Sport
4 July, 2025
MCDFNL young guns take on NCFL
The Maryborough Castlemaine District Football Netball League (MCDFNL) junior football interleague teams were once again in action over the weekend, taking on the North Central Football League (NCFL).
Fresh of the under 14.5 and 17.5 grabbing hard-fought victories against the Horsham District Football Netball League, both teams were keen to return to the winners list on Sunday.
The under 14.5 didn’t get off to a great start at Lord Nelson Park in Saint Arnaud, as the NCFL stormed out the blocks to score 26 unanswered points in the first quarter.
The MCDFNL managed to slow the hosts down slightly in the second quarter and hit the scoreboard, however, it didn’t stop the NCFL from taking a 41-point advantage into the second half.
The visitors remained full of fight after half time, particularly around the ball, but the NCFL proved too good in the end, winning 13.15.(93) to the MCDFNL’s 1.1.(7).
Carisbrook’s Rory Sanders played well against the tide for the MCDFNL, named as his team’s best on ground.
In the under 17.5, the MCDFNL were trailing by a goal after a low-scoring first quarter.
The NCFL dominated play in the second quarter, however, the MCDFNL’s pressure in their defensive 50, coupled with some unconverted chances by the NCFL meant the visitors were still in the match down by only nine points at half time.
The MCDFNL started to make the NCFL pay for their poor goal-kicking in the third quarter, clawing the margin back to one point and setting up an exciting fourth quarter.
The last 20 minutes lived up to expectations, with both teams trading haymakers in the final term.
After nearly an hour and a half of football, nothing could separate the two teams, as the MCDFNL 8.3.(51) drew with the NCFL 6.15.(51).
Harcourt youngster Mitchell McKnight was awarded best on ground for the MCDFNL.