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 15A
Coach: Marty Allison
Game One - EDFL 10.7 (67) def. WRFL 2.5 (17)
It was a new experience for the players in this night game – it was quite blustery and difficult to score at times. That said, WRFL kicked two goals late in the fourth quarter and we dominated the game. We were playing a really quick brand of footy with our ball movement from the backs into the forwards, our midfielders really took hold. Jackson Watkins and Sam Harris were dominant, Tommy Lincoln was dominant as a key marking forward. Jack Dodorico played really well and I really liked the game of Jack Sheedy, as well as Zein Osman, a terrific competitor and very funny young bloke – the core of the playing group. Those players really contributed to what was a really good win.
Goal Kickers: Jackson Watkins 3, Sam Harris 2, Zane Gentner, Jack Dodorico, Jack Sheedy
Best Players: Jackson Watkins, Angus Robinson, Sam Harris, Zein Osman, Thomas Lincoln, Brooklyn Crook
Game Two - EDFL 8.7 (55) def. by NFNL 12.10 (82)
The score line shows we lost by four and a half goals but that didn't really reflect the performance from the players. We lost a few boys to injury from the first game which changed the shape and the talent we were able to put out on show. It's not an excuse – it gave others an opportunity! Harris and Watkins were again dominant through the midfield, Harris hitting the scoreboard three times from the midfield speaks to the dominance on display. Sheedy again had a strong presence up forward and Marcus Smith started to pop up through the wings, tall and agile. Zachary Martin also played a strong game in his one and only outing.
Goal Kickers: Sam Harris 3, Jack Sheedy 2, Marcus Smith, Gabriel Tangata, Jackson Watkins
Best Players: Sam Harris, Brooklyn Crook, Jackson Watkins, Zachary Martin, Zac Newman, Blake Ward
Game Three - EDFL 6.3 (39) def. by SMJFL 8.16 (64)
We again lost a couple of players, the ball spent a lot of time in our back half and Jamieson Fleming was a rock down there. Ruck Zac Newman came into the side for game two and three and he put in a really good performance, as did Gabriel Tangata as an inside mid. Watkins and Harris again were really solid and we're confident that them and a number of players from this side will go onto Calder Cannons development programs and hopefully beyond. Sheedy and Dodorico were again solid. Brooklyn Crook was another player who played down back, was among the best players in all three games. What particularly stood out was his ability to read the play and leave his opponent and aerially impact the contest. Daniel Sexton played forward and back across the carnival who rarely gets beaten one on one.
Overall, the coaching group was particularly proud of the efforts the group put out despite losing the game – we couldn't fault the effort.
Goal Kickers: Jackson Watkins 2, Jack Dodorico, Roman Keating, Jack Sheedy, Brandon Sartori
Best Players: Jamieson Fleming, Gabriel Tangata, Jackson Watkins, Sam Harris, Zac Newman, Brooklyn Crook
UNDER 15B
Coach: Glenn Smerdon
Game One - EDFL 9.16 (70) def. RDFNL 6.3 (39)
The boys jumped out of the blocks playing exciting, direct, and attacking football. Our centre clearances and transition footy was the difference between both teams.
Goal Kickers: Nash McMahon 3, Matthew Rumoro 2, Dawoud Said 2, Joshua Michielin, Aydan Boyce
Best Players: Brandon Sartori, Matthew Rumoro, Taleb Taleb, Nash McMahon, Sam Jimenez, Angus Bartolo
Game Two - EDFL 5.7 (37) def. by WRFL 9.5 (59)
Our boys started off slow and the WRFL team took full advantage, we were second to the ball and were not prepared to take risks. After an honest rev up at half time, our boys played with a positive mindset and produced a great standard, however our midfield couldn't take advantage of the first use provided.
Goal Kickers: Dawoud Said 4, Conor Teesdale
Best Players: Joshua Smerdon, Matthew Rumoro, Robert Lumsden, Dawoud Said, Oliver Stevenson, Angus Bartolo
Game Three - EDFL 4.4 (28) def. by EFNL 14.21 (105)
Our boys were simply outsized and overwhelmed by a classy outfit. Our boys never gave up all game which was great to see and were challenged in different positions across the ground.
Goal Kickers: Oliver Stevenson, Alexander Barlow, Jesse Steel, Matthew McDonald
Best Players: Matthew Rumoro, Flynn Medhurst, Jesse Steel, Matthew McDonald, Jai Spindler, Joshua Smerdon
UNDER 15A
Coach: Troy Newton
Game One - EDFL 6.7 (43) def. WRFL 3.4 (22)
We got moved to Tarneit, very windy conditions and we kicked with the wind in the first quarter where we got a good start. We defended really well in the second quarter holding them to a minimal score, and it was pretty even after half time. The conditions were tough but as a team, we played really well considering we hadn't done too much training together and the girls showed a lot of character.
