A look back over last weekend’s action in the Under-16 to Under-18 junior competitions.
With Research winning on forfeit against Diamond Creek Women’s and Mernda having the bye, only one game took place in the Under 18 Girls competition. That matchup was between Eltham and Yarrambat at Eltham Central Park, with the Bats victorious by 54 points. Yarrambat had a total of 25 scoring shots and conceded just one, eventually finishing on 7.18 (60) to the Panthers 1.0 (6). Fresh off a senior debut with Hurstbridge, Caitlyn Kennedy kicked two goals while Maya Glassey and Mia Gigliotti performed well for the Bats. Charlotte Laszczuk was listed best on for the Panthers whose only goalkicker was Keely Moloney.
In the Under 17.5 Boys competition three of the four games were decided by seven or more goals. The biggest margin was at Montmorency Park North Oval where Yarrambat defeated Montmorency by 80 points. A total of nine players hit the scoreboard for the Bats in the 16.14 (110) to 4.6 (30). Joshua Fitzgerald led the way in attack with three goals while five others had two goals each. Montmorency exclusively had single goalkickers and were well led by Thomas Harley alongside consistent contributors Dylan Keating and Mason Rigg.
At Eltham Central Park, Eltham made it two wins in a row with a 43-point win over Laurimar. Only 13 points separated the two sides at half time before the Panthers kicked six goals to just one in the second half to secure a 9.12 (66) to 3.5 (23) victory. Kade Bollenhagen was terrific alongside Oliver Gale while Anthony Streat kicked three goals to add to his two in Round 4. Billy Cash was the Power’s best player for the first time this year.
The closest contest in the Under 17.5 Boys took place at Coventry Oval between Diamond Creek and South Morang. After leading at quarter time, the Creekers then trailed by three points at the main break and by one point at three quarter time. They kicked the only goal of the last term though to claim the 6.13 (49) to 6.5 (41) win. Noah Carmody and Bryce Fowler were terrific for the Creekers while South Morang were well led by Nicholas Torquati who was the game’s only multiple goalscorer.
Whittlesea claimed their first win of the season over Mernda by 71 points in their clash at the Whittlesea Showgrounds. The Eagles held a 15-point lead at quarter time before kicking nine goals to one from the second quarter onwards as they claimed the 13.14 (92) to 3.3 (21) win. William Angwin and Liam Parkinson kicked three goals each for the Eagles whose best on was Dallas Ornsby. Justin Spadorcia was the Demons best player.
There were a pair of close games in the Under 16 Girls (1) competition on Sunday afternoon. In the first game at Plenty Park Oval, Eltham Black held on for a two-point victory over Diamond Creek Women’s. The Panthers held the lead for the entire day and were able to hold off a late charge from the Creekers to win 3.5 (23) to 3.3 (21). Eltham best on Ashley Denny was also their leading goalkicker on the day with two while the Creekers only had single goalkickers.
The other close game took place at Research Park where Mernda made it two wins in a row with a one-goal win over Research. It was a seesawing contest all day, with Mernda leading at quarter time, Research at half time, and then the Demons again at three quarter time. Mernda was then able to hold their three-quarter time lead in the last, eventually winning 6.11 (47) to 6.5 (41). Demons vice-captain Tasmin Newton kicked three goals to make it six goals in two weeks for her. Searchers captain Ayva Humphreys nearly got her side over the line, kicking five of her side’s six goals.
At Yarrambat War Memorial Park the Bats continued their unbelievable start to the year with a 67-point win over Montmorency. Yarrambat had 11.3 to half time and kept the Magpies to one behind, with scores settling on 15.6 (96) to 4.5 (29) by full time. Charli-Jordan Ford kicked six goals and was one of the Bats best alongside Deena Gerges and Winnie Fitzgerald (four goals). Sky Morgan had another terrific performance for the Magpies.
The Under 16 Girls (2) competition saw all three matchups decided by 33 points or greater. At Greenhill Reserve Kilmore were 93-point winners over Wallan, keeping the Magpies to just 0.1 (1) whilst kicking 13.16 (94) themselves. Nine players kicked majors for the two blues, with vice-captain Chiara Amoros and Hannah Gibson both kicking two goals each. Mia Dumaloski continued to shine for the Magpies despite the loss.
