Under 16s finals

Under 16 premiers Emerald: (L-R back) Tyler Ladner, Patrick Manson, Michael D’Argent, Harry Lang, Cory Johnston, Jack Thomas, Travis Gromer, Kalijah Asling, (3rd row) Drew Benson, Isaac Van Rossen, Jason Vallas, Sam Baiguerra, coach Danny Thomas, (2nd row) assistant coach Jamie Marshall, Rawley Van Haren, Tom Hill, Jai Kruithoff, Mitch Freeman, Max Novotny, Matthew Ferguson, Dean McCormick, Bryce Stuhldreier, assistant coach Mark Pedder (front) Tom Pauw, Jarrod Marshall, Bailey McCracken, Mark Gray, Jake Pedder, Connor Roma and Lachlan McCracken. 105092_19

By Kath Gannaway

EMERALD Under 16s topped of a spectacular DRJFL Grand Final series on Sunday pushing through a spirited Olinda Ferny Creek defence to take the 2013 premiership flag; their third in a row, by an eight-point margin in a game that could have gone either way.

Olinda came out at three-quarter time and pushed two goals through in minutes to take the lead but Emerald responded with a goal from a 50metre penalty, followed by another snap goal to come back into the game. Two early points brought the scores level at 47 points before Emerald’s Max Novotny took a screamer and goaled, followed by Olinda’s Lachlan Taylor came back with a goal. A goal from Emerald’s Harry Lang and a couple of points saw Emerald 8.13 to Olinda 8.5 on the final siren. Click View Gallery for more photos.