THE South East Zone football carnival was held at Robe on Saturday, with the Under 17 talent across the Western Border, Mid South East and Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara leagues on display.
At the end of the day the WBFL claimed the honours with a strong showing against the MSE in the grand final.
The WBFL was clearly the stronger side on the day, with two strong round wins to progress to the grand final.
For the MSE it was a tougher road, with a one-point victory over KNT in the opening match of the day, followed by a 17-point loss at the hands of the WBFL, then having to wait for the final round result to book a grand final berth.
The WBFL made short work of KNT in the third match to ensure the MSE made the big show on their home deck at Robe.
The WBFL showed the MSE a clean pair of heels in the opening half of the final, due to a strong group representing the WBFL at senior level in the domestic competition.
The likes of Caleb Bowd and Reid Kuller were showing the advantage of playing regular games at the top level, along with several others.
But it was far from a few players dominating, rather a complete team effort, which could clearly be seen in front of goals, where six individuals contributed the six major scores for the eventual victory.
In contrast, the MSE had just the one goal kicker in Bradley Yates, who banged home three majors.
At the final siren the WBFL claimed the honours by 16 points, a comfortable margin considering the short format of the carnival.
For the WBFL, Lachlan Jones, Noah O’Brien, Colby Munro, Noah Lang, Liam Vanschaik and Henri Capewell kicked the winning majors.
Best players were Kuller, Capewell, Munro, O’Brien, Kyle Jones and Lang.
For the MSE Frazer Bradley, Angus Weir, Tye Mcmanus, Yates, Terrence Wilfred and Hamish Ferguson were named best.
WBFL’s Zac Bradley – also a regular in the senior domestic competition – was named player of the carnival.
Lachlan Jones managed four goals for the day, after three majors in the round game against the MSE and Capewell three, while O’Brien, Munro and Tom Nieuwerkerk finished with two each.
For the MSE Yates finished with four majors for the day, while Frazer Bradley managed two.
A new initiative to the carnival this year was the naming of the Under 17 team of the carnival, which was selected by a representative of each competing league and the Glenelg Football Club officials.
Under 17 team-of-the-carnival
FF: Noah Lang (WBFL), Henri Capewell (WBFL), Tye McManus (MSEFL).
HF: Noah O’Brien (WBFL), Frazer Bradley (MSEFL), Matt Davies (MSEFL).
R: Kade Bradley (MSEFL), Luke Kelsh (KNTFL), Angus Weir (MSEFL).
C: Matt Black (KNTFL), Reid Kuller (WBFL), Liam Van Schaik (WBFL).
HB: Riley Wilson (WBFL), Reagan Tink (KNTFL), Terrance Wilfred (MSEFL).
FB: Zac Bradley (WBFL), Jesse Martin (KNTFL), Kaleb Bowd (KNTFL)
Interchange: Hamish Ferguson (MSEFL), Eli Owen (KNTFL), Finn Grimes (WBFL), Fletcher Murdock (WBFL), Kyle Jones (WBFL).
