There were some hotly contested under-age grand finals this season. Lance Jenkinson pays tribute to all the champion sides and
the game breakers in our 2016 under-age grand final special
U19 division 1 – Lions roar
Deer Park’s future looks the brightest of all after taking out the top under-age division in the WRFL.
The Lions had to fight tooth and nail to get the better of Werribee Districts by 18 points in the grand final at the Whitten Oval.
Mohammed El-Souki took out best-afield honours for Deer Park, while Mark Galea bobbed up for three crucial goals.
Deer Park 12.9 (81) d Werribee Districts 9.9 (63)
U19 division 2 – Power efficiency
Newport Power had five less scoring shots than Albion, but won by 15 points at Avalon Airport Oval.
The Power’s accuracy in front of goal was crucial with Mitchell Taleb leading the way with three goals. The Abdo boys – Hamza and Abdul – were outstanding for the Power.
Newport Power 10.4 (64) d Albion 6.13 (49)
U17A – Snowdogs snarl
St Bernard’s were in control from the first kick till the last against Werribee Districts at Wootten Road Reserve.
The Snowdogs raced out to a three-goal quarter-time lead and built from there.
Jake Riccardi capped a best-on-ground performance with a goal for the Snowdogs, while Conor McGuire kicked four majors.
St Bernard’s 13.8 (86) d Werribee Districts 5.10 (40)
U17B – Lakers rejoice
It was a war of attrition in the grand final at Galvin Park.
Wyndham Suns had the early ascendancy to lead at half-time, but Caroline Springs charged with an eight-goal-to-one second half.
Max Lennard was best-on-ground for the victorious Caroline Springs, while Dale Dyson and Justin Bell booted three goals apiece.
Caroline Springs 13.14 (92) d Wyndham Suns 7.13 (55)
U17C – Power-packed
Newport Power had too much energy in the second half for Werribee Districts, running out 24-point winners at Galvin Park.
Bachar Youssef claimed best-on-ground honours for Newport, while Ammar Elmir and Matthew Fava jagged three goals each.
Newport Power 11.11 (77) d Werribee Districts 8.5 (53)
U15A – Sharks bite
It took Sanctuary Lakes the best part of four quarters to grind out a one-point win over Altona Juniors in the grand final at Galvin Park. Dean Henderson was brilliant for the triumphant Sharks, while Dylan Blair’s four goals were crucial in a tight finish.
Sanctuary Lakes 12.10 (82) d Altona Juniors 12.9 (81)
U15B – Sensational Saints
St Albans produced a clinic on attacking football, crushing Hoppers Crossing by 46 points in the season decider at Galvin Park.
Lucas Failli kicked six goals in a best-on-ground showing for the Saints.
St Albans 20.14 (134) d Hoppers Crossing 13.10 (88)
U14A – Eagles swoop
Yarraville-Seddon showed incredible courage to fight back from a 22-point half-time deficit to beat Caroline Springs in the grand final at Galvin Park.
Aiden Tester had a day out to seal best-on-ground honours for Yarraville-Seddon, while three goals from James Di Pretoro kept the scoreboard ticking.
Yarraville-Seddon 15.9 (99) d Caroline Springs 8.8 (56)
U14B – Vikings victory
Altona Juniors were at their miserly best, holding Wyndhamvale to just two goals in a 28-point grand final win at Galvin Park.
Alexander Zammit was the stand out for Altona, while two goals from Kyle Crooks went some way to clinching the win in a low scoring game.
Altona Juniors 6.7 (43) d Wyndhamvale 2.3 (15)
U14C – Hot Hoppers
Hoppers Crossing had it all their own way after quarter-time of a 79-point grand final thrashing of St Albans at Galvin Park.
Callum Buckingham was one of the keys to victory for Hoppers Crossing, while Bilal Hammad excited the crowd with six goals.
Hoppers Crossing 16.12 (108) d St Albans
4.5 (29)
U13A – Dogs delight
Point Cook was able to stave off a stern challenge from Williamstown Juniors to emerge with a 16-point win in the big one at Galvin Park.
Bailey Moffatt had a game to savour for Point Cook, while Massimi D’Ambrosio chimed in with three goals.
Point Cook 10.10 (70) d Williamstown Juniors 8.6 (54)
U13B – Warriors win
Hoppers Crossing was able to keep North Footscray at arm’s length to win by 25 points in the big dance at Galvin Park.
The Warriors march to the flag was sparked by a four-goal-to-two third term.
Hoppers Crossing 9.15 (69) d North Footscray 6.8 (44)
U13C – Bulldogs barking
Point Cook’s stifling defence was enough to squeeze the life out of Caroline Springs in a 15-point grand final win at Galvin Park.
The Bulldogs held the Lakers to just two goals for the match – a goal tally matched by Bailey White, who kicked two majors for the Dogs.
The most impactful player for Point Cook was Matthew Deeb.
Point Cook 5.2 (32) d Caroline Springs
2.5 (17)
U12A – Super Snowdogs
St Bernard’s had the composure to close out a nail-biting grand final, edging Williamstown Juniors by seven points in a thriller at Wootten Road Reserve.
A best-on-ground showing from Thomas Lowrie and two goals each to Caleb Burquest and Joshua Foley was enough to get the Snowdogs over the line.
St Bernard’s 6.5 (41) d Williamstown Juniors 5.4 (34)
U12B – Scintillating Spotty
Spotswood found the right mix of defence and attack to dismantle Werribee Districts in the grand final at Wootten Road Reserve.
Not only did the Woodsmen hold the Tigers scoreless after quarter time, but they found plenty of avenues to goal to win by 43 points.
Joshua Attard was everywhere for the Woodsmen, goaling three times in a best-afield display. Spotswood 7.8 (50) d Werribee Districts 1.1 (7)
U12C – Fantastic Flemington
Flemington Juniors never trailed in a 55-point trouncing of Tarneit in the season decider at Galvin Park.
Sharpshooter Sebastian Isolani kicked five goals for the Colts, while Thomas Reid secured best-on-ground.
Flemington Juniors 10.2 (62) d Tarneit 1.1 (7)
U11 east – Glorious Gulls
Williamstown Juniors turned up the heat in the second half to run out 71-point victors over Yarraville-Seddon at Galvin Park.
Tahu Roordink was superb for the Gulls, while Ayden McCarroll led the way offensively with four goals.
Williamstown Juniors 16.14 (110) d Yarraville-Seddon 6.3 (39)
U11 west – Awesome Altona
Altona Juniors had to work hard to plunder the holy grail, eclipsing Hoppers Crossing by 12 points in the big one at Galvin Park.
Cade Galea was best-afield for Altona, while Diesel Moloney was the only multiple goalkicker on the ground with two goals.
Altona Juniors 6.6 (42) d Hoppers Crossing 4.6 (30)
