A look back over last weekend’s action in the Under-16 to Under-18 junior competitions.
The three matches that took place in Under 18 Girls began at A.F. Walker Reserve when Whittlesea hosted Eltham. The Panthers were able to respond to their defeat last week by winning each quarter throughout their match with the Eagles, eventually prevailing by 30 points. Holly Capito and Shelby Earps starred in the victory for the visitors, with the latter being one of five individual goalkickers for the winning side. Whittlesea were led by Jordan Kelly, who has now featured in her side’s best in six of eight games.
Diamond Creek Women’s were also aiming to return to the winners list when they took on Montmorency at Plenty Park Oval. After a five-point difference in the opening term, a four goal to nil second quarter proved to be the catalyst to the Creekers winning by 42 points. Brianna Cowley hit the scoreboard and was the hosts’ only multiple goalkicker with two majors. Grace Farah, in her second game of the day, also impressed while Indra Lambeth was a shining light for the Magpies once again.
Yarrambat made the trip to Research Park to battle with Research in the final game of the round. The Searchers slowly got themselves into the game and were able to produce seven goals to two in each half to run out 84-point victors on their home deck. Katelyn Busuttil’s second game for the club from Northern Knights duty was arguably her best, as she nailed four majors for the afternoon. Abigail Flenley and Isabella Turner were others to perform well in the triumph, while Emma Hendrie was a solid contributor for the Bats.
Round 10 in Under 17.5 Boys (1) kicked off at Yarrambat War Memorial Park as Yarrambat faced Whittlesea. By building a strong 14-point quarter time lead, the Bats were able to maintain their distance from the Eagles throughout the rest of the match, and despite being kept to one goal in the second half, they had done enough to win by 20 points, and turn the tables on their 22-point defeat to Whittlesea in Round 5. Great efforts from Lucas Martin and Owen Muarem led the way for Yarrambat while Blake Morely’s outstanding form continued for the away side.
Montmorency and South Morang Blue produced an exciting contest out at Montmorency Park North Oval. The Lions led at both quarter and half time before scores were level at the final change, setting up a thrilling last term. Each side kicked two majors in the quarter, but the Magpies were able to hit the scoreboard more, and their 2.4 output for the term was enough to claim a three-point triumph. Dynamic duo Nash Dyer and Jed Manser were at their brilliant best for the hosts, while Jake Folan was a key player for South Morang throughout the afternoon as was Daen Brown.
Aiming for their first win of the year, Research took on hosting duties when meeting with Eltham Black at Research Park. The Panthers however flexed their muscles and kicked at least four majors in each term in a big 130-point victory, which was five points more than their Round 5 win over the same opponent. Like that encounter, the winners had a high amount of individual goalkickers with Oliver Hibbert leading the way with three. Despite the defeat, Harrison Wenn played well for Research and was a standout alongside Lachlan Ham.
The three game slate in Under 17.5 Boys (2) began at Epping Recreational Reserve with Epping and Laurimar’s clash. The Power proved too strong from start to finish, with a seven-goal to nil first half setting up a 74-point triumph to see them get back on the winners list. Thomas De Maria finished as the away side’s best and ended the match with four goals, the second time he has done so this year and the second time against Epping. In a positive for the Blues, Youssef Ayoubi played one of his best games of the season and was supported well by Lochlyn Whelan.
A huge top of the ladder clash played out at J.J Clancy Reserve, with Kilmore hosting Mernda. The Blues didn’t look back after a brilliant first half which saw them kick six goals to one, as they went on to finish 37-point winners and shoot to the top of the table. The home side had multiple contributors in the victory such as Jack Laffan, Jackson Mansfield and Zac Osmond, while Harrison Hegarty and Diesel Webb impressed for the Demons.
South Morang Gold were looking for back-to-back wins when they made the trip to Eltham Central Park to take on Eltham Red. The Lions led by 21 points at half time despite only having one more scoring shot, before an 11-goal to four second half catapulted the away side to a 62-point victory. Julian Bogdan starred up forward with a season-high four goals, while Domenic Grillo finished as his side’s best and also contributed three majors. The Panthers best efforts were led by Mitchell Clements and Coby Grech.
A huge top four battle between Montmorency and Kilmore got things underway in Under 16 Girls (1) at Montmorency Park North Oval on Sunday. The Magpies built on an early lead to head into the final quarter with a 17-point advantage, before the Blues fought back in the final term, keeping their opposition to one behind for the quarter. But they just fell short of their target and went down admirably by five points. Bailee Bowden was terrific for the home side as was Athanasia Patroungas, who has now been named in her side’s best for five straight games. Mabel-Jean Flannery and Maddison Pike performed well in their own right for Kilmore.
