The 2023 YJFL Season will come to a close for all competitions this Sunday 3 August with Grand Finals set to take place across multiple venues in an action packed day.
Ahead of the Grand Finals, the YJFL is previewing all the competitions to show which teams have made the Grand Final, where and when they'll be playing, previous matchups between the teams and how they got to the Grand Final.
Thursday – U15/U16s Previews
The YJFL encourages all players, family, friends, supporters and more to attend Grand Finals on Sunday for what will be a fantastic day of football and celebration.
For those unable to attend, all matches will be filmed and will be available to watch via our Match Vision Portal in the days following the Grand Finals.
U15 Girls Division 1 – Warrandyte vs Kew Comets – Binnak Park – 3:00pm
Ladder Position
Position | Team | Won | Lost | Draw | Byes | Pts |
1st | Warrandyte | 12 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 48 |
2nd | Kew Comets | 6 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 24 |
Previous matchups:
Round 2 - Warrandyte 78 def. Kew Comets 16 - Warrandyte Rec. Reserve
Round 7 - Warrandyte 39 def. Kew Comets 18 - Warrandyte Rec. Reserve
Round 12 - Kew Comets 1 def by. Warrandyte 98 - Templestowe Reserve
Finals
Qualifying Final - Warrandyte 46 def. Kew Comets 13 - Warrandyte Rec. Reserve
Preliminary Final - Kew Comets 36 def. Ashburton 25 - Victoria Park (Kew)
Players to watch
Kew Comets
Scarlett Bown. - at 177cm the two time YJFL B&F is an inside clearance beast who is just as comfortable going forward taking contested marks and kicking goals. Isabelle Godfrey - running machine with a laser right foot. When in full flight not many can catch her. Loves a goal on the run. Valentia Derbogosijan - inside midfielder who runs as hard contest to contest in the last quarter as she does in the first. Her defensive work is a feature of her game.
Warrandyte
This group plays each and every week for their teammates and the selflessness is on display each game. Those who have watched our games can see that each player plays in a different position just about each quarter of each game and that has developed strength across the whole field with all players always giving 100%. We don’t have standout players, we have a standout group of girls.
Warrandyte - Season Summary
Trent Ferguson (Coach)
Our 2023 Season has been built around Teamwork and the relationships our players have with each other is a large part of the success we have achieved thus far in the season. An early Pre-Season start had the girls raring to go in Round 1, and they delivered a solid Win over Ashburton. Round 2 saw us facing off against Last years Grand Final Opponents Kew Comets which also delivered another good win. The hard work the girls had already put in and continued to produce on the Training Track was paying off.
Our Focus this season was on Development and Improvement, both personally and as a Team. We managed to go through the Regular Season Undefeated, and were well represented with 10 Girls in the YJFL Squads and 2 at Eastern Ranges. A highlight of their development has been how well the girls move the Footy and score freely, with five games resulting in 10 plus goals being scored, by a range of different players.
Best part about this team is how much they love playing Footy together and how much fun and laughs are had each week.
Kew Comets - Season Summary
Andrew Wilson (Coach)
The Kew Comets girls endured a difficult season with a mixture of injuries, illness and school commitments making it tough to get their best team on the park during the regular season. Nevertheless the girls found a way when it mattered and managed to finish the season in second spot on the ladder.
Despite a competitive second half against top placed Warrandyte in the Qualifying final the girls fell to the tune of 32 points but bounced back last weekend in the Preliminary Final with a solid 13 point win over Ashburton to set up a repeat of last year’s Grand Final against Warrandyte- who pipped Comets by one point in the decider.
U15 Girls Division 2 – St Mary's vs North Brunswick – Whatmough Park – 1:00pm
Ladder Position
Position | Team | Won | Lost | Draw | Byes | Pts |
1st | North Brunswick | 10 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 40 |
2nd | St Mary's | 8 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 32 |
Previous matchups:
Round 8 - St Mary's 34 def by. North Brunswick 36 - Greensborough College
Finals
Qualifying Final - North Brunswick 13 def by. St Mary's 25 - Allard Park
Preliminary Final - North Brunswick 33 def. Camberwell 18 - Allard Park
Players to watch
North Brunswick
Each member of the team has contributed to our success over the course of the year, bringing different skills and attributes. What unites them is their passion for the team and our club; and their willingness to work hard for each other as teammates, especially when our numbers have been down and when we’ve been challenged.
