Welcome to Outer East Football Netball Yarra Valley Water Junior Grand Final Day 2025, at Mt Evelyn Recreation Reserve.
There is so much to celebrate today, the culmination of so much hard work by our players, coaches, committees, volunteers and parents/guardians.
Good luck to all sides playing today and well done to all teams whose season is now over. Thank you to all our Junior finals host clubs, your commitment to giving the players an opportunity to show their skills during our finals was fantastic.
This year we had more Junior participants than ever before and would like to thank each of the club’s committees for their effort in offering children the chance to enjoy the sport that we all love. We had fantastic numbers in our non-competitive competitions (Under 9 Wayalaks & Under 10’s).
Our Junior carnivals were a fantastic success with well over 500 up and coming players enjoying the carnival atmosphere. Thanks to both Yarra Glen JFC & Seville JFC for hosting.
Our junior competition does not only offer our participants an enjoyable place to play, but also offers a chance for a lot of children to become umpires. Without umpires we would not be able to play, so I would like to congratulate all our junior umpires, who officiated throughout the season.
To our Junior umpire mentors/coaches Georgia & Taylah, thank you for your effort in leading such a fine group of young boys and girls. Each week during the season we need to fill at least 60 games of junior football. I would like to thank Avi and add a special thank you to Georgia & Taylah who performed this task magnificently.
We re-jigged the Interleague program this season and it produced an immediate improvement. Thank you to all our coaches, support staff and most of all, all our players for their commitment and effort.
To all our OEFN staff, OEFN board members and Club Presidents, Thank you for your support during this season.
To Yarra Valley Water, the Official Hydration Partner of our Outer East Junior Footballers, thank you for your ongoing support and partnership.
Last but certainly not least, it has been a privilege watching our players enjoying their time playing with their mates and learning skills throughout the season. Well done to all our participants.
What an exciting time for this young group of underdogs who have finally started to put a season together over the last 6 weeks leading into finals. We as parents and a club couldn't be more proud of these girls and what they and their coach Vin have been able to achieve. Not many thought we would make it to the last game but we are here and have nothing to lose. Go Hawks
- Monbulk President Pj Donald
"It’s hard to put into words. These girls have poured their hearts into every training session, every game, every moment. They have grown as players and more importantly as people. And yes the big kids now have their own mini me’s. To be playing in the grand final is a dream come true, not just for the girls, but for every parent, coach and supporter who’s been along this journey. We’re so proud! This is what footy’s all about."
“Honoured and proud to be part of this team. YOUR TEAM WORK IS INSPIRING” - Healesville Coach Derek van Netten & Assistant Coach Jamie Derksen
“This season has been an incredible journey for the u11s from Upwey-Tecoma JFC.
Throughout pre-season we were not sure we would be able to field a team starting with just 13 players. We managed to scrap together enough to fill a team and with the help of the u10s and younger u12s We have played without a bench the whole season until our final last week where we had 1.
My group has been wonderful to coach, they listen and try their best at training and on game day every week and we slowly got better showing glimpses of excellent play. In Rnd.7 we found some belief winning a close game to get into the top 4. From there we have got better and better and better and now find ourselves in a Grand Final.
Regardless of the result this Sunday. My boys have learnt what can happen when you work on your skills, commitment to giving you best and to play as team. I couldn't be more proud of this group and how they play together and for each other.
Whatever happens this has been one of the great stories in footy from where we came from to where we ended and one of the most enjoyable seasons I've ever been involved in as a volunteer, coach or player." - Upwey Tecoma Coach Simon Broecker
TEAM LISTS
MATCH PREVIEW
Head-to-Head:
Emerald 1 – 0 Upwey Tecoma
Ladder position:
Emerald 1st (13 Wins 0 Loss)
Upwey Tecoma 3rd (10 Wins 3 Losses)
Previous Meeting:
Round 7 - Emerald 4.6 30 def. Upwey Tecoma 0.5 5
If our boys stick to the plan, believe in the process, and play with confidence, there’s no reason they can’t go all the way. They’ve earned this moment.
– Emerald Coach Paul Rodgers
Making the grand final this year is the result of a four-year journey with this great group of kids, I can't wait to see the smiles on their faces on game day, win or lose, I know they will have a blast! It is even more special coming up against our great mates at Emerald.
"The Wesburn U13 girls are pumped for the opportunity to play in the Outer East Grand Final in 2025. It’s been a year of development and growth having 10 new players join us this season. The girls have come so far and are firing on all cylinders and at the right end of the season! Win, lose or draw we are confident the Wessy girls will put their best foot forward on Sunday & give themselves the best chance to take out the flag! GO WESSY " –Wesburn Coach Josh Plunkett
"I am so incredibly proud of how hard the girls have worked to make it to their Grand-Final. Individually and as a team they have come together to build an amazing culture, work ethic and incredible sportsman ship. Their skill level has risen and all should be proud of their growth. Making it this far shows how determined the girls are. I'll say it again and again, I couldn't be prouder of this team! It will be a great game Sunday, I believe nice and close all the way to the end. Just how the coaches love it ." – Healesville Coach Jaimee Petersen
TEAM LISTS
MATCH PREVIEW
Head-to-Head:
Upwey Tecoma 3 – 0 Mount Evelyn
Ladder position:
Upwey Tecoma 1st (11 Wins 0 Losses)
Mount Evelyn 2nd (9 Wins 3 Losses)
Previous Meeting:
Round 12 - Mount Evelyn 4.3 27 def. By Upwey Tecoma 6.1 31
"Our boys have had another great season and have put in a lot of hard work on the training track. This is a great group of kids and a really special team. I'm so proud of the awesome team football they play together. We are really looking forward to the challenge Mt. Evelyn will give us this weekend as they have all year. It should be an exciting game and I hope our boys can finish the day with the win. Best of luck lads!" - Upwey Tecoma Coach David Van Hoorn
“Our boys are beyond excited and feel privileged to be part of this seasons Grand Final. They deserve to be here and have fought hard all year to earn this spot. We have worked throughout the season on our game plan that if we execute well, will give us victory” - Mount Evelyn Coach Steve Glenn
