The ClubMulwala Under 18s headed to Wangaratta on Saturday to take on rival Wangaratta Rovers.
The boys started well with Wheaton’s early tackling creating scoring opportunities. The Tyson brothers had the better of their opposing ruck and were giving a hungry midfield first look.
The second quarter was a role reversal. The ClubMulwala boys looked reactive and lost accountability.
Luckily the backs were still switched on with Sam Hemphill and the back-pocket plumber Ben Woodburn going to work to repel the Rovers.
The half time break saw co-coach Cartwright lay down the law a verballing duplicated only moments later by co-coach Forge.
The second half was a genuine contest, but Ned Pendergast stamped his authority on the game and along with strong marking, Jackson Meade and a clever Max Hemphill the boys won well.
Club Mulwala XVIII: 3.6, 5.6, 8.9, 11.15. 81
Rovers: 1.0, 3.4, 4.6, 6.6.42.
Best: Pendergast, Wheaton, S Hemphill, Thompson, Woodburn.
Goals: Pendergast 4, M Hemphill 2, Meade, Scott, Wheaton, O’Kane, Martin.
2020 Kennedy Cup
The opening round of the Kennedy Cup was played on a perfect JC Lowe Oval, in cool perfect conditions for football.
Under 14s
With former AFL star Michael Stevens taking the reins of one team and AWJFL Under 14 Coach Luke Brennan in control of the other, the opening game was set to be a cracker.
In an even free flowing contest, good players were a plenty.
A special thank you to seniors’ coach and former GWS/Carlton player, Mark Whiley and YFNC senior player, Ned Mullins and Dan Boulton for umpiring the game (and umpiring earlier in the day).
Best Players: Blue: Surrey, Jones, Comensoli, Appleby, Leonard, Connell.
Green: Mullins, R Cameron, Jackson Raven, Riley Mitchell, Sammon, Eder.
Goal of the day: Jack Costigan.
Under 17s
In this fierce contest, the Harry Wheeler (Dual YFNC Best and Fairest) and Matt Gorman (YFNC Premiership Player) led team jumped out of the blocks.
Caleb Mitchell was everywhere early along with the Psaltiras twins who operate with a clean set of hands and heels.
However, at quarter time back to back mentor Tim Seal calmed his troops and they fought right back into the contest.
Lach Forge finished with 3 for the day and was solid. Mitch Loughnan and Oscar Elliott kept working all day and the contest was evenly poised.
In the second half Hunter Frauenfelder stepped up and played well.
Best Players: Blue: Lach Phillips, Psaltiras, Psaltiras, Fraeunfelder, Nagle.
Hoops: Loughnan, Mitchell, Phibbs, Elliott, Williams.