BY DYLAN BOLCH AND MAE JAMES
South Metro Junior Football League (SMJFL) players and spectators alike recognised the importance of volunteers in Round 6 of the 2021 season on Sunday 23 May.
Round 6 was the National Volunteer Round, presented by the SMJFL Premier Partner Storage King.
Here are some key matchups from the weekend in the Round 6 Monday Monash Review.
Under 17 ½ Boys Division 1 – PMSMD U17 ½ Boys Div 1 vs Beaumaris FC U17 Boys Sharks
Spectators were on the edge of their seats at Murphy Reserve on Sunday as PMSMD and Beaumaris played out an intense game of football. In a fierce contest that could have been anyone’s game, PMSMD took out a 12-point victory over the Sharks (8.14-62 to 7.8-50). The first quarter ended with Beaumaris holding a tight nine-point lead, fuelling PMSMD’s determination into the second term and until the final siren. Both teams saw an opportunity for a win, reflected in their grit and determination. Thomas Aughterson booted three crucial goals for the Sharks, matching his game total from Round 5. Across the field, Mitchell Geraerts bagged three goals for PMSMD, the most in a single game so far this season for the budding star of tomorrow. Beaumaris and PMSMD now sit 2.02 per cent apart on the U17 ½ Boys Division 1 ladder. Their next match-up will be a defining moment for the division this season.
Under 17 ½ Division 2 – Highett under 17 vs DJFC Under 17 – Thomas
The Dingley Dingoes recorded a 54-point victory over the Highett Doggies on Sunday (15.7-97 to 6.7-43). Both teams came off strong with Highett leading at the end of the first quarter by just two points. The Dingoes booted a game-changing four goals in the second term, eclipsing Highett’s lone goal and fuelling momentum. The Dingoes continued extending the margin and ended the game with 97 points on the board. Sam Poort was pivotal in the Dingoes’ victory, scoring five goals. Teammate Ryan Uildriks has been on a roll in the last three rounds and is one to watch. Uildriks’ three goals against the Doggies this week takes his season total to seven goals.
Under 17 Division 2 – Bentleigh JFC vs East Malvern JFC (Red)
Bentleigh JFC continued their strong form on Sunday with a 113-point triumph over East Malvern (18.18-126 to 2.1-13). Bentleigh kicked 18 goals total for the match, including eight goals in the second term. Brody Worrell stood out on ground with an impressive bag of five goals. Worrell is the younger brother of Adelaide Crows key position player Josh, who was drafted at Pick 28 in the 2019 National Draft and is edging closer to an AFL debut. The young Worrell worked well with Harry Richards who has put together a stellar 2021 campaign with an average of 3.16 goals a game. Both Bentleigh and East Malvern will see a bye next week to rest for their next matchups. Bentleigh have been promoted to Division 1 off the back of their strong start to the season and will next come up against PMSMD in Round 8, and East Malvern will next meet the East Sandringham Rovers.
Under 17 ½ Boys Division 3 – Ashwood JFC vs Beaumaris FC Under 17 Boys Great Whites
Essex Heights Reserve hosted a thrilling shoot-out between Ashwood and Beaumaris in Round 6, with Ashwood taking out a seven-point win (10.12-72 to 9.11-65). Beaumaris started the game well and took a 14-point lead into the first break. Ashwood came to life after quarter time, booting five unanswered goals in the second quarter which signalled their path to victory. Ashwood’s two-pronged attack of Mitchell Wain and James Lee were the difference, with the pair booting five and four goals respectively. Wain now holds a commanding lead at the top of the goalkicking charts for Division 3 with 19 goals spanning the first six rounds. Daniel Finnegan led the way for Beaumaris, kicking three goals as they fell agonisingly short of victory. Ashwood will look to back up this performance when they battle the Hampton Rovers next weekend, whilst Beaumaris will seek their first win since Round 3 when they play Oakleigh.
Under 17 ½ Boys Division 3 – Waverley Park Hawks U17.5 Boys Gold vs Cheltenham JFC U17 Boys
The Cheltenham Panthers continued to scale the ladder as they overcame Waverley Park Hawks by 59 points on Sunday (17.9-111 to 7.10-52). The Panthers held a skim lead of only seven points at quarter time, but pulled away in the second quarter with a resounding seven goals over the Hawks’ one. Red-hot Cheltenham player Max Davis continued to propel his side to victory with six goals. Following his collection of five goals in Round 5, Davis is quickly becoming a handful for opposition defences. Panther Jordan Benitez notably provided support to Davis as he secured three goals. The Hawks were far from empty-handed, with James Zapedowski (three goals) and Rhys Dakin (two goals) shining up front. Looking ahead, the Hawks will take on Highett at Columbia Park whilst Cheltenham will take on Ajax following their Division 2 escalation.
Under 17 ½ Boys Division 3 – Murrumbeena JFC vs Oakleigh JFC
Murrumbeena secured an 88-point victory over Oakleigh on Sunday, putting on a classy display at Murrumbeena Park Oval (18.11-119 to 4.7-31). Harry Bird was in full flight in front of goal, kicking a bag of eight majors in what was his season-best haul. Archie Cornell followed up his display of five goals last week with another three goals for Murrumbeena, whilst Sam Mulcahy also kicked three goals. For Oakleigh, Evan Manaras stood out on field with two goals. Manaras has been shown consistent form this season, having kicked a goal in every game he has played. Oakleigh will look to bounce back when they play Beaumaris in Round 7, whilst Murrumbeena will take on the Caulfield Bears in Division 2.
Under 18 Girls Division 1 – Mordialloc Braeside U18 Girls Div 1 vs Oakleigh JFC
The Oakleigh Dragons came out breathing fire in Round 6 against Mordi Brae and clinched a 42-point victory (7.11-53 to 1.5-11). Emma Stuber was the star of the show as she kicked four of Oakleigh’s seven goals. Stuber is currently ranked third in the Division 1 goal-kicking chart and has kicked eleven goals already this season. Fellow Dragon Kaitlyn Sidopoulos sits at fifth on the season leader board with ten goals of her own and added one more goal to her tally on Sunday. Mordi Brae Mustang Charlotte Anderson continued an impressive streak. Anderson has kicked a goal in every game she has played this season, headlined by her three goals in Round 2 against St Bedes / Mentone. In Round 7, Mordi Brae will take on Beaumaris whilst Oakleigh will look to extend their winning streak to three games when they play St Bedes / Mentone.
Under 18 Girls Division 2 – East Brighton Vampires JFC Low vs U18 SPMJFC / EMJFC Youth Girls
The SPMJFC / EMJFC Doggies obtained a sensational 90-point victory over the East Brighton Vampires at Hurlingham Park Oval 1 on Sunday (14.13-97 to 1.1-7). Right off the bat, the SPMJFC / EMJFC girls proved themselves to be a tough team to beat as they scored six goals in the first term. By the time the third quarter siren sounded, the Doggies were up by 11 goals and showed no signs of slowing down. Still, the Vampires stayed tough until the end with Eleni Nicholls having registered the Vampires’ first goal in the final quarter. SPMJFC / EMJFC‘s Rosie Finster (four goals) and Georgia Foran (three goals) were electrifying in front of goal to assist in their significant win.
