running team play, which resulted in some deep entries into the forward line. Unfortunately, the girls were not able to cap off all the hard work with a goal but did play the match out valiantly to the end.
Best Players: Daniela Curtis, Mia Gustincich, Tahlia Cheel, Lisa Mezzatesta, Hollie Capuano, Asha Cariss
