By LIAM TWOMEY
THE Essendon District Football League has reigned supreme in the junior battle after claiming the Under 15 Victorian Metropolitan Junior Championship.
The EDFL ran out 57-point winners against representatives from the Eastern Football League in the grand final at Highgate Reserve last week.
The final was the icing on the cake as far as the Essendon boys were concerned, who went through the entire carnival undefeated.
Team coach Mark Duncan said he was rapt with the way his side came together from the first training session.
“The boys did really well and the carnival was fantastic,” he said.
“It’s a very talented group. Probably the most talented group I’ve ever had. I’ve coached a lot of kids before but this group was really close-knit and seemed to enjoy their footy and also have a bit of fun with it as well.
“That was the best part about it from my point of view, to see these kids out there and enjoying their footy.”
Duncan said he was confident a number of players would progress through to TAC Cup sides the Western Jets and Calder Cannons in the coming years.
“The goals were to help these kids get to that next level with the Cannons and Western Jets and prepare them to play at that level of football.
“We were out there obviously to win but it’s also about developing these guys as well.
“I’ve coached interleague for the last four years and it’s great to have a look at the Cannons’ and Jets’ lists and see some of these kids progressing through.
“I’m so rapt with the way they have been able to kick on. Hopefully we can see them go to AFL level as well.”