St Mary's
Players to watch out for in the Teal, White and Black of St Marys include Gypsy Buckland, Jemma Little, Alex Spagnol, Shanae Plunkett and Livia Saraceno to name a few.
North Brunswick - Season Summary
Trevor Ackland (Coach)
It’s been pleasing to see great improvement of every player this season and the hard work on the training track paying off with our first finals appearance and top of the ladder finish. Whilst the intensity on the training track is not always as good as it could be, they continue to show up for their teammates and work on improving their fitness and skills.
The ability of the team to continue to fight hard, run all day and take the game on, holds us in great stead heading into the Grand Final. We had a close fought game in the Qualifying final against St Mary’s and back ourselves to get the win this week knowing we have beaten them on their home turf before. We look forward to a great contest!
St Mary's - Season Summary
Charlie Saraceno (Coach)
The St Marys U15 Girls have continued to improve during the year with many of the girls only in their second or third year of footy.
They are a well balanced team who love their footy. They are made up of a mix of under 14 and under 15 girls and the comradery amongst the group is really strong and the reason they have made it through to the Grand Final.
They come against North Brunswick in the Grand Final and it should be a great game given both sides have beaten each other during the year. With St Mary’s holding a 2-1 advantage, however North Brunswick finished on top during the home and away season.
U15 Boys Division 1 – St Mary's vs Hawthorn Citz – Ford Park South – 10:45am
Ladder Position
Position | Team | Won | Lost | Draw | Byes | Pts |
1st | St Mary's | 12 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 48 |
4th | Hawthorn Citz | 8 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 32 |
Previous matchups:
Round 1 - Hawthorn Citz 107 def. St Mary's 46 - Rathmines Rd Reserve
Round 6 - St Mary's 72 def. Hawthorn Citz 21 - Whatmough Park
Round 13 - St Mary's 47 def by. Hawthorn Citz 65 - Whatmough Park
Finals
Elimination Final - Hawthorn Citz 63 def. Bulleen Temp 49 - Gordon Barnard Reserve
Qualifying Final - St Mary's 88 def. Bulleen Temp 47 - Whatmough Park
Preliminary Final - Bulleen Temp 45 def by. Hawthorn Citz 84 - Ford Park
Players to watch
St Mary's
Keep an eye out for Max Downes who represented Victoria and the Yarra magpies this year and for Harry Van Hattum who is one of the best ruckman in league.
Hawthorn Citz
A strength of the Citz team this season has been an evenness across the field, with the coaches empowering the players to always be willing to show individual flair within the team structure.
St Mary's - Season Summary
Scott Lawrence (Coach)
The St Mary’s under 15-1s team has had a fantastic year winning all but two games and finishing on top of the ladder.
We welcomed several new players this year who have all made an outstanding contribution to the team.
We were fortunate enough to win our qualifying final and head straight into this weekend’s grand final where we play Hawthorn Citizens.
The home and away ledger is 2-1 Hawthorn’s way, so it should be a great game between two evenly matched sides.
All the boys are excited to part of a grand final and we can’t wait to show what we can do.
Hawthorn Citz - Season Summary
Michelle Wilson (Team Manager)
Over many years qualification for finals, and even grand finals, had almost been expected of the 2008 group of Hawthorn Citz boys. However 2023 has represented a season of change and great challenges. The tremendous depth of talent across YJFL U15 Division 1 meant fierce battles occurred every week. Tough losses were reflected upon, and each victory was hard fought and earned. Opposing teams, regardless of ladder position, proved they could lay claim to having the combination of skill and hunger at the contest to propel them to finals.
For Hawthorn Citz, finals qualification went right to the death, moving into fourth position in the penultimate round, and holding on in the final round thanks to a thrilling victory over an always admirable Fitzroy team by a solitary point. With the ball precariously placed in Fitzroy’s forward line as the siren sounded, the relief was immense, but was tempered with the knowledge that a greater challenge lay ahead.
