Broadford scored a 44-point home ground win over Yarra Junction on Saturday – a fitting reward for James Edwards who played his 300th senior game.
Senior coach Jayden Welch said it was ‘pretty special’ to win for Edward’s 300th.
“It was good to get the win for the old fella,” he said.
“Obviously he’s been a big part of our club and we probably owed it to him.
“He’s been at the club through thick and thin, so it was really good to get the win for him.”
Broadford controlled the game from the bounce and built on its momentum throughout the day to put its foot on the accelerator in the final term and take out a 15.19 (109) to 9.11 (65) win.
“It was a good game. We started a little bit slow but obviously we finished off pretty strong so we were showing good signs,” Welch said.
Kicking six goals to the Eagles’ two in the final term, Broadford put on a show, securing the sides first win at home in several years.
“Each quarter we kind of went over a couple of things. We knew what we did well and we knew what we needed to improve on. I think in the last quarter it kind of all just came together,” Welch said.
“We set goals for each quarter and we were close to reaching those goals [in] most quarters.
“I set a challenge for them in the last quarter to send a message to everyone that we can play some decent footy and they obviously did that so there’s some promising signs.”
Broadford best were captain Liam Lucas, youngster Charles Neilson, Adam Miles and vice-captain Josh Delaney down back, and Jake Hibbs-Hall.
Welch, with four goals, was also one the Kangaroos’ best.
Heading into Saturday’s match against Alexandra, Welch said the side would take some confidence out of Saturday’s last quarter.
“We know we can play and the style that we want to play,” he said.
“We’ll work on that and hopefully have a really good training week and take it into the game Saturday.
“Obviously it will be a big challenge with Alexandra – they’re a very good team, so it’s going to be a good weekend hopefully.”
Netball
Broadford’s A Grade netballers defeated Yarra Junction 56 to 32 in a great result for Broadford Ladies Day.
The Kangaroos lead 16 to six in the first quarter and headed into half time with a comfortable 11-goal lead.
Out of halftime Broadford had a dominating third quarter with top performances from shooters Renee Sari and Kate Berger to blow out the score 46 to 21.
Leah O’Dell played her first full game for the side and was named one of the best.
Broadford’s B and C grade teams also enjoyed wins, as did the Reserves football, making it a successful day for the club, who also hosted a Ladies Day function.
First Nations Round
Broadford will play Alexandra at home on Saturday for the Outer East League’s First Nations Round.
Broadford seniors and reserves footballers, and A grade netballers will wear First Nations jumpers and dresses designed by Taungurung artist and Elder Uncle Mick Harding.
Netball starts at 10.15am, reserves football at 12.10pm and Uncle Mick will perform a Welcome to Country ceremony before the senior match, at about 1.50pm.
Broadford Football Netball Club president Bonnie Cavanagh said everyone was invited to support the club and see the launch of the first First Nations uniforms as Broadford Marrams – Kangaroo in Taungurung language.
“NAIDOC is such a special week for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and as a proud Taungurung woman, I could not be more excited for our club to host a home game for First Nations round,” she said.
“The design process was incredible to lead alongside Uncle Mick, ISC Sport, Energetic Apparel, First Peoples Assembly of Victoria, and our merchandise manager Sarah Heers.
“From concept to putting the finalised jumper over my head, it was very fun yet quite emotional. This is not only club history in the making, but combines my family history and really, everyone’s shared history with the world’s oldest living continuous culture.
“We requested to play our neighbours in Alexandra, as the only other club within Outer East based on Taungurung Country and will no doubt provide some great contests across the board.”
The club will also pay respects to the Taungurung and broader Aboriginal community members in other ways, including a Treaty information stall.
Broadford Auskick participants will also play a half-time grid game coinciding with a president’s luncheon.
