THE Young Saints Under 18s were the only side to take to the field in Orange last week due to our senior side receiving a forfeit from Mudgee.
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The 18s side were undermanned and played out the game with no reserves. They had it, though, in carrying a couple of injuries and toiling along with illness, so it was always going to be a tough day at the office.
To Young’s credit they dug their heels in and put in a proud and committed performance.
“Not taking the score into account, that was an excellent game of football, hard but fair,” proud coach Ray Martin said.
“A game like the one witnessed today can only be good for the code, it was pleasing to see such camaraderie and sportsmanship displayed by those young men from both teams.”
Captain Jarrod Pope and his deputy Brayden Harmer-Clark tried hard all day leading by example and the boys rallied around them.
In his best game of the season to date, Ethan Silk was in everything from winning ball at ground level, working the ball out of trouble either wide or around the wing, or through the corridor, earning him the best on ground award.
Hamish Gledhill in the ruck and Jack DeBritt rounded out the next best players.
Jack’s defence was solid and worked well in the centre, and Hamish is becoming a very determined ruckman and is developing an understanding of the game in his first season of AFL.
Angus Rudd is another newby improving each week, and along with Matthew Knight provides plenty of pace and options in open spaces.
Fullback Jack Barnes again put in a strong performance and is bringing a real “dogginess” attitude into the back 50 yard zone.
Others to put in and keep improving were Rob Choat and young Max DeBritt.
Match scores:
Young 2-0-12, Orange 5-3-33.
Young 3-0-18, Orange 10-8-68.
Young 5-1-31, Orange 17-9-111.
Young 7-1-43, Orange 22-12-144.
Goal scorers were Jarrod Pope 3, Ethan Silk 2 and one goal each to Hamish Gledhill and Brayden Harmer-Clark.
There is no game in the Under 18s tomorrow as it is the rep weekend played in Hillstone between the Central West AFL and Northern Riverina AFL.
The senior Saints will travel to Orange and take on the Tigers who, after last week’s loss to Parkes at home, will be determined to get back in the winner’s circle.
