SDJFL
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Under 16s
Echuca United Blue 6.5 (41) lt. Rochester 11.9 (75)
It was great to get the Echuca United boys back on the park for the first match of the year against Rochester at our home ground.
Although it was a bit slippery early, conditions were near perfect and in the first quarter Rochy took the advantage.
Our lads got off to a sluggish start, trailing their opponents to the footy and being out worked from contest to contest.
The backline held strong and if it wasn’t for Mitch Boyd and Lachie Carter particularly, we would have found ourselves much further behind.
We got things going in the second quarter, Shane, Colby and Zander leading the way. Rama and Rylan were great across half-back and on the wing respectively and Dylan was giving us a great contest in the ruck, with Blue three points down at the main change.
The first 10 minutes of the third were a real tussle, with Zane providing some linking run from half-back which resulted in a good team goal, but that was about where we finished.
Rochy owned the footy for the rest of the match and went away with a comfortable win. We showed some good signs but just couldn’t sustain it.
Goals: Shane Cartwright (3), Alexander Graham, Colby Campbell.
Awards: Zane Martin (Roma Pizza), Mitch Boyd (KFC), Rylan Johnson (KFC), Zander Graham (Tarantos Pizza), Nash Ramage (Savory Bite), Lachie Carter (Brownz Café), Dylan Purbrik (Nourish).
Echuca United Gold 9.13 (67) def. Echuca 5.3 (33)
Echuca United Gold
Absolutely perfect conditions greeted us on Sunday afternoon at United for the first match of the year for our Gold team.
Coming up against a much-vaunted opponent, it was clear from the first bounce that we were switched on.
Jacko Gronow gave us a great contest at the first bounce and the resulting clearance meant that we could lock the ball in our forward half for a large chunk of the first quarter and try to capitalize on the slight breeze.
Brodie and Fayte were providing us with great targets up forward and had it not been for some wayward shots at goal our lead at quarter-time would have been bigger.
In the second quarter the half-back line took control, Matt, Ryan and Jesse mopped up anything that came their way.
Ollie, Godders and Max continued to provide midfield dominance throughout the game.
Shane Bell was playing many different roles, forward, Mid and back and showed his versatility.
Toby defended, as usual, like his life depended on it and after a late last quarter surge from Echuca we managed a solid win.
Above that though, it was great to see all the kids back out there.
Goals: Fayte Belmont-Wickliffe (4), Jaidyn Talbot (2), Brodie Lloyd, Shane Bell, Jesse Kempen.
Awards: Max Childs (Nourish), Matt Harris (Tarantos), Toby O’Brien (Browns), Fayte Belmont-Wickliffe (Savory Bite), Riley Godfrey (KFC), Shane Bell (KFC), Ollie Poole (Roma), Sam Fisher (Browns).
Moama 7.12 (54) def. Shepp United 3.9 (27)
Footy is back.
Great too see our boys take on Shepp United on Sunday at Echuca in the under 16 SDJFL league.
To have 25 players to choose from, the boys where very keen for the first bounce.
With the start of our season at times up in the air, coach Shannon Keam with limited training time had the boys excited and almost fit.
To be expected it was a scrappy start from both sides. Great starts from Mitch and Ben Patto and a very busy interchange so all boys got a run.
Early goals in the second quarter saw the Magpies to a nice half-time lead.
However, the side did not make most of our opportunities with inside 50 entries.
The third quarter saw Shepparton take control of the centre square and began to hit the scoreboard, with Taj working hard along with Bailey to keep the ball in our 50.
The final term saw coach Shannon give the boys a rev up, who began to hit the scoreboard with Hughesy and Luke Caine keeping the footy in our hands inside 50, finishing off with a good win.
Well done to the award winners. We don’t know how this season is scripted but just take one game at a time.
Also sending out our best wishes for the young fella from Shepparton United who broke his wrist - speedy recovery mate.
Under 14s
Echuca Green 5.5 (35) lt. Echuca White 9.8 (62)
Green goal kickers: Tom Evans (2), Cody Mann, James Head, Kane Sidebottom.
White goal kickers: Jed Dargan (2), River Stevens (2), Max Trewhella (2), Isaac Watson, Toby Coutts, Lenny Griffiths.