HEIGHTS U16'S WIN GRAND FINAL

Avondale Heights Under 16 won an exciting Grand Final against Glenroy at Jacana Reserve on Sunday 18 August. Glenroy won the toss and elected to kick with a strong breeze. From earlier games, the breeze was around a 3 goal advantage. The first quarter saw Glenroy post 2 early goals before the Heights fought really hard to close the game down. The intensity of the game was high and by the quarter time break, both sides would have been happy with their input. In the second quarter, the Heights playing to instruction, playing an attacking style of football and posted 4 goals for the quarter. Glenroy also showed that goals could be kicked against the wind. By half time, it was Glenroy who led by 2 points. In the third quarter, the intensity and endeavour of all players rose, producing a high quality and skilful game. Glenroy were only able to post one goal with the wind and the Heights also scored a goal against the strong wind to be only 6 points down at three quarter time.

In the final quarter, Glenroy fought hard to defend their slender lead. Many attempts by the Heights to penetrate the Glenroy defence was stopped by solid marking by Glenroy player Joel Cauchi. Glenroy midfielder Joshua Trembearth was also running the ball out of the Glenroy defence. At every chance the Glenroy players were slowing the game down. George Aboud, Bradley Robb, Jackson Robb and Trent Laverie had been working hard all day and the Heights defence maintained a disciplined line in the back line. Glenroy who had led for the entire day were only 4 points up with still 6 minutes to play. A questionable decision at best in front of the Glenroy goals say Glenroy convert and take a 10 point lead.

The Heights kept their work rate up and continued to pepper the goals with only minor scores. With 4 minutes to play, Glenroy broke the lines and moved the ball to their forward line The Glenroy player only 15 metres out and directly in front of goals only had one Heights defender between him and the goals. He also had a Glenroy team mate on the goal line. He immediately handballed over the head of the Heights defender to his Glenroy teammate but the ball went through for a point. The Heights who only had 2 minutes to close the gap of 4 points quickly went on the offensive. Goal attempts only led to behinds. A gallant Glenroy continued to hold on. Another behind by the Heights made the difference 2 points and the game was now in the final 30 seconds. The Glenroy defender kicked out only to see Nicolas Marinelli mark the ball on the boundary line about 45 metres out. With 5 seconds to play, Nicolas handballed to forward Jordan Filarkis who kicked accurately. As the ball sailed through the goals, the siren sounded. The Heights had taken the lead for the first time all day with a goal on the siren. The game was played in tremendous spirit and both teams should be commended. Well done Heights players on winning the grand final. Also congratulations to coach Tony Cutri and the support coaching group.

Avondale Heights     0.0             4.3-27         5.3-33      7.9-51
Glenroy                     2.4-16       4.5-29         5.9-39      6.11-47

Avondale Heights
Goal Kickers: G. Abboud 4, J. Filakis 2, B. Laverie
Best Players: G. Abboud, B. Laverie, J. Filakis, B. Robb, N. Marinelli, S. Zeqaj

The Under 12's also played in the Grand Final against East Sunbury.
In windy conditions, the Heights kicked with the wind in the first quarter. After a fantastic opening 3 minutes, the Heights quickly posted 2 majors. East Sunbury then defended well and were able to keep the ball in their forward 50 for extended periods. In the second quarter, East Sunbury put on 4 goals to take a solid lead into the long break. In the third quarter, the Heights could not get a goal on the board and still found themselves trailing at three quarter time and kicking against the breeze in the last quarter. Despite a mammoth task, the Heights fought out the last quarter and even kick a great goal, but it was East Sunbury who were too good on the day. Congratulations to coach Lou Scaramozzino and the support coaching group on a brilliant season
Avondale Heights     2.1-13     2.1-13     2.6-18     3.6-24
East Sunbury            0.2-2      4.6-30     4.7-31     7.13-55

Best Players and goal kickers unavailable

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