Yarra Junction Season Preview

Men’s Football

Yarra Junction had a strong year in 2022, finishing third with 9 Wins and 6 Losses. They ultimately went down by 67 at the hands of Kinglake in the Preliminary Final, which shouldn’t take the shine off their season.

They should take confidence into 2023, knowing that last year they could beat anyone on their day; having notched up a win against the two 2022 Grand Finalists, Powelltown and Kinglake. They also thrashed fourth placed Warburton Millgrove by 59 in Round 14.

In 2022, the Eagles were the number one intercept team, with 52.2 intercept possessions per game and 18.4 intercept marks per game. They were also ranked second for hitouts to advantage at 10.1 per game.

Their forward line was a potent one, with David Johnson and Sam Morton booting 48 and 45 respectively, which led them to average 100 points per game. Their defence was reasonably strong, conceding only 76 points per game (second best in Division 2).

They have a well-rounded list and some top end talent; Ewan Wadsworth, David Johnson and Sam Morton all made Team of the Year.

You can expect Yarra Junction to be in the mix for the flag in 2023.

 

Women’s Football

The women’s team will be hoping for a better 2023 campaign, following a sixth out of nine finish (lowest in Conference 1). They won five games and lost seven.

There were some notable positives for the season which includes smoking Thornton Eildon 55-21 in Round 3, clobbering Monbulk 42-0 in Round 7 and taking revenge against Olinda Ferny Creek, who beat them by seven goals two weeks prior, in Round 11, pipping them by three points (18-15).

Emily Spicer was the standout player, booting eight goals in her eight games and being named among the best in seven of those eight games. Spicer deservingly made Team of the Year.

The Eagles averaged 22 points per game and conceded 47 points per game.

To climb the ladder in 2023 they’d need to tighten up their defence and hit the scoreboard more often.

 

Netball

The Eagles finish 5^th with 6 wins 1 draw and 10 losses. To make the jump to the top 4, they need to strengthen their team defence, as they conceded at least 10 more goals than the top 4 sides.

They beat all the teams that finished below them and should take confidence from drawing with second-placed Powelltown in Round 2 and making them fight hard for a win in Round 8.

They are a real finals chance if they beat a few of the top teams, which is something they are certainly of.

Jessica Ellwood who shot 417 goals from 14 games was fantastic as Goal Shooter, making Team of the Year and was well supported by Stephanie Ratcliff, Stacey Davis and Claire Spicer.

2023 presents an exciting opportunity for the Eagles to stamp a claim on a spot in the top 4.

 

Written by Jordan Peeler