THE 2024 Season is shaping up as a big one for the club with a record 12 sides being filled across the football and netball.
With an under 12s side entered in the GMJL with the dream of one day having them fully aligned to the club and an under 17s netball side for the first time since 2017 as well as a 4th senior netball grade in C-Reserve.
The start of the season has been incredible with 150 Thursday night meals sold last week following training.
Following the game this weekend we have our biggest fundraiser the Goods and Services Auction, a huge thank you to all the business’/people that have donated auction items.
We have something for everyone.
SENIOR XXI
GREAT conditions provided by Avenel treated supporters to very entertaining senior game until Avenel blew it out in the last 20 minutes.
For three quarters the rivals traded blows in a see sawing game with the home side up by 18 points at three quarter time, the towners maybe kicking with a slight breeze in the last.
An even first 10 minutes of the last before the Swannie’s, a premiership threat went into overdrive kicking 10 goals to 3 to win by 59 points.
It didn’t help the Towners when they lost the then best afield Mitch Saunders early in the third.
Fitness then prevailed as many players went down with cramp and an interesting umpiring decision left the away side down one man when sent off, even the Avenel bench was bemused.
Violet Town are definitely big improvers under the guile of senior coach Wally Armstrong, a much better squad than last year, and keen to rise up the ladder.
Saturday showcased the players from there thirds premiership, five players elevated, but it was Sam Leigh who was outstanding, he could become the clubs best player this year, 37 possessions so many contested he is a crowd favourite and is very comfortable at senior level at so he should be at his age.
His skill, follow up work and toughness belies his years. Mitch Saunders was incredible until injured, many astute judges rated his debut as one of the best in recent years. Nathan Abley whether playing forward or on ball was superb, hitting targets or his hard at it to the opposition his preseason shown out as he is now an established top line senior player and leader.
Ryan Lloyd-Williams another who’s preseason has helped, his hard nose defensive work gave him the points over his opponent comfortably and leaders Ryan Jennings and Jimmy Herring were superb as usual.
Brodey Webster up forward kicked three, could have been more, interesting calls from the men in green.
All up, disappointing but much better than 2023, a bright future awaits.
Next week premiership favorite Murchison travel to our ground, a huge test for our boys.
Violet Town: 8.13.61
Avenel: 18.12.120
Best: S.Leigh, N.Abley, M.Sauders, R.Lloyd-Williams, J.Herring and R.Jennings.
Goals: B.Webster (3), C.Thompson (1),N.Abley (1), H.Floate (1), S.Leigh (1) and B.McCarthy (1).
RESERVE XXI
THE Reserves started the season in the unusual situation of having to leave players out of the side.
With 24 wanting a game on Saturday and a further 10 that were unavailable on the weekend leaving new coach Shannon Atkinson in the tough Position of trying to balance out rewarding those that train and picking a side that can win games.
But with half the side that played finals in 2022 back the more they play together the better they will get and become more competitive.
This week saw them face perennial finalists Avenel and a tough task against a side with match fitness and experience.
Alot of the guys not having done much training yet it was always going to be a tough ask, and two of last years Under 18’s Premiership Players Will Smith and Flynn Weeks had a crack all day and big Gregre Hutton competed hard in the ruck but the ball was the constantly going into the back line and was all too much for the side.
Violet Town: 0.2.2
Avenel: 28.11.179
Best: W.Smith, K Taulani J, G Hutton, S Atkinson, B Domoter and B Keys.
Under 18s XXI
THE Under 18 reigning premiers had the Bye week one and with the Core of the side returning in 2024.
Come down and see the Premiership Flag unfurled as they kick their season off at Home VS Murchison-Toolamba.
Under 15's
FINALLY game day for the under 15’s, just like the under 12’s it was some new faces into the side and boy did they bring the energy.
With having a whole new group together that had not played together they click straight away.
Midfield was on top from the start with Angus Nate and Licon getting multiple inside 50’s and Lincon following up his good work to kick the first goal of the game.
It was all the Towners from that point as they out number and out muscled a Murchison team that played off in the grand final last year.
Ryder Robison seemed to be everywhere across the big ground, showing off his highflyer marking ability and long kicking to keep it locked in the towners end.
Goals where a plenty, Koby, Hunter, Jason, Angus all getting involved and even Parker with karate scissor kick goal was a highlight of the day.
Connor Gardner was outstanding all day with his strength around the ball and his ability to get up and down the wings was great sign for the coaches.
The backs were steady with good defense and some silky skills from Mason Butterworth rebounding of half back.
The coaches were happy to mix things up a bit in the second half getting a feel for where the kids can play their best footy.
All in all a great first game and we match up against Murchison this week again and be sure they will be ready to fire back this week.
Well done to all players new and old who are starting this journey with the club both in the Under 12’and under 15’s.
Exciting times ahead for Violet Town
Violet Town: 27.9.171
Murchison-Toolamba 0.0.0
Best: N.Nicholas, A.Richardson, K.Ross, R.Roberston, B.Dyer and C.Garden.
Goals: R.Roberston (7), K.Ross (6), A.Richardson (4), P.Jeffery (2), J.Hokianga (2), H.Smyth (2), M Butterworth (2), Lincoln Wooley (1) and N.Nicholas (1).
