Take a look back at the Air Fusion junior football Grand Finals from our Under-16 to Under-18 competitions.
It was first against second in the Under 18 Girls Grand Final as Montmorency took on Diamond Creek Women’s at Coventry Oval. The Magpies had been unbeaten all season coming into the match and while the Creekers did their best to keep up, it was Montmorency who took control from the outset, keeping Diamond Creek Women’s goalless until the final term and finishing as 44-point winners, being crowned premiers after a terrific season. Highlights from the Magpies included Mary Robinson and Kira Lemire who booted five majors between them in a terrific effort. Alexis Baillie capped off a great individual campaign and was a standout for the Creekers once again.
Under 17.5 Blue saw a fourth meeting for the season between Yarrambat and Diamond Creek Blue at Waterview Recreation Reserve. A close contest in the first final set up what looked to be another good game between these two sides. But it was the Creekers who came out fast, taking a four-goal lead into the first quarter, and after an even second term, Diamond Creek went on with the job, kicking eight goals to one in the second half to win by 75 points. Liam Farrar was superb with three majors as was Kade Garraway who finished with four. Zac Little played a solid game for the Bats.
The Under 17.5 Red grand final had South Morang take on Greensborough at Eltham Central Park. With the Boro grabbing the win in the previous meeting with their opponents (second semi-final), the Lions looked to build from their preliminary final victory the week before. It was a tight first half, as a small Boro quarter time lead evened up by the main break, before South Morang went all out attack, kicking seven goals to two in the final two quarters to triumph by 30 points. Arnie Sui booted four majors to end his season with a great display down forward for the winning side while Ethan Edwards produced three majors at the other end for Greensborough.
The two top sides faced off in the Under 16 Girls Blue Grand Final as Research played Diamond Creek Women’s at Ben Frilay Oval. After a one-goal difference between the two sides in the second semi-final, a close game looked to be on the cards again at three quarter time, as the Creekers held a narrow four-point lead at the final break. But the Searchers couldn’t match Diamond Creek Women’s in the final term, finishing scoreless in the last quarter while the Creekers added two further goals to prevail by 16 points. Elisha Folino had a terrific match for Diamond Creek Women’s, kicking a game high three goals, while Research had multiple contributors around the ground despite the defeat.
The Under 16 Girls Red grand final saw Diamond Creek Women’s 2 clash with Eltham at Ben Frilay Oval. After winning straight through to the Grand Final the Creekers were hoping to continue their good form while the Panthers were aiming to conclude their terrific finals run from third place with a win. Eltham managed to produce a good start to the match, leading by 17 points at half time before a six-goal to one second half saw the Panthers claim the premiership with a 49-point victory. Scarlett Johnson booted another bag of three majors, helping Eltham to produce the victory while Abbey Eddington was one of the Creekers two goal scorers for the match, making it 18 for the season.
It was fourth placed Yarrambat who looked to claim one more scalp as they took on minor premiers Montmorency in the Under 16 Blue Grand Final at Coventry Oval. The momentum the Bats had built over the past fortnight translated into the first half of the decider, keeping up with the Magpies and taking a one-point advantage into the main break. Montmorency then went up another gear, kicking six goals to two in the final two quarters to finish 33-point victors. Sebastian Murphy was awesome once again as was Nick Canavan up forward who kicked four goals. The Bats had six individual goalkickers for their six majors.
The Under 16 Boys Red grand final had Research take on Laurimar at Eltham Central Park. It was the Power who claimed the win in the second semi-final meeting between the two sides but after a tight opening term, the Searchers dominated, extending their lead throughout and never looking back, finishing with 24 scoring shots while keeping Laurimar to just one more goal for the match to seal a 57-point premiership win. Joshua Northey led all goalkickers with three goals while Riley Kerr was an excellent contributor for the premiers. Aidan Goring was a standout for Laurimar with Lincoln Mason also impressing.
