By Nick Creely and Hayley Wildes
SOUTH EAST JUNIORS
GRAND FINALS – UNDER 11s, UNDER 12s, UNDER 13s, UNDER 14s, UNDER 15s, PREMIER, YOUTH GIRLS
UNDER 15s-PREMIER
Dreams were made on Sunday as the South East Juniors hosted their grand finals across the south-east, with many youngsters tasting the sweet taste of premiership glory.
In the Under 15 Division 1 decider, Berwick White took out the flag after defeating Beaconsfield Blue in a thriller, 6.7 (43) to 4.9 (33).
The Berwick team were down by one point at half time, but fought hard to surge out to a seven point three quarter time margin, before kicking the only goal of the final term to seal the deal.
Will Curtain and Mitch Ferguson each booted two goals in a terrific effort.
In Under 15 Division 2, Narre North Foxes emerged with a famous premiership victory after running down a three quarter time deficit to defeat Beaconsfield White, 7.11 (53) to 7.6 (48).
Down at every change, the Foxes fought back from 15 points down in the final term to kick the final three goals of the game, with young Jake Goodes starring with four majors in a match winning effort.
Beaconsfield Blue, meanwhile, powered through to win the Premier 1 grand final against Berwick Navy, 14.6 (90) to 5.7 (37).
The dominant Eagles set up the win through a dominant five goal final term after going into the final change 22 points ahead.
Impressively, the Eagles had 20 scoring shots for the day and converted for 14 goals, in a brilliant team effort.
In Premier 2, Endeavour Hills clinched the flag after shaking off a brave Beaconsfield Gold, 7.14 (56) to 5.3 (33).
The Eagles took three quarters to break the Eagles down, kicking three final quarter goals to run away with a terrific win.
David Lega Frost (three goals) was almost unstoppable with his goal kicking, while the likes of Jack Agar, Harley Fairbank and Codi Dove all contributed brilliantly.
And in Premier 3, Berwick Springs Green are champions after defeating Narre South Lions, 8.9 (57) to 2.4 (16).
Off the back of a dominant first half, the Springs were far too good, but the Lions didn’t give in until the final siren.
Jordan Hinchcliffe was superb for the winners, while Lachlan Barratt and Mitch Porter snared four goals between them.
In Youth Girls, Beaconsfield clinched a memorable, emotional premiership after kicking a goal in the dying moments to snatch the win, 8.7 (55) to 8.4 (52).
The Eagles’ Tyanna Smith booted her fourth – and most important goal of the day – right on the siren to steal the lead away from their opponents, and immediately jumped in joy to celebrate one of the more unbelievable finishes.
It was an incredibly brave effort from both sides, who thrilled the crowd with their amazing skills and running.
UNDER 13s-14s
With seconds to go, Narre South Lions needed a hero – they got one, and his name is Jack Wilson.
With scores level in the dying stages in their Under 13 Red grand final against Beaconsfield Gold, Wilson slotted a goal to seal the deal and help his team to a memorable premiership, 5.7 (37) to 5.1 (31).
It wasn’t as close in the Under 13 Blue decider, with Berwick Blue defeating Cranbourne Blue at Pakenham, 10.15 (75) to 1.2 (8).
Off the back of a terrific team performance, the Berwick team were dominant from the outset.
And in Under 13 White, Officer Blue were jumping for joy after winning the flag against Berwick Springs Green, 6.3 (39) to 4.3 (27).
In the Under 14 Red decider, Beaconsfield Blue defeated Berwick White in a thriller, 9.7 (61) to 7.11 (53).
The Beaconsfield team clawed back from a three point three quarter time deficit to clinch the win, kicking three goals to one in the final term.
Pakenham Blue also defeated Cranbourne Blue in another Under 14 Red decider, 17.7 (109) to 0.2 (2).
In the Under 14 Blue grand final, Berwick Blue defeated Endeavour Hills at Barry Simon Reserve, 6.10 (46) to 3.10 (28).
The Berwick team set the game up with a dominant opening three quarters, but the Eagles fought out the game bravely.
In the other Under 14 Blue clash, Parkmore Pirates 13.10 (88) were too good for Narre North Foxes.
Scores were relatively even at half time before the Pirates slammed on nine unanswered goals in the second half.
UNDER 11s-12s
Beaconsfield Blue’s defence stood tall and it helped deliver them the Under 11 Red premiership. Taking on Berwick Blue, the Eagles held the Wickers to just one goal in each half and scored five of their own to claim the win, 5.5 (35) to 2.2 (14).
Officer White’s dominant season concluded with a comprehensive win over Beaconsfield White in the Under 11 Blue grand final, 9.4 (58) to 1.0 (6). After losing just one game for the season, Officer proved too strong and took control of the game with a five-goal to zero second term.
Young star Harvey Clausen booted three goals in a starring role for the Roos, while Lachlan Chase (two goals), Ryder Cachia, Bryce Klenner, William Harding and Zac Claxton (one goal each) were impressive.
It was a nail-biter in the Under 11 White grand final as Narre Warren and Noble Park played out an absolute thriller.
With the Magpies leading by nine points at three-quarter time, Noble Park staged a valiant comeback in the final term as Alex Chandler and Jackson Vassallo booted classy majors.
Narre Warren wasn’t to be denied though as they held on for a famous two-point win, 2.5 (17) to 2.3 (15). Jake Robinson proved to the match-winner with two goals for Narre Warren.
Narre North Foxes Black claimed the Under 12 Red premiership over Berwick White in a fine performance.
Despite inaccurate goal kicking, the Foxes were in control for much of the game as Noah Mraz, Brodie King and Dominic Male kicked goals at vital stages to help their team to the premiership, 3.14 (32) to 0.1 (1).
The Under 12 Blue grand final was one for the ages. Pakenham Blue and Noble Park left it all out there in their quest for premiership glory and it was Noble Park who came out on top.
With Collingwood superstar and former Noble Park junior, Adam Trealor co-coaching with Sam Lengyel, Noble Park fought back from an eight-point three-quarter time deficit to win by three points, 5.11 (41) to 5.8 (38).
Zain Sleiman was sublime for Noble Park, while Samir Pekmezovic, Alexander Oung, Lainie Krepp, Harley Jacobs and Jamie La Rocca kicked goals.
For Pakenham, Tarkyn Nicholls (three goals) and Mason Hall almost got their team over the line and Azariah Borg and Adriel Scali (one goal each) were important.
In the Under 12 White grand final, Kooweerup held Cora Lynn scoreless in the first half and then kicked away in the second to record a 7.2 (44) to 1.0 (6) win.
MacKenzie Brown excelled on the big stage for the Demons, while Luke Briganti, Zak Banks (two goals each), Jacob Battams, Bradley Stow and Austin Craven (one goal each) were dangerous around goal. James Harrison kicked the Cobras solitary goal.
