A look back over the Round 12 action in the under-16 to under-18 junior competitions.
Darebin remains atop the Under-18 Girls ladder after a 22-point win over third-placed Diamond Creek Women’s at Plenty Park Oval. The Creekers led for the first half before trailing by just two points heading into the final term, The Falcons then kicked three unanswered goals in the final term to seal the victory. Falcon star Tallia Pulcino had an outstanding game, capped with a major, while teammate Paije Kearney booted two. Maykaylah Appleby kicked a game-high three goals for Diamond Creek Women’s.
Montmorency remains a close second by percentage after a 35-point win over Research at Montmorency Park. The Searchers led at quarter time, before the Pies kicked 6.7 (43) in the to the Searchers 1.1 (7) after the first break. Bianca Keogh had an exceptional four-quarter performance for the Magpies, while teammates Ebony Harris and Jemma Laffey booted two majors each. Ashleigh Smith was awarded best for the Searchers and kicked the team’s only goal.
Eltham scored a closely-contested 10-point win over Whittlesea Panton Hill at Susan Street Reserve. Panton Hill led during the first quarter, before the Panthers kicked two unanswered goals in the second term to gain a lead. Emily Saunders from Eltham had a superb game and found a lot of the ball, while teammate Poppy Larsson kicked a game-high two goals. Rebekah Cullen-Hall was best for Whittlesea Panton Hall, while Tahlia Brander booted their only major.
Laurimar won its fifth game of the year, downing Northcote at Laurimar Reserve. The Power led at all terms to keep their finals hopes alive. Power star Isabelle Caputo had an outstanding game, while teammates Amber Doutch and Molly Burgess kicked two majors each. Despite the loss, Northcote’s Jamie Spangher and Alanah Namor played exceptionally well, with Namor booting a goal.
Research had a big win over Yarrambat at A.E Cracknell Reserve, in what proved to be the only one-sided game in a close round in the Under-17 competition. The Searchers put together two-impressive halves of football, with the aid of Benjamin De Bolfo who had a superb game. Teammates Joshua Yoannidis (5), Anthony Mrmacovski (4) and Lewis Tsourou (4) all kicked major goals. Josh Plummer was awarded best for Yarrambat and finished with a team-high four goals.
Eltham secured their finals position with a 17-point win over Diamond Creek at Coventry Oval. Jaryd Coen had an exceptional game for the Panthers, while teammates Daniel Owen and Jaden Collins booted two majors each. Diamond Creek’s Ethan Elkin was best for his side in defeat, while Alasdair Page, Jaspa Gook, Heath Phillips and Zack Ferguson all booted a goal.
South Morang won its first game of the year in a four-point thriller over Greensborough at Mill Park Lakes Reserve. The Boro trailed by 17 points at the last change and made a late push in the fourth quarter, but the Lions held on to open their account in 2019. Priyan Nades and Rayne Harrison were vital in getting the Lions over the line, while Alexander Aleksovski (3), Noah Dalmau (2) and Andrew Boccabella (2) all booted goals. Toby Brown best for Greensborough, while Aidan Pearse kicked four goals.
Montmorency also had a close win, beating Kilmore by five points at Montmorency Park North Oval. Less than a goal separated the sides at the end of each quarter, with the winning keeping the Magpies in finals contention. Toby Wright had an exceptional game for Montmorency, while teammates William Richardson and Max Hughes booted three majors each. Jared Crosbie performed best for the Blues, while Jordan Sullivan (3) and Jaden Smith (2) were major goal kickers.
The Under-16 Boys Blue had three games played out with no ladder changes at the top, with Yarrambat remaining first. The Bats defeated third-placed Montmorency in a closely contested four-point win at Yarrambat War Memorial Park. The Pies made a strong start and kicked five goals to one in the first quarter. Yarrambat closed the gap in the second and then kicked two unanswered goals in the third term to cut the margin to three points at three quarter time, before kicking away in the final term to secure the win. Cooper Scott played a major role and booted two majors for Yarrambat, while teammate Joel Fitzgerald also kicked two. Finn Penrose from performed best for Montmorency, while Ryan Edwards booted two majors.
West Preston-Lakeside had an eight-point win over Laurimar at J.E Moore Park. The Roosters led at all stages of the game as they look to make a late finals push. Jake Pulice had a superb game for the winning side, while Liam Hagen, Patrick Davies and Yusuf Himeidan all booted two majors. Walker Racovalis was named best for the Power, while Cody Bunworth kicked four goals despite his side going down.
