James Murphy
The future looks bright for the Western Border Football League after its Under 15 representative side claimed the annual honours at Saturday’s Limestone Coast Regional Carnival.
Played at Kongorong, the WBFL matched up against the Mid South Eastern and Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara Football Leagues in two games played in 22-minute halves.
Western Border’s first match opened the carnival and resulted in a dominant win over MSEFL.
They held their opponent to a single goal, while finishing with 11 of their own in a 64-point drubbing.
KNTFL also accounted for MSEFL with an equally impressive 72-19 point win.
As such it all came down to the final Under 15 fixture to decide the carnival winners.
“It was definitely a finals-like game against the KNT, which is what you want for that next level,” WBFL Under 15 coach Andrew Nitschke said.
The first half was an arm wrestle and with a minute to play in the term Western Border’s Will Attiwill converted to level the scores at 14-all.
Josh Jones then marked with seconds left on the clock and a goal after the siren put WBFL in front at half time.
A revitalised effort in the second half allowed WBFL out to a quick start and they piled on consecutive goals to boost their lead.
A late charge from KNTFL kept the pressure on but WBFL stood strong to claim a five-point win.
Nitschke was proud of the performance from his team at representative level.
“It was good to be involved and good for the kids to have an opportunity to play at the next level,” he said.
“It was nice for the boys to go undefeated through the two games.”
Millicent’s Kobe Gibson captained the side and his impressive efforts across the two games earned him the Under 15 player of the carnival award, as judged by Glenelg representatives on the day.
“I thought Kobe was a worthy winner of the player of the carnival and he led from the front,” Nitschke said.
“He backed up both games and was really consistent over the day.”
South Gambier’s Dean Harten was also impressive and won the WBFL MVP award for Under 15’s.
However, Nitschke said it was a team effort which resulted in the success of the day.
“I think they all played their role during the day at some stage, which was really pleasing,” he said.
“Obviously you can only name so many best players, but it took the whole group to get there.”
Jacob Salmon was named Western Border’s best-on-ground in the clash with KNTFL, with his efforts in the midfield half-back position rewarded.
A total of 10 WBFL players were named in the Under 15 team of the carnival, while Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara’s Ned McCarthy and Mid South East’s Charlie Bevan were named MVP’s for their respective leagues.
UNDER 15 TEAM OF THE CARNIVAL
FF – Josh Jones; FP – Aaron Dolly, Riley McMullen; HFF – Max Whitehead, Charlie Brodie; CHF – Ned McCarthy; Wing – Travis Wilson, Jacob Salmon; Centre – Campbell Will; HBF – Dean Harten, Ashten Lindner; CHB – JD Peterson; BP – Noah Maxwell, Mason McKenny; FB – William Wilson; Ruck – Cooper Thomas; Ruck Rover – Charlie Bevan; Rover – Kobe Gibson; INT – Griffin Laucke, Archer Virtanen, Hamish Davies, Jace Maxwell, Ben Copping.