Goal Kickers: Piper Dixon 3, Lilly Skehan, Felicity Mahoney
Best Players: Kiara Boyd, Felicity Mahoney, Piper Dixon, Chloe Capeci, Sienna Colgan, Lily Frangoulis
Game Two - EDFL 5.9 (39) def. by NFNL 6.9 (45)
We were up at Mernda for game two and it was the same windy conditions going one way. We kicked into it to start and I thought we defended really well, but we were four or five goals down at quarter time. We fought back alright in the second quarter to hold them scoreless and had plenty of opportunities on goal but didn't quite make the most of them so we still trailed coming into half time. We did well to minimise the damage kicking back into the wind in the third quarter and managed some shots on goal ourselves. We dominated the last quarter, kicked two goals early and gave ourselves a chance to cut back into the margin but congestion around the ball made it tough to open the play and get ahead. A few things didn't go our way but the girls really fought it out well!
Goal Kickers: Matilda Melrose 2, Tayla Olivieri, Roache Meilak, Payten Zervopoulos
Best Players: Tayla Olivieri, Felicity Mahoney, Molly McVeigh, Makaylah Brne, Lily Frangoulis, Lily Skehan
Game Three - EDFL 10.7 (67) def. SMJFL 3.5 (23)
We finished the carnival at Ormond Park, probably the best game that we played. We got off to a good start kicking five goals in the first quarter, playing really well as a team with some great passages of play. It was a strong four-quarter performance in pretty trick conditions – not as bad as the first two games – our rucks competed really well and we again had multiple players stepping up, winning comfortably in the end.
Throughout the whole carnival, every player played at least one really good game and showed that they were up to the level!
Goal Kickers: Piper Dixon 6, Iyla McKenzie 2, Felicity Mahoney, Hollie Lawson
Best Players: Piper Dixon, Ava Dean, Payten Zervopoulos, Lily Frangoulis, Kiara Boyd, Iyla Mckenzie
UNDER 15B
Coach: David Wills
Game One - EDFL 2.10 (22) drew RDFNL 3.4 (22)
It was a very windy night and it was the first time all the girls came together as a team. The nerves were evident in the first quarter when on many occasions they were caught behind their players or out of position, resulting in Riddell scoring two goals. In the second quarter, Riddell scored another goal before our girls composed and started taking the game back. Our determination and ability kept Riddell to just one point for the remainder of the game. Unfortunately with offline kicking we scored 2.10 to RDFNL 3.4 resulting in a draw. This was a good outcome and just the start of the girls' progression as a team. Mietta Datson had a strong performance on ball all night.
Goal Kickers: Mietta Datson, Zoe Mahoney
Best Players: Mietta Datson, Adelina Demirovski, Sienna Scuderi, Mary-Grace Fitzgerald, Charlotte Lees, Zoe Mahoney
Game Two - EDFL 7.8 (50) def. NFNL 1.5 (11)
It was another windy day and we began kicking against the wind which resulted in Northern scoring the first goal. From there on we took control of the game with great intercepts, solid tackles, and great link ups. The girls used the wind to their advantage and capitalised in the third with two hard fought goals against the wind. There were solid performances all round the ground and it showed how much they were prepared to work together to get the winning result. Sienna Scuderi had a strong performance both up forward and across half back.
Goal Kickers: Briget Mulder, Sienna Scuderi, Alexandra Kennedy, Talia Spalato, Charli Scatchard, Mary-Grace Fitzgerald, Layla Hobson
Best Players: Sienna Scuderi, Anabel Tully, Mary-Grace Fitzgerald, Adelina Demirovski, Mietta Datson, Charlie Lorenzetto
Game Three - EDFL 2.8 (20) def. SMJFL 1.5 (11)
Final day of the carnival and we came up against a tall Southern team who got the jump on us with 1.5 kicked in the first quarter. After some adjustments and a reset at quarter time, the girls went back out and were solid at every contest from then on. It was a see sawing battle to gain territory for the rest of the game with our girls making the most of our time around the goals. It took us until after half time to get our first goal on the board with another in the last and holding Southern scoreless after quarter time. Excellent effort by all the girls with solid contributions by all players for the entire carnival. Adelina Demirovski had a consistent carnival, was extra solid around the pack and prepared to run and contest.
Goal Kickers: Sienna Scuderi, Charlie Lorenzetto
Best Players: Adelina Demirovski, Mietta Datson, Sienna Scuderi, Anabel Tully, Sophie Docherty, Mary-Grace Fitzgerald
