A look back over last weekend’s action in the Under-16 to Under-18 junior competitions.
Two games were played in Under 18 Girls, with Montmorency Park North Oval hosting the Montmorency and Research clash. The ladder leading Searchers produced a four-goal to nil opening term, and never looked back thereafter on their way to a 56-point victory to move to 11-0 for the season. For the third time in the last four weeks, Ally Pilakis nailed five majors, while teammate Alli Allen starred for the winning side. Lily Stubbs had another great performance for the Magpies.
Diamond Creek Women’s made the trip to take on Eltham at Susan Street Reserve. The Creekers were comfortable 25-point winners when these two sides last met, but this time the Panthers looked in control for most of the afternoon, leading by as much as 27 points at half time before going on to prevail by 13 points. Livi Herrick’s terrific patch of form for the home side continued with another solid performance while Shelby Earps kicked two goals. For the sixth straight match, Willow Priest got on the scoreboard for the Creekers.
Montmorency and Whittlesea’s important top four battle at Montmorency Park North Oval got Round 11 underway in Under 17.5 Boys (1). The Magpies led by 14 points at quarter time and kept their opponents to 0.7 for the term before the Eagles were more accurate in the second quarter to lead by four at the main break. But the home side went another gear, kicking four unanswered majors in the third before holding their nerve in the last to win by 12 points. Nash Dyer was incredibly influential again for the victors while Nicholas Canavan booted three goals in his third match of the season. Blake Morely impressed for Whittlesea.
Yarrambat were on the hunt for six consecutive wins when they travelled to Research Park and played Research. An incredible seven-goal opening quarter set the tone for the Bats, who finished the game with 10 goals in each half to produce a 124-point triumph. Bryce Arthur was named as the away side’s best while four players kicked multiple majors headlined by Luke Cassar and Archer Harvey with four apiece. Jesse Todd’s brilliant season for the Searchers continued despite the loss.
Eltham Black and South Morang Blue concluded the round when they met at Eltham Central Park. Both sides registered the same scoring shots in the opening term, before a six-goal to zero second quarter broke the game open for the Panthers, who were able to end the match 49-point victors on their home deck. The winning performance was led by a brilliant effort from Benjamin Carbone as well as three goals from Jack Hartney. Jake Folan meanwhile was admirable for the Lions.
A clash between the sides occupying the bottom two spots on the ladder in Eltham Red and Epping faced off to open the round at Epping Recreational Reserve in Under 17.5 Boys (2). The Panthers were 17-point winners in the two games each team had played prior to Sunday’s clash, and after leading by 10 points at three quarter time it seemed apparent a similar result would occur. However, the Blues turned it on in the final term, and kicked seven goals to four in an entertaining final term to win by 16 points. The likes of Youssef Ayoubi and Lochlyn Whelan helped lead Epping to their first win since Round 2. Orlando Webber played well for Eltham.
Mernda and South Morang Gold took on one another in what was an entertaining contest at Waterview Recreation Reserve. The Demons built on an early lead throughout the opening three quarters to take a 25-point advantage into the last quarter. The Lions however would attempt an unlikely comeback in the final term and got agonisingly close, as they fell six points short. Jack Maxey’s game as well as three majors from Darcy Kinash proved vital in the home side getting over the line. Joshua Evans and Daniel Gianfriddo kicked two goals each for the visitors.
Kilmore and Laurimar did battle at J.J Clancy Reserve, with an even game transpiring during the first half. Only one-point seperated the two teams by the main break, with the Blues leading despite an inaccurate 1.10 scoreline. They would go on to finish the job, by keeping the Power to two more goals for the match in a 27-point victory. Jett Davies returned for the home side and kicked three of his team’s six goals for the match. Jack Cornwell and Lincoln Mason were key players in keeping Laurimar in the hunt during the first half.
The three-game slate in Under 16 Girls (1) began at J.J. Clancy Reserve, with Kilmore taking on Diamond Creek Women’s 1. The Creekers would maintain their unbeaten streak, after keeping the Blues scoreless in the opening half on their way to a 49-point. They have also now won 10 consecutive matches by 30 points or more. The dynamic duo of Grace Farah and Maddison Meagher led the way for the visitors again while Mabel-Jean Flannery was a great contributor for the Blues.
