Coming into the 2016 Junior Vic Bowl there were two story lines unfolding. The first was the Melbourne Uni Lions going for a 3-peat which has never been done in Victoria at the junior level, the second was the Monash Warriors going for a perfect season.
During the regular season when the two teams met in week two it resulted in a low scoring mistake filled escape for Warriors who won 12-6, making for a fantastic Vic Bowl match up.
The Warriors got off to a good start taking an early 14-0 lead at the end of the first quarter. In the second quarter, both teams offenses struggled to make any impact on the scoreboard until the Warriors defense late in the quarter took a Lions fumble back for touchdown giving the Warriors a 20-0 lead going into half time.
The Lions needed to close the gap on the scoreboard quickly but the Lions could not find the endzone with the 3rd quarter closing the Warriors added another touchdown giving them a 28-0 lead going into the 4th quarter.
The Lions finally found the endzone and reduced the Warriors lead making the score 28-6 but this would be as close as the Lions would get. The Warriors added two more touchdowns and run out easy winners 42-6 giving them the perfect season and their 3rd junior championship.
The season MVP awards were announced at the conclusion of the Under 19’s Vic Bowl on Saturday afternoon.
2016 Awards
Most Valuable Player
Masi Lua (MUGC Lions)
Offensive MVP
Howard Elisaia (MUGC Lions)
Defensive MVP
Chevy Edwards Silverbacks
Offensive Line MVP
Pradeep Rethnam (Monash Warriors)
Defensive Line MVP
Divine Schwenke (MUGC Lions)
Rookie of the Year
Akapei Pua (Pakenham Silverbacks)
Coach of the Year
Callum Marini (Monash Warriors)
2016 All Victorian Under 19’s Team
Congratulations to the following players selected to the 2016 All Victorian Under 19’s Team:
All Victorian Offense
Quarterback: Tom Veale (Rangers)
Wide Receiver: Benjamin McGaw (Warriors)
Wide Receiver: James Dall (Rangers)
Slot Receiver: Isaac Kelly (Crusaders)
Tight End: Anton Maksoutov (Warriors)
Right Guard: Pradeep Rethnam (Warriors)
Left Guard: Lloyd Samau (MUGC Lions)
Centre: Brendan Wright (Predators)
Tailback: Howard Elisaia (MUGC Lions)
Fullback: Faa Mulipola (Silverbacks)
Utility: Simon Sesay (Raiders)
All Victorian Defense
Defensive NT/DT: Akapei Pua (Silverbacks)
Defensive End: Johnathan Letoga (MUGC Lions)
Defensive End: Divine Schwenke (MUGC Lions)
Linebacker: Masi Lua (MUGC Lions)
Linebacker Conor Merrigan-Turner (Rangers)
Linebacker Ryan Jensen (Raiders)
Linebacker/SS: Dmitri Maksoutov (Warriors)
Cornerback: Jed Melican (Warriors)
Cornerback: Zac Lucas (Raiders)
Free Safety: Kyle Spiliopoulos (Predators)
Utility: Chevy Edwards (Silverbacks)
All Victorian Special Teams
Returner: Benjamin McGaw (Warriors)
Punter: Boston Closter (Predators)
Kicker: Damon Acquaviva (Raiders)