Despite now facing the clear benchmark of the 2023 year in St Marys, two strong finals victories against teams that had successfully put Citz to the sword earlier in the year has the squad believing in themselves.
U15 Boys Division 2 – Camberwell vs Surrey Park – W.T. Peterson Oval – 1:00pm
Ladder Position
Position | Team | Won | Lost | Draw | Byes | Pts |
2nd | Camberwell | 9 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 36 |
3rd | Surrey Park | 8 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 32 |
Previous matchups:
Round 8 - Camberwell 30 def by. Surrey Park 72 - Lynden Park
Round 12 - Surrey Park 30 def by. Camberwell 37 - Surrey Park
Finals
Elimination Final - Surrey Park 65 def. Glen Iris 27 - Surrey Park
Qualifying Final - Kew Rovers 56 def by. Camberwell 85 - Victoria Park (Kew)
Preliminary Final - Kew Rovers 48 def by. Surrey Park 87 - Camberwell Sportsground
Camberwell - Season Summary
YJFL
Camberwell finished second in the Under 15 Division 2 Boys competition just 1 game behind league leaders in Kew Rovers.
The Camberwell side showed their capability in the Qualifying Final when they defeated the ladder leaders by 29 at Victoria Park.
They've split the games with Surrey Park this season and will be hoping the Grand Final will fall in their favour.
Surrey Park - Season Summary
George Papadopoulos (Coach)
After a season hit by injury and constant change, the Surrey Park U15s are looking to make it 3 flags in a row this weekend against a super opposition in Camberwell.
Starting in Division 1 after the premiership victory last season, our group has gone through massive change with many players trying different positions due to injury and concussion.
After starting the season with only 1 win from our first 5 games, we have stormed home to finish third and set up a great finals run.
Best of luck to boys!
U15 Boys Division 3 – Heidelberg vs Parade – Beverley Rd Reserve – 3:00pm
Ladder Position
Position | Team | Won | Lost | Draw | Byes | Pts |
1st | Heidelberg | 11 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 46 |
3rd | Parade St Damians | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 28 |
Previous matchups:
Round 6 - Heidelberg 45 def. Parade 35 - Heidelberg Park
Round 11 - Parade 30 def by. Heidelberg 41 - Binnak Park
Finals
Elimination Final - Parade 47 def. Macleod 44 - Binnak Park
Qualifying Final - Heidelberg 43 def. St Mary's 69 - Warringal Park
Preliminary Final - St Mary's 53 def by. Parade 54 - Whatmough Park
Heidelberg - Season Summary
Andy Martin (Coach)
The boys have had a great year of footy with so much development in just a short amount of time. The group committed to one another to commence pre season training in October 2022 and ever since their skills, fitness and most importantly, their Mateship and willingness to work hard for each other has all gone through the roof. With a few long term injuries through the season, the boys have been brave, standing up in some close games. They definitely deserve to the opportunity to play off in the Grand Final against Saints, a team we have a lot of respect for.
Our first final was against St Marys another huge competitor of our division. We managed to win a hard slogged game with a few injuries and illness.
With our “One in All in” brand of footy and so much talent across the group, I couldn’t single out any players to look out for, they will share the load like they’ve done all year.
Parade - Season Summary
YJFL
Parade Saints will be hoping they can get one back over Heidelberg after two narrow losses during the season.
Their two Finals wins have come by a combined total of 4 points including a 1-point victory over St Mary's in the Prelim Final.
They will be hoping to continue this winning form going into Sunday and come out victorious in what will be another close contest.
U15 Boys Division 4 – Hawthorn Citz vs Parkside – Ivanhoe Park – 1:30pm
Ladder Position
Position | Team | Won | Lost | Draw | Byes | Pts |
1st | Hawthorn Citz | 11 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 44 |
2nd | Parkside | 10 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 40 |
Previous matchups:
Round 9 - Parkside 72 def. Hawthorn Citz 12 - Pitcher Park
Round 13 - Hawthorn Citz 85 def. Parkside 30 - Rathmines Rd Reserve
Finals
Qualifying Final - Hawthorn Citz 69 def. Parkside 35 - Rathmines Rd Reserve
Preliminary Final - Parkside 49 def. Warrandyte-Templestowe 47 - McDonnell
Hawthorn Citz - Season Summary
Chris Poustie (Coach)
At Citz we have two teams in U15’s, Div 1 and Div 4. Through the pre-season they trained together while a selection process was undertaken. It’s a great outcome for both teams to have won through to their respective Grand Finals.
