Hang time: Isaac McGrath takes a huge grab for Ovens and Murray.
Photo by
Aydin Payne
The stars of tomorrow were on full display for the Goulburn Valley League and Ovens and Murray on Saturday afternoon, as the O&M triumphed 14.9 (93) to 11.8 (74) in the under-18 interleague clash at Mooroopna Recreation Reserve.
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It was a tight contest throughout, but a six-goal burst by the visitors midway through the third term proved to be the difference in what was a high-quality display of junior football.
Eyes on the prize: Euroa’s Fletcher Paul battles Charles Ledger.
Photo by
Aydin Payne
GVL under-18 coach Jason Wells said a disappointing third term cost his team a fantastic opportunity for an upset victory.
“It was probably just a disappointing 30 minutes, but that’s all, so you’ve got to be pretty proud of what they did for the rest of the time,” Wells said.
“They just got outworked, they got taught how to work defensively and offensively in that third quarter. When you dip slightly for a brief period, a good team will make you pay, and that’s exactly what happened.”
GVL got the better of the early stages but couldn’t capitalise, with inaccurate kicking leaving the door ajar for O&M.
With players from both teams showing flashes of brilliance, the lead see-sawed through much of the first half, with GVL holding a slight 37-31 advantage at the main change.
Adding the first major of the second half, it seemed as if GVL would run away with the game early in the third.
Hot contest: Josh Mathey tackles Shepparton United’s Oscar Ryan.
Photo by
Aydin Payne
But as Wells admitted after the game, the boys got ahead of themselves, allowing O&M to go on its match-winning run and leading to a big spray at three-quarter time.
“Sometimes you don’t know what you’ll get out of that (giving a spray), but at three-quarter time we had nothing to lose,” Wells said.
Give me something: Shepparton Swans’ James Auld.
Photo by
Aydin Payne
“We threw the side around a fair bit and had guys playing positions they’d never played before, but it was great to see the boys respond and fight back.
“We got to 13 points down towards the end there and maybe had a chance to snatch it, but unfortunately it just wasn’t to be”
Best-on: Ovens and Murray midfielder Josh Mathey was voted best afield.
Photo by
Aydin Payne
Josh Mathey won the best-on-ground medal following a dominant performance for O&M, while Kyabram’s Mitch Dodos and Shepparton United’s Oscar Ryan were the standouts for the home side.
Sinking the slipper: Kyabram’s Liam Francis sends GV forward.
Photo by
Aydin Payne
While the boys were disappointed to not come away with the result, Wells said his team represented the league with pride.
“I love it (interleague footy) and that’s probably why I’ve been involved for so long,” he said.
On the chest: Shepparton’s Connor Fleming takes a mark.
Photo by
Aydin Payne
“There is nothing better than playing interleague footy and representing your league, that should be a pinnacle for a lot of these young kids and it is great for their development.
“The way the boys went about it today was great. I couldn’t be more proud of what they did and how they represented the league.”
