THE Ulladulla Dockers Hotondo Homes u16s asserted their dominance of the Shoalhaven Junior AFL League with a convincing 159-22 grand final win over Batemans Bay Seahawks at West Street Oval in Nowra.
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A gorgeous South Coast Sunday was the setting for a swarming vocal crowd to take in the spectacle and the Dockers did not disappoint.
The match started with a high intensity brand of football with all players throwing themselves into the contest.
Dockers ruckman Caleb Broughton was among the fray, tackling hard and feeding the ball out to his team mates.
Midfielders Jed Frank, Tyrel Payten and Tyson Davies each showed a deft touch and ample courage, scooping up critical possessions.
The Seahawks tested the Dockers’ backline which was held strong by Darcy Forrester, Kelsy Dixson and a gutsy Tyler McCabe at fullback.
Ball winners Cruize Turay and Aiden McGregor combined with fine marks and perfectly placed kicks into the forward line.
Isaac Anderson flew high over the pack but could not pull down a hanging mark in the intensity.
Jakcob Montgomery swung into the forward line and scored the first goal. At quarter-time with a goal apiece the match was there for the taking.
The second quarter saw more open running football and the Dockers capitalised with a further seven goals to the Seahawks’ one.
Liam Ryan had the ball on a string.
With great timing and ball skills he gained possession after possession and ran hard through the middle.
Nathan Sheldon kept the intensity flowing with hard tackling and hard ball wins across the ground.
With the forward line opening Lochlan Broughton could show his skills with marks, evasive foot-work and classy shots on goal.
Isaac Anderson, third time lucky, plugged three goals in quick succession, and the ever-present Cruize scooped and kicked a goal from the 50 metre line.
At the big break the Dockers had established a lead of 43 points.
The Docker goals kept coming in the third with welcome additions from Jakcob, Nathan and Aiden.
The Johns brothers, Gene and Ben, hit top gear which continued throughout the match, resisting nearly all attempts for the Seahawks to score. Harrison Donohue read the game well with Neung Phengpoen chasing hard in defence and never tiring.
Dockers were commanding the game, 69 points in front.
The fourth quarter saw the Dockers dominant to the end.
The boys could smell a victory and put on a fine display of Australian football, exhilarating the crowd.
Like a well-oiled machine the team drove forward, despite a plucky Seahawk campaign, allowing Isaac and Lochlan to put on a goal kicking show reminiscent of Buddy Franklin.
Final score saw the Dockers take the win 159-22.
The Dockers were presented with individual medallions and the Shoalhaven Junior AFL League Perpetual Trophy.
The presentation also saw recognition of a stellar year of football for the u16 Dockers and a highly revered group of young men.
These moments and words will stay with them forever.
Recognition also went to the Dockers’ captain Liam Ryan, who was named the representaive player of the year and Best and Fairest runner-up for the Shoalhaven League u16s.
The Junior Dockers presentation will be held on Sunday, September 14 at Tabourie Caravan Park.