Round 16
Round 16 dawned with some dark clouds on the horizon, and rain falling to sign off the season. Lots of games going on, and some of those important to determine the fairest and best, plus top of the ladder in some leagues.
Next week we have the LNJSA FIFA Cup Finals, with our U12 Legends, U13 Wyverns and YL Wanderers taking to the pitch hoping to bring home the trophy. Up The River!!
U8 Messi Kids
The Messi Kids’ last game of the season kicked off in the rain, with wet conditions never a problem for the enthusiastic players. Their opponents, the Capel Wolves, were worthy challengers, making the Messi Kids work hard in both defence and attack. With plenty of substitutions, all 11 players had a chance to showcase the skills they’ve been perfecting over the last five months.
Coach Trey has worked closely with each player, helping them understand their favourite positions and improve their ability to play as a team. This was clear in the game with a solid defence, active midfielders and strikers, and a goalie always on guard. Stand out moments of this final game were when Max and Ezra kicked long passes across the field (one a corner kick) to waiting teammates in front of the net, converting them into goals. But the main highlight was seeing every player get plenty of time with the ball and enjoying each moment on the field.
The Messi Kids have loved their second season together, with three new players fitting right in. Over the course of the season, they’ve grown in confidence and skill, both as individuals and as a team. A big thanks to team manager Krista and Coach Trey for their dedication to helping the kids develop and improve. The Messi Kids are already looking forward to next season!
U8 Magic
Magic wrapped up the season with a drenching, muddy, windswept home game against the Cornerstone Comets – and what a way to finish with so many reasons to celebrate throughout the match.
Remi was a brick wall in goals, pulling off so many incredible saves with a big smile. Oleg was brilliant up front as striker, scoring and lifting the team early. Mitch flew around with blistering speed while Charlie charged down the wing and dug in hard in defence. Zephyr lit up the forward line with some close strikes on goal.
Captain Mo drove the play with slick teamwork and sharp shots and Lucas tore through the middle at pace. Elbi was strong under pressure with solid clearances, and Sav made fearless spoils to shut down attacks.
Player of the Day was well earned by Mason, whose first-half goal and tireless effort throughout the match capped off a standout performance and solid season.
Magic’s passing and teamwork have come such a long way – proud parents roared from the sidelines as Magic finished the season on a high. Huge thanks to Coach James for guiding the journey. Go Magic!
U9 Raptors
The U9 Raptors final game was a ripper! Versing the Legends, the teams put all the skills learnt this year into action! Pressure in defence and some great goal set ups had all the parents cheering from the sidelines! POD were Coe, Nate and Louis.
U10 Serpents
The Serpents played with incredible energy and heart, working together beautifully on the pitch. It was so exciting to see all the skills, teamwork, and confidence they've built up over the season shine through in this last game.
Serpents, you should be so proud of yourselves! This season has been full of amazing moments watching you support each other, try your best even when things got tough, and improve week after week. You've shown what it means to be great teammates, and best of all, you've smiled and laughed while playing this amazing sport together. Congratulations on a wonderful season Serpents!
U12 Breakers
A sharp pass from Felix saw Isaac score the first goal in a cracking Derby game. Both teams put on a display of determination and skilful teamwork. The Legends strikers made the most of every opportunity to secure the win. Thanks to all of the sponsors for prizes this season.
U12 Stars
The last match of the season for The Stars on Saturday in Dunsborough against the DTFC Fury. Great to watch the team work together and really fight for the ball. Some great tackling which put the Fury under pressure in this tight game, with goals at both ends of the pitch. A great last game that The Stars should be proud of.
Player of The Day went to Isaac Mann who has shown constant effort not just in this weekend's game but all through the season.
U15 Tigers
The Sharks opened the scoring after an error high up in the Tigers’ defensive zone, turning over possession which led to a well-worked goal. Sharks 1-0.
Tigers responded with pressure. Alex launched a shot that forced a good save from the Shark goalkeeper. Benji followed up with a near miss—his kick sailed just over the crossbar.
Then Sharks struck again: a clever pass sent their striker through on goal. With one-on-one pace, he beat the keeper and slotted home. Sharks 2-0.
Tigers didn’t fold. A set piece corner induced chaos in front of the Sharks goal. From the
scramble, Riley delivered a sharp pass to Alex, who finished brilliantly. Sharks 2-1.
Tigers’ momentum built: Charlie stood firm with several strong defensive plays, Luca made dangerous runs down the wing and almost found the net, Arie battled in midfield with energy, and Alex and Riley combined well in midfield in several give-and-goes. Riley’s midfield pass to Alex resulted in a shot that was deflected by a defender—just narrowly missing. The goalkeeper Levi made what would be the “save of the match,
punching away a thunderous strike. Alex then rattled the crossbar with another effort before the whistle. Half‑time: Sharks 2-1.
Second Half
Positions shifted: Riley went into goal while Levi moved forward into attack. Early in the half, Riley produced another crucial save from a point‑blank effort by Benji, then smothered the rebound to avert danger. Levi had a strong offensive presence, winning a corner and firing a close shot; Tigers seemed to be pushing for the equaliser.
The Sharks countered with persistent pressure. After a corner that was cleared, another set piece nearly paid off for them. A penalty was awarded to Benji—but his effort went over the net.
The Sharks then struck again on the break: following a quick transition, a shot from just outside the crease made it through to the net. Sharks 3-1.
