What a weekend it was as 52 teams battled it out to be crowned premiers.
Darebin Falcons and Montmorency claimed victories in the two Youth Girls Grand Finals, with the Falcons overcoming Diamond Creek Women’s late to win the Under-19 Girls title and Montmorency ending its three-game losing streak against South Morang Gold to win the inaugural Under-16 Girls flag.
Eltham was victorious in the Under 17 Blue Grand Final, defeating Montmorency by 17 points at Coventry Oval. The undefeated Panthers side finished the season 12 points clear atop the ladder and were heavy favourites for the flag. The Magpies, led by Thomas Carafa and Jye Lorey, put up a fight and trailed by just two points at half time and five points at three-quarter time. Unfortunately they weren’t able to continue their good run, with Eltham running out a 9.6 (60) to 6.7 (43) victor. The Panthers were led by Joshua Mallard and Nicholas Mercuri.
The Under 17 Red Grand Final saw Diamond Creek defeat Whittlesea 12.15 (87) to 5.4 (34) at Epping Recreation Reserve. The Creekers ran the Eagles off their feet after quarter-time, booting 9.12 to 3.2 after the first break to run out premiers. Both teams were able to beat first-placed West Lalor on their way to the Grand Final, but the Creekers showed that a week’s rest was a gift to be taken with open arms.
Epping Recreation Reserve played host to the Under 16 Blue Grand Final as South Morang defeated Diamond Creek to be crowned premiers. Led by Jade Gresham and James Mellerick, the Lions were able to kick clear in the last quarter, booting 5.8 to 1.0 to win by 32 points after scores were level at the last change. Ultimately, the final score didn’t really reflect the closeness of the match. The Creekers best were Jacob Booth and Cameron Dowse.
Epping upset Hurstbridge in the Under 16 Red Grand Final, winning 14.6 (90) to 8.8 (56) at Huskisson Reserve. The Pingers had to do it the hard way, playing in the preliminary final in order to compete in the big dance. The Bridges would be devastated after they beat the same side in the semis just a fortnight earlier. It was only a five-point margin at three-quarter time until the Pingers flew home in the last to kick 7.0 to 2.1 on their way to an emphatic 34-point victory.
Another upset was staged for the Under 15 Blue Grand Final as Mill Park upset South Morang Blue in a two-point thriller. After the Lions smashed them by 79 points in the semis, the Stallions were able to exact revenge on the biggest stage. Inaccuracy was the story of the day as the Lions kicked 12 behinds for the day, including a wayward 2.8 in the first quarter. Mill Park was led by Jarred Ranellone and Jesse Simmons, whilst the Lions best in defeat were James Hewson and Matthew Signorello.
The Under 15 Red Grand Final was a much more one-sided affair, with Research getting the job done over Montmorency by 54 points at Coventry Oval. The Searchers, having finished the season atop the ladder, were favourites to win the flag and they certainly didn’t disappoint.
A massive upset occurred in the Under 15 Green Grand Final as Lalor accounted for Hurstbridge 12.9 (81) to 5.5 (35). After playing in two lead-up finals, the Bloods never looked in doubt and kept the favourites to just two behinds in the first half. The Bridges had finished the season atop the ladder whilst the Bloods had just scraped through for a finals berth.
No surprises in the Under 14 Blue Grand Final as powerhouse Epping atoned itself against Northcote by 41 points. The Pingers had been looking forward to his fixture after the Cougars pulled off one of the upsets of the year in the second semi final. Epping was led by Harley Ridding and Mitchell Andrew, whilst the shining lights for the Cougars were Ahmad Ahmad and Christopher Zapantis.
West Preston was victorious in the Under 14 Red Grand Final as it upset Keon Park by 60 points. After losing to the Stars in the semis by 30 points, the Roosters did it tough by having to beat an in-form Diamond Creek in the preliminary final. Despite played the majority of the season without a bench, the Roosters were the ones who took home the flag.
The Under 13 Blue Grand Final saw South Morang Blue defeat Laurimar by 33 points at Epping Recreation Reserve. The Lions were the standout team all year, having not lost a game for the season and they kept on their merry way on the grandest stage of all. Laurimar earned the right to play off against the Lions by winning both their semi and preliminary finals to get the right to fight to be crowned premiers, despite coming from fourth spot on the ladder.
