Under 18 Kangaroos jump to the flag

THE Division 2 Under 18 premiership has headed back down down the Great Ocean Road, with Anglesea holding off a brave Modewarre 8.7.55 to 5.0.30 to clinch their first top age junior premiership in nine years.

Saturday’s game started off with fireworks, as the Kangaroos drilled home an impressive four goals in the first half to the Warriors’ single goal to hold a 23-point margin at half time.

The half-time break was one much needed for the Warriors and one that filled them with plenty of gusto, bursting out of the blocks with four goals of their own, while the Roos registered a single goal.

With the lead sitting at seven points going into the last term, a huge last quarter by captain Noah Collins and brother Will set Anglesea up to nail home three goals on the trot to take out the premiership and bring the cup back to the small coastal town.

Coach Darcy Cooper said Anglesea was absolutely thrilled and full of jubilation after watching their charges take out the club’s first Under 18 premiership since 2013.

“I was so stoked with how the boys played on Saturday and it felt amazing to get that win after a couple of years away from the top.

“We lost and had a draw to Modewarre during the year so to get this win is absolutely huge and one the boys should be very proud of.

“Modda came back hard in that third quarter and looked pretty good, but then gladly were able to wrestle back that ascendency with the first goal of the fourth.

“It was such a great all-round performance by the whole team and one we will certainly celebrate.”

Best on ground honours went to Will Collins of the Anglesea, while Alexander Braaksma, Noah Collins and Oscar Wu were also cited in the Roos’ best.

The Warriors’ best on the day were Patrick Fitzgerald, Will Roberts and Declan Prigg.

Kane Thornburgh (Modewarre) led all goalscorers with three, whilst Jedd Burns, Thomas Eskrigge and Tom Richardson each kicked two for the Roos.