Players from Wests Junior AFL Club’s under-14 team chalk up milestone games

THERE is certainly cause for celebration at Wests Junior AFL Club with a host of players achieving milestone games this month.

Liam McBrien, Tom Evans, Jack Ryan, Lachlan Ford, Harrison Hunter. Afl Football. Pic John Gass

MEET Wests Juniors’ milestone men.

The Bulldogs’ under-14 division 1 outfit has experienced a remarkable run of landmark matches during the early rounds of 2016, with Connor Bulley (150 games), Flynn Randall, Tom Evans, Harry Hunter, Jack Ryan and Rupert Wells (100 games) all bringing up milestones over the past month.

Captain Lachlan Ford, Liam McBrien and Patty Newell will also notch centuries in the coming weeks, while Bayley Judson and Alex Guy will chalk up their 150th caps.

A deep love of footy, strong team camaraderie and a little bit of luck has been the key to it all, according to coach Cam Bulley.

“It’s a close, boutique club. Some of the kids have come from others clubs originally, but they all get on really well together,” said Bulley, in his second season as coach of the side.

“They’re all really good kids, easy to coach. The culture of the club at the moment is fantastic; it’s a great place to be.

“Once you start in under-8s you’re going to be hitting those milestones around about the same time. The club’s got a big banner (for the milestone games) and we had a cake for all the boys.”

With Queensland representative Ford leading the way, Bulley said he believed the Bulldogs could mount a serious premiership tilt.

“The boys like to win, but it’s about developing them to the point where they can enjoy their footy.”

• Flying high

The Western Magpies returned to the QAFL’s top five with a comfortable 17.15 (117) to 10.11 (71) win over local rival University of Queensland on Saturday.

Luke Scott (four goals) and Alex Dickfos (three) were influential for the Magpies, while Rhys Tagell (four) was productive for winless UQ.

The Magpies host Morningside on Sunday, with UQ at home to Sandgate on Saturday.