Let’s take a look back at last weekend’s junior results, where competition resumed post-grading.
In the Under 18 Girls competition, Diamond Creek Womens got back on the winners list, beating Epping by 61 points. Darebin Falcons Womens beat Mernda by 44 points at Mernda Recreation Reserve. But that was as close as it got for the competition as Montmorency and South Morang recorded enormous wins against Lalor Stars and Hurstbridge respectively. Lion Lauren Stewart had a big day out, kicking 15 goals against the Bridges.
In the Under 17 Blue competition, Montmorency and South Morang fought out a tight encounter at Montmorency Park, with the Magpies getting over the line by two points. After leading for most of the day, Montmorency was only able to score three behinds for the final term as South Morang came charging home. However, the Lions weren’t able to quite pull off a comeback victory, as the Magpies, led by Cameron Simpson, Ethan Miller-Gaff and Tom Davis held on. That was the closest it got for the competition as Diamond Creek and Research both recorded wins by over 60 points against West Preston and Epping respectively.
After dropping down from the Blue division, Northcote recorded its first win of the year in the Under 17 Red competition, beating Wallan by 50 points. Led by Alex Williamson who kicked four goals and Mohammed Saad who chipped in with three, Northcote never looked in doubt despite a sluggish start. Eltham continued its positive start to the year, romping to victory in a one-sided game at Mill Park. Hurstbridge and Diamond Creek also recorded wins, beating Whittlesea and Diamond Creek in close encounters to round it out the competition.
In the Under 16 Blue competition, an undermanned South Morang beat Mill Park in the rematch of last year’s grand final. In a top of the table clash, the Stallions stayed with the Lions for the majority, trailing by just three points at the final break. However, a fourth quarter resurgence from the Lions saw them run away with a 31-point away win. Eltham and Research also recorded wins, beating Montmorency and Epping in tight games.
In an eagerly awaited game, South Morang upset Under 15 Blue powerhouse Epping, to the tune of 44 points away from home. Nathan Viotto and Michael Montesano each bagged three goals as they led the way in the important win against the same side they lost to just a fortnight ago. Elsewhere, Greensborough beat the recently promoted Research by 66 points. West Preston-Lakeside was the other winner after it stormed home against Wallan, having trailed the whole day, to win by 15 points. Led by Ethan Penrith winning the hard ball and Thomas Grecco kicking four goals, the Roosters played the better footy when it counted the most.
The reduced Under 15 Red competition saw Yarrambat record a big win over Whittlesea, at Yarrambat Memorial Park. The Bats were led by Spencer Fraumano, who kicked four goals for the game, all in the first half. Diamond Creek also recorded a big win over Montmorency at Montmorency Park by 67 points.
In the newly created Under 15 Green competition, Bundoora Park recorded its first win of the year, beating a much improved Keon Park side by 25 points. The Bolts were led by Jack Ferlazzo, who kicked eight goals for the day and Liam McLeod, who provided a leading target up forward, kicking two for the day, and a great hand in the ruck. Mill Park also recorded a big win against Epping away from home.
South Morang kept its unbeaten run alive in the Under 14 Blue competition after it accounted for Laurimar Black by 66 points at Mill Park Lakes Reserve. Montmorency also recorded a big win over Epping. West Preston-Lakeside was the other winner in the competition, after it handed Eltham its second loss in a row, beating the Panthers by nine points in a close game at Eltham Central Park. Despite trailing at the last break, the Roosters were able to finish strongly, kicking four goals to one in the final term. They were led by Max Keith and Brad Hexter who each kicked three goals, while Jaylon Williamson played a leading hand in the middle.
In the Under 13 Blue competition, South Morang maintained its winning way and ended Montmorency’s two-game winning streak in a 75-point result. Whittlesea was too good for the recently promoted Bundoora Park at Bundoora Park Oval, while Greensborough was the other winner of the round, beating Epping by four goals at Beale Reserve.
The Under 12 Blue competition saw Research break Eltham’s undefeated start to the year, beating the Panthers by 15 points at Eltham Central Park. The other game of the round saw South Morang Blue beat Mill Park comfortably at Kelynack Reserve. The Stallions were never able to work their way into the match, managing just two behinds for the game.
Yarrambat kept its unbeaten run intact in the Under 11 Blue competition, beating Montmorency by 44 points at Yarrambat Memorial Park. South Morang Blue was able to overcome inaccurate kicking as it beat Eltham by 13 points, despite kicking 17 behinds for the day. Meantime, Epping beat Greensborough by 10 points in a very close contest at Beale Reserve.
Good luck to all teams this week as they take to the field in Round 6 of the 2014 NFL junior season.
