Sunraysia’s Stephen Denaro applies a tackle to YVMDFL opponent Daniel King who was awarded a free kick eventuating in a goal.THE home YVMDFL Under18 side emerged victorious in Pool D of the Country Football Championships at Woori Yallock and Warburton.
The competition, involving Sunraysia, Western Border, North Central Mallee and the YVMDFL, set a standard higher than that of past years under the carnival format and the evenness of the group was perhaps best exemplified by the finalday victory over Sunraysia by the North Central Mallee under18 side, which had kicked just two goals in its two games on Saturday.
While the Sunraysia senior side was clearly one of the best drilled sides seen across all pools this year, it was the performance of the YVMDFL under18s side, coached by Geoff Shipp, that impressed plenty of observers, and there is little doubt that the under18 side, like the Sunraysia seniors, would give representative sides in higher divisions a run for their money.
The YVMDFL team bounced out of the blocks on Saturday in its first match against North Central Mallee, kicking its first goal in the first 15 seconds. That was a sign of things to come, with the YVMDFL kicking 15 goals in 40 minutes while keeping North Central Mallee goalless.
The Saturday afternoon match against Sunraysia was played at Warburton. With hard running from the midfield the YVMDFL careered away from Sunraysia in an entertaining game, winning 9.8 to 4.3. Tom McNamara (OlindaFerny Creek) added to his carnival total of goals with four from full forward with Carl Morandi (Healesville) being named best afield.
After two wins from the Saturday matches, YVMDFL won the final match on the Sunday over Western Border to take the title. After taking some time to get used to the dewy conditions, the YVMDFL overcame a halftime deficit and eked out a fivepoint win, 5.7 to 5.2, sealing the championship. Skipper Morandi was named the side’s best player over the carnival.
The senior side got a good start as well, defeating North Central Mallee 6.10 to 3.6. The victory was set up in the first half, with the presence of Tom Hedge (UpweyTecoma) and Luke Barclay (Healesville) proving too much for North Central Mallee to handle.
In the afternoon clash between the YVMDFL and Sunraysia at Warburton the hosts looked gone with 10 minutes remaining and a fourgoal deficit to overhaul, but a late flurry got the YVMDFL within two points. Sunraysia then steadied in the final minutes to eventually run out 19point victors, 11.6 to 7.9, in one of the more entertaining matches of the weekend. Tim Wragg (Monbulk) and Danny Ryan (Woori Yallock) led the way, with Matt Stolartzyk’s (Healesville) constant work both in space and under packs a highlight. In the Sunday match against Western Border scores were deadlocked on 5.5 at halftime.
In the second half Western Border prevailed at the final siren by 15 points, in what was a tight, close tussle. Craig Clarke (GembrookCockatoo) and David Van Hoorn (Boronia) were named best for the home team, Clarke being awarded the YVMDFL’s player of the carnival.
In the final standings the senior YVMDFL side finished third, and the under 18s on top.
