2015 Year 11s

2015 Team Y11

Back: Craig Hansen (Assistant Coach), Michael Drake, Nathan Dobra, Matthew John, Lachlan Doig, Sam Wharton, Leighton Mansfield, Tom August, Ned Brennan, Tyler Sprunt, Trent Newton, Zyrak Smith, Storme John (Coach), Les Chidgzey (Manager)
Middle: Isaac Cleeman, Jacob Toomath, Jayden Quill, Josh Pearson, Ben Chidzey, Blair Curtain, Keanu Shandley, Lachlan Clark, Matthew Berry, Alex Dickson
Front: Riley Hansen, Riccardo Valentino, Ennis Chinniah, Angus Moyle, Mackenzie Coyle, Brodie Breen, Riley Moretti
Absent: James Bain-Price, Rory Clarke, Peter Neave

Congratulations to the Booragoon Year 11 ‘s for a remarkable year of football.

The year began with 13 new players joining the club from 7 different football clubs.

After 7 rounds, the team had made slow start to the season, languishing second last on the ladder with 2 wins and 5 losses. However round 8 marked the turning point in the season for this team.

After a hard fought win at home against Secret Harbour 6.14 – 6.4 no one would have guessed what was to come.

Travelling to Harcourt Stadium to play Halls Head, the team was about to play what would become a season defining game. Having been defeated by 56 points in round one, Booragoon played arguably their best & most exciting game of the year, winning a hard fought encounter by 13 points. The season was back on track. Tremendous wins against Palmyra and Jandakot over the ensuing 2 weeks set up a much anticipated game against top placed Canning Vale, at home. A stirring victory 11.10 – 5.7 knocked Canning Vale off top spot and Booragoon into the top 4.

Although wins against Leda and Cockburn over the following 2 weeks took the winning streak to 7 consecutive games, the Booragoon Y11’s had to win their penultimate game to guarantee a finals berth, such was the closeness of the competition. Another stirring win, by 5 points 6.10 – 5.11 against a fast finishing Armadale team sealed a final berth. Booragoon not scoring a goal after half time.

A win against Secret Harbour in the last game of the season would secure 2nd spot and an amazing 9 game winning streak. Up by 2 points at ¾ time 5.9 – 5.7, it was game on. A 5 goal to 1 last quarter sealed second spot, a remarkable 9 game winning streak and a date with Halls Head in the Second semi final.

The team lost by 3 straight kicks in the 2nd semi Final in a hard fought battle. The following week, was sudden death against Canning Vale. A resounding win by 58 points 17.7 – 7.9 and the boys were into the Grand Final.

History will show Halls Head won the Grand Final 9.8 to 8.4, however it doesn’t record the amazing game of football we watched. Played at Atom stadium, the game was there for the taking with 5 minutes to go. Down by 10 points, Booragoon peppered the goals late in the game, but the football gods were smiling on Halls Head that day. A remarkable game and amazing effort by the Booragoon boys.

I would like to make special mention of the backline over the season. The backs provided a launching pad for attack and were miserly in defence. Averaging only 48 points against, for the home & away season. They were the backbone of the team. The midfield were hard working and resilient, transitioning from attack to defense and vice versa with damaging efficiency. Pushing back hard to help out in defense , then running thru the lines getting numbers forward to lock the ball in attack. The forwards were efficient and hard working. Once they had entered their 50m, they worked tirelessly to lock the ball into their area.

But what defined the Booragoon y11’s season, was their ability to work as a team, to overcome the challenges put before them by opposition teams and have the belief in themselves and their team mates.

31 boys represented the Booragoon year 11’s this year in the Southern Conference against teams from Peel, South Fremantle and East Fremantle districts. Every one contributed to a remarkable season and every one made the Booragoon y11’s 2015 an amazing Team.

I would like to acknowledge the tremendous support & encouragement the boys have received from parents & friends. As I have mentioned a number of times since the season ended, it is not so much the destination, but the Journey, and the Booragoon y11’s in 2015 have given their team mates, parents and friends an amazing ride this year. Congratulations to you all.

Congratulations to the following award winners:

  • Trent Newton Fairest & Best
  • Ned Brennan R U Fairest & best
  • Zyrac Smith Leading Goalscorer (34 Goals)
  • Mathew Berry Most Improved
  • Leighton Mansfield Best Clubman
  • Lachlan Doig Coaches Award

Congratulations to the following players for their outstanding performances in the finals

  • Ned Brennan
  • Zyrac Smith
  • Ricardo Valentino

And congratulations to these special award winners:

  • Riley Moretti – The Golden Stretcher Award
  • Leighton Mansfield – The Golden Shank award
  • Josh Pearson – Risk it for the Biscuit Award
  • Ricardo Valentino – Hard Nut Award
  • Tyler Sprunt – Mr Solvol award
  • Keanu Shandly – The Wizard
  • Alexander “ Dicko” Dickson – Ideas Man

Special Thank you to :

  • Craig Hansen Assistant Coach
  • Les Chidgz Manager
  • Brendan Mansfield & Lee Sprunt Assistant Managers
  • Mark Toomath & Matt Hansen Runners
  • Janette Hansen & Kath Wharton Interchange Stewards
  • James Moyle First Aid
  • Lee Sprunt & Michelle Pearson Canteen
  • Mark Neave, Ray Breen Martin Drake and others Water Runners

Storme John – Coach