IRYMPLE were simply a level above Mildura in the Under 18 grand final on Saturday, completing their dominant 2022 SFNL season with a comprehensive 44-point win over Mildura.
Irymple were able to use the ball consistently better and were cleaner around the contest than Mildura throughout the game. They were able to link up and use their teammates well to transition the ball to the other end. They were clever inside 50 and took their chances.
After Mildura’s Elijah Brown kicked the opening goal of the game in the seventh minute, Irymple played a superb first quarter, working into a strong south westerly breeze. Their transition out of their back half was first class considering the conditions.
Hudson Bartels positioned himself well behind the ball, taking multiple intercept marks and kickstarting Irymple’s forward movement. He was aided by some ill-directed inside 50 entries by Mildura, who did not utilise the advantage of the wind as much as they would have liked. Max Cirigliano and Archer Hammond goaled for Irymple to give them the lead.
Irymple took charge in the second quarter, kicking four goals to Mildura’s one. A feature of their play was their ability to use a teammate in a better position through handball and run. They kicked multiple long goals, with Harry Bottams’ goal a beauty. Mildura fought their way back into the contest with their tackling and pressure. Unfortunately, they kicked just one goal when they could have easily kicked four to challenge Irymple.
Both sides missed their chances in the third quarter, with players not adjusting for the cross breeze with their shots on goal. The physicality remained high, with both sides keen to let the opposition know when they laid a big tackle. The quarter was even on the scoreboard, with Irymple maintaining their four-goal half time lead.
Irymple kicked away early in the last quarter, with Cirigliano goaling twice to finish with four for the day. They got to enjoy the best time in football; the fourth quarter in the Grand Final when you know the game is won. The Swallows kicked four goals to none, sealing the game in style.
Irymple captain Kade Baynes was best on ground, with plenty of disposals and a goal from the midfield. Baynes has had a fine season, playing 12 senior games. He played four U-18 games in the home and away season, polling three votes in each game to remarkably finish 4th in the Casey Medal voting, before dominating both U18s finals.
“It was really fun. We’ve had to work really hard for this day all year. It was good to get out there on the new oval,” noted Baynes after the game. “We’re a real tight bunch, always together. Everyone is a part of the team.”
Casey Medallist Archer Hammond, Massimo Cirillo, Zac Carra and Toby Scott were also influential for the Swallows.
Irymple coach Liam Garlick was impressed by the united nature of his group.
“Mildura brought the heat today. Our boys have been playing a really good brand of footy, but Mildura brought a four-quarter effort today and put our boys under a lot of pressure,” Garlick said. “We stuck together today. We were disciplined around the contest and won one-on-one contests. We also kicked goals when they were needed.
“Irymple’s ball movement was a feature today, which doesn’t happen on accident. We have been driving our link-up handball, using the corridor and hitting our marking options up forward. We’ve practised that all year and its why we got the result we wanted today,” Garlick explained.
Irymple are the gold standard in developing and retaining their junior players.
“It’s pretty exciting. There is a lot of talent around the club and these players have a long future at the Irymple Football Club,” said Garlick.
Mildura coach Russell Knights was proud of his team, but lamented their ball use at times. “It was pretty competitive. Irymple showed their class. We just didn’t use the ball well enough when we had it in hand and gave the ball back to them too many times,” analysed Knights.
Mildura have used a lot of their junior players in their senior side this season, which had one downside.
“We’ve had to be adaptable, having players come in and out all year. We were still learning today who’s best in what position. Irymple have had that consistency, which was an advantage we couldn’t quite overcome,” explained Knights.
Joshua Goss provided plenty of drive off half back to be Mildura’s best. RJ Watson was dangerous up forward for the Dees, whilst Brodie Jones, Seth Colling and Jake Harvey also impressed on the big stage.
