National Pharmacies SANFL Juniors Grand Finals U15-U17.5

By ALEXANDRA BULL

The National Pharmacies Juniors U15, U16 and U17.5 Grand Finals will be played this Sunday, September 19, across a variety of SANFL club venues.

PHOS Camden will be taking on Port Districts, who finished top of the ladder in the boys U17.5 Division 1 competition, at Thebarton Oval at 3pm.

Port Districts have only lost one game this season, which came at the hands of PHOS Camden in Round 2, when the Phantoms defeated the eventual minor premier by just five points in May.

Port Districts coach, Barry Haynes, said the season has been extremely enjoyable being involved with a high-quality group.

“This is not only in a football sense, but they are also exceptional young men,” Haynes said.

“Continuing our process to get the best result for each other and the opportunity to work as a unit to achieve our goal and create a lifelong bond is what we are focusing on for Sunday.”

PHOS Camden coach Kym Jones said his side was looking to go one better after last year’s Grand Final loss.

”The chance for our group to redeem themselves from last year’s loss and have another crack at a super football side in Port Districts is exciting,” Jones said.

”PHOS Camden hasn’t had much success this year so for the Under 17.5s to bring home some silverware would be awesome.”

Jones said PHOS Camden would be focusing on their strengths to achieve premiership success.

”I think our ability to run and carry, play that team first football and our never give up attitude, has put us in good stead,” Jones said.

”You have to be strong both physically and mentally and that has shone through a lot this year when we have been challenged.”

In the U17.5 Division 1 Girls competition, Mitcham will be playing undefeated Henley at Maughan Thiem Kia Oval, from 12:50pm.

Henley coach, Matthew Robran, said that he is expecting a tough, hard contest on the day.

“I think it will be a competitive game, Mitcham have had a terrific season too,” said Robran, a dual premiership player with the Crows.

“If the girls continue to implement what we have been working on and we see them doing that on the field, it will be a good game.

“Being in the grand final is a great reward for a lot of work and effort the girls have put in over the season.

“They have worked really hard but also their willingness to learn and take on new facets of the game that we have introduced them to, it really is a great reward for them.”