We have 22 players in the Div 4 team, having topped up during the year with 3 country boys who are boarding in Melbourne. We started the year strongly but unfortunately lost a key half back who broke his ankle and has missed the entire year. We had a bit of a flat spot with boys on school camp and away and were down on numbers, but finished the year strongly despite a second season ending injury to another player.
We have had some great matches during the year, particularly against Richmond, Warrandyte Templestowe and of course Parkside who we play in the GF. We have played each other 3 times this year but it will be the first time we play at a neutral ground. We are expecting a great contest and are really looking forward to it.
Parkside - Season Summary
YJFL
The Parkside Under 15 Divsion 4 side finished just 1 game behind Hawthorn Citz in a close race for the top of the ladder.
The two teams split their regular season contests, but with Hawthorn Citz taking the Qualifying Final in convincing fashion, Parkside will be looking to turn the tables in Sunday's Grand Final at Ivanhoe Park.
U15 Boys Division 5 – Fitzroy vs Boroondara Hawks – W.T. Peterson Oval – 10:45am
Ladder Position
Position | Team | Won | Lost | Draw | Byes | Pts |
2nd | Fitzroy | 8 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 32 |
3rd | Boroondara | 6 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 24 |
Previous matchups:
Round 9 - Fitzroy 39 def. Boroondara 31 - W.T. Peterson Oval
Round 14 - Boroondara 67 def. Fitzroy 16 - Gordon Barnard Reserve
Finals
Elimination Final - Boroondara 68 def by. Glen Iris 42 - Gordon Barnard Reserve
Qualifying Final - Northcote 46 def by. Fitzroy 54 - McDonnell Park
Preliminary Final - Northcote 23 def by. Boroondara 74 - McDonnell Park
Players to watch
Fitzroy
We have been fantastically led by our rotating leadership group that have displayed Care, Courage & Consistency to earn the title of Credible Captains amongst the playing group. At a team level we have had such an even contribution throughout the year from all the team which was in ample evidence come the first final where everyone was up for the challenge and left nothing on the field.
Boroondara
Keep an eye out for strong ruck/on ball performances from Albert McGee and Clem Redfern. Gus Vanden Boom and Ollie Groves are looking to take some great goal kicking form into the Grand Final.
Fitzroy - Season Summary
Luke McLaughlin (Coach) Tim Cairns (Coach)
The Fitzroy U15-2 team emerged as a dynamic fusion of two squads from the 2022 season. Right from the outset, a notable sense of fun surfaced amongst the boys as they just loved football, and relished the experience of playing alongside both familiar faces and new mates.
For the first half of the season there was lots of discovery for all involved. By the midpoint of the season the best position for each of the players was becoming clearer, with players taking on new roles, and growing in confidence for what they could bring to the team. The players were beginning to understand each other strengths and what they bought to the team.
From the season's midpoint, the team's focus shifted towards refining a game plan tailored to capitalize on their strengths. A comprehension developed of how each player's actions could elevate their teammates—whether by providing a crucial block, adopting a tagging role, or giving off to a first option.
As the season drew to a close and building on a coaching mantra of “put together enough moments and you will win passages of play, put together enough passages of play and you will win quarters of football..” This principle crystallized the team's mindset, emphasizing the significance of seizing each moment and rendering the upcoming moment the most important.
This philosophy was never more evident than during an exhilarating qualifying final, where the boys executed the game plan while remaining steadfastly focused on the imminent moments.
With the grand final on the horizon, the boys are ready to seize the opportunity. Their accomplishments thus far are amazing, and as they step onto the field, they are urged to embrace the moment and have FUN!!
A heartfelt appreciation extends to the Parent/Guardian collective and Team Manager Paul Ryan, indispensable in bringing the team together. Best wishes are extended to both teams for Sunday's showdown. Go Roys!
Boroondara - Season Summary
Glenn Burbidge (Coach)
The Boroondara Hawks have really developed during the second half of the year, putting in some excellent performances. The team have trained hard and developed structures and standards that have helped them come together as a newly combined team.
