BY BROOKE VARNEY.
A number of Lions lined up for their respective local clubs this past weekend, adding solid contributions, while an exciting pair represented Vic Metro in the first match of the Young Guns series.
In the Northern Football League, Daman Aujla represented Bundoora in the 20-point loss to Heidelberg; while Mark Kovacevic made a positive return to football alongside Michael Ercolano in West-Preston Lakeside’s 120-46 victory over Northcote Park. Both displayed great attitudes in the big win, according to West-Preston Lakeside Coach Robbie Maiorana.
Over in the Essendon District Football League, Tom Condon played his part in Strathmore’s clash with Maribyrnong Park, while Jackson McDonald donned the Glenroy guernsey in their 29-point triumph over Avondale Heights. Glenroy Coach Ross Terranova was pleased with how McDonald finished off the game after a slightly slow start.
The Ballarat Football League’s match between Sunbury Lions and reigning premiers Darley went down to the wire, with Mitch Conn named best on ground in the Lions’ come from behind one-point win. Coach Ben Jordan praised Conn, stating “he was clearly one of our better contributors in a close, contested game of footy”.
The Eastern Football League saw Connor Byrne contribute to Balwyn’s 71-46 victory over Doncaster, Hisham Kerbatieh participate in Doncaster East’s 13-goal win against Croydon, and Jack Sandric compete in East Ringwood’s 35 point loss to Rowville.
The first instalment of the Young Guns games, which saw Vic Metro beat Vic Country by 27-points, gave Jake Page and Max Mitchell-Russell the chance to play alongside up and coming VFL and TAC Cup Talent. Forwards coach Tom Curran also assisted in coaching duties.
Curran found it really positive to see two young Coburg players fit right into the very talented team:
“Jake and Max both had a massive chance to assert themselves on the game; Max had chances to kick goals and Jake got a fair bit of the footy which showed a good work-rate,” Curran said.
“The change of environment and people around me will certainly benefit me as a coach, and I look forward to the next two games to build on our ‘mini-team’ mentality.”
The Young Guns series continues on May 26 at 11.00am.
This Sunday, Coburg will take on Frankston at Frankston Park for the Beyond Blue round, but stay tuned next week for more on our Local League Lions.
