A look back over the Round 5 action in the under-16 to under-18 junior competitions.
Eight teams battled it out in the Under-18 Girls this week with top-team Montmorency remaining undefeated after a 33-point win over Research at Montmorency Park North Oval. The Searchers made a great start and led by 13 points at quarter time. They remained within two scores at three quarter time until the Pies kicked four unmatched goals in the fourth term. Ebony Harris led all goal scorers, booting three majors for the Magpies while Shelby Coall performed exceptionally well over four quarters. Ella Gray performed best for Research.
Darebin scored a thrilling four-point win over Diamond Creek Women’s at A.H Capp Reserve, which included a late fourth quarter surge from the Creekers. Jaydah Hope, Stephanie Elarmaly and Gabby Cleeman all booted a major each for the Falcons, while Alexandra Maccarone played superbly. Diamond Creek Women’s Gemma Spencer led all goal scorers with two majors, while Lauren Durante also kicked a goal.
Eltham defeated Whittlesea Panton Hill in another closely contested battle at A.F Walker Recreation Reserve. The Panthers trailed by 12 points heading into the final term before kicking two unanswered goals to win the game. Eltham’s Cassandra Schnaars, Sydney Passey and Poppy Larsson all kicked a goal and aided Rhiannon Sinclair’s stellar four-quarter display. Whittlesea Panton Hill’s Charlee Brander led all goal scorers with two goals, while Kasey Hodge was the team’s best player in defeat.
Laurimar had a comfortable win over Northcote at McDonnell Park. The Power led at all breaks and did not show any signs of slowing down. Power star Mikayla Kotas booted three majors and performed exceptionally well. Northcote’s Georgia Vavala-Minnis and Ava Menzies kicked a goal each, while Georgia Warncken had an outstanding game.
Four matches were played in the Under-17 Boys while Eltham had the bye this week, Montmorency kept its undefeated streak alive with a 35-point win over Yarrambat at Montmorency Park South Oval. Bronson Hill was great for Montmorency with three majors and hada major impact on the ball, while teammate Liam Chilcott also booted three majors. Nicholas Green performed best for the Bats with two goals, while Konnar Adam who also booted two majors.
West Preston-Lakeside won a high-scoring game against Greensborough at Anthony Beale Reserve by 11 points. The Roosters were down by two points at three-quarter time and made a hard fourth quarter push to secure the victory. Jasper Dang-Lynch led all goal scorers while having a huge impact on the ball for West Preston-Lakeside, while teammates Mark Daher, Charbel Khoury and Lukas Moris all kicked two majors. The Boro’s Aidan Pearse, Luke Corda and Adam Connor all booted two majors each, while Mason Glenn performed exceptionally well.
Top of the ladder Research had a very comfortable win against Diamond Creek at A.E Cracknell Reserve. The Searchers had nine goal scorers, with Jackson Hasler leading the way with four majors. Jaydan Woropjow had an outstanding four-quarter performance. Zack Ferguson booted three majors for Diamond Creek, while Alasdair Page performed well.
Kilmore won on the road, downing South Morang at Mill Park Lakes Reserve. Joshua Eyre had a big day for the Blues with five goals, while Jordan Sullivan excelled in the victory. Alexander Aleksovski and Levi Rowe kicked two majors each for South Morang, while Noah Dalmau played a superb game with a huge impact on the ball despite the final result.
The Under-16 Blue Boys had three games be played with Diamond Creek having a bye. Montmorency took a gripping 11-point win over Greensborough at Montmorency Park South Oval. The Pies led by only two points at the start of the fourth quarter before breaking away with 3.5 to 2.2 in the last quarter. Brock Binion was best afield for the Magpies, while Zane Williams led all goal scorers with three majors.
Undefeated Laurimar continued its winning streak in a high-scoring shootout against Mernda at Laurimar Reserve. The Power had 11 goal scorers, with Walker Racovalis, Luke Jackson and Kaiden Arthur booting three. Luke Jackson was named best in the win. Riley Cantwell-Golland had a superb game for Mernda, while Riley Smith and Ryan Taylor booted three majors.
