A look back at the first week of Air Fusion junior football finals action in our Under-16 to Under-18 competitions.
The Under 18 Girls finals campaign kicked off with the first semi-final between Yarrambat and South Morang at Ben Frilay Oval. The last meeting between these two sides in Round 10 saw the Bats claim a tight seven-point win and a close encounter was again expected between these two sides. But it was Yarrambat who proved too strong on Sunday, keeping the Lions goalless until three quarter time on their way to a 22-point win to move to the preliminary final. Matilda Fitzgerald was a standout for the Bats and was one of five individual goalkickers for her side, while the Lions’ only goalkicker in Amina Keegan was named as South Morang’s best.
The unbeaten Montmorency battled it out with Diamond Creek Women’s in their second semi-final at Ben Frilay Oval. The ladder leading Magpies led by just seven points at quarter time but did not concede another goal for the remainder of the match, going on to produce a comfortable 55-point win. The minor premiers had eight individual goalkickers for their nine majors, with one of those contributors in Hannah Scott, playing an outstanding game. Also impressive was Jemma Gersh while Brianna Cowley had a great game for the Creekers despite the defeat.
In Under 17.5 Blue, Eltham and Montmorency kicked off the finals series at Waterview Recreation Reserve. The Panthers finished two games clear of the Magpies but struggled to find the lead throughout their finals match. The more accurate Magpies finished with five less scoring shots than their opponents, but still managed to finish 15-point winners in a terrific performance. Jake Woodward was massive for Montmorency, kicking a season high of four goals in a dominant display. Miller Worthy finished as the Panthers’ best and kicked two of their four goals for the game.
The second semi-final saw Diamond Creek Blue take on Yarrambat at Waterview Recreation Reserve. Their two games in 2023 had a combined margin of just 10 points, making this a highly anticipated final. The Creekers threatened to run away with the game by half time, establishing a 19-point lead, before the Bats fired back to trail by four at the final change. Eight majors were kicked between the two sides in the last term, with Diamond Creek Blue holding their lead to win by six points. Four majors each from Kade Garraway and Archie Stefan were imperative in the win for the minor premiers with Blake Hamilton also brilliant. Meanwhile five majors from Kyan Carman kept the Bats in the hunt.
Eltham Central Park hosted the two finals in Under 17.5 Red, starting with Kilmore and Research’s clash. The fourth placed Searchers got off to a good start, kicking four goals to two in the first term before the Blues reduced the deficit to nine points at half time. Research then went up a gear in the third term, growing their lead to a point where it was almost out of reach for Kilmore, and while the Blues kicked three goals to one in the final term but just fell short by 13 points. Josh Shepherd was incredible again for Research, with a massive seven goals, while for Kilmore, Curtis Powell was excellent.
The second semi-final saw South Morang battle with Greensborough as the top of the table Lions looked to make it 11 straight wins in the competition. But it was the Boro who came out flying in the first term, leading by three goals at quarter time. The minor premiers showed plenty of fight and got to within seven points at half time and one point at three quarter time before the Boro played a brilliant final term to win by seven points and book their place in the Grand Final. Ethan Edwards and Zac Wilkes both kicked two goals for Greensborough while Jake Bohan stood out for the winning side. Jake Kenovski had a great game for the Lions and finished as their best.
The Under 16 Girls Blue finals series began at Wallan Recreational Reserve with the first semi-final between Laurimar and Yarrambat. The Power finished two games clear of their opponents and won their two meetings with them this season, but the Bats jumped out of the blocks to create an early advantage which they maintained throughout. Laurimar were kept goalless after half time while Yarrambat registered 13 scoring shots in an upset 26-point victory. Madeline Ball was superb for Yarrambat in the win, putting together a great performance. Meanwhile Jemma Buckingham finished her 2023 campaign on a high and was named as the Power’s best.
A great second semi-final took place between Research and Diamond Creek Women’s at Wallan Recreational Reserve. The game was tight to start but it was the Creekers who threatened to break away in the first half, leading by eight points at half time. Diamond Creek Women’s maintained their lead throughout the third quarter before the top of the table Searchers produced a strong last quarter, keeping the Creekers scoreless while putting through two goals of their own to prevail by six points and be the first team in the Grand Final. Finley Bell was terrific for the Searchers and kicked two majors while Sierra Filippone did everything possible to keep the Creekers in the hunt, scoring all four of their goals.
The Under 16 Girls Red finals series got underway with the second semi-final between Darebin and Diamond Creek Women’s at Wallan Recreational Reserve. The Falcons finished on top but were coming into the game off a loss in the final round of the season, while the Creekers defeated their finals opponents earlier in the season and hadn’t lost a game since Round 10. The in form Creekers started well and were never headed, going on to win by 11 points. Diamond Creek Women’s’ three goals were split between Lucy Butera, Madeline Toone and Aliesha Ryan while Darebin were led well by Alexandra Ware.
Epping Recreation Reserve hosted the first semi-final between Eltham and Wallan, with the fourth placed Magpies looking to make it three straight wins against the Panthers in 2023. They started well in the first term and while they didn’t register another goal by three quarter time, Eltham only led by 13 points at the final change, still keeping the comeback dream alive. But the Panthers produced a relentless final quarter, kicking five goals to nil to prevail by 44 points. Three majors from Scarlett Johnson contributed to the win, while Lily Borg was named as Wallan’s best and produced one of their three goals for the game.
Both finals took place at Epping Recreation Reserve in Under 16 Blue, with the first semi-final between Epping and Eltham Black getting the finals series underway. The Panthers just missed out on a top two spot but had the chance to make it two straight wins against the Bats this year. It was Yarrambat however who came out flying, kicking six goals to one in the first term and it proved to be an advantage the fourth placed Bats were able to hold onto throughout the game, eventually winning by 42 points. Archer Harvey was brilliant with a six-goal performance with teammate Bryce Arthur also contributing well with four majors. Jack Hartney produced a solid effort for Eltham.
Montmorency and Whittlesea did battle at the same venue in the second semi-final. The Magpies finished 10 points clear on top of the adder and were looking to be the first side to reach the Grand Final. Their hopes soon turned to reality against a gallant Eagles outfit, as they kicked five goals to nil in the opening quarter and never looked back on their way to producing a 67-point victory. As he has multiple times this season, Nick Canavan led the way up forward with four goals while teammate Nash Dyer produced three majors in a best on ground performance. Whittlesea had multiple contributors around the ground despite the loss.
Yarrambat War Memorial Park hosted the two semi-finals in the Under 16 Red competition, starting with South Morang Gold and Epping. The Blues were keeping up with the Lions around the ground but struggled to convert their shots on goal early, trailing by seven points at half time despite registering three more scoring shots. South Morang then started to get on top, kicking eight goals to five in the second half to win by 20 points and qualify for next week’s preliminary final. Joshua Evans led all goal scorers with four while Isaac Gvero was named as the winning side’s best. David Aderne was a standout in the loss for Epping ending his great season with an eighth appearance in his side’s best.
The second semi-final was a highly anticipated clash between Research and Laurimar. This was the fourth meeting between the two teams with the Searchers claiming two wins in the previous three games. Research had a promising start to the match, but the Power kept up with their opponents and trailed by just five points at the main break. Laurimar then took over, keeping the Searchers to just one more behind while kicking a further three goals to prevail by 16 points. William Nyman kicked three majors with teammate Jack Cornwell starring for the victors. Will Hensel and Billy Johnson had great performances for Research.
