Ballan under 15 boys make footy grand final

BALLAN FNC under 15 footballers started off the season knowing they weren’t going to be the biggest side in the competition, but continuously showed they had the biggest hearts.

Preparing well week-to-week with full commitment from the boys to coach Harley Bongart, the results of hard work showed as the season progressed.

A special mention to the team’s top age players who played such an important role this year for success: Jed Anglin, James Pace, Blake Perryman, Logan Monterosso, Cambrai Hodge and Jakobi Billman. These boys were the driving force of the team.

Logan Monterosso was the Central Highlands Football League (CHFL) leading goalkicker with 46 goals for the season, with James Pace finishing top five and Jed Anglin top 10 in the CHFL best and fairest count.

After finishing fourth in the home and away season, the finals series started off with a challenge playing an undefeated Skipton in the first final, which Skipton won.

With a second chance, the boys found another gear at training, going on to easily defeat Gordon and then Learmonth, securing their place in the grand final – a first for Blues football since 2009.

With the first goal going to Banko Rootsey to get the Blues off to a dream grand final start, Skipton showed why they were an undefeated powerhouse with their boys being too big to match up on. Final scores were Skipton 9.15 (69) def Ballan 1.2 (8).

What a ride it’s been for coach Harley over the past few years, who thanked the boys for making his dream of coaching a team to a final come true.

Hold your heads high boys, what a season; what a team of champions and what a bright future ahead for the Blues. Players Jakobi Billman, James Pace, Jed Anglin, Blake Perryman and Ned Conroy were named among the best on ground in the final.