SDJFA grand finals: Eagles far too strong for Magpies in under-14s, Magpies White claim under-12s decider

The Eagles saved their best performance until last after a dominant first half set them up for grand final glory in the Southern Districts Junior Football Association under-14s competition on Saturday at Retravision Stadium. After progressing straight to the decider, the Eagles were clinical in the opening half against the Magpies and finished 46-point winners at the final siren. The Eagles’ tight defensive unit conceded only two goals in the first three quarters and they went on to claim a memorable 10.6 (66) to 3.2 (20) premiership triumph. The Magpies trailed by 20 points at quarter-time and had two majors by half-time but the Eagles were in total control, leading by 32 points. The margin was extended in the third as the Eagles kicked two unanswered goals to head into the last break up by 45 points. With Robert Farmer dominating in the front half and Luke Pickering also playing a telling role, the Eagles were not troubled in the final term as they won the grand final to cap a season in which they lost only one game. Farmer was on fire throughout the decider and finished with five goals. Xavier Kane Whitby kicked two goals for the winners. Pickering was judged best on ground by the umpires for his strong four-quarter display. Jacob Kelly was terrific for the Magpies and received an award from Claremont Football Club, while Nara Jellay was the Eagles’ recipient of the same award. Blake Brunings, Sam O’Toole-Gardner and Jake Schwarzbach were the goal kickers for Magpies. Earlier, the under-12s grand final was played between two Denmark teams. Magpies White won a tight qualifying final to go straight into the decider and they came up against Magpies Black for the premiership. There was only one goal kicked in the first half, as Magpies White took a slender seven-point advantage into half-time. Magpies White added a second major in the third term but the game was still up for grabs heading into the final quarter. It was all Magpies White in the fourth term, however, as they kicked three unanswered goals to record a 33-point victory. Jimmy Henderson received the game ball from the umpires for his terrific display that got Magpies White across the line, 5.4 (34) to 0.1 (1). Claremont awards went to Liam Cybula (Magpies White) and Xavier Gooding (Magpies Black).