The Under 13 Red Grand Final was a one-sided affair as Montmorency defeated West Preston. The Magpies were worthy winners after finishing the year atop the ladder 14 points clear of the remaining top four spots. The Roosters earned their spot in the Grand Final after finishing the year in second spot.
Diamond Creek was successful in its claim to be premiers in the Under 13 Green competition as it defeated Yarrambat 10.8 (68) to 1.6 (12) at Ben Frilay Oval. The Creekers defence was solid on the big stage, keeping the Bats to four behinds at three-quarter time.
Whittlesea and South Morang Blue produced an absolute ripper in the Under 12 Blue Grand Final, with the Eagles beating the Lions in a last hurrah one-point victory. The match was always going to be close after the Lions beat the Eagles in a closely-fought semi final two weeks prior. It was the Eagles who were able to put that loss behind them and in the end, got the last laugh, defeating the previously undefeated Lions 2.11 (23) to 3.6 (24).
The Under 12 Red Grand Final kept the close margins going as Mill Park were crowned premiers over Greensborough by a mere 5 points. The Raiders had the week off and were on a high after beating the first placed Stallions by 45 points in the semis, but Mill Park was able to rebound on the big stage. The game was tied at quarter and three-quarter time, but Mill Park was able to outscore the Raiders 1.1 to 0.2 in the last to come away with the flag.
Another close match occurred in the Under 12 Green Grand Final as Mernda defeated West Preston at Ben Frilay Oval. The Demons finished the year atop the ladder and did what they were expected to do, winning the premiership. The Roosters did put up a fight though, fighting back from four-goal deficit at three-quarter time deficit to bring the final margin to 10 points.
Keon Park was successful in its bid to be crowned premiers of Under 12 Silver as it defeated Panton Hill 3.1 (19) to 2.1 (13) at Crispe Park. Both the Stars and the Redbacks were the standout teams in their competition, with the Stars only having lost only one game throughout the year and the Redbacks finishing two-games clear of third.
The Under 11 Blue Grand Final was a low scoring contest, though Eltham had its nose in front for the entire game. Its opponent, Research, was held scoreless during the first and last quarters. The final score was 2.4 (16), to 1.1 (7), in the Panthers’ favour. Eltham’s Jackson Stafford was named the best on ground, followed closely by Aidan Biddle. Research’s Jackson Hasler was his side’s best.
The Under 11 Red Grand Final saw similarly tight game. Northcote started the game strongly, leading at both the first and main breaks. However, from half time onward, Greensborough restricted its opponent to a singular behind, and turned the game around. The final score was 3.9 (27), to 2.4 (16). Liam McMahon was the standout player of the game, while teammate Artie Lyons was not far behind.
A more convincing result was seen in the Under 11 Green Grand Final, with Yarrambat restricting Mernda to a mere five behinds for the game, on its way to a 49-point win. The final score was 0.5 (5) to 8.6 (54). Samuel House booted three goals for Yarrambat, while teammate Nicholas Green kicked two in a brilliant performance.
Laurimar Black displayed an exceptional comeback in the Under 11 Silver Grand Final. Montmorency Black held them scoreless at quarter time, and held the lead for the three breaks. In the last quarter, the Power turned the tables, restricting Montmorency Black to no score, while kicking three goals themselves to claim a six-point win. Laurimar Black’s Brody Glenn had an excellent game, as did teammate Mason Glenn. Thomas Stewart was Montmorency Black’s best player.
One of the closest junior Grand Finals was seen in the Under 10 Blue competition. Greensborough held the lead at quarter time and at three-quarter time. Conversely, South Morang Gold led at the main break, and most importantly, at full time. Regardless of South Morang Gold not registering a score until the second quarter, they played a solid game thereafter – winning the premiership by one point. The final score was 3.5 (23) to 3.6 (24).
Yarrambat enjoyed another convincing win in the Under 10 Red competition, with a comfortable 56-point win. Its opponent, Montmorency White, scored two behinds up until three quarter time, highlighting Yarrambat’s dominance. Cooper Bugeja of Yarrambat kicked five goals, while teammate Toby Carpenter was influential toward the win.
Another close Grand Final was contested in the Under 10 Green competition, with the Montmorency Magpies getting up by three points. Their opponents, Mernda, had two more scoring shots for the game, but were more inaccurate in front of goal.
Eltham enjoyed more Grand Final success in the Under 10 Silver competition, comprehensively defeating Wallan by 31 points. The Magpies were restricted to no goals and five behinds for the day against a strong Panthers team.
