A look back over the Round 12 action in the under-16 to under-18 junior competitions.
In Own Journey Travel Under 18 Girls, Research defeated Whittlesea by 25 points at A.F. Walker Recreation Reserve. Milla Fereday kicked all four majors for the Searchers, while Molly Mccormack performed exceptionally. Bella Feutrill-Finlay was best for the Eagles.
Montmorency continued its undefeated streak with a big win over Yarrambat at Montmorency Park South Oval. Georgia Thomson led all goal scorers with four goals for the Magpies, while Taylah Manson had a solid four-quarter performance. Kyla Parry performed best for the Bats.
Diamond Creek Women’s showed why they are second on the ladder with an impressive outing against Wallan/Kilmore at Wallan Recreational Reserve. Lauren Durante continued her impressive goal kicking season, with another five majors. Claudia Snowden was best for Wallan/Kilmore.
Laurimar defeated fourth-placed Eltham in a closely competed game at Susan Street Reserve. Taylah Curavic and Alexander Pronesti both kicked two majors each for the victors, while Kiera Hunter had a solid four-quarter performance. Shannyn Ashby performed best for the Panthers.
In Under 17 Boys, top of the ladder Greensborough comfortably defeated Whittlesea at Anthony Beale Reserve. Bayley Blakeley and Kyle Johnson both kicked four majors for Boro, while Jack Duncan capped a strong performance with a goal. Dylan Hoystead and Jesse Ellks combined for six of the Eagles’ seven majors.
Rangers won their fifth game with a nine-point triumph over West Preston-Lakeside at Yarrambat War Memorial Park. The Roosters led by 16 points into the last quarter, but the Rangers booted five goals to one in the final term to take the win. Luke De Goldi and Ben Smith kicked two majors each and performed exceptionally well. Nicholas Sassine played well for the Roosters.
Diamond Creek defeated Mernda for an important win at Coventry Oval. Mernda trailed by just a point going into the half time break, but the Demons were too strong in the second half with eight goals to one. Dylan Addis led the way, kicking five majors. Jacob Russell was named the best player for Mernda.
South Morang was too good for Kilmore/Wallan at J.J Clancy Reserve. Kain Hall kicked an astounding eight goals, with great support from Blake Fitzgerald, who kicked five, while Josh Lansfield kicked four. Zane Doyle and Rhys Barber never stopped trying for Kilmore/Wallan.
Montmorency defeated Mill Park by six points in a close top-four match at Montmorency Park North Oval. Jesse Thompson and Patrick Playfair were exceptional for the Magpies, while Koby Davies kicked three majors. Lawrence Lopiccolo performed best for Mill Park, while Matthew Volpe booted three goals.
In Under 16 Blue, top of the table Laurimar again performed well against Diamond Creek at Laurimar Reserve to score its ninth win of the season. Dylan Grattan and Anthony O’Sullivan kicked two majors each, with O’Sullivan and Ayden El-Leissy named best afield for the Power. Kaleb Richmond stood out for the Creekers.
Research moved into fourth place on the ladder by beating West Preston-Lakeside at A.E Cracknell Reserve. The Searchers kicked seven goals to one in the first half to race to a big half-time lead, before a much more competitive second half. Jai Murtagh was best for the Roosters.
Eltham took a close 13-point win over Mill Park at Redleap Reserve Down by two points at the last change, the Panthers kicked three of the last four goals to win. Declan Ayres produced and outstanding performance for the Panthers, along with Liam Doumtsis. Jake Nikolov kicked three majors for the Stallions, while Mitchell Mcnamara also played well.
In Under 16 Red, Yarrambat took a two-goal victory over ladder-leader Mernda at Yarrambat War Memorial Park. The duo of Nicholas Green and Bailey Sobol struck again, with Green kicking seven goals and Sobol backing up with another impressive performance. Connor Miller and Riley Kennedy performed best for the Demons.
Kilmore led by less than a goal at every break to take a nail-biting three-point victory over a gallant Greensborough at J.J. Clancy Reserve. Ben Cook’s three majors were important for the Blues, who were also well served by strong games from alongside Angus Hart and Thomas Dando. Luke Corda was best on ground for Boro, while William Brennan kicked three goals.
Montmorency scored its fourth win of the season in a comfortable result over South Morang at Mill Park Lakes Reserve. Montmorency came out strong in the first quarter, with five goals, to set up an early led. This win came with Max Hughes kicking four majors and Jake Doyle performing superbly. Finnen Hoare was best for the Lions.
In Under 16 Girls Blue, ladder-leader Montmorency defeated West Preston-Lakeside by 20 points at Montmorency Park North Oval. Ella Peatling was the Magpies best player in the win, while Taylah Harris and Marlo Gardam both kicked two goals. Katina Nedelkos performed best for the Roosters.
Diamond Creek Women’s took a comfortable win over Yarrambat at Plenty Park Oval. The Creekers were dominant in the opening three quarters, while the Bats finished well with a strong fourth quarter. Leah Jones, Zoe Lazenkas and Laila Zayat all kicked two majors, while Zayat was named as her side’s best. Teah Reichert was a standout for Yarrambat.
South Morang kept its finals hopes alive by beating Research by 13 points at Mill Park Lakes Reserve. The Lions kept Research goalless in the second quarter to turn a nine-point deficit into an eight-point lead. Lions star Alyssa Bannan kicked two majors and Eboni Donnelly performed exceptionally well. Mia Robertson performed best for the Searchers.
In Under 16 Girls Red, Diamond Creek Women’s took a nail-biting two-point win over Hurstbridge at Ben Frilay Oval. This came with Chloe Lamb kicking three majors and Chloe Margetts performing superb for the Creekers. Tanisha Gerke and Mikayla Mott combined for six of Hurstbridge’s seven goals.
Panton Hill drew with Eltham at A.E Cracknell Reserve. Remarkably it was the Panthers second-consecutive draw, after finising level with Boro before the bye. Tiana Cooper and Rylee Smith were best on ground for their respective teams.
Ladder-leader Boro Bolts continued its impressive season with a comfortable win over Darebin Falcons at Anthony Beale Reserve. Emmison Zealley produced a dominant game and finished with five majors. Tjala Rowlands was named the Falcons best player.
Northcote had a 33-point win over Wallan at McDonnell Park. This came with Ellouise Bishop performing outstandingly and kicking three majors. Toni Gussenhoven was awarded best for Wallan after her strong efforts.
