U12s Giants
In what was a special occasion for Benalla Junior Football, a local derby took place on Sunday morning at Friendlies Reserve in round 16.
Similar to the corresponding match earlier in the season, the game was a fantastic display of skill, teamwork and sportsmanship.
In the under-12s clash the Giants jumped out of the gates with early goals to Eli McKean and Noah Cooney; however, the determined Bulldogs wrestled back the advantage and hit the lead at half time.
The Giants backline was under the pump with the ever-reliable Smyth, Henshaw, McNair and Davies all desperate to keep the match within reach.
After Amy Lowe went down with a leg injury the super impressive Harry Bowen was thrust into the ruck, which sparked the Giants’ midfield.
Usual suspects Mount and Defazio dug deep and provided some sling-shot passages of play, getting through the Bulldogs’ wall and creating goals for Bast, Nolan and a classy finish from Mount propelling the Giants to what was looking like a backs-against-the-wall victory.
However, late goals to Ryan White and Kobi Thwaites tipped the tables in favour of a brave Bulldogs outfit, providing a classic finish for the large crowd in attendance.
Due to the superb team effort, coach Willett was unable to single out individuals for awards with all players to be rewarded. The Giants will enjoy another home game at the Showgrounds on Sunday and will be trying hard to notch up another victory.
Final Score: Giants 5.5.35 defeated by Bulldogs 5.7.37
Goalkickers: Eli McKean 1, Noah Cooney 1, Cash Nolen 1, Tom Mount 1, Harry Bast 1.
Best Players: Xavier DeFazio, Tom Mount, Jude Binion, Mason Willett, Jakzen Davis, Harry Bowen.
U14s Giants
The under-14s Giants played the Bulldogs on Sunday at Friendlies Oval.
With a quick first-up goal from the Bulldogs, the sleeping Giants got kicked into action. From there, they worked hard all day, with the Bulldogs applying outstanding pressure and playing man-on-man football for three quarters.
The Giants slowly added to the score but were kept accountable by the hard-working Doggies. In the final term, the boys gave it everything and were able to kick away.
Final Score: Giants 14.12.96 defeated Bulldogs 1.3.9
Goalkickers: Owain Boyle 7, Ryder Levy 1, Kai Dervish 1, Cooper Binion 1, Max Smyth 1, Xavier Wapling 1, Josh Hart 1, Dustin McCarthy 1.
Best Players: Owain Boyle, Josh Hart, Josh Mathieson, Xavier Wapling, Bryce Ashcroft, Bryce Cooney.
U17s Giants
The under-17s Giants took on the Bulldogs in perfect conditions at Friendlies Oval.
The first quarter was an arm wrestle between the two local sides, with the Giants holding a seven-point lead at the first change.
The Giants started to gain some ascendancy in the second quarter, winning the midfield battle, and giving our forward line good service.
The second half saw great football played by both sides, but in the end, it was the Giants who prevailed by 33 points.
The boys are now looking forward to taking on Myrtleford this Sunday at Benalla Showgrounds.
Final Score: Giants 10.11.71 defeated Bulldogs 6.2.38
Goalkickers: Sam Cox 4, Ryley Ely 2, Max Cullen 1, Trent Nicholson 1, Cohen Symes 1.
Best Players: Ryley Ely, James Martin, Max Cullen, Cohen Symes, Tom Binion, Jack Quilliam.
U12s Bulldogs
The under-12 kids were at the All Blacks ground bright and early on Sunday morning ready to get the Family Fun Day started.
Both sides were excited to meet on the field again after training closely together all year for another local derby match-up. It was a close contest right from the first bounce.
It was back and forth, but then Ollie Wardill, who usually plays in the backline, was moved forward and kicked two great goals in the first quarter.
The Giants led by three points going into the second quarter.
Jackson Fry was again Mr Consistent for the Bulldogs, always working hard in his position.
Tyson Williams played a strong game on the wing and has been improving all year.
Ryder Humphries was also playing well in multiple positions.
The battle continued into the second quarter and the Bulldogs managed to keep the Giants scoreless.
However, three missed opportunities for goal by the Doggies meant the scores were level at half time.
The return of Ben Wells was welcome, and he kicked a much-needed goal.
With 13 seconds left in the third quarter Ryan White kicked another goal to put the Bulldogs ahead by seven points going into the final quarter.
The fourth quarter atmosphere was fantastic, and both teams pushed hard to take the win.
It was so close and came down to the last few minutes, then Kobi Thwaites snapped a goal that put the Bulldogs in front by two points.
Both sides have improved so much during the year. The game between the two sides was evenly matched and a spectator’s dream!
Final Score: Bulldogs 5-7-37 def Giants 5-5-35
Goalkickers: Ollie Wardill 2, Ryan White 1, Ben Wells 1, Kobi Thwaites 1.
Coaches Awards: Ollie Wardill, Jackson Fry, Tyson Williams, Ryder Humphries
Best Players: Kobi Thwaites, Ollie Wardill, Ryder Humphries, Jackson Fry, Hugh Ross, Tyson Williams.
U14s Bulldogs
Despite a great win by our under-12s Bulldogs, our under-14s knew they’d be well and truly up against it, given the depth of the opposition team, and although we opened the scoring early in the first quarter, thanks to Josh Ward, that was the sole goal for the Doggies for the day.
The half-time talk by Richard Bull focused on defence and keeping the Giants’ scoring opportunities to a minimum, which was achieved through tackling pressure and pressure on the kicker, keeping them to just two goals in the third term, and this was by far our best quarter for the match.
Final Score: Bulldogs 1.3.9 defeated by Giants 14.12.96
Goalkickers: Josh Ward 1.
Best Players: Max Beaton, Angus Richardson, Hunter Carter, Toby Reeve, Lachlan Glass, Lucas Ham.
U17s Bulldogs
It was a tough, spirited under-17s game of football on Sunday afternoon between the two local Benalla rivals, and no love was lost between the two teams as they both came out tackling like possessed zombies.
The Bulldogs held their ground early with good discipline led by Angus Arbuthnot in the ruck who played a stellar game all day, with support staff in the middle of Jaydin Chee, Shaalv Deo, Sam Begley and Dan Farley all having their hands full with the Giants midfield.
Jim Cooke at full back played his usual hard-nut running game out of the back line, taking bounces at his leisure, while Darcy Pastuszka, obviously still on Queensland holiday time, casually left the backline, ran forward, took a mark and kicked a goal.
Rory Sammon either playing back or on-ball, had a solid game, taking marks around the ground or competing in the crunches, a highlight kicking a great goal on the run fed to him very nicely by Archer Irwin.
Another highlight was a nuggety captain’s goal in the scrum by Kyle Pearce, while Max Beaton coming up from the under-14s acquitted himself well in his first game at under-17 level — a big future ahead for him.
The whole team worked the best we have seen all year against a quality opposition, and we look forward to our final game for the season next weekend.
Thanks to Dave O’Donoghue for umpiring and all our volunteers on the day.
Final Score: Bulldogs 6.2.38 defeated by Giants 10.11.71
Goalkickers: Rory Sammon 2, Montell Macfarlane 1, Kyle Pearce 1, Darcy Pastuszka 1, Blake Calvert 1.
Best Players: Rory Sammon, Jaidyn Chee, Angus Arbuthnot, James Cooke, Sam Begley, Dan Farley.