Grand Final Preview - U15 Boys (1)

Kew Comets meet Brunswick in the Under 15 Boys Division 1 Grand Final at Beverley Road

Reserve on Sunday.

The Kew Comets have been the dominant team in this age group all year, undefeated when

they’ve taken the field, with their only ‘loss’ being a forfeited game on the back end of the

school holidays when they had a shortage of players. Their lowest winning margin this year

has been 34 points, with an average winning margin of 83 points demonstrating their

dominance across the season.

Standing in their way will be Brunswick, who finished the home and away season in third

place and have seen off Hawthorn Citizens and Camberwell in two finals matches to reach

the Grand Final.

Both teams contain a number of interleague players, and the Grand Final is sure to attract

the interest of AFL Talent League clubs looking at their Under 16 squads for next year.

Kew Comets are filled with talent across the ground, and that will be their strength heading

into Sunday’s match.

Injuries have limited Henry Hitchen’s involvement throughout the season for the Kew

Comets, but the YJFL Interleague Rep was back in spectacular fashion in the Qualifying

Final against Camberwell, kicking 4 goals. With the capability to play anywhere on the

ground, Hitchen would be expected to play a major role in Sunday’s game.

After moving to Melbourne for school and joining the Kew Comets at the start of the year,

Archie Knobel was added to the YJFL Interleague squad on the back of strong early season

form before injury sidelined him mid year and forced him to miss the interleague matches.

He’s returned to the Comets line up in recent weeks and been another strong contributor in

the lead up to the finals.

Otis Giansiracusa (12 games, 29 goals) has been dangerous as a small forward that can

change on ball, while Collingwood NGA prospect Zachariya Kassaby can run all day and

accumulates huge numbers through the middle of the ground of both contested and

uncontested ball.

For Brunswick, Ben Mennillo joined mid season from NFNL club South Morang, kicking 26

goals from 9 matches since joining the Dragons. YJFL Interleague player Ben Aldridge (15

games, 25 goals) is another who can hit the scoreboard regularly in games.

Just like they’ve done in the Elimination and Prelim Finals, Brunswick will have to get

everything right to dismantle the dominant Kew Comets team. Form counts for plenty and

the Kew Comets win/loss record and dominant margins all year make them the team to beat,

but can Brunswick give the Comets their first real defeat in the biggest game of the year?

Players to Watch:

Kew Comets

#1 Zac Kassaby - Captain and spiritual leader of the team. A consistent performer that steps

up in the big moments. Works extremely hard and can play in multiple positions.

#3 Max Fraser - A new player to the Comets and been a consistent performer all year. Runs

extremely hard both ways and uses his skill to slice up the opposition.

Brunswick

#13 Gabe Dobson - Gabe is a powerful key back who attacks every contest with intent. He

reads the play particularly well, is strong in the air, and regularly breaks the game open.  

#22 Ben Aldridge - Ben is a talented player who hunts the football, is super strong in the

contest, and wins clean clearance at stoppages. He is particularly damaging by foot.   

#8 Kester Walch – Kester is a hard running and skilful midfielder who delivers week after

week. Always looking to create, he brings excellent ball-winning ability and defensive

pressure. 

Match: Under 15 Boys (1)

Venue: Beverley Road Oval

Time: 2.30pm