They have been brilliantly led by Aidan Tribe and Albert McGee along with several on field leaders. They play for each other, and everyone strives to play their allocated role for the betterment of the team.
The games with Fitzroy have been split and we expect a very tough game against a strong opposition that we highly regard.
The boys are incredibly appreciative for all the support they have received from everyone at the club and YJFL in general.
U16 Girls Division 2 – Bulleen Temp vs Kew Rovers – Ted Ajani Reserve – 1:00pm
Ladder Position
Position | Team | Won | Lost | Draw | Byes | Pts |
1st | Bulleen Temp | 9 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 36 |
2nd | Kew Rovers | 9 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 36 |
Previous matchups:
Round 5 - Kew Rovers 26 def by. Bulleen Temp 51 - Greythorn Park
Round 10 - Bulleen Temp 39 def. Kew Rovers 23 - Bulleen Park
Finals
Qualifying Final - Bulleen Temp 32 def. Kew Rovers 27 - Bulleen Park
Preliminary Final - Kew Rovers 27 def. Heidelberg 22 - Camberwell Sportsground
Players to watch
Bulleen Temp
The team is well led by Tahlia Baldi, Hayley Chu, Lucy Alexander and Kayla Pulverenti. Even effort across the team with some guns who put their hands up when needed.
Bulleen Temp - Season Summary
Matt Collard (President)
The Bullants Under 16 girls have had an enjoyable season and we are looking forward to a competitive match against Kew Rovers.
The core of the group has been together for 4 seasons now and there is a strong camaraderie between all of the girls. The team is workmanlike and demonstrates a strong resolve to win.
Kew Rovers - Season Summary
Lia Siniakov (Team Manager)
It has been an outstanding and fun season for this new U16 Girls team that started as a conversation between school friends and grew into a 23-player strong team.
With more than half of the players new to footy, the girls have worked hard to learn and develop their skills and are super excited to play in the Division 2 Grand Final!
The girls’ team spirit, friendship and love for the game has been evident throughout the season. We are exceptionally proud of every player’s efforts and look forward to playing last season’s premiers Bulleen Templestowe. Go Rovers!!
U16 Boys Division 1 – Kew Bears vs Beverley Hills – Ford Park – 1:00pm
Ladder Position
Position | Team | Won | Lost | Draw | Byes | Pts |
1st | Beverley Hills | 10 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 40 |
2nd | Kew Bears | 6 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 26 |
Previous matchups:
Round 2 - Kew Bears 53 def. Beverley Hills 46 - Victoria Park (Kew)
Round 7 - Beverley Hills 63 def. Beverley Hills 56 - Doncaster Reserve
Round 14 - Kew Bears 37 def by. Beverley Hills 71 - Ford Park
Finals
Qualifying Final - Beverley Hills 44 def by. Kew Bears 102 - Ford Park
Preliminary Final - Beverley Hills 103 def. Fitzroy 20 - Ford Park
Players to watch
Beverley Hills
We pride ourselves on TEAM, so things to watch will be our ability as a team to share the football with speed and our run and carry to break lines and gain valuable metreage. Our “off the ball” movement is also something that creates our ability to move the football to space and hit the leading target. So, if you are at the game, hopefully you can appreciate the unrewarded running or possessions that makes us a Grand Finalist Team. It promises to be a fantastic game which I believe will go down to the final minutes.
Beverley Hills - Season Summary
Brett Chandler (Coach)
12 months on from the 2022 Grand Final we have a re-match against two teams that currently sit 2-2 this year Head-to-Head.
We have played 29 players for the season and have a very healthy list heading into Sunday’s game with 27 players fit and available to play and experience the magic feeling of being involved in a Grand Final.
This year we have had 7 new players join our team and those boys have fitted in extremely well and all have contributed to us being a more rounded and versatile outfit in 2023.
We had a very solid year with only 2 losses, but many narrow wins which highlighted how even the Division (1) 16’s competition was this year. With only 5 teams in Div 1, each week you had to be “on your game” mentally and physically or the result could easily be taken away from you.
The standard of football has been excellent and the development and rise of some boys who have done the extra work over the break was very rewarding for the player but also the coaches in providing more options in various positions.
