Moama
Under-10 Red vs Echuca White
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An early start on Sunday morning and the final game for the season had our Moama Reds raring to go against Echuca Bombers at Vic Park. After a season of intense Wednesday night training sessions followed by weekly matches, the Moama Red’s under-10s came alive, playing their best game of the season. It was a game of strength, teamwork and skill, and this was not just applicable to Moama Red, as Echuca Bombers rose to the occasion too. They too, played a very impressive match.
Standout performers included Brayden Morrison, who showed agility and prowess in the centre, going in hard and getting the ball before passing it out to his teammates and securing some solid tackles that paid dividends.
Henry Mathers scored his first goal of the season and this was well celebrated by all his teammates. Ted Palmer once again demonstrated his strength in defence, taking strong marks and booting the ball back to the Moama end throughout the match. Shaylah Hinds had us on the edge of our seats, as she too had a couple of attempts at goal. With persistence this milestone will soon come.
Murphy Carter, Darius Keam and Ace Rogers had standout performances with strong tackling and impressive kicking. Clinton McKee and Heath Clarke showed great shepherding and provided their teammates with more options across the field.
Chloe Ryan, Connor Richardson, Brandt Haw and Judd Morgan were pivotal in the centreline, ensuring the ball was well utilised and booted towards the Moama goals each and every quarter. Hamish McDonald and Ryder Wilson continued to push hard for kicks and employed their ever-improving tackling skills, gaining more and more confidence in each and every game.
It was a very well-contested match from both teams and if we were scoring, it would have been quite the nail-biter — a game very much like the Melbourne vs Collingwood game on Friday night!
The Moama Reds have come such a long way since the beginning of the season! Their overall skill set, their sense of camaraderie along with the excitement for their weekly training and footy games has grown exponentially as the season has progressed. A sincere thank you to the Moama Reds coach Rhys Morgan and team manager Jo Morgan who have been so committed to our children, igniting a passion and love of footy at the Moama Football Club. Thank you to our supporters and everyone on the team who so eagerly help out each week; it has been a pleasure!
We’d also like to thank the under-10s committee for their time and efforts, ensuring our children have the opportunity to engage in organised sport. Over and out until Season 2023!
– by Anthea Mathers
Echuca United
Under-17 vs Mulwala
We welcomed Mulwala to our home ground for our first taste of wet weather footy for the year. Often the slippery conditions can make things a bit scrappy but from the first siren to the last the boys were clean and clinical.
It took us eight seconds to kick the first major and by quarter time nine shots to zero indicated we had the game on our terms. Jake Clancy and Will Graham were at the contest all day, forcing the ball forward and giving the forwards plenty of opportunity.
Marto (five goals) and Jacko Gronow (two goals) capitalised, working well in tandem in the air and at ground level. To Mulwala’s credit they continued to work hard and got a run on in the third quarter but once again Ridley, who would have had a dozen tackles, and Rizer, who once again dominated the half-back line, rallied the back six, swinging the momentum back our way after our 10-minute lapse in concentration.
Overall, a good team performance with everyone contributing to a solid wet weather win.
Echuca United 13.5 (83) defeated Mulwala 3.5 (23)
Awards: Hip Pocket Towel – Jackson Gronow. Roma Pizza – Ridley Gass. The Atrium Hair Lounge – Jake Clancy. Snap Fitness Echuca – Ryan Stobaus. Intersport Echuca – Will Graham. Rich River Golf Club – Zane Martin.
– by Garet Stobaus
Echuca
Under-10 Green vs Moama Black
What a finish to the 2022 season, with a tight game against Moama Black. The team played as a collective unit and executed skills they had been working on all season. In what was possibly his best game for the year, Max won plenty of his own ball in the trenches and continuously applied great tackle pressure on the opposition.
Billy and Lochy broke the game open with their run and carry, gaining important metres for the team. Alfie gathered numerous possessions and selflessly looked to bring teammates into the game with his creative handball and kicking. Sophie, Nate and Sam won many aerial duels to bring the ball to ground for our crumbers.
Nate kicked a team-lifting goal and Robbo used his raking left foot to create play for the team. Liam and Joey worked tirelessly for the full four quarters and Tanker made his presence felt at the contest, providing dash out of a number of packs. Ryder, Finn, Jesse and Ayso were involved in great link-up play, which was wowing the crowd. A well-fought battle to conclude the home-and-away season. Well done green machines.
– by Rebecca Lloyd
Under-10 White vs Moama Red
The final round of the under-10s season saw Echuca White take on Moama Red at Vic Park. Jett was named captain for Echuca White and won the coin toss, choosing to kick towards the north end of the oval.
Once the whistle blew for the start of the game, Moama took control of the ball with a strong start. Echuca’s defence stepped up, pushing the ball down the field, allowing Echuca to close the gap in the score. The second quarter saw both teams coming out tough with a strong battle resulting in lots of smoothers, bumps and tackles.
Moama started the third quarter by taking the lead, Echuca bringing the pressure to try and hold them off; however, it wasn’t enough, with Moama in front going into the break. The fourth quarter started with great marking of the ball, after a slippery ball made it challenging earlier in the game.
