Newtown & Chillwell secures U18 three-peat as Ben Pennisi the hero with goal in dying seconds after free kick

A side stacked with Geelong father-sons secured a historic U18 three-peat, and it came after a fortuitous free kick to one of their stars. The young gun opens up on the defining moment.

Jack Robinson, Ben Pennisi and Hugh Ross with the U18 premiership cup after Newtown & Chilwell’s win over St Josephs. Picture: Alan Barber

Newtown & Chillwell has secured an under-18 three-peat in an absolute classic, with Eagles young gun Ben Pennisi the hero after converting a set shot in the dying seconds following a contentious free kick.

The Eagles trailed for most of the contest as St Joseph’s dominated the first half but only had a seven-point lead to show for it after not making their opportunities count.

The clinical Eagles had all the running in the last quarter with best-on-ground Giuseppe Posterino – who took a spectacular hanger in the first quarter – the only thing keeping the Joeys in it with some pivotal moments in defence.

Trailing by three points with less than a minute left on the clock, the ball fell to Geelong Falcons product Pennisi, who ducked an oncoming tackler and the umpire blew his whistle.

Under immense pressure, Pennisi coolly slotted the set shot from 30 metres out on a 45 degree angle to put his side in front, giving the crowd a big fist pump.

Ben Pennisi celebrates the goal that sealed Newtown's win. Picture: Alan Barber

The ball went back in the middle and not long after the siren rang out, with Newtown & Chillwell players and officials streaming onto the field in pandemonium as the Joeys players fell to the ground in despair after their devastating 7.8 (50) to 6.11 (47) defeat.

“I was just praying, I really wanted to kick that goal and I thought to myself, just relax, embrace the moment and just finish the goal because you know you can kick it,” Pennisi said post-game.

“I didn’t how long was left but I remember all the boys telling me to slow down and kick the goal and relax.

“As soon as I kicked it I sort of knew it was going to sail in, thought I might pump up the crowd and get us all going until the end.”

“It is amazing, it’s a kid’s dream and I couldn’t be happier.”

Their futures are extremely bright. Alfie and Boston are late developers, and as you’ve seen today they are really classy and really good with ball in hand.

Alfie just has unique talent, there is not a lot of things on a footy field that blokes can do that Alfie can do.

Whether it is flying for a mark or reading the play, once he gets all that consistency in his game he is going to be a super player.

Fingers crossed they go on with it and they can play some AFL footy.

Newtown & Chillwell coach Kaine Marsh said Pennisi’s matchwinning moment was reward for effort for the talent.

St Joseph's Xavier Paatsch after the siren. Picture: Alan Barber

“I’m really close with Benny, he has had a bit of an up and down season, he played a few Falcons games. He is an exceptional talent but he just continues to work so hard and he is really positive,” Marsh said.

“He got a bit down there in the middle of the season because he wasn’t getting a crack at Falcons level.

“But I was really confident when the ball was in his hands he would put it through because he is just such a beautiful kick at goal.

“I guess it is just fitting for the kid, he has probably been our best player all year, so for him to be in that position, it was sort of just fate.

“It was just an unbelievable moment and I said to him when he went back on, I said, ‘mate, play forward and be in the game. He put himself in the game and fortunate enough to get a free kick and the rest is history.”

But was it a free kick?

“Of course it was,” Marsh said with a wry smile.

“Reality is it’s a hard game to umpire, you watch the replay I’ve got no doubt both teams are looking at it going, ‘that was a free kick, that wasn’t a free kick’.

Pennisi wouldn’t be drawn on the decision.

“No comment on that one,” Pennisi said after a pause.

“The game’s the game, it happens.”

Jagger Mooney, Boston Riccardi, and Alfie Wojcinski back in 2022.

Sons of guns Jagger Mooney and Alfie Wojcinski both shone on the ground their dads Cam and David were beloved during their illustrious careers with Geelong. Cats great Peter Riccardi’s son, Boston, was also part of their premiership side.

Father-son hopefuls River Stevens — son of North Melbourne champion Anthony — and Noah Caracacella — son of Essendon, Brisbane and Collingwood star Blake — played in last year’s U18 premiership for the Eagles, with Caracella inelgible for the grand final because he had played too many games for the Falcons.

Mooney and Riccardi are draft eligible in 2025, while Newtown & Chillwell’s year marked the end of Wojcinski’s draft year.

Marsh was bullish on where the promising talents can get to.

“Their futures are extremely bright. Alfie and Boston are late developers, and as you’ve seen today they are really classy and really good with ball in hand,” Marsh said.

“Alfie just has unique talent, there is not a lot of things on a footy field that blokes can do that Alfie can do.

“Whether it is flying for a mark or reading the play, once he gets all that consistency in his game he is going to be a super player.

“Fingers crossed they go on with it and they can play some AFL footy.”

Charlie Nicholls starred up forward with three of Newtown & Chillwell’s seven majors as Jack Robinson willed his side in the midfield with a commanding second half.

For St Joseph’s Fergus Luke (two goals), Xavier Paatsch and skipper Kye Smith were constantly dangerous in the attacking half.

Originally published as Newtown & Chillwell secures U18 three-peat as Ben Pennisi the hero with goal in dying seconds after free kick