EFNL Junior Finals Recap - Preliminary Finals (Under 16's to 18's)

By Josh Ward.

All Junior Grand Finals are set following Sunday’s preliminary finals. Read a full recap of the Under-16 to Under-18 finals here.

Under 16 Boys

North Ringwood Red locked in a grand final with Blackburn in the U16A Boys competition with a convincing 76-point triumph over Mitcham Black at Princes Highway Reserve. Isaac Parsons and Harrison Tasca combined for eight of the Saints 15 goals as they held Mitcham to three goals from 13 scoring shots whilst having 19 themselves.

The U16B Boys Preliminary Final was a much closer affair at Holm Park Reserve between Lysterfield Teal and Montrose Blue. After trailing at quarter time, the Dees then hit the front at three quarter time before holding sway in the second half to secure a seven-point triumph over the Wolves. They now meet Ferntree Gully in next weekend’s Grand Final.

Blackburn Red was the only top seeded side in the Under 16 Boys grades to book their ticket to a Grand Final after defeating Vermont Gold in the U16C Boys Prelim at Koonung Reserve. Daniel Sagwan kicked six of the Burners 11 goals as they punished an inaccurate Eagles outfit, who finished on 6.14. Blackburn will now play Mitcham Yellow in the division’s decider.

Under 16 Girls

In the U16A Girls Preliminary Final, East Ringwood booked another date with North Ringwood Red in this weekend’s Grand Final after they defeated Blackburn Black by 21 points at Mount Waverley Reserve. Indy Springett kicked all four goals for the Roos as they ran away from the Burners in the second half, kicking two goals to just two behinds in that period.

Mitcham sent a strong warning to Vermont in the U16B Girls Prelim after they defeated Ferntree Gully by 61 points at Pinks Reserve. Evie Godfrey booted six goals for the Tigers as they held the Eagles to seven scoring shots whilst they had 28 scoring shots themselves in the convincing triumph.

Chirnside Park and East Burwood’s Prelim Final meeting in the U16C Girls division went down to the wire at Templestowe Reserve. After being at level pegging heading into the main break, the Rams hit the front at three quarter time before holding on for a thrilling five-point triumph. They’ll now play Rowville in their Grand Final at Princes Highway Reserve.

The U16D Girls Prelim saw Rowville Knights punch their ticket to the decider with a three-goal victory over Blackburn. They led at all three breaks, extending their lead in all four quarters to lock in a Grand Final date with Boronia this coming weekend

Under 17.5 Boys

There were a couple of thrilling Preliminary Finals in the U17.5 Boys grades, including the U17.5A game between Rowville and East Ringwood. The Hawks rushed out to a lead at the first two breaks and led by 19 points midway through the third term. East Ringwood then kicked five goals in a row before holding off a late Rowville charge to book their ticket to the U17.5A decider against Blackburn with a four-point triumph

The U17.5B Prelim saw Boronia comfortably account for Noble Park by 43 points at Templestowe Reserve. After leading by 12 points at half time, the Hawks then proceeded to kick six goals to one in the third term before two goals each in the final quarter saw Boronia book a Grand Final berth against Glen Waverley Rovers this Sunday.

Ringwood and Beaconsfield played an entertaining and close Prelim in the U17.5C competition at Holm Park. The Redbacks led at the first two breaks before the Eagles levelled the scores at the final break. Beaconsfield then kicked the first two goals of the last before the Redbacks hit back and kicked the last three to secure an eight-point win as well as a Grand Final matchup with Kilsyth.

In the U17.5D Prelim, East Ringwood White comfortably accounted for Templestowe by 39 points at Charles Green Reserve. After leading by nine points at the main break, the Roos then kicked seven goals and 11 behinds to Tempy’s three goals and five behinds to punch their ticket to the decider, where they’ll once again meet Wantirna South White.

Under 18 Girls

Some absolute thrillers took place in the Under 18 Girls finals this past weekend. In the U18A Girls prelim, East Ringwood held on for a thrilling one-point win over Wantirna South at Knox Gardens Reserve. The Roos trailed at the first two breaks before hitting the front at three quarter time. Both sides kicked two goals each in the last, which was enough for East Ringwood to lock in a Grand Final date with Blackburn this Sunday.

The U18B Girls prelim was also decided by the barest of margins at Barngeong Reserve, with Waverley Blues coming out on top in that contest against Rowville/Lysterfield. The Blues held the lead for the majority of the first before the Hawks-Wolves hit the front early in the third term. A last gasp goal from Isabel Metaxas was enough for the Blues to lock in a Grand Final with Vermont at Morton Park.

Boronia and Montrose/North Ringwood also played a close prelim in the U18C Girls competition at Lakesfield Reserve. A three goal to nil opening half was enough for the Dees-Saints to secure a 15-point win over the Hawks, locking in a date with Templestowe in their decider next weekend at Vermont Recreation Reserve.