Charlie Bell crashes a pack with a big spoil in the under-17s contest. Photos: Benalla and District Junior Football.
Benalla and District Junior Football Club’s season kicked off in the Wangaratta and District Football League at the weekend, with four of our five teams heading to Mansfield for the opening round.
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U12 Red – BYE
U12 Black
The first match of the season started for the U12 Blacks travelling across to Mansfield. The game saw the top age kids doing a fantastic job welcoming our newest and youngest footballers into the fray and showing them how it’s done.
Teamwork was at an all time high, and the kids did a great job remembering the things they’ve been working on at training. Jack McKenzie did a brilliant job of being everywhere and reading the play, while Caiden Vanderhorst started the Blacks off strong, kicking the first goal and point of the match in the first quarter.
The team worked well to hold Mansfield scoreless for the whole first quarter. Dustin Nolan kicked Benalla Black’s second goal of the match in the third quarter.
Unfortunately, Mansfield found a way through our defences and were the victors of the match.
Score: Mansfield 5.3.33 def Benalla Blacks 2.2.14
Goals: Caiden Vanderhorst, Dustin Nolan
Best Players: Jack McKenzie, Bill Bourke, Dustin Nolan, Harley Kupke, Frank Christie, Riley Phillips
U14 Red
Score: Mansfield Gold 9.12.66 def Benalla Red 3.5.23
Goals: Sam Mount, Hudson Pickering, Tom Snell
Best: Tom Snell, Sam Mount, Hudson Pickering, Jakobi Williams, Lincoln Richardson, Jaxson Kroon
U14 Black
The weather started to turn cold and wet when the U14 Black side took to the field against a tall Mansfield Blue team. The slippery conditions made it hard for either side to win the footy cleanly, however, Mansfield used their home ground advantage to break out to an early lead in the first quarter.
Benalla fought back hard thanks to some hard running led by Jack Hart and Jimmy Jackson.
Jake Soyer was formidable in Benalla’s back line, helping stem the tide of Mansfield’s scores and by half time Benalla was only six points down.
An even battle ensued in the third with the rain starting to get heavier, and the game came down to who played the conditions the best.
In the end, Mansfield were able to kick away, eventually winning by 19 points, but Benalla showed a lot of promise and potential to give this season a red hot crack.
Score: Mansfield Blue 7.12.54 def Benalla Black 5.5.35
Goals: Jack Hart 3, Jack Davies 2
Best: Jack Hart, Jimmy Jackson, Angus Roscoe, Jake Soyer, Brayden Jacobs, Jack Davies
U17
Josh Montgomery assesses his options as the rain comes down.
The Benalla under-17s kicked off their 2026 campaign with a hard-fought encounter away against Mansfield. While the scoreboard finished 25 points in favour of the home side, the young Benalla squad showed immense character in the cool conditions.
Defensive pressure was a highlight with Noah Cooney outstanding at full back, thwarting numerous attacks with his composure. He was supported brilliantly in the back half by Charlie Bell, Nick White, and Charlie Bowen, who all worked tirelessly to rebound the ball.
Josh Ward collects a ball through the middle of the ground.
In the middle, captain Josh Ward led from the front with a high-intensity performance around the ball, while Josh Montgomery showcased his athletic ability to cover the ground and provide a target. Despite the result, the team’s resilience provides a strong foundation for the season ahead as we prepare for next week’s clash at the Showgrounds vs Bright.
Noah Cooney was Benalla’s best in the under-17 clash against Mansfield.
Score: Mansfield 7.14.56 def Benalla 4.7.31
Goals: Cash Nolen, Xavier De Fazio, Tom Mount, Joshua Byers
Best: Noah Cooney, Josh Montgomery, Mason Willett, Josh Ward, Charlie Bell, Nick White