Tigers kept fighting. Arie almost scored, but just missed. The Sharks hit the crossbar off a free kick which was cleared by Ben. The game, all told, was fairly even in effort though Sharks more clinical at key moments. In the closing stages, Tigers mounted a final offensive push. A corner led to a free kick, from which Alex curled a low shot into the net.
YL Blaze
Round 16. Last game of the season, and it was going to be a tough one as we met the top of the ladder Cornerstone at home. Both teams we playing some great football with the ball moving up and down the pitch. Henry making some impressive saves in goals, Poom clearing the ball out and Asha taking the Cornerstone boys on. Kai was making drives up the pitch, and Kade was in the thick of it, but neither team able to finish for the all important goal. Lisa running up and down making intelligent passes. Tilly getting in there as well. Caspian did a perfect sliding tackle on the line. The Toblerone is up for grabs, and he is a strong contender. Sid had a powerful strike on goal, but was saved by the keeper.
Cornerstone managed to break through our defences and slipped one past Henry to get the opening goal. A play up by Sonny gave us a chance, but not able to finish. Charlie working hard down the line. In our defensive end, there was a hard strike by Cornerstone, but it was stopped in its tracks by Henry. Phew! They managed to get one in soon after though unfortunately. William was in the thick of it as was Sonny with both boys chasing down that ball. A call from our goals of “Henry’s ball” as he punted it up the pitch. Good pressure by Sid gave us a throw in, but no goal.
Digby came on, immediately putting his player under pressure. Poom’s free kick on target to curve in but saved by a header from Cornerstone. A nice passage of play gave Jahli a shot, but another that was saved. Then a pass up by William gave us our first thanks to Sid sure foot. Woooohooo! Kai and Kade had a run up which resulted in a corner. Perfect shot by Sid gave Kade a chance to head it in to even the score 2 all. Cornerstone had a penalty to them, but not on target. Whistle blew just after to finish the first half with the score even.
Second half. A brilliant pass by Sid to Kai giving us a good chance but not able to finish. Another big save by Henry, ended in our forward half with a chance for Sid, but Blaze not able to finish. Double corner gave us more opportunities, but no goal to us. Another save by Henry. A free kick on the half way line. Taken by Will good chance and on target, but saved again. Both goalies were getting a work out that’s for sure.
A Penalty to Cornerstone gave them the lead. Play by Poom gave us a chance. Cornerstone shot body blocked by Will. Both teams had chances at both ends, but not able to finish it off. Another body block, this time by Kade. Unluckily for us, they got another with the ball bouncing off Henry’s gloves and going in to give them a 2 goal lead. Next run by theirs strongly blocked by Henry. Their keeper came out and Kai got round him, but his shot hit the cross bar. Rebound and a lot of pushing and shoving in the box but didn’t go our way.
Another penalty to them. All on tenterhooks. Henry delivered with a strong block. Corner to them but we got the rebound. Giving Kai a chance. Corner to us. No score. Cornerstone handball gave us a free kick, but shot went high and over. Up our end Henry came out and saved. Rebound also saved but they got it in after a battle for the ball. Our corner. Kade header hit Cornerstone player giving us another corner, but no dice. Kai wanting in on the toblerone tackle action with a strong slider. The whistle blew with Cornerstone taking out the win in what was a good game with both teams playing hard in the last round of the 2025 season.
Coach Matt was happy with our game, saying we still created opportunities cities right to the end. We are one of the youngest teams in the league, and we have finished at the top of that list. We will go on to next season as a more senior team. We have played some brilliant football this season and it’s a credit to you all.
POD today went to Kai, to recognise his contribution throughout season. Started as centre back, and ended as a lethal striker.
Toblerone Tackle of the day to Cass for his brilliant tackle on the line.
Goal of season went to Henry for his Beckham moment, hitting the goals from just inside our defensive end, early in the season.
Also to Sid for scoring some really crucial goals in our Redbacks game, with a great strike that was very clinical.
Honourable mention for Kade for his “Messi moment” today.
Well done Blaze. You’ve shown yourselves to be a great team over the season, playing with heart and as a team. I think all of us parents look forward to seeing what you do next year.
YL Wanderers
Wow! How did the season go so quickly.
The final round of the regular season and Margaret River are hosted by Geo Bay in Busselton. Torrential rain on the drive up guaranteed a slippery deck for a game both teams were eager to win to end off the season.
The ref blows the whistle to get us under way and the Geo players were looking a little like their minds were elsewhere but then within minutes they have put the ball in the back of Margaret Rivers net. The tempo increased from then on, and it was a fairly even battle for the majority of the game with both teams getting chances, maybe even more so for the The Wanderers but they just couldn’t convert.
1-0 down after half time and it was more of the same arm wrestle style of game made harder by the slippery conditions. The Margs boys kind of started to lose their shape and had a couple of near misses with Cohen being left to deal with some pressure cooker moments and luckily coming away on top just in time with the trademark slide tackle.
Not too far from full time and we were likely thinking the end result would be an unfortunate loss. Enter a text book lob cross into the box from Saxon, confusion for Geo Bay when Ryder gets free to head the cross into the back of the net. 1-1 game on, let’s GO! The last 5-10 min were a mad scramble to get another goal but neither team were able get on top so we end the final game 1-1 draw.