BY DYLAN BOLCH & MAE JAMES
Players around the South Metro Junior Football League (SMJFL) celebrated the league’s Umpire Academy on Sunday 2 May in Round 3, the Monarch Community Umpire Round.
The sun was out for Sunday with the weather picture-perfect for some classy footy – plus plenty of festivities recognising the important role umpires play in each game.
Here are some of the key results from Round 3.
Under 17 Boys Division 1 – PMSMD U17 ½ Boys Div 1 vs Mordialloc Braeside JFC U17 Div 1
Mordi Brae are now the only undefeated side left in Division 1 following their victory over PMSMD. The Mustangs continued their hot start to the 2021 season with a 28-point victory at Lindsay Hasset Oval. The dynamic duo Ben Hempel and Jake Harding are proving a force to be reckoned with this season, the pair having kicked multiple goals each across every game so far this campaign. PMSMD will be able to reset next week with a bye, and Mordi Brae will look to extend their hot streak to four wins when they travel to Banksia Reserve to play Beaumaris in Round 4.
Under 17 Boys Division 2 – Cheltenham JFC U17 Boys vs Caulfield Bears JFC U17
The Caulfield Bears have recorded a fantastic come-from-behind win over Cheltenham at Le Page Park, their first win of the 2021 season. Lead brilliantly by Charlie Clancy (three goals) and Luca Trumble (two goals), the Bears clawed back a 35-point deficit at the main break, kicking seven goals to one in the second half to win by 13 points. Both sides struggled to convert in front of goal at different stages during the match but will take lots of positives out of the tight contest. Caulfield will hope to secure back-to-back wins when they play Waverley Park in Round 4 and Cheltenham will try to secure their second win of the season when they play Bentleigh away.
Under 17 Boys Division 2 – DJFC Under 17 (Thomas) vs Waverley Park Hawks U17.5 Boys Gold
Dingley responded in emphatic fashion to their Round 2 loss, defeating Waverley Park on Sunday afternoon by 123 points. Having kicked one solitary goal in Round 2, Dingley bounced back kicking 22 goals in Round 3, the biggest score of the division to date. Kyden Vella kicked six goals following his haul of four goals in Round 1, whilst Brodie Ades (four goals), Jordan Letts (three goals) and Ryan Uildriks (three goals) were also solid contributors. Waverley Park will be looking for their first win of the season when they travel to Koornang Park to face the Caulfield Bears in Round 4. Dingley will be looking to continue their new-found form against the St Bedes / Mentone Tigers.
Under 17 Boys Division 3 – Ashwood JFC vs East Malvern JFC (Red)
Ashwood and East Malvern played out an absolute thriller on Sunday, with East Malvern coming from behind to win by two points. The match at Essex Heights Reserve was a high-scoring affair, with both sides kicking twelve goals apiece. Trailing by 11 points at three-quarter time, East Malvern rallied in the final term to ensure victory. Ronan Smythe had a big say in the match, booting three goals, whilst Frank Mckenna kicked two goals for the Knights as well. For Ashwood, Mitchell Wain continued his brilliant 2021 campaign with a bag of five goals and he was well supported by teammate Corey Darvell with four goals of his own. Wain is currently outright leader in the goal-kicking leaderboard for Division 3, with 14 goals across the first three rounds.
Under 17 Boys Division 3 – Oakleigh JFC vs Highett Under 17
Oakleigh and Highett faced off in a see-sawing contest at WA Scammell Reserve in the Monarch Community Umpiring Round. In a match that was full of lead changes and tough football, Highett remained unbeaten, defeating Oakleigh by 17 points. Joshua Mohammed kicked three goals for Oakleigh, but the team effort of the Doggies was ultimately enough to get them over the line. Damon O’Shea is putting together a fantastic season with his best-on-ground display following on from his solid Round 2 performance against Beaumaris. Highett will take on East Malvern in Round 4 in a top-of-the-table clash, whilst Oakleigh will host Ormond.
Under 18 Girls Aqua – Mordialloc Braeside JFC U18 Girls Aqua vs St Bedes / Mentone Tigers AFC
In what was a nail-biter of a game, the Mordi Brae and St Bedes / Mentone girls fought to the end, finishing the game with only three points the difference. Each team scored seven goals, but the Tigers were able to secure the win with some late points. The second half of the game was riveting, with the Mordi Brae Mustangs up by 10 points at the end of the third term. The Mustangs were poised for victory but were undone by the Tigers, who came back by scoring two goals and two points. Charlotte Anderson (Mordi Brae) and Pia Staltari (St Bedes / Mentone) shone with three goals apiece.
Under 18 Girls Aqua – East Brighton Vampires JFC Kerrison / Day vs Oakleigh JFC
The Oakleigh Dragons were back at it again with their third consecutive win this season, defeating the East Brighton Vampires at Hurlingham Park. Oakleigh soared past the Vampires to secure a 133-point victory. Oakleigh’s Emma Stuber was a key contributor to the win, scoring a massive six of 19 goals. Oakleigh powerhouse twins Stephanie and Lucy Wales were also prominent players, scoring a combined seven goals. Oakleigh again showed why they are currently on top of the U18 Girls Aqua ladder with a massive 2890.91 per cent and show no signs of slowing down. The Vampires put up a great fight, however the final score board did not reflect their huge effort.
Under 18 Girls Aqua – East Sandringham JFC vs Prahran JFC U18G Suriano
Another massive game for the U18 Girls competition took place at Chisolm Reserve. Despite only having one game under their belt so far this season due to a bye, the East Sandy girls weren’t going to let this stop them and smashed out a major 21 goals and 12 points on their home ground. Prahran scored one goal and two points in return. Jatalia Jarman was huge for the East Sandy Zebras, scoring seven goals. Amber Lotzof was close behind her teammate scoring five goals and Mia Zielinski, best known for her Round 1 seven-goal flurry, booted three goals. The Zebras’ two massive victories have them placed second on the U18 Girls Aqua ladder, hot on the Oakleigh Dragons’ tails. These two frontrunners will meet in Round 4 at WA Scammell Reserve which certainly will not be a game to miss.