Being a small team, we have always prided ourselves on skill and ball movement and that focus remained this year but with our healthy numbers and ability to use the interchange for more rotations the speed definitely increased with players being that little bit “fresher” to execute their skill and pressure on the opposition. This contributed to us ending up on top of the ladder at the end of the home and away season and thankfully received the double-chance which we needed after our opponents this week in the Grand Final gave us a football lesson that if your 5% off mentally you pay the price.
Fortunately, we got back to what I believe was our best 4 quarter effort for the season on Sunday and have the opportunity to turn things around from last week and last years Grand Final.
Kew Bears - Season Summary
Tom Silvagni (Coach)
The 2023 season has been another enjoyable and rewarding one for the Kew Bears Under 16 side. The side remained mostly intact from last season with a few new additions added to the team as well as a new coach Tom Silvagni.
Our season was a tricky logistical exercise with many boys having heavy football commitment outside the club. However what remained was a strong connection and camaraderie that kept training and games enjoyable.
We had a number of close games throughout the year, winning 3 games by a goal or less and having a draw.
We finished the season playing for top spot against our regular nemesis Beverly Hills and after a 6 goal loss, finished second on the ladder. However we turned the result around in the semi with a comprehensive 8 goal win and now prepare for our 3rd straight game against BH. Hopefully back to back flags await the group.
U16 Boys Division 2 – Ashburton vs Parkside – Camberwell Sportsground – 3:00pm
Ladder Position
Position | Team | Won | Lost | Draw | Byes | Pts |
1st | Ashburton | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 56 |
3rd | Parkside | 7 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 30 |
Previous matchups:
Round 8 - Parkside def by. Ashburton - Forfeit
Finals
Elimination Final - Parkside 69 def. Surrey Park 33 - Pitcher Park
Qualifying Final - Ashburton 106 def. Ivanhoe-Heidelberg 16 - Koonung Reserve
Preliminary Final - Ivanhoe-Heidelberg 31 def by. Parkside 54 - Warringal Park
Ashburton - Season Summary
YJFL
The U16 Boys Division 2 Ashburton side are the dominant team in their competition and will be a formidable opponent in the Grand Final.
They went undefeated in 2023, however it is important to note that their only game against Parkside was forfeited.
It will be a good test for this dominant side to go up against an opposition they have not yet played this year. They will hope to keep their unbeaten record and finish the year with Premiership.
Parkside - Season Summary
YJFL
Parkside have enjoyed a successful season. inthe Under 16 Boys Division 2 competition finishing third on the ladder with 7 wins, 5 losses and 1 draw.
They have made had a great finals run including a fantastic Preliminary Final win over the second placed Ivanhoe-Heidelberg side.
They will be tested against the unbeaten Ashburton but will fancy their chances.
U16 Boys Division 3 – Bulleen Temp vs Hawthorn Citz – Ted Ajani Reserve – 3:00pm
Ladder Position
Position | Team | Won | Lost | Draw | Byes | Pts |
2nd | Bulleen Temp | 11 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 44 |
3rd | Hawthorn Citz | 9 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 36 |
Previous matchups:
Round 11 - Hawthorn Citz 48 def. Bulleen Temp 47 - Rathmines Rd Reserve
Finals
Elimination Final - Templestowe 35 def by. Hawthorn Citz 71 - Warrandyte Rec. Reserve
Qualifying Final - Park Orchards 49 def by. Bulleen Temp 62 - Domeney Reserve
Preliminary Final - Park Orchards 67 def by. Hawthorn Citz 73 - Domeney Reserve
Bulleen Temp - Season Summary
YJFL
Bulleen Temp finished the season in second place on the ladder and went straight through to the Grand Final after an impressive away win over Park Orchards in the Prelim.
Their only matchup against Hawthorn Citz came in Round 11 this year in which the Bullants went down by a solitary point.
They will be hoping they can redeem themselves in the Grand Final against a tough opponent in Hawthorn Citz.
Hawthorn Citz - Season Summary
Ben Graham (Coach)
After a successful 2022 campaign culminating in the U/15 Division 3 Premiership, we started the 2023 season in Division 2. After a 2-2 record, we were relegated back to Division 3 in our bid to go back to back.