Yarrambat scored a big win against West Preston-Lakeside at Yarrambat War Memorial Park. Joel Fitzgerald continued his good form in front of the big sticks and booted six majors, while Ross Hatzis kicked four. Kyle Kankaanpa and Brandon Muse both had major impacts. Ned Perin tried hard for the Roosters, while Patrick Davies, Ross Puma and Aidan Taleb all booted a major.
In the Under-16 Red Boys, there were four games all close and hard fought. Bundoora Park Thunderbolts had a big win over ladder-leader Whittlesea at Bundoora Park Oval. Cooper Ward-Davies and Kaylan Memis led all goal scorers with three majors each, while Luke Green played exceptionally well to help get his team over the line. Jack Hegarty and Harrison Lehner both performed well for the Eagles.
Eltham defeated Wallan at Wallan Recreational Reserve and showed no signs of slowing down through four quarters of play. Eltham kicked 10 goals for the game, made up from 10 different goal kickers. Harry Smith and Jacob Holmes both had superb gams in the 29-point triumph. Wallan’s Brandyn Macdougall led all goal scorers with two major,s while Damon Anderson played well.
Kilmore had a come-from-behind win against Hurstbridge at Ben Frilay Oval. The Blues were down by 21 points at half time but booted eight goals to one in the second half of the game. Dayne Middleton helped the Blues’ comeback, kicking six majors, while teammate Tom Martin also had an outstanding performance. Jack Butterfield was best for Hurstbridge.
Research overcame inaccuracy to beat Mill Park at Redleap Reserve, winning 8.24 to 5.9. Jarred Coutts booted two majors in the Searchers’ win, while Oscar Lam had a superb four quarters. Gadier Ahmad led all goal scorers with three goals for the Stallions and also found plenty of the football.
The Under-16 Girls Blue had four games with undefeated Greensborough remaining undefeated after winning away against Wallan at Wallan Recreational Reserve. The Boro led at every change and stretched their lead late with four unanswered goals in the fourth term. Wallan’s Maree Stephenson booted a major and played exceptionally well.
Montmorency had a comfortable win over Northcote at McDonnell Park, The Pies did not show signs of slowing down, with the help of Marlo Gardam and Charli Luke who each kicked three majors each and played great games. Northcote’s Kayla Papadimitriou was her side’s best player in defeat.
Research scored an away win with a 41-point triumph over Kilmore at J.J Clancy Reserve. Tarrah Delgado and Sheridan Blizzard booted two majors each, while Mia Klaic and Monique Ramsay led the way for the Searchers.
Diamond Creek Women’s Red had a breakaway win over Yarrambat at Plenty Park Oval after trailing in the first half. The Creekers’ kicked the last five goals to win, with Tiana Richmond the leading goal kicker with three majors. Kayla Mingione was best for the Bats, while Brooke Mason kicked two goals.
The Under-16 Girls Red had three games, which included Diamond Creek Women’s Blue scoring a comfortable win over South Morang at Plenty Park Oval. Imogen Hammond and Milly Manson booted four majors each for the Creekers, while Grace Wake also had a great game. Kelsea Bannan from the Lions played exceptionally well despite the loss.
Whittlesea moved to the top of the ladder with a 16-point win over Darebin at A.F Walker Recreation Reserve. Jade Ventura starred for the Eagles and booted five majors, while Selenay Yaman also had a big impact on the final result. Mia Hass booted three majors for the Falcons, while Jasmine Wilson tried hard for four quarters.
Eltham claimed a 14-point win over a fast-finishing Mill Park at Susan Street Reserve. The Stallions outscored the Panthers in the third and fourth terms, but the Panthers red-hot start ensured they claimed the win. Alysha Rowe led all goal kickers with three majors for the Panthers, while teammate Jasmine Davis-Hill was best in the victory. Ruby Pantisano booted two majors for the Stallions, while Ivana Pecanac helped lead the late comeback.
