14’s and 15’s Bendigo Bank Talent Academy Development Carnival vs Perth

On Monday 5th October the Bendigo Bank Talent Academy squads played Perth at Lathlain Park for Round 3 of the Academy Carnival. In blustery, damp conditions the day was always going to be challenging for the players and it proved that way with some good football mixed in with some scrappy play throughout the day. The 14’s Early squad kicked things off again and were outclassed on the day against Perth side that handled the conditions better. In what was a low scoring affair for the Sharks, the boys were outgunned 3 goals 8 points for the game to Perth’s 11 goals 6 points. Raymond Burge, Thomas Johnson and Joshua Goodwin all kicking majors. Best afield for the Sharks were Raymond Burge, Joshua Goodwin, Chad Warner, Angus Wood and Aton Mason. There were certainly still some positives to take out of the game and with this program being all about development no doubt the boys will take significant learnings from the match.

14’s Early
EFFC 3.8.26  def. by  Perth – 11.6.72

The 14’s Lates enjoyed a great day out on the park, playing some terrific football all over the ground. This second group of 14’s not only handled the tricky conditions better they also played to game structures very well and it paid off with the Sharks having plenty of shots on goal, with Josh Price kicking 4 goals and Riley Duffy 2. Tristian Crouch, Jordan Randall, Ross Collier and Jeremy Sharp all hitting the scoreboard with majors on the day. Alex Crowe, Leroy Pigram, Tristian Crouch, Luke Rule and Jordan Randall were all influential on the park.

14’s Late
EFFC 10.14.74 def.  Perth – 7.7.49

With the wind significantly picking up the 15’s early game was almost a struggle to get a score on the board early. The game was being played in between the arcs for much of the day with turnovers from both teams, with neither really getting much clean movement inside forward 50. As the game went on East Fremantle started to gain advantage around the stoppages, with clean hands from the congestion to outside runners and when the ball went inside 50 the forwards started to look dangerous.  The defence was working really hard to repel many of Perth’s forward thrusts and eventually the Sharks were able to wear their opponents down. Ben Elsbury, Jack Camarda, Khai Heah, Tom Monaghan, Ben Martini, Milan Murdoch and Max Murphy all kicked 1 goal each, which was pleasing to see a good spread of goal scorers. Tom Joyce, Connor Douglas, Zach Wilkinson, Max Murphy and Nicholas Watson were the most influential on the day despite the conditions.

15’s Early
EFFC 7.10.52  def.  Perth – 3.8.26

The 15’s Late’s game was a low scoring affair, with the wind again proving a big factor on the contest.   The first half only saw 5 goals scored, with both sides missing some relatively easy shots on goal and like the previous game it was scrappy and congested.  The second half of the game started to open up, but both sides defended really well.  Perth started to get on top around the stoppages, with Perth having a couple of big,
strong bodies and it looked as though they may have run away with the game at one point.  But in a good sign for a young group the Sharks dug deep and fought their way in to a winning position and with two minutes to go trailed by only five points. When Sam Whitaker came off his opponent to take an exceptional mark and with the ball transitioning towards our forwards it looked as though our boys might pull off a great come from
behind win, however Perth were able to defend well and that five points ended up being the final margin. Shaun Byrne kicked 2 goals, with Lachlan Tyson, Kyle Potter and Brayden Forrest each kicking 1 goal each. Samuel Whitaker, Finn Anderson, Chayse Clark, Brayden Forrest and Connor Bowler were the most influential on the day. The boys should certainly take some positives out of the match as they showed excellent resiliency to never give in.

15’s Late
EFFC 5.6.36  def. by  Perth – 6.5.41

Our next fixture is against Subiaco at Medibank stadium on Thursday the 8th October. All the best to the 14’s and 15’s squads
in the final fixture of the carnival.

Andrew Dodd 
Talent Academy Assistant