Diamond Creek Women’s 1 welcomed Whittlesea to Plenty Park Oval for their Round 10 clash. The Creekers were terrific from the first bounce and kept the Eagles scoreless in the first half while booting eight majors of their own to set up a 72-point triumph. Abbey Eddington and Charlotte Smith were superb for the winners, with teammates Grace Farah and Taihlar-Jo Kampf kicking three goals apiece. Dayna Kelly led the charge again for the away side and did all she could despite the defeat.
Eltham and Yarrambat faced off to close the round at Susan Street Reserve. The Bats were aiming to make it three straight wins and didn’t look like falling away from that target after registering 34 scoring shots to four throughout the afternoon to finish big 115-point victors away from home. Zara Capp and Maya Glassey were named as the side’s best while Somer McCormack starred up forward with five goals, a season high. Katie Barley and Ella Jupp played well for the Panthers.
Diamond Creek Women’s 2 had the bye as two games took place in Under 16 Girls (2). Research took the trip to Mill Park Lakes Reserve to do battle with South Morang and looked powerful from the start. They were able to keep the Lions scoreless on their way to a 50-point triumph, maintaining their unbeaten record in the division in the process. Kyah Isatchenko and Alice Welburn were excellent in the win, with Istachenko being named in her side’s best in every game she’s played so far in 2024. Kerry Philippou continued her great season for South Morang with another solid outing.
A tight battle played out at Waterview Recreation Reserve as Mernda faced Darebin. No goals were kicked between the two sides during the opening three quarters, with the Falcons holding a narrow four-point lead heading into the last term. Three majors combined were then produced between each team during an entertaining final quarter, but it was two crucial majors from the Demons that saw them pick up a three-point triumph. Samantha Bagnato and Haylie Brooks were the two goalkickers for the hosts, while Lily-May Lee also played well in the win. Vieda Simons-Moemai was terrific once again for Darebin.
Second placed Eltham Black were on bye duties this week during Round 10 of the Under 16 Boys (1) competition. The setting of the first match was at Montmorency Park North Oval as Montmorency and Yarrambat clashed in a brilliant game. A four-point quarter time advantage extended out to 15 points at half time for the Magpies before the Bats brought the margin back to three points ahead of the last term. A tense quarter followed, with both sides kicking a goal each, but it was the home side who would prevail by four points. Lachlan Galletly was massive in the win and kicked three important goals while Jayce Callegari was just as influential with two majors for Yarrambat.
The top of the ladder side in Mill Park faced bottom placed Diamond Creek to close the round at Coventry Oval. The Parkers started well and increased their lead throughout the match, kicking at least two majors in each term to record an impressive 86-point victory away from home. Blake Justice was again difficult to stop up forward and booted six majors for the winning side. Robert Marchant was another who was superb for Mill Park while Northern Knights representative and club captain Jamie Alder finished as the Creekers’ best.
Another big round of Under 16 Boys (2) action commenced at Montmorency Park North Oval with Montmorency White taking on Greensborough. Despite dealing with some inaccuracy, the Boro were in control for most of the match and finished with 33 scoring shots compared to nine from their opponents in the 59-point victory. Four goals from club leading goalkicker Asher Bell helped keep the scoreboard ticking for the visitors while teammate James Harding was at his best again. The Magpies best efforts came from the likes of Patrick Johnston and Lachlan McConnell.
Wallan were on track for six consecutive wins when they did battle with Eltham Red at Eltham Central Park. The Magpies settled into the game quickly, with a five-goal second quarter breaking the contest open, before going on to produce 33 shots on goal in a 64-point triumph. The away side had four multiple goalkickers led by Jack Brundell with three, while another in Kane Lemmar finished as his side’s best. Sonny Swan and Benjamin Wilson were solid contributors for the Panthers.
An unbeaten Whittlesea outfit had the task of taking the trip to Mill Park Lakes Reserve ahead of their clash with South Morang. The Eagles were able to dominate from start to finish, with a nine-goal to one opening half paving the way for a strong 74-point win. Eight of the side’s 15 majors came from Willem Morrison and Liam Parkinson, who kicked four apiece, while it was another outstanding game from Jack Wunderlich. Despite the defeat, Declan Luke made it six straight appearances in the Lions’ best following a terrific effort.
An important game in the context of a top four spot played out between Mernda and Laurimar at Waterview Recreation Reserve. The Demons kept their opposition scoreless in the first term and still led by four points at half time before the Power snatched the lead and were nine points to the good at three quarter time. But Mernda surged home in the final term, kicking four goals to one in a great display to prevail by nine points. Brayden Geary and Mitchell Gilday were some of the key players in Mernda’s triumph while Sebastian Crook helped the Power get as close as they did during the afternoon.