Teamwork and lots of pressure gave the team opportunities to kick for goal, resulting in Echuca White taking home the win for the last game (by one point). Thanks Moama Red for such a close game, and well done Echuca White for being an amazing supportive team this season, it has been fantastic watching you all grow. Special thanks to Tim and Sarah for putting so much in each week.
Goals: Blake, Jaxon, Ged, Jordan.
Awards: Kai, Jordan, Seth, Ged, Harrison, Oliver and Blake.
– by Renee Leo
Under-10 Bombers vs Echuca United Gold
The young Bombers travelled across town to the Eagles’ nest to take on United Gold in their final game of the year. Edward Melville, a last-minute call up, was everywhere early with his defensive pressure and outside run and carry a highlight. The smooth-moving Tom Arthurson’s blistering form continued, giving the Bomber forwards plenty of opportunities where Lucy Donnan kicked a great running goal. Jaxon Foley’s three first-quarter majors got the big crowd on their feet with Charlie Hearn, Max Taranto, Max Williams and Oliver Wallis also kicking truly.
United came out firing in the second quarter, testing the Bombers. Flynn McCredden’s stoppage work was supreme allowing Harry Farrant to spot up teammates further afield. Harry Emonson’s defensive pressure kept his teammates in the contest heading into the main break.
The premiership quarter saw the young Bombers come out full of run. Goals to Williams, Wallis and Arthurson shifted the momentum and when Foley saluted, adding his fourth for the day, the Bombers were up and about.
The final term was the Max Gill show, whether snapping from the tightest of angles or from long range, his three majors were brilliant. The ever-reliable Hearn kicked a couple of great goals and Taranto goaled late, capping off a great team effort by the Bombers.
Awards: Roma – Edward Melville, Max Taranto, Max Gill and Jaxon Foley
– by Brock Williams
Under-12 Bombers vs Leitchville-Gunbower
The last round of the year saw the kids really show off how far their team play has come. With a little bit of niggle from the opposition, the team worked extra hard with shepherding to create space for our onballers. Their ability to lock the ball in our forward line meant we were able to score freely.
Arli Walker showcased his terrific skills and managed to kick seven goals in three quarters of football. Jagger Walters was magnificent in the ruck, and across half-back, and managed to send the ball into attack again and again.
Cookie and Ducky were fantastic across the half-back, and Nate’s drive forward was excellent. Charlie and Taj played great games as well. Joey was playing well and peaking his performance at the right time of year.
With everyone contributing, Coach Mark put all the girls in the middle, and they were terrific. Jencie won the ruck tap, and Lily, Swiggsy and Grace all surged through the middle to push the ball forward. Really fantastic effort and some great play.
Such a solid team performance for the last round of the year, and the team is raring to get into the upcoming Lightning Premiership. The coaches were full of praise for everyone’s ability to be selfless and help their teammates.
Thanks go to our coaches, umpires, runners and supporters for all of their hard work this season.
– by Iain McCleary
Under-15 vs Lockington
From the first bounce Bombers were ready to play. A great first tap out by Sam O’Brien gave the midfielders a great opportunity to get the ball forward where Oscar Macfarlane was able to capitalise and score the first goal within minutes of the first bounce. The weather gods weren’t that kind and made the first quarter interesting, with all seasons covered, including hail; however, this did not dampen the Bombers’ spirits.
The defensive pressure across the half-back line was sensational, with Kristian Ftizsimmons, Darcy Irwin and Albert Cunningham working well to keep the ball moving into the forward line. With a couple of points kicked, the forwards did well by locking the ball in and Riley Chivers-Sellings scored a much-needed goal.
The second quarter started just as impressively, with the backline creating many stoppages and being able to transfer the footy forward. Easton Carlile was working hard by moving the ball forward to Oscar to score his second goal for the game. The whole team was up and about and Sam O’Brien tapping to Dhara Canham who pushed forward to find Easton Carlile once again proved the Bombers were too strong and were able to hit the scoreboard again.
The third quarter saw some impressive skills early on, with the ball flooding out of the midfield to find Jett Kervin where he was able to kick the goal. Cunningham was all class by dodging around not one but two Lockington players to take the footy to the forward line where he found Kristian and Easton, who was able to kick a goal. The support and talk of Campbell Orr and Jett getting the ball forward was great.
The backline of Darcy, Will Addicott and Albert was super strong and taking great marks in wet conditions — there was a strong mark by Jack Milne to save a goal and a huge effort by Will, who put his body on the line to save another goal.
The last quarter saw the Bombers heading out with a healthy lead. The early work of Sam O’Brien, Irwin and Oscar was fantastic by pushing the ball forward and keeping it there. With the continued pressure all over the ground, it was a great team effort and one that all boys should be proud of. It was a great win where the boys sang the song loud and proud. Thanks to Jonah Hunter and Alex Hawkes from Lockington for filling in for us throughout the day.
Best players: Albert Cunningham, Kristian Fitzsimmons, Darcy Irwin, Oscar Macfarlane, Dhara Canham and Jett Kervin.
Final Score: Lockington 5.3 (33) lost to Echuca 7.10 (52).
– by Jodie Irwin
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