BY DYLAN BOLCH AND MAE JAMES
Sunday 16 May saw the South Metro Junior Football League (SMJFL) recognise the importance of mental health with the celebration of the Tackle Your Feelings Round.
Here’s some key results from the older age groups in the Round 5 Monday Monash Review.
U17 ½ Boys Division 1 – Beaumaris FC U17 Boys Sharks vs St Kilda City JFC Inc.
Beaumaris has held off a fast-finishing St Kilda City outfit, holding on to win by five points in Round 5. Thomas Aughterson and Dashiell Mcmaster were key contributors, with three and two goals respectively. The Sharks began to make significant strides in the ‘premiership quarter’, the third quarter, as they booted five goals to two to take an 11-point lead. Ultimately, this was enough for the Sharks to hang on and secure the victory. The win broke the Sharks’ losing streak of three games – their first victory since Round 1. St Kilda City take on the East Sandringham Rovers in Round 6, whilst the Beaumaris boys will be looking to secure back-to-back wins when they come up against PMSMD.
U17 ½ Boys Division 2 – Bentleigh JFC vs Ajax Under 17 Comets
Bentleigh have defeated the Ajax Comets by 49 points in a commanding performance on their home deck on Sunday. Harry Richards continued his rich vein of form and was one of the stars of the show, booting five goals in a brilliant display. Anthony Liakakos and Lucas Weinbach snagged two goals each as well for the Demons. Bentleigh set the game up early, with a five-goal first quarter beginning proceedings and setting the tone for the day. Bentleigh play at home next weekend against East Malvern and Ajax face a tough assignment, coming up against St Bedes / Mentone who defeated Highett by 106 points in Round 5.
U17 ½ Boys Division 3 – Ormond JFC vs East Sandringham Rovers
An inspired Ormond outfit fell short of a come-from-behind victory against the East Sandringham Rovers in Round 5, with the Rovers running out four–point victors at EE Gunn Reserve. Alex Simpson was the main man in attack for Ormond, booting four goals as he attempted to drag his team over the line. James Quattrocchi also found a goal for the Monders, who will aim to bounce back when they face off against the Caulfield Bears in Round 6. The Rovers will be looking to make it three wins on the trot when they come up against Mordi Brae at Boss James Reserve in Round 6.
U17 ½ Boys Division 3 Beaumaris FC U17 Boys Great Whites vs Murrumbeena JFC
Murrumbeena put on an attacking display against the Beaumaris Sharks on Sunday, coming away with a 123-point win. Dual threat William Bruce and Archie Cornell led the way for the Lions, booting six and five goals respectively. Bruce is now leading the goal kicking standings for the season in Division 3, alongside Ashwood’s Mitchell Wain, with 14 goals. Frederick Rose was a multiple goal scorer for Beaumaris, kicking two majors. The Lions booted 22 goals for the match, which was the highest score for the U17 Boys competitions this Round, across all divisions. Beaumaris will look to reverse their fortunes in Round 6 when they play Ashwood, whilst Murrumbeena will take on Oakleigh as they look to take four wins in a row.
U17 ½ Boys Division 3 – Mordialloc Braeside U17.5 Boys Div 3 vs Waverley Park Hawks U17.5 Boys Gold
The Waverley Hawks have secured a gritty nine-point victory over Mordi Brae in Round 5. The match was toe-to-toe throughout, with both teams fighting right up to the final siren. Mordi Brae held a slender, one-goal lead at three-quarter-time but the Hawks came back strongly in a thrilling final term. Ayden Rubino kicked the first two goals of the last quarter, before Aden Bartel’s goal for the Mustangs cut the margin to one point with just minutes left on the clock. Lachlan Thompson was the hero for the Hawks, kicking the final goal of the game to seal victory for the boys in brown and gold. The margin was never more than two goals at any point in the match. Rubino finished the match with three goals, whilst Rhys Dakin also kicked two goals for the Hawks. For the Mustangs, Bartel and Samuel Ralph both kicked two majors. Next week, Mordi Brae will travel to Boss James Reserve to play the East Sandringham Rovers, whilst the Hawks will host Cheltenham at Wellington Reserve.
U18 Girls Division 1 – Mordialloc Braeside U18 Girls Div 1 vs East Brighton Vampires JFC Kerrison/Day
The Mordi Brae girls had a successful outcome in their Round 5 campaign, with a commanding defeat over the Vampires. The weather had taken a turn for the worst by the time their 3pm game came about, but the grey skies and miserable drizzle did not dampen the girls’ moods as they fought until the final siren. The Vampires’ 85-point win has secured them second place on the U18 Girls Division 1 ladder, and they will take on the Oakleigh Dragons in Round 6 who are hot on their tails in third place. A special mention goes to hot shot Rebecca Thompson who booted seven goals, taking her seasonal tally to 18 goals – the highest in the division. The game was held at Walter Galt Reserve which was busy as ever as Tackle Your Feelings coordinator Nick Walsh and St Kilda Football Club AFLW Coach and SMJFL Ambassador Peta Searle were in attendance to celebrate the league’s partnership.
U18 Girls Div 1 St Bedes / Mentone Tigers AFC vs East Sandringham JFC
It seemed the East Sandy Zebras were too quick for the St Bedes / Mentone Tigers as they got away with an 81-point victory on Sunday. After an engaging beginning with the Zebras scoring 41 points by half–time, the Zebras eventually doubled their own score by the time the final siren sounded. Still, the Tigers showed grit until the end with Annie Davies scoring the Tigers’ first goal in the third term. Star of tomorrow Mia Zielinski was back at it again, scoring five goals and taking her season total to 17, nipping at the heels of Mordi Brae gun Rebecca Thompson.
U18 Girls Division 2 – U18 SPMJFC / EMJFC Youth Girls vs Waverley Park Hawks U18 Girls
The SPMJFC / EMJFC Girls clinched victory over Waverley Park in cool, windy conditions at McKinnon Reserve in Round 5. The Hawks threatened to claw their way back into the contest at multiple stages but ultimately, the Doggies came away with a 20-point victory. Tannah Daly kicked two goals for the Doggies.
Coach Paul Smith said he was pleased with the entire team effort throughout the match.
“All the girls were fantastic,” said Smith.
Smith identified two girls who were major contributors on the day.
“Jess Stolz and Georgia Foran were really good,” Smith said.
When asked about the most rewarding part of his coaching journey, Smith said it was a good feeling to see the kids back enjoying football.
“Seeing the kids come off the ground with a smile on their faces, knowing that they’ve done something super during the day,” he said.
Next up, the Doggies clash with the East Brighton Vampires, whilst Waverley Park will be looking to bounce back against the East Sandringham Zebras.