Under 12s
WHATa great thing to have our first under 12 side in the Goulburn Murray Junior League, with good numbers we headed to Dookie for our first game.
There was plenty of excitement and nerves for the kids and Dookie took advantage of that kicking away in the first quarter.
Our captain for the day Mason Marunga, got the young Towners on the board in the second quarter with a nice goal over the top of the Dookie defenders.
The backs tighten things up thanks to Will and Riley playing some hard football.
The mids started to get on top with Dennis, Billy, Brax and Jai working there way into the game and combining for some good plays.
One great play that started at center half back with a kick mark mindset resulting in Larry Ball getting on the end of the play and converting from a set shot.
The last quarter was a battle for both teams with the sun heating up there was a lot of tired kids out on the oval.
Not a win for the youngest of the VT footy teams, but plenty of smiles as the kids enjoyed their first outing.
Violet Town: 2.1.13
Dookie United: 0.0.00
Awards: Dennis and Riley.
A GRADE NETBALL
OUR freshly formed A Grade line up were on fire right from the start against Avenel.
Excellent goaling from Jacqui and Imy set us up for a comfortable lead.
Our midcourt of Emma, Jo and Jayde moved the ball down the court with ease.
Going into the last quarter with a ten-goal lead was just enough to hold off a challenge from our opposition, with Kolby and Prue standing their ground in defence to ensure the four points went our way.
A big thank you to Teagan and Millie for helping us out.
Awards went to Prue Holmes and Imy Law.
Violet Town 51 defeated Avenel 49 .
B GRADE
VIOLET TOWN started the match understandably slow against Avenel, given the various ages and history of all the players.
Going into the second quarter 11 goals down, they gained their rhythm and control and started their fight back, winning the quarter comfortably.
The third was a tough affair, but as the players gained confidence in each other and themselves they held strong.
In the final quarter Ash A and Macey defied their ages and showed a superior maturity in goals, holding strong against a physical defence.
In a sensational team effort in which all players worked their hearts out, we fell only one goal short of the win, but showed the potential that we have to be a force to be reckoned with.
Awards went to Macey Ross and Ash Antonis.
Violet Town 33 defeated by Avenel 34.
C GRADE
AFTER a tough few winless year, Violet Town’s C Grade squad sent a strong message on Saturday.
They’re here to be competitive in 2024.
There are a few familiar faces in the C Grade team giving the girls some familiarity and some new members injecting welcome enthusiasm and depth they haven’t had in previous seasons.
Defence is a key strength for the Towners this year and it was consistent for the full four quarters, with every player putting pressure over the ball whenever it was in opposition hands.
The choice of a few different shooting combinations also allowed the Towners to switch things up and find their way in the first game of the season.
At one stage Towners sniffed the possibility of a win, getting to within four goals of Avenel, but Avenel found fifth gear in the final quarter and managed to stretch their lead and final win out to a nine-point difference.
The next few weeks will be exciting for Towners as they get their combinations set and find their flow.
It looks like 2024 will be the year they start to head north up the ladder.
Kodi Mustey, who ran in the midcourt and proved to be Towners most efficient shooter when in the ring, and Cass Greatorex in defence were named best on for Towners.
Violet Town 23 defeated by Avenel 32
C RESERVE
VIOLET TOWN C Reserve squad was also competitive in their first hit and did the club proud as a group of players who have never taken the court together.
The team was strong defensively with four strong quarters that included clean passages of play out of the defensive end and loose balls strongly contested.
The girls kept up with Avenel all game and were only four goals down going into the last quarter before Avenel clawed away to win by eight.
Bianca Robins was tight in the mid court and gathered several intercepts and was accompanied by Mikayla Cole dominated in Centre for four quarters in what was her first ever netball game- impressive effort.
Erin Dawson and Maya Howe had some classy moments in goals and Mikaela Dunn was a star in defence with consistent pressure on Avenel shooters from both her and Sandra Cotchin.
C Reserve have a promising year ahead.
Best on court went to Mikayla Cole and Sandra Cotchin.
Violet Town 13 defeated by Avenel 21.
17 AND UNDER
FOR the first time together on the court the 17 and under team got off to a slow start, getting use to each other.
Once they adjusted to the speed of the game the VT girls were able to win the ball back and force Avenel to make some errors.
This happened all game with the defensive pressure increasing in the second, third and fourth quarters which resulted in some great passages of play, but Violet Town also made some of their own errors bringing the ball down court allowing Avenel the opportunity to score.
The score really didn’t reflect the game with Violet Town looking to improve and will be better off for the hit out against Avenel.
Well done to all girls that didn’t give up until the final whistle.
Awards went to Chloe Townsend and Macey Ross.
Violet Town 12 defeated by Avenel 43.
11 AND UNDER
UNDER 11s had a great start to the season with 35 to two win over Avenel.
Fantastic attacking drives and pressure on every ball.
The girls worked exceptional as a team - the support for their teammates was great to see.
Best on Valentine Klimpel, Second Best on Summer-Rose Sheils.
Great work girls we are so excited for the season ahead.
Violet Town 35 defeated Avenel two.