The triumphant Avon Football Association Division 2 Country Football Champions.Players and coaches watch from the sidelines at Leederville Oval.
Camera IconThe triumphant Avon Football Association Division 2 Country Football Champions.Players and coaches watch from the sidelines at Leederville Oval. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Avon clean up at Country Week

Sophie Gabrielle, Avon Valley GazetteHills Avon Valley Gazette

The local representative team downed Ongerup in the Division 2 grand final by 12 points, 10.8 (68) to 8.8 (56).

Scott Siekierka from Northam Railways was best on field for the AFA, backed up strongly by Glen deBlecourt, James Turner, Cameron Doncon and Justin Russell.

Siekierka also won selection to the Country All Stars team, along with Cunderdin’s Troy Skilton.

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In a true team effort, James Venturini, Nathan deBlecourt and Todd Rogers each kicked two goals in the big final.

Earlier, Eastern Districts 13.6 (84) defeated Avon 11.5 (71) in round one of the carnival on July 11. Rogers booted four goals for the locals and Siekierka was again named best afield.

But the AFA turned around its fortunes in its July 12 clash with Central Wheatbelt, winning 14.5 (89) to (54) to qualify for the grand final.

Siekierka booted four goals and Skilton was best afield.

AVA coach Raymond Griffiths said all 27 players in the squad played an important part in the championship success.

‘I want to thank all the players, trainers and support staff for their help,’ Griffiths said.

‘The trainers were all volunteers and they deserve full credit for the work they put in.

‘Especially assistant coaches Murrey Doncon, Scott Stevens and Paul Giles, together with manager Matthew Stokes.

‘We were very fortunate to have Scott Stevens,’ Griffiths said. ‘He’s a local Kellerberrin boy who played for AFL teams Sydney and Adelaide and was more than happy to assist at Country Week. The guys took a lot from his coaching and football knowledge.’

Griffiths described the association’s first major victory since 2002 as ‘very exciting’.

‘It puts our association back in the Division 1, where is belongs,’ he said.

‘There is an opportunity now to draw more players because more people from Perth will consider coming to play for us.’

Griffiths said the players now shared a special bond from winning the prestigious championship together.

Hills bow out in Country Week: Page 35