A.H. Capp Reserve hosted the Darebin and Whittlesea contest. The Eagles held a 12-point lead at the main break before a four goal to one second half lifted them to a 7.5 (47) to 2.2 (14) win over the Falcons. Jamie Robinson had a day out in attack with four goals while Kiah McKinnon-Rowe’s terrific season continued. Xanthe Wright Hall and Millie Maher stood out for the Falcons.
South Morang continued their unbeaten start to the year with a 40-point win against Laurimar at Mill Park Lakes Reserve. The Lions had three goals to quarter time, eventually ending on 5.12 (42) to Laurimar’s 0.2 (2). Isabella Vescio and Cammryn Warke were yet again terrific for the Lions while Eliana Hansen was best on for the Power.
Three games were decided by four goals or less in the Under 16 Boys (1) competition. In the Eltham and Laurimar match, the Power remained undefeated with a 17-point win at Eltham Central Park. The Power lead by 17 points at quarter time before conceding a 14-point lead at the half to the hosts. They then kicked nine goals to three in the second half to secure the 14.8 (92) to 11.9 (75) victory. Riley McCann kicked three for the Power whose best on was Zayne Broderick. Axton West had a game-high four goals while Joel Denny was also serviceable.
A low scoring affair took place between Diamond Creek and South Morang at Coventry Oval. The Creekers had 0.9 to half time and trailed by six points before eventually kicking six goals in the second half to just one to win 6.13 (49) to 3.10 (28) win. Max Tabain kicked two goals, along with Oliver Shields, and had a terrific performance. Jamal Minawieh continued his good form of recent weeks.
Kilmore and Whittlesea played out a close contest at JJ Clancy Reserve. The lead changed at every break, with Whittlesea leading by 13 at quarter time, Kilmore by 11 at the half, and the Eagles by 14 at three quarter time. A three goal to no score final term then got the two Blues over the line 6.9 (45) to 5.10 (40). Lucas Chesswas and Jackson Psaila were Kilmore and Whittlesea’s leading goal scorers with two goals each. Harrison Tolar was terrific for the Two Blues while Jaxson Meyer was excellent for the Eagles.
Yarrambat was the biggest winners in the Under 16 Boys (1) competition, defeating Mernda by 56 points. The Bats kicked 11 goals and just one behind in the first half before kicking another five goals in the second to win 16.11 (107) to 7.9 (51). Ethan Thornton Williams kicked five for the Bats and was one of the best for the Bats alongside Thomas Webb. Jett Phillips was sublime yet again for the Demons alongside Charlie Smith while Harrison Clune-McIntosh kicked three goals.
The Under 16 Boys (2) competition had three games decided by 50+ points. The closest game was at Montmorency Park North Oval where Hurstbridge defeated Montmorency by 15 points. Trailing by 19 points at quarter time, the Bridges then took a one-point lead at the main break and three-quarter time before kicking three goals to one in the last to secure a 10.9 (69) to 8.6 (54) win. Kobi Mason kicked three goals and was best on for the Bridges.
Laurimar Teal had the biggest win of the round in the competition over Kinglake. After kicking nine goals in the first half, Laurimar then proceeded to kick 13 in the second half enroute to a 22.17 (149) to 0.1 (1) win. 11 players kicked goals for the Power, with Dean Siderakis leading the way with five and Lucas Coetzee booting four. Christian Roman was the Power’s best performer.
Research were also big winners against West Preston-Lakeside at J.E. Moore Park. The Searchers kept the Roosters to one behind by quarter time, while kicking 51 points themselves, in the 16.14 (110) to 2.2 (14) win. Hugh Hegarty kicked another four goals and was one of the Searchers alongside Wylie Hunter and Cooper Gatt. Phillip Harb was listed as the Roosters best player.
And at Greenhill Reserve, Greensborough kept their unbeaten start intact with a 51-point win over Wallan. The Borough led by just one point at quarter before kicking nine goals in the final three terms whilst conceding only two to win 11.13 (79) to 4.4 (28) win. Five of the Borough’s six goalkickers finished on two goals. Mitchell Douglas was Greensborough’s best performer while Darby Bishop was excellent for the Magpies.