From Round 5, we faced some familiar opposition such as Preston, Fitzroy, Brunswick and Templestowe but also enjoyed the challenge of previous Division 2 teams including Park Orchards, Bulleen-Templestowe and Macleod. We finished this stretch with a 7-3 record and ended the home and away season 9-5.
During the season due to school camps, holidays and injuries, we had to call on our entire squad and for most of the season played without a bench. The last month of the season was crucial in our quest to play finals again. Templestowe jumped us in Round 10 and we couldn't reel them back in, it was a nail biter against Bulleen-Templestowe in Round 11 scraping in by 1 point, we were competitive but ultimately not good enough for ladder leaders Park Orchards in Round 12 but it all came down to the Round 13 clash versus Macleod. Given we would finish the season with an equal match ratio and given the fact we lost by 10 points to Macleod in Round 2, we had to win 11 points or more to make the finals. We triumphed by 12 points ensuring our quest to return to finals was still on track.
The semi-final and preliminary final have been great games against very worthy opponents. All due respect must go to Templestowe and Park Orchards for outstanding seasons, they are both great football teams with plenty of talent and are very well coached. Our Grand Final opponents, Bulleen-Templestowe are also a very well coached and a talented team ensuring the Grand Final should be a close one.
U16 Boys Division 4 – Whitehorse vs Parade – Springfield Park – 2:00pm
Ladder Position
Position | Team | Won | Lost | Draw | Byes | Pts |
1st | Whitehorse | 11 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 44 |
3rd | Parade | 6 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 24 |
Previous matchups:
Round 5 - Whitehorse 85 def. Parade 26 - Sprinfield Park
Round 13 - Parade 38 def by. Whitehorse 65 - Binnak Park
Finals
Elimination Final - Parade 61 def. Ashburton 42 - Binnak Park
Qualifying Final - Whitehorse 108 def. Doncaster 63 - Springfield Park
Preliminary Final - Doncaster 47 def by. Parade 50 - Zerbes Reserve
Whitehorse - Season Summary
Mav Gleed (Coach)
After losing the first two matches of the year, Whitehorse U16s got rolling and has won their last twelve matches, finishing the regular home and away seasons on top of the table (11W-2L). Whitehorse made a focus this year on improving their ball movement and decision making under pressure, which their coach believes is a key reason why they have been successful so far.
Whitehorse has played Parade Saints twice this year coming away with the wins on both occasions, in what were tight and physical games. In the first Qualifying Final, Whitehorse met Doncaster and was dominant from start to finish, in a clinical display of football. The ball movement was slick through the middle of the ground, their defenders were creative, providing plenty of run from behind and their forwards were dangerous.
Prime mover Russell Parry, had a day out in the midfield, his leg speed and evasiveness made him very hard to stop. He racked up plenty of footy and kicked five goals. He will be one to watch in the decider next Sunday along with his partner in crime, Jake Sheehan who has had a terrific season. Sheehan is a class act with ball in hand a great leader of young men.
Other players to watch out for are Tom Williams X-factor up forward, speedster Semenow brothers and Jimmy Dorrat-Sims on the wings, Oliver DAVID’s first use through the ruck and dashers Yong Liang Chong, Ryan Walsh and Jarrod Worst off half back.
There is a real buzz around the team who are looking forward to the big challenge this Sunday afternoon.
Parade - Season Summary
Julie Waugh (Team Manager)
Our U16's have been on a long and tough journey from 2022 with only having six original team members but managing to recruit another 10 team members. It wasn't a complete team but at least they were able to take to the ground and play football.
2023 is a different story as the boys again rallied around their mates and to this day, we have 27 players on our list. These boys come from all walks of life, some not even playing AFL footy before.
The beginning of our season started with four losses but the boys through sheer determination, persistence and courage found that winning formula. Our Coach Ian and Assistant Coach Damian worked with the boys to further develop their skills, to work as a team and to bring the best out of them. Seven wins later and the boys have found themselves in Finals. Through belief and camaraderie, the boys are now playing for a Grand Final. We all hope for a fairytale ending but they are already winners in our eyes. Well done to an amazing season!
GO SAINTS!!
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