TIV UNDER 18 FINALS REPORT
By SAM RICHARDS
Week one of the 2018 TIV Under 18 Division 1 finals kicked off on a warm, early spring Saturday, with Werribee Districts 1 playing Flemington Juniors in the first Elimination Final.
Heading into Saturday’s clash, Werribee’s form had been anything but impressive, going 1-3 while averaging an alarming 54 points over the past month.
However, this mattered very little, as the highly fancied Districts 1 side more than doubled their recent scoring average, on their way to a 78-point win, 17.11 (113) to 4.11 (35).
Led by Jordan Riazati (3 goals) and Ryan Potter (3 goals), Werribee posted an 11 goal second half to claim an impressive victory over an emerging finals threat.
In Sunday’s second Elimination Final, Yarraville Seddon clashed with the Caroline Springs.
The Eagles went into their do or die clash with great confidence after accounting for the slow starting Lakers just three weeks ago at Yarraville Oval – despite kicking only one goal in the entire second half.
However, Sunday’s clash was a different story, as Caroline Springs raced out to a 12-point quarter time lead.
Yarraville wouldn’t be denied though, as the talented Eagles kicked 5 second half goals to claim a miraculous comeback victory by the slimmest of margins – one solitary point.
The 7.12 (54) to 7.11 (53) win means the Eagles are now 2- 0 in games decided by under six points in Division 1 football.
The ever reliable Zachary Pritchard was among Yarraville’s best for the second week running, while James Di Pretoro (2 goals), Aiden Tester (2 goals) and Bader Ismail ( 2 goals) accounted for six of the Eagles seven match winning goals.
Yarraville will now play Districts 1 in Sunday’s First Semi Final.
In Division 2 and Spotswood’s rich vein of form continued with the Woodsman defeating Point Cook by 8 points, 11.11 (77) to 10.9 (69).
After kicking three of the first four goals, Spotswood established a lead they would never surrender, thanks to six goals between Abdul El Houli (3 goals) and Darcy Cullen (3 goals) and lively performances from Harrison Newitt and James Heriot.
The Woodsman now progress through to the Division 2 TIV Under 18 Grand Final.
In the Second Semi, after a sublime 4-0 regular season, Sunshine shockingly bowed out in straight sets, this time losing to Werribee Districts 2, 6.5 (41) to 13.18 (96).
After an even first quarter, Districts 2 kicked 9 of next 11 goals in a stunning turn of events.
Phillip Galea was relentless, while Nathan Griffiths (5 goals) and Alberto Rappazzo (4 goals) gave the Sunshine back six headaches all day.
Werribee now face Point Cook next week for a spot in the Grand Final.