Greensborough had a comfortable win over Mernda at Waterview Recreation Reserve to move a game clear in second spot. The Boro led by three points at the end of the first term before booting away thereafter. Benjamin Fisher and Daniel James both had outstanding games and finished with five goals each for the Boro. Demon Blake Harris tried hard for his team while Jack Fordham kicked four goals.
Whittlesea remains first on the Under-16 Boys Red ladder after recording a comfortable win over Mill Park at Redleap Reserve. The Eagles were on song from the outset and never slowed down in a commanding performance. Liam and Lachlan Hegarty were at their best, while teammate Jack Taylor booted six majors. Khoder Akkari was named best for the Stallions, while Jake Ratsakas kicked two goals.
Diamond Creek Women’s scored a 38-point win over Wallan at Coventry Oval. Diamond Creek led from the start and expanded on their lead as the game progressed. Joshua Simpson booted a major and played outstanding for Diamond Creek, who shared their eight goals between seven players. Wallan’s Anthony Totino was best for his team and also kicked a goal.
Research moved into the top-four at Eltham’s expense after securing a six-goal win over the Panthers at Eltham Central Park. Harvey Trippett from the Searchers had a huge impact on the ball, while teammates Sebastian Lay, Jarred Coutts, Finnbar Maley and Patrick Dozzi all booted two majors each. Alec Foster was best for the Panthers, while Taj Andreetta, Noah Theobald, Thomas Neale and Levi Gilbee all scored a goal.
Kilmore scored a 13-point win over Bundoora Park Thunderbolts at J.J Clancy Reserve in a high scoring game. The Thunderbolts led by four-points heading into the fourth quarter before the Blues kicked 3.5 (23) to the Bolts’ 1.0 (6). Jack Mckay was named best for the Blues, while Dayne Middleton and Corey Dennehy combined for seven goals. Louis Fiume worked hard for Bundoora Park, while Samuel Miller booted a game-high six majors.
Research took another step towards a first-place finish in the Under-16 Girls Blue with a win over Kilmore at J.J Clancy Reserve. Research led at all terms to improve their record to 10-2. This came with the help of Georgia Keenan and Brynne Timewell, who both played exceptionally well. Eight players contributed a goal for the Searchers. Mia Tolson was best in defeat for the Blues.
Greensborough had a closely-contested four-point win over Wallan at Anthony Beale Reserve. The Boro led by two goals at three-quarter-time before Wallan made a comeback. Victoria Lawrence, Emmison Zealley, Elly Huber, Ari Gosden and Dakota Gray De Jong all booted a major each as the Boro kept their finals hopes alive. Maddison Ford and Kasey Lennox played superbly for Wallan and booted two majors each.
Diamond Creek Women’s Red scored an eight-point win over Yarrambat at Plenty Park Oval to stay in the hunt for a second-place finish. The Bats led by three points heading into the final term before Diamond Creek Women’s booted an unanswered 1.5 (11) to secure the victory. Poppy Strickland, Olivia Garner and Tiana Richmond all booted a major for the Creekers. Chenara Rogers was best for the Bats, while Brooke Plummer kicked two majors.
Montmorency moved into fourth spot after beating Northcote at Montmorency Park. The Pies got off to a slow start going scoreless in the first term, they then kicked nine of the next 10 goals. Tayla Driver had an outstanding game for the Magpies and finished with three majors. Northcote’s Lulu Beatty performed best for her team, while Chloe Williams and Dillan Poihipi were the goal kickers.
In the Under-16 Girls Red, three games were played out with Eltham falling from first on the ladder to third as Whittlesea emerged as the new ladder-leader. The Eagles defeated the Panthers by 20 points at Susan Street Reserve to do so. Jade Ventura continued her great season for Whittlesea and finished with three majors, while fellow teammate Jessica Byrne booted two. Kasey Zrna was best for Eltham, while Alla Goodison and Remi Stickland kicked a goal each.
Diamond Creek Women’s Blue had a comfortable win over Mill Park at Kelynack Recreation Reserve. Diamond Creek Women’s led at all terms now sit in second spot on the ladder. Chloe Smith from had a superb game for the Creekers, while Grace Wake (3), Emily Coghlan (2), Leah Jones (2) and Imogen Hammond (2) all kicked multiple goals. Teagan Bell performed best for the Stallions, while Cara Mazzarella booted two majors.
Darebin had a comfortable win over South Morang at Mill Park Lakes Reserve. The Lions led at quarter time, but the Falcons took control over the next three quarters to clinch a finals place. Chanel Diab from the Falcons had an exceptional game, while Tayissa Tibos was the only player on the ground to kick two goals. Paris Gay was best for South Morang, while Marisa Visaggio booted the Lions’ goal.
