Northern Football League

You would have been forgiven for thinking that you were at a regulation junior game. Smallish crowd, not much fanfare, and a game that was decided in the first quarter – pretty much line and length as far as Round 6 goes.

However last weekend’s Under 15 Red game between South Morang Blue and Yarrambat at the Lakes Boulevard, was far more significant than the previous description gives it credit for. For the three Salvatore brothers – Andrew, Christian, and Luke - who took the field for Yarrambat, the game signaled a remarkable milestone.

It’s a great achievement to play 100 games as an Under 15s player, but to have all three brothers playing their 100th game together in the same match, is a truly noteworthy feat.

The Yarrambat team made sure it was a memorable day for the Salvatore brothers, as they ran out comfortable winners 16.11 (107) to South Morang Blue 4.9 (33), despite being outscored in the last quarter.

Showing up early for the start of the match, I was surprised by the lack of celebration of the achievement and was second-guessing whether I was in fact in the right place. However, I have since been informed by Yarrambat spokesperson, Rob Windsor, that the run-through banner has been saved for this weekend’s home game against Wallan (1pm at Yarrambat).

Windsor praised the achievement of the boys and thought that the club couldn’t have been happier with what they have achieved.

“The Yarrambat Junior Football Club is one big happy family, and these kids are no exception; they are part of our family. To have any kid play their 100th is great, but to have three brothers in the one team, on the same day, is unheard of!” said Windsor.

“The boys all love playing footy at Yarrambat – they love their footy and they love their club. The 3 boys, just like their brother Jayden in the Under 12s, are just a beaut bunch of kids. Well mannered, determined – just nice kids.”

“The club is full of pride and happiness for the boys, and I guess knowing that junior football doesn’t get any better than at Yarrambat,” Windsor concluded with.

Congratulations to the boys for their achievements, hopefully they enjoy their homecoming this weekend and there are many more milestones along their journey in the Northern Football League and beyond.