Benalla's under-12 Red and under-12 Black sides present a united front after clashing in an all-Benalla preliminary final at the weekend.
Under-12 Preliminary Final: Benalla Red vs Benalla Black
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Benalla Black have booked their spot in the grand final with a strong win over Benalla Red in Saturday's under-12 Wangaratta and District Junior Football League Preliminary Final at WJ Findlay Oval in Wangaratta.
Benalla Black's Frank Christie gets his kick away under pressure from Benalla Red's Toby Smith. Photos: Kylie White.
Black set the tone early, using good teamwork and relentless pressure to take control from the first quarter and keep Red goalless until the final term.
Benalla Red's Oliver Ross strides forward with purpose.
Dustin Nolan was the standout up forward, kicking four goals, while Eli Fielding provided run and speed off the wing. Harley Kupke and Spencer Whitechurch were prominent through the midfield winning strong contested ball and plenty of metres gained, Frank Christie won plenty of the hard ball to set up clearances, and Jack McKenzie was a calming influence for his teammates under pressure.
Benalla Red's Jaxson Heatherill is tackled by Benalla Black's Jack McKenzie.
Red were up against it after a slow start but refused to fold, matching it with Black in patches and continuing to fight right until the final siren. Tanner Vanderzee got Red on the board with their only goal of the game, and the likes of Owen Schirmer, Mitchell Murray, Oliver Ross, Leroy McKenzie, Toby Smith and Tom Lambert were all notable performers in a tough contest, showing plenty of character to see the game out.
Benalla Black's Eli Fielding helps up Benalla Red's Tom Lambert.
Black now progress to the grand final on the back of a determined all-round team performance where they will take on Myrtleford, with the time and venue still to be confirmed.
Benalla Back's Harley Kupke gets his kick away as Benalla Red's Tory Woodhams bears down.
Score: Benalla Black 6.4 (40) def Benalla Red 1.6 (12)
Goals
Black: Dustin Nolan 4, Max Reynolds 2
Red: Tanner Vanderzee 1
Benalla Red's Travis Langlands and Benalla Black's Spencer Whitechurch set after a loose ball.
Best
Black: Harley Kupke, Spencer Whitechurch, Dustin Nolan, Frank Christie, Eli Fielding, Jack McKenzie
Red: Owen Schirmer, Mitchell Murray, Oliver Ross, Leroy McKenzie, Toby Smith, Tom Lambert
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