By Mikayla van Loon
Montrose’s under 13 junior boys football team has come out on top in the first grand final of their first ever competitive season in a tight tussle against Heathmont.
Having only lost one game for the season, junior club president Matt Jones said the boys really gelled together and worked as one throughout the year, with most of them going to the same schools.
“They all come from all different backgrounds, some needed a bit more development and [coach Jake Pinwill] has done a terrific job, and obviously ended up having a great game on Sunday winning the grand final,” he said.
Although the boys had beaten Heathmont both times they met previously, Jones said on Sunday Heathmont came out with a changed approach to the play.
They changed their game style up and played a really good game of footy, really pressured the boys and put a lot of pressure on them when they had the ball, which made it a bit of a scrap.
“The game was up for balance at three quarter time with only eight points the difference. We kicked a couple of late ones and then kicked a couple in the last quarter to only beat them by five goals, so it was a pretty good game. It was a good game by Heathmont.”
Not wanting to single any player out because it truly was a team effort, Jones said, however, a late goal in the third quarter by Jack Sherington was a
“He kicked a banana from the boundary line that you wouldn’t be able to place in an AFL game.”
The success of the season for the boys means next year they will move up a division, making it a little tougher in terms of competition but Jones said he believes they are up for it.
Across the board Montrose juniors had quite a successful 2022 season, with seven competitive teams making finals, four making preliminary finals and two making the grand final.
Jones said the club is always looking to welcome more players, whether coming to improve their football skills or starting for the first time.
“We run a very good football program at Montrose Football Club and if anyone’s interested in changing for any reason whether it be development or whatever it might be, give Montrose a call, we’re a very strong junior club.”
Final scores Montrose 7.7-49 to Heathmont 3.5-23.