At Yarrambat War Memorial Park, Yarrambat and Montmorency met for the second time in 2024. The Bats were able to gain ascendency of the match throughout, increasing their lead in every quarter to produce a 43-point victory, their fourth successive triumph. Isabelle Annanmaki was excellent for the Bats as was teammate Mischa Stebbing, while Charli-Jordan Ford and Daisy White contributed two goals apiece for the winning team.
The round concluded at A.F. Walker Reserve with Whittlesea hosting Eltham. The Eagles were in total control from the opening siren, and managed to keep the Panthers goalless until three quarter time as they went on to claim an impressive 55-point victory. Lana Carroll returned to the team and starred in the host’s victory, kicking two goals and finishing as her side’s best. Addison Fitzpatrick and Charlotte Laszczuk were solid for the Panthers despite the loss.
Darebin had the bye as the pair of games to complete Round 11 in Under 16 Girls (2) began with Research and Diamond Creek Women’s 2’s match at Research Park. After a narrow seven-point lead at the first change, the Searchers took over, and kept the Creekers scoreless for the remainder of the contest to prevail by 50 points. Dakota Edmonds finished in her side’s best for the eighth time in 10 games for the winning team, while Sienna Bandera converted another three goals to add to her 2024 tally.
A brilliant contest was played between South Morang and Mernda at Mill Park Lakes Recreation Reserve. The Lions won this encounter by 29 points when the sides last met this year and while they had an advantage again at three quarter time, this time it was only two points. With the Demons still in the hunt, they were able to produce the only score of the last term, a crucial goal, which saw them win by four points. The efforts of Lily Bondrov and Charli King went a long way to the away side winning the game, while Tahlia Blachford-Parolin and Amelia Di Benedetto impressed for the Lions.
With Diamond Creek having the bye, the top four sides in the Under 16 Boys (1) competition played each other on Sunday. It began at Eltham Central Park with Eltham Black hosting Montmorency Black. The Panthers were at their dominant best throughout the match, kicking at least five majors in each quarter on their way to an outstanding 123-point victory. Northern Knights listed player Joshua Lawless played his fourth match for the club and starred with seven majors while after making his Under 19.5 debut the day prior, Elliot McCluskey also impressed for Eltham. Lachlan Galletly was the Magpies’ best.
Ben Frilay Oval hosted the contest between Yarrambat and Mill Park. The Parkers started the game on fire with a five-goal to one opening term, and while the Bats managed to reduce the margin to 25 points by three quarter time, a three-goal to nil final term solidified a 46-point triumph. Mill Park’s Antonie Graham finished in his side’s best for the third time in four games, with teammate Blake Justice kicking three goals. Zak Casey and Christian Ristevski each kicked two for Yarrambat.
Four games took place in Under 16 Boys (2) with Whittlesea and Wallan’s clash getting the round underway at the Whittlesea Showgrounds. The game was tight all afternoon, with the Magpies leading by six and five points at quarter and half time before the Eagles edged out their opponents to take a four-point advantage into the final term. However, Wallan surged again with a three-goal last term to finish six-point victors. Harrison Purcell was key to the away side’s triumph, while Jack Wunderlich’s efforts didn’t go unnoticed for Whittlesea.
Another close game took place at Montmorency Park South Oval as Montmorency White faced Laurimar. The Power started with a bang to lead by 31 points at quarter time before the Magpies slowly started to chip away at the deficit to trail by just 10 points at three quarter time. The home side would also win the final term, but still fell short to Laurimar, who held on by eight points. Mason Fitzgerald’s three goals proved crucial in the away side’s win with Matthew Mirra also playing well. Bailey Smith booted three of his own for the Magpies to help his side almost produce a comeback.
Mernda made the trip to Eltham Central Park in search of back-to-back wins when they took on Eltham Red. The Demons also started their match brilliantly, with a five-goal to zero opening term, which was the catalyst to a terrific 41-point victory away from home. Justin Spadorcia led the way with four goals in a best on ground effort for the winners. Mitchell Gilday also played great for Mernda while Alexander Botev stood out for Eltham, kicking three of his team’s six goals.
Wrapping up the round was Greensborough and South Morang’s battle at Anthony Beale Reserve. An entertaining draw was the tale of the tape when these two sides last met, but the Boro looked to break open the game throughout the early and middle patches of the contest, leading by 35 points at three quarter time. The Lions attempted to fight back in the last and kicked three goals to nil, but it wasn’t enough, going down by 18 points. Coby Forrester and Kobi Gibson were the home side’s best in the victory, while Dylan Agievski was solid for South Morang.
