2024 VAL Essendon Gift

The Essendon Gift, the third competition on the 2024 Victorian Athletic League calendar, featured Preston’s own Jordan Samson in the prestigious 200m Gift and Joe Liu in the 70m dash (both coached by Adrian Bertoli).

Joe Liu made his Victorian Athletic League debut in the highlighy competitive 70m dash, which featured 11 highly competitive heats. With a mark of 5m, Liu ran 8.175 to finish 5th in his heat.

Jordan Samson began his campaign, cruising to a win in heat 4, finishing with the second fastest heat time (20.660), securing himself a spot in the semi-final. Facing off against strong competition from 2022 Essendon Gift winner Chris Vi and Old Melbournian’s Conrad Coumaros, Samson fought his way into second-place in semi final 2 with a time of 20.941.

Having secured himself a spot in the final, Samson was lined up against the following athletes; Endale Mekonnen, Stuart Aberdein, Matt Dinan, Elijah Cross, Dash Muir, Conrad Coumaros and Finn Quinn. With a headwind of -2.7, Samson came out of the blocks strongly, and entered the straight neck and neck with Endale Mekonnen. With Mekonnen breaking away around the 50m mark, Samson dug deep to fend off the rest of the pack finishing 2nd (20.695).

Congratulations to Jordan and his coach Adrian Bertoli on the excellent results at the 2024 Essendon Gift. Thanks to Jim Bradley Speedball for sponsoring the 200m Gift.

A big thank you to Joe Liu (@schubau) for capturing photos of the Essendon Gift.

2024 Essendon Gift 70m Men’s heat. Video credit: My Sport Live.

2024 Essendon Gift 200m Men’s Final. Video credit: My Sport Live.