Under 17A Round 15

As the Waverley Under 17 Shield team lined up for its clash against Essendon, it was aware that its path to the finals was an extremely challenging one in that it was required to beat three top four teams in the last four rounds of the home and away season to qualify. Making this contest even more daunting was the fact that Essendon had comprehensively outplayed Waverley to record a 5 – 1 win when the teams met in Round 6.

With both teams reduced to 12 players as a result of Under 16 VSSSA team commitments and illness, this game was expected to be a battle of endurance and concentration ……….. and so it turned out to be.

As has been its want in recent games, Waverley spent most of the game playing catch-up when it conceded a goal in the opening minutes of the game and another in the early stages of the second half. Waverley was also forced to work hard throughout to defend the numerous short-corners created by Essendon’s ability to penetrate its circle.

While the home team battled tenaciously to press the Essendon ball carriers with a view to creating scoreboard pressure, it was unable – with the exception of a fine Jonathan Wentworth finishing touch during the second half – to make the most of the opportunities it created.

The Waverley boys are to be commended on their preparedness to give their all in what was a hard fought 2 – 1 loss.

The Team: Todd Cope, Zac Davis, David Howson, David Jensen (Captain), Elliot Kitchingham, Riley Maddock, James Munro, Patrick Rawlins, Nicholas Spencer, Nicholas Steffens, Jonathan Wentworth and Ben Wilkinson.