The Mitcham Junior Football Club was involved in Round 1 action over the weekend. Below are brief match reports on all our games. Great to get the games underway....
U8 Mitcham Black v Montrose (Coach: Jeff Kane)
What a start to the season for the U8 Mitcham Tigers Black, with 5 second year players (Ryan and Charlie from the Yellows) and 8 first year players and a borrowed player from Montrose our first hit out was exceptional. Our boys took to the field in the yellow and black like the Tigers of old. Tarran Hemingway was our captain today and he led from the front. This young lad will be an asset to the Tigers in coming years and he had a captain’s game today. From a coaching perspective the way the boys played today is a true testament to the pre-season training put in by Josh and his assistants, usually it takes a little time for the team to come together and play as one but you have managed it in your first game and I congratulate you all. The second year players stepped up to what was asked of them and help out and share with the first years to bring them into the game I couldn't have asked any more from anybody as you have all done the club proud.
Standouts today and best players were Mason O’Donogue, Cooper Farr, Jett Love, and today’s Captain Tarran Hemingway.
Goals: Ryan, Archer, Charlie, and Jett.
U8 Mitcham Yellow (Coach: Josh McConnell)
U8 Yellow played Kilsyth Black in the first game of 2016 in what was a very well played game. Led by our Captain Thomas Linnett, the tigers had most of the ball all game and used it well between teammates. The running, kicking, marking and goal kicking was outstanding by all players. The Nut Bar award went to Charlie Wilson today for his strong marking and defensive work. Thomas Woodhead played a hard game in the forward line presenting on many occasions; and was awarded the Two Brothers Cafe award. Noah QUINLAN was our encouragement medal winner today for his non-stop effort all over the ground. It was great to see all the kids having fun kicking goals and showing their understanding of the game so early in the season.
U9 Mitcham Black v Vermont (Coach Peter Ajani)
Mitcham black played a very talented Vermont under 9 team. Very good effort from the whole team in the first game of the season with lots of players showing great signs for the future. This was our first game with four new boys playing their first game for the Tigers. Mitcham Medal went to Matt, Panelen's Nut Bar award went to Jesse and the Two Brothers award went to Archie. The boys played better as the game progressed.
U9 Mitcham Yellow v East Ringwood (Coach Mark Butler)
The Under Yellow boys ventured out to Ainslie Park to take on East Ringwood in perfect conditions for footy on a top-notch ground. James Wilson was the skipper today and lead from the front to help setup a couple of early goals that saw us control the game in the first quarter. New boys Max and Cooper had an impact right from the start, along with Charlie and Alexander. The East Ringwood boys came back strong in what turned out to be a tough game with plenty of great skills on display. The boys worked hard at getting in first and sharing the ball with Mason, Tyson, Jackson, Henry and Heath all having good second and third quarters with Mason as always taking some great pack marks. The boys shared the goals around and supported each other really well all over the ground. The Mitcham medal went to Cooper Edwards for his fearless attack on the ball all day, while James Wilson was awarded a medal from East Ringwood FC for a great all round game. Tyson Darmody took away the 'Two Brothers' award for his hard contested efforts, and Riley Downes was awarded the the 'Panelens' award for a terrific first up game including a goal.
U10 Mitcham v Vermont (Coach Brad Aujard)
Today the Under 10’s took on Vermont Gold at Koonung Reserve. The boys were keen to get stuck into their first tackling game, which certainly showed with everyone playing hard at the ball from the very first bounce. Whilst it was our home game Vermont agreed to the switch in venue so the game could be played on a full oval, allowing for plenty of run and carry. The conditions were perfect which meant we saw a lot of great kicking and marking from both teams. As always against Vermont it was a hard fought, well played, contest.
Best Players: Ryan Maaskant, Hamish Gill
Goals: Cooper Hiley, Evan McGrail, Ryan Maaskant, Ryan O’Sullivan, Samuel Fuentes, Lachlan Gilchrist, Aiden Patterson
U11 Mitcham v Heathmont (Coach: Sandi Marini)
We played Heathmont Jets at Walker Park. The boys impressed with a solid four-quarter display, which I was very proud of. Plenty of effort and teamwork was the order of the day and the boys did not let us down. It was great to see confidence and growth this early in the season.
Final Score: Mitcham 9.9.63 d Heathmont 3.2.20
U12 Mitcham v Montrose (Coach: Jason Philactides)
The boys got off to a slow start today, however from the second quarter onwards, they never looked like losing the game. It was a real team effort today to get our first win in 12 months. Their maturity and skill level has improved tremendously and not at any stage did the boys panic. They continued to play the team game and it was by far their best game as a group. Welcome to all the new boys in our team. They certainly have added some depth and talent. It was amazing to sing our club song again and I am really proud of the boys.
Goals: JP 6, Nathan 2, Jamie C 1, James B 1, Denzell 1.
Final score Mitcham 11.3.69 d Montrose 5.6.36
U12 Girls (Stand in Coach: Leigh Walters)
The Under 12 girls’ team ventured out to Coldstream on Friday night for a Lightning Premiership. For most of the girls this was their first competitive football match so there we some nerves before their first game. The girls continued to improve as the night wore on. While no scores were kept in the games, our girls were certainly competitive in all the games that they played. They played with great spirit all night and all the girls had a fun night, which was the main objective at the start of the night. Thank you to everyone (Parents, Grandparents, Brothers and Sisters) who came out to support the girls on Friday night.
U13 Mitcham v Donvale (Coach: Mark Ross)
The U13's moved up to "B" grade after winning the flag last season and hosted Donvale at Walker Park to kick off our season. Not really knowing how we would go, the Tigers got off to a slow start but soon settled and both teams kicked 2 goals in the first quarter. Inspired 2nd and 3rd quarters saw the Tigers play some great team footy to kick 5 and 4 goals respectively. In the last, both teams finished off the game with 2 goals each. Great to see multiple goal kickers, Louis 2, Callum 2, Harry 2, Ethan Wu 2, Joel 2, with Jamie 1 and Dom and Atticus kicking their first goals for Mitcham. Congratulations to Alex and Atticus winning the encouragements awards and Wilam "Hendo" winning the "Footy" kindly donated by "Uncle". After working so hard during the preseason it was fantastic to see all that hard work on display. Well-done boys.
Final Score: Mitcham 13.6.84 d Donvale 6. 5.41
U14’s had a bye
Under 15 Girls (Coach: Luke Smith)
Hair was straightened, nails were polished, tans were meticulously applied and makeup perfect - the best looking Mitcham JFC side of all time ventured up to the leafy foothills of the Dandenong's for a lightning premiership. The girls were fantastic in there very first real hit out. We played four games over an hour and a half and were fantastic winning two of the four games. We were very very impressed with all the girls! Excellent work from all the players , parents and staff made for a great day all round. Cant wait for next week and the real stuff to start!
U17 Mitcham v Forrest Hill
Today the u/17 boys travelled to forest hill and while the opposition was much bigger having a majority of second year player the boys weren’t intimidated and just focused on what they had to do. We started strong and held our own for the entire game, with only injuries making an impact to our game by not allowing players to rotate. We fought on with commitment and purpose and only succumbed to it in the end. It was a great effort with TK, JP, Adrian, Hoppo, Jaydos, Timmy and Maxxy being amongst the best players. Sadly we have lost Ollie and Tom to injuries and hopefully they can get back fit and healthy ASAP.Well done today boys! Go Tiges!!!!
Final Score: Mitcham 3.10.28 d by Forest Hill 8.16.64
Last Modified on 04/12/2019 13:55