A look back over last weekend’s Preliminary Final action in the Under-16 to Under-18 junior competitions.
Yarrambat and Eltham Under 18 Girls got the preliminary finals started at Ben Frilay Memorial Oval. The Bats kicked an outstanding 16 goals to the Panthers one, coming away with a 104-point win which sees them advance to the Grand Final to face Research. Mia Gigliotti and Rylee Mountney led the Bats alongside multiple goal kickers, while Jade van Hoeckel and Ruby Bishop gave their best from the Panthers.
In the Under 17.5 Boys, Diamond Creek and Montmorency met at Waterview Reserve. The Magpies hit the front in the first half with only a four-point lead at the main break. In the second half the Creekers kicked seven goals to take away a 33-point win, now facing off Yarrambat in the Grand Final. The Creekers had multiple goal kickers while Isaac Mullins and Riley Keating gave their all for the Magpies.
Eltham and Diamond Creek Womens met in the Under 16 Girls (1) preliminary final at Research Park. The Creekers kicked the first goal but it was the Panthers who will be playing in the final, kicking seven goals to three after half time to secure a 28-point win. The Panthers managed to stay in front all day with Sadie Hewett and Ashley Denny leading the Panthers alongside multiple goal kickers. Jerzie Bishop and Caitlin Barnett tried their best for the Creekers.
South Morang and Whittlesea clashed at Redleap Reserve for a spot in the Under 16 Girls (2) Grand Final. The Eagles hit the front in the first half until the Lions kicked multiple goals in the second half to secure a 19-point win. Elena Cortese and Eloise Butera were standouts for the Lions while Kiah McKinnon-Rowe and Alannah Purcell gave it their all for the Eagles.
Yarrambat and Laurimar met at Greenhill Reserve in a thrilling Under 16 Boys (1) Preliminary Final clash. The Power maintained their lead for majority of the first half with the Bats hitting the front by only three points coming into the last quarter. The Bats confirmed their win after kicking three goals in the last quarter to secure a 19-point triumph which advances them into the Grand Final. Darcy Corr and Benjamin Hodgson were standouts from the Bats while Fletcher Carrick and Matthew Stokes gave it their all for the Power.
Hurstbridge and Research Under 16 Boys (2) had a nail-biting preliminary final at Greenhill Reserve. The Bridges kept a small lead in the first half until the Searchers pushed back in the third term to take a four-point lead. In the end the Bridges came away with a one-point win after kicking three goals to two in the final term. Darcy Johnson and Maximus Kelso led the Bridges while Brayden Stule and Jordan Groves put in their best for the Searchers.
