Several derbies fought at Benalla Junior Football Carnival and Fun Day

And there was lots of action on the oval.

For the under-12s, Jack Hart (Red) and Jimmy Jackson (Black) were awarded the best on ground for the day, and both won a new Sherrin football sponsored by Complete Forklift Services

In the under-14s, Harry Skelton (Red) and Kobi Thwaites (Black) were awarded the best on ground for the day and both won a new Sherrin football sponsored by Ray White Benalla

Under-12s — Benalla Red vs Benalla Black

The two Benalla sides met for the second time this season in what has become a staple of the junior football calendar in Benalla.

The two teams kicked off the day’s events and produced an extremely high level of junior football.

Benalla Black got off to a good start with the first goal scored by Ollie Parker.

It was a great battle in the midfield, with both Benalla Red and Benalla Black midfielders trying to get the ball forward at every opportunity.

Benalla Red started to win at the contest and restrict the ball use by Black.

Both ruckmen Angus Roscoe (Red) and Jakobi Williams (Black) continued their dominant form in the ruck, which also provided a fantastic contest forward of the ball.

The game’s high standard of skills saw the margin kept low to two goals at the second quarter with Black coming back in the third.

The backlines for both teams were their backbones with the Blacks strength in Jackson Quarrell, Josh Bamford and Jimmy Jackson and for the Red’s Tom Snell, Alby Dickson and Ben Staggard.

With a persistent Black team having legs, with Caleb Thwaites, Jagga Schintler and Lachie Osborne coming back to kick a goal. This brought the teams to be within one point of each other.

The Red team dug deep with Sam Mount relentless. His intercept marking was a key feature with Benji McKean playing an attacking role off half-back.

Jack Hart was again the match winner kicking three majors, with his clean pick-up and speed on show throughout the match.

In what was a nail-biting finish Sonny Nolan’s mark and goal proved the difference between the two teams with Benalla Red winning by seven points.

It was a great game which saw both teams fight hard right until the last whistle.

Special thanks to under-17 players Mitchell and Bryce Cooney for doing a fantastic job umpiring the game.

Final score: Benalla Red 5.2 (32) def Benalla Black 4.1 (25)

Goals Red: Jack Hart 4, Hudson Pickering and Sonney Nolen

Best players Red: Jack Hart, Tom Snell, Sam Mount, Ben Staggard, Xavier Beriman and Benji McKean

Goals Black: Oliver Parker 2, Jagga Schintler and Caleb Thwaites

Best players Black: Jimmy Jackson, Joshua Bamford, Caleb Thwaites, Jackson Quarrell, Max Yuen-Francis and Bentley Parker

Under 14s — Benalla Red vs Benalla Black

With the under-14s game set to be a hot contest, the Benalla Red team came out strong.

Under the banner of ‘personal challenges’ each member of the Reds had set achievement goals for the game.

The ruck contest was dominated by Benalla Black’s Hudson Blyss throughout the game, giving Black’s onballers first use of the football.

Josh Byers registered Black’s first goal of the game. It was a see-sawing affair as both teams failed to gain an ascendancy with the ball rebounding out of each team’s half-back line.

Best on ground players, Harry Skelton (Red) and Kobi Thwaites (Black) were winning the contested ball, continually driving the ball forward for both teams.

Reds onball brigade of Jack and Charlie Pollard, Xavier DeFazio and Noah Hogan matched the Black at stoppages and clearances.

At the main break, Black held a two-point lead in what was a low-scoring affair thus far.

With a chilly wind blowing to the scoreboard end, the mightiness of both backlines were tested.

The third term belonged to Black as they began to move the ball with more system and purpose.

Charlie Bell and Nicholas White were playing well off half-back, rebounding many of Red’s attacks forward, switching defence into attacking moves for Black resulting in three goals for the term.

Mason Willet and Noah Cooney for Benalla Red were relentless in their role on dangerous forwards, and Riley McCarthy did well with attacking play.

It had come down to a battle of wills, which team wanted the win?

Some positional moves were made at the break by Black, and they stepped up having the lion’s share of the play.

Benalla Red players Harry Bast kicked two beauties and Tyson Williams was leading with confidence throughout the game.

The final quarter saw the Black kick away and the chorus of victory was heard from the change rooms.

Final score: Benalla Red 2.1 (13) def by Benalla Black 7.14 (56)

Goals: Harry Bast 2

Best players: Harry Skelton, Riley McCarthy, Noah Hogan, Xavier DeFazio, Jack Pollard and Mason Willett

Goals Black: Josh Byers, Jakobi Williams, Ryan White, Ollie Wardill, Jackson Fry, Kobi Thwaites and Josh Montgomery

Best players Black: Kobi Thwaites, Josh Montgomery, Charlie Bell, Nicholas White, Jackson Fry and Luke Boulton

Under 17s — Benalla v Junior Magpies

On a cold and grey day Benalla faced off against the Magpies in a match that saw slippery conditions challenge both teams.

The inclement weather played a significant role, making ball handling and control difficult.

Benalla held its own against the Magpies for two quarters, showcasing moments of resilience and skill.

However, the first and fourth quarters saw the Magpies utilise the footy more effectively, ultimately securing the win.

Benalla showed determination but struggled with basic skills such as dropping chest marks and hitting targets.

While Benalla showcased periods of promising football, it was the fundamental errors and inability to maintain consistent performance that ultimately cost it the game.

The Magpies’ better use of the footy in crucial moments secured their victory.

Benalla will need to focus on improving basic skills and maintaining its performance throughout the game as it prepares for the next match.

The focus at training will be to build on the positive aspects of its performance and address the areas that need improvement.

Final score: Magpies 10.11 (71) def Benalla 3.5 (23)

Goals: Mitchell Cooney, Ryder Levy and Josh Hart

Best layers: Mitchell Cooney, Sam Gates, Josh Hart, Toby Reeve, Logan Hyland and Xavier Rhodes