The under-16 team lost all four games along with the under-14s but all players showed potential with the wet weather causing games to be low-scoring across the day.

The youngest team on the day provided the best results, knocking off Portland Junior Football Association by five points but lost the remaining games to just miss out on qualifying for finals.

While all three teams missed out on finals, league chairman John Box said it was still beneficial for the players to be involved.

“The scoreboard doesn’t show everything on the day, I thought they represented the league very well both on and off the field,” he said.

“The coaches most definitely enjoyed it and have already put their hands up to do it again next year.

“The players also said they enjoyed it despite the heavy rain during the day.”

Junior players competed against other leagues in the western district with Hampden league teams winning the under-16 and under-14 finals while the Warrnambool and District Football League taking the under-12 honours.

Box said it was a good chance to test their skills out against other leagues and play in front of bigger crowds in the annual event coinciding with senior interleague fixtures.

“It is the only chance the players get to play in front of some of the scouts and show their skills on the field,” he said.

“As far as I am concerned, it is definitely something I want to keep going.

“I have been following these junior carnivals for quite a while now, I think it is up to 37 years I have been involved and it is always a fun thing for them to be involved with.

“Some of the teams have got a wider area to pull talent which obviously helps but it is a real test for some of them.”

The Mininera and district league season will resume on Saturday following the carnival with round six matches scheduled.