ZOE ASKEW
FOOTBALL
NORTH GIPPSLAND
By ZOE ASKEW
WHO said straight sets Jets?
In their first completed season in the North Gippsland Football-Netball League, Yallourn Yallourn North has taken out the 2022 premiership.
The Jets defeated Traralgon Tyers United 16.10 (106) to 9.6 (62).
Thousands of spectators congregated around Heyfield Football-Netball Club’s football field’s edge, some with banners, some with balloons, some dressed in football team costumes, to watch the Grand Final on Saturday afternoon.
The siren’s sound signified the games beginning; the Jets’ engine stalled, the Bombers came out swinging, and by the end of the first quarter, TTU was in the lead 4.4 (28) to 1.0 (6).
Maybe the Bombers were a bit cold, or perhaps a bit sore, or maybe it was a case of going too hard, too soon. But, whatever it was, they dropped the ball, and the Jets flew in after the first break. YYN dominated the second term, kicking four goals and four points, but a goal and two points from TTU saw the Bombers cling to a two-point lead at the end of a rough second quarter.
TTU 5.6 (36), YYN 5.4 (34) at the main break.
Fast forward to the end of the third, YYN kicked eight goals and two behinds; the Jets had well and truly taken off.
Despite TTU’s failing efforts to keep them in the game, kicking just two goals in the third, Liam Willaton put forward a valiant performance for the Bombers with an unwavering hunger for the ball.
YYN 13.6 (84), TTU 4.8 (48) at three quarter time.
The clouds congregated, hiding the last of the sun, and a bitter wind sent shivers down spines as the Bombers and Jets returned to the field for the final quarter.
This was it, the final hoorah, and all eyes were on Keenan Hughes, having kicked seven of the Jets’ 13 goals.
Exercising his mastery of reading the game and showcasing some fancy footwork, playing-coach Barrie Burnett kicked a cracker of a goal, sending the Jets to a soaring lead in the opening minutes of the fourth.
Take a bow Keenan Hughes.
Just two minutes later, Hughes took a mark inside 50, kicking another goal for the Jets and his eighth goal of the game.
Within 30 seconds, Hughes found the ball again and added another goal to his Grand Final tally, taking YYN to a 16.8 (104) to 8.7 (55) lead.
The Bombers scrounged up a goal in the 19th minute, with TTU’s Trent Hourigan, Rowan Hore and Hayden Willaton the best of the boys in redand black.
TTU captain Jye Neilson found the ball in the 22nd minute, taking a mark just metres from the goal line, but failed to convert another goal for the Bombers as the ball skewed behind the goalpost with a punch from YYN’s defence.
The siren blared, the game was done.
Cheers oscillated across the grounds; streams of red and yellows glowed upon the field as spectators raced towards the Jets, celebrating their 16.10 (106) to 9.8 (62) win over the Bombers in a shower of hugs and beer.
After a deafening victory song at the fields centre, the Jets took their position by the NGFNL podium to receive their well-deserved premiership medals, presented by the littlest members of the YYNFNC community.
A touching end to a historic day.
It was no surprise that Hughes was voted best on ground, having kicked an impressive nine goals. Darcy Shellcot, Callum Robertson, playing-coach Burnett, Campbell MacInnes and Dylan Bath were also fundamental players for the Jets.
The smile on Burnett’s face said it all, pure elation.
“I’m absolutely ecstatic,” Burnett said. “After the first quarter, yeah, we didn’t come out to play properly, and then we just, we got the game on our terms.
“I am just so happy for everyone around, all the supporters and everyone.”
Despite the Jets’ delayed take-off, Burnett couldn’t be happier with his team’s performance, saying the boys played “absolutely fantastic”.
“When you’ve got a bloke like Keenan Hughes, who goes in and kicks nine goals, just a standout, everyone played their role, but then you get a superstar like him it’s good,” Burnett said
“Everyone doubted us; everyone said we would be fourth, fifth on the ladder, but we come in our first year, and we took the flag.”
