Sport
Gallery | Benalla, you beauty: Goulburn Valley Hockey Association junior grand finals complete
Benalla has bagged the under-16 Goulburn Valley Hockey Association Division A flag.
In 2024, the GVHA decided to split the under-16 age group into two divisions (A and B).
In the inaugural under-16 Division A competition, Benalla claimed the premiership, defeating Goulburn Valley Grammar School in a high-scoring affair.
The league, which plays a hockey 5s format, held the grand final in Shepparton on Saturday afternoon.
The first half of the match was evenly poised, with neither side breaking away from the other.
However, according to Benalla Hockey Club president Latham Carroll, in the second half, Benalla seized control of the grand final.
“You get that real frantic pace at the start of a grand final because everyone is really geed up,” Carroll said.
“The score was 1-0 at the end of the first quarter.
“(Benalla) got a few goals up and then got away from (Goulburn Valley Grammar School) in the second half.
“Once the game settled down a bit, I think we just had more players that could score freely.”
In the end, Benalla comfortably won the grand final 12-6.
Benalla’s Angus Woodward and Zander Gillies both scored hat-tricks, while playmaker Oliver Gillies netted a game-high four goals.
For Goulburn Valley Grammar School, Joel Hamill scored a hat-trick, while Finnian McLeod (two goals) and Olivia Gaunt (one) also scored.
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Benalla's Oliver Gillies gives it a thwack. Photo by Megan FisherImage 2 of 11
Benalla's Caleb Gillies contemplates what to do next. Photo by Megan FisherImage 3 of 11
Benalla's Angus Woodward on the ball. Photo by Megan FisherImage 4 of 11
GVGS' Audrey Mason enjoys the day. Photo by Megan FisherImage 5 of 11
GVGS' Elijah McLeod flies up the pitch. Photo by Megan FisherImage 6 of 11
Benalla's Jacinta Woodward pauses for a second to gather her thoughts. Photo by Megan FisherImage 7 of 11
GVGS' Finnian McLeod fought hard during the match. Photo by Megan FisherImage 8 of 11
Benalla's Angus Woodward and GVGS' Joel Hamill battle it out. Photo by Megan FisherImage 9 of 11
Benalla's Zander Gillies goes for a sneaky steal. Photo by Megan FisherImage 10 of 11
GVGS' Joel Hamill and Benalla's Zander Gillies tussle for possession. Photo by Megan FisherImage 11 of 11
Benalla's Oliver Gillies lobs GVGS' goalkeeper to score one of his four goals.Carroll said although certain players performed brilliantly in the grand final, it took a team to win a premiership.
“Angus Woodward got MVP honours for the match,” he said.
“But it’s pretty hard to single out just one player because they all had to put in to get across the line.”
When reflecting on how hockey is faring in the Goulburn Valley region, Carroll believes the sport is well-positioned to grow.
“The talent is really good,” he said.
“We would probably like more numbers as far as that goes for both juniors and seniors.
“But the talent that we have in the juniors that are playing is really encouraging.”
In the under-16 Division B grand final, Strikers defeated Shepparton Youth Club 14-7.
Strikers’ Sadie Harrap and Khushmann Sandhu both netted four goals, while Shepparton Youth Club’s Rory Lawson scored a hat-trick in the seven-goal defeat.
In the under-12 grand final, Goulburn Valley Grammar School defeated Strikers 4-3.
Goulburn Valley Grammar School’s Milly Higgins starred in the decider, netting four goals to help her side secure the premiership.