Junior Development Carnival: Young stars sparkle in FDJFL versus MPJFL U17 clash

Young guns blitzed in the U17 interleague clash between Frankston and Mornington Peninsula. Here’s a rundown on the best players — and a gallery of more than 20 pictures.

Charlie Montgomery of Frankston District evades a tackle during the South East Region Junior Development Carnival U17 Boys match between Mornington Peninsula and Frankston District at Olympic Park, Rosebud. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

Dynamic and dashing.

With 13 individual goal kickers, Frankston and District Junior Football League’s under-17 boys side began the South East Region Junior Development Carnival in dominant fashion at Rosebud on Saturday.

The FDJFL stormed to a 78-point win over Mornington Peninsula Junior Football League, 19.16 (130) to 8.4 (52).

Inspired by co-captains Will Harridge and Luke Napier, Frankston kicked 11.6 before halftime to open up a 47-point lead.

Will Harridge of Frankston District marks.

Luke Napier. (Photos by Josh Chadwick)

Napier slotted three goals, while Toby Coleridge, Jake Findlay, Oliver Gleeson and vice captain Ethan Sorrell kicked two apiece.

FDJFL coach Dean Jones said his side couldn’t have been more impressive.

“It’s great to see what we’ve been working on come to fruition in such a short period time,’’ he said.

“Our hope is that these boys can have a really strong back half to their local seasons and the possibility of maybe some invites to Coates League or to the Stingrays, so we’re looking to discover new positions and players with a new edge and a new trick.’’

Coach Jones gives a snapshot of FDJFL’s best:

Dean Jones, Head Coach of Frankston District speaks to his players. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

Will Harridge

He was a beast on the inside. He had our most clearances with six for the game and a goal to boot. Great decision making, always looking to use the corridor and just really manic, and was able to beat his man and get us going forward. We had countless inside fifties on the back of his great inside work.

Luke Napier

A fantastic game, like Will playing as a mid forward rotation, he scored three goals, including two in the first quarter. Luke and Will have similar traits, both really industrious but both really selfless and looking to share the ball around.

Jake Findlay

First time interleague representative and was very strong in a ruck forward rotation, great in the air, great on the ground and he was part of our slingshot ball movement from half back. We discovered a few tricks to his game, he’s not just an aerial beast, he was really great on the ground as well and allowed us to be able to share the ball around and move it forward with ease at times.

Toby Coleridge of Frankston District is congratulated by Kyle Brice after kicking a goal. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

Harvey Pollock

Very impressive, he’s been likened by me to a Jordan De Goey at a similar age, just through the fact of his explosive power on the inside and to the outside as well. His striking through the ball from the mids perspective was first rate, really aggressive and just gave the team a different element. You could see some tricks of his on display.

Charles Montgomery

We started him at half back, he was able to link up and also propel us forward and assist our ball movement. He was moved into the midfield and again was racking up the numbers. A really good decision maker, great behind the ball. Really good footy IQ.

Oliver Gleeson

He was relentless all day in terms of his leading. One of our taller key link targets. Really clean hands inside forward fifty, great defensive pressure as well and we as coaches thought he was a stand-out in terms of our key forwards.

A Mornington Peninsula player kicks during the South East Region Junior Development Carnival U17 Boys match between Mornington Peninsula and Frankston District at Olympic Park in Rosebud. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

Players compete for a mark. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

Felix Gargante of Mornington Peninsula is congratulated by Jordy Burrell after kicking a goal. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

Toby Coleridge of Frankston District kicks. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

Alex Inglese of Mornington Peninsula kicks. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

Corey Chadwick of Mornington Peninsula.

Corey Slefendorfas of Frankston District and James Reynolds of Mornington Peninsula compete in the ruck. (Photos by Josh Chadwick)

Mornington Peninsula at the huddle. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

Ethan Sorrell of Frankston District is tackled. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

Corey Slefendorfas of Frankston District is tackled. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

Felix Gargante of Mornington Peninsula shows plenty of dash. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

Nicholas Adrien of Frankston District gathers the ball. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

Toby Coleridge of Frankston District had the ball on a string. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

Toby Coleridge of Frankston District is congratulated by Josh Siemering. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

Zeph Creasey of Mornington Peninsula handballs during the South East Region Junior Development Carnival U17 Boys match between Mornington Peninsula and Frankston District at Olympic Park, Rosebud. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

A Mornington Peninsula player takes a kick. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

Damon Pascoe, Head Coach of Mornington Peninsula speaks to his players during the South East Region Junior Development Carnival U17 Boys match between Mornington Peninsula and Frankston District at Olympic Park in Rosebud. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)