The inaugural Scott Park Homes Regional Football Carnival was played on Saturday between combined teams from Busselton, Augusta/Margaret River/Dunsborough and Harvey Brunswick Leschanault. In previous years the carnival was named the “East Perth Challenge” and played only between the Busselton & Districts Association teams
This year however, to expose the players to more football during an otherwise football free school holidays, plus the chance to play against teams from another district, Harvey Brunswick was invited to bring down three teams to face off in the round robin series for the chance to play for the Scott Park Homes trophies.
Three teams from each area, Under 11's, Under 13's and Under 15's were selected from their junior clubs to represent their district as part of this elite junior competition. The opportunity for younger players, especially the U/11's, to combine together play against high quality opposition certainly raised the bar from the standard we see each week in the normal home and away matches.
The matches were played in a round robin format with the top two placed teams facing off in a final.
In the Under 11's division the AMR/Dunsborough team, coached by Troy Clarke was a standout, winning both their games to secure a Grand Final spot. It was left to Busselton, coached by Brad Scott and HBL, coached by former WAFL & AFL player Brendan Retzlaff to fight it out in the final round robin game to see who would have another chance to topple AMR/Dunsborough. It was a fantastic tussle, with Busselton getting an early break before HBL stormed back to lead heading into the final minutes. A late Busselton goal got them over the line.
In the final though, once again the team from AMR/Dunsborough was a far better outfit and although Busselton put up some solid resistance for the entire match, AMR/Dunsborough kicked 3.6 (24) while holding Busselton scoreless. None the less, every player on the ground put in a great game and the big crowd enjoyed every moment. Jack Challis from AMR/Dunsborough won the Scott Park Homes Trophy for best player in the round robins, and backed it up again with the best on ground in the final.
The Under 13's was a similar story in the round robin with AMR/Dunsborough, coached by Brad Ryan, sweeping all before them to book their spot in the final. Busselton, coached by Richard Liddell was able to pull away from HBL, coached by Graeme Jeffries, in their round robin match to earn their final spot and hopefully reverse the result from the earlier game. The final was a beauty, the highest scoring match from the Under 13's all day, with Busselton hitting their straps early and kicking away to an impressive victory, 8.6 (54) to 3.1 (19). The Scott Park Homes best player in the round robin went to Jordan Green from AMR/Dunsborough after a countback with Seb Newall (AMR/Dunsborough) and Tom Wheeler (HBL). Blake Riley from Busselton was adjudged best on ground in the final.
In the Under 15's, HBL, coached by David Obal, came flying out of the blocks in their first game, trouncing AMR/Dunsborough, coached by Geoff Hewitt, by nearly 10 goals, sending a message that they were here to play. It was an impressive performance, moving the ball quickly and efficiently to create scoring chances. Busselton, coached by Dean Howlett, had the task of fronting up to HBL next and put up a great fight, they were able to restrict HBL's free flowing and high scoring game to go down by only 8 points. It once again came down to the final round robin game, this time between rivals AMR/Dunsborough and Busselton for the right to challenge HBL again in the final. In another top contest, which you would expect from these teams, AMR/Dunsborough was able to hold Busselton for most of the game and earned their spot in the final with a 7 point win. The final however was all HBL, they had the measure of AMR/Dunsborough and was able to take the Scott Park Homes trophy with a comfortable 7.2 (44) to 2.5 (17) win. The fairest and best for the round robin was well contested and very close with many players receiving votes from their games with Tye Denton from Busselton winning the Scott Park Homes trophy. Nick Perry from HBL was judged best on ground in the final.
Congratulations must go to the AMR/Dunsborough teams for reaching the final in all age groups. In all the carnival was a huge success, with each District winning a trophy plus the great feedback received from all players, club officials and spectators, with everyone looking forward already to next years event.
Despite the change of format the East Perth Challenge concept continued with AMR/Dunsborough and Busselton facing off in their respective grades for the East Perth Challenge Trophy.
AMR/Dunsborough walked away with two of the trophies while Busselton took the other.
Injured EPFC League Player Tim Lyster was on hand to present the East Perth Challenge trophies with Best players in the respective Challenge matches awarded EPFC Merchandise.
The Royals were delighted that the East Perth Challenge concept has continued this season despite the change of format and the club looks forward to supporting the carnival again in Season 2009.
RESULTS
Under 11's Round Robin
AMR/Dunsborough 5.6 (36) def Busselton 1.0 (6)
AMR/Dunsborough 4.2 (26) def HBL 2.0 (12)
Busselton 3.1 (19) def HBL 2.3 (15)
Under 13's Round Robin
Busselton 6.4 (40) def HBL 2.5 (17)
AMR/Dunsborough 5.7 (37) def Busselton 2.1 (13)
AMR/Dunsborough 5.4 (34) def HBL 1.1 (7)
Under 15's Round Robin
HBL 9.14 (68) def AMR/Dunsborough 1.3 (9)
HBL 4.7 (31) def Busselton 3.5 (23)
AMR/Dunsborough 5.3 (33) def Busselton 4.2 (26)
FINALS
Under 11's
AMR/Dunsborough 3.6 (24) def Busselton 0.0 (0)
Under 13's
Busselton 8.6 (54) def AMR/Dunsborough 3.1 (19)
Under 15'sHBL 7.2 (44) def AMR/Dunsborough 2.5 (17)
