A look back over Sunday’s grand final action in the under-15 to under-18 junior competitions.
Montmorency are the Under-18 Girls premiers after a hard fought grand final win over Rangers at J.C. Donath Reserve. The Magpies trailed by a point at the main break before they scored 13 points to six in the second half to prevail 2.2 (14) to 1.2 (8). April Woodward was awarded best on ground for the Magpies after an impressive four quarter performance. Teammates Shelby Lemire and Emma Suckling kicked Montmorency’s two majors. Abbigail Serong was the Rangers’ lone goal scorer.
Whittlesea recorded a 57-point win over Yarrambat at Lalor Reserve to become the Under-17 Boys Blue premiers. The margin was 10 points at half time before a 12 goal to four second half ensured the Eagles of the 17.7 (109) to 8.4 (52) triumph. Jack Morley was awarded best on ground, while Riley Allen, Corey Avola and Anthony Bolton all booted three majors each. Levi McCormack was best for the Bats along with Samuel Elali who kicked two goals.
Greensborough became Under-17 Boys Red premiers after a 20-point win over West Preston-Lakeside at Eltham Central Park. It was the third time in four games that these two sides played each other, with the Boro replicating their second semi-final performance to defeat the Roosters 10.6 (66) to 6.10 (46). Joel Parkinson was awarded best on ground, while competition leading goal kicker Will Phelan kicked two goals.
The Under-16 Boys Blue premiership went to Montmorency after they had a big 62-point win over Diamond Creek at J.C. Donath Reserve. The star of the show was Magpies forward Jordyn Gillard who had an outstanding game and booted nine goals in the 13.17 (95) to 5.3 (33) triumph. Best on ground honours went to teammate Darcy Rigg while Taj Logan was best on for the Creekers.
Research are the Under-16 Boys Red premiers after an upset 24-point victory over South Morang at Eltham Central Park. The Lions didn’t lose a game throughout the entire season but it was the Searchers who broke away after quarter time to claim a famous 9.10 (64) to 5.10 (40) win. Oliver Greenhill was awarded best on ground for the Searchers with Josh Shepherd (4), Seth Hill (3) and Kaj La Firlita (2) all booting multiple goals. Sam Berardi and Xzavier-Jay Harris kicked two goals apiece for the Lions.
Under-16 Girls Blue had Diamond Creek Women’s Blue become premiers after defeating Research in a hard-fought seven-point win at Eltham Central Park. Despite the close margin, the Creekers had more opportunities on goal and although they were inaccurate, were able to finish 1.8 (14) to 1.1 (7) victors. Stephanie Rozario was awarded best on ground for the Creekers while Alex De Bolfo booted the Searchers’ only goal.
The winner of the Under-16 Girls Red premiership was Whittlesea after a nail-biting seven-point win over Montmorency Black at J.C. Donath Reserve. Scores were level at three quarter time before a two goal to one final term secured the 5.4 (34) to 4.3 (27) victory for the Eagles. Emily Wunderlich and Alexandra Cook were strong contributors for Whittlesea while despite the defeat, Magpies star Isabel Villarreal produced a great game and was given best on ground honours.
Montmorency reigned supreme as the Under-15 Boys Blue premiers after they defeated Eltham Black by 33 points at Coventry Oval. It was a terrific effort from the Panthers who finished fourth after the home and away season, but a strong second half saw the Magpies prevail 11.6 (72) to 6.3 (39). Sebastian Murphy was best on ground with Nash Dyer kicking four majors for the Magpies. The Panthers had individual goalkickers for their six goals.
The Under-15 Boys Red had Mernda crowned premiers after a heart stopping one-point win over Kilmore at Epping Recreation Reserve. Both sides couldn’t be separate after four quarters with the Demons scraping by in extra time to defeat the Blues 7.8 (50) to 7.7 (49). Ethan Hicks-Thorn and Darcy Kinash scored two important goals each for the Demons meanwhile Kilmore star Jackson Mansfield was given best on ground.
