A look back over last weekend’s action in the Under-16 to Under-18 junior competitions.
Kicking off Round 12 in Under 18 Girls was Whittlesea and Diamond Creek Women’s, who did battle at the Whittlesea Showgrounds. The Creekers didn’t look back after a three-goal to one second term that opened the game up, leading by 24 points at the main break before going on to finish 39-point victors. Elisha Folino’s three majors took her season tally to 18 for 2024 and was one of the visiting side’s stand outs in the victory. Emma Pyle impressed again for the Eagles and kicked the team’s only goal.
Yarrambat hosted Montmorency at Yarrambat Memorial Park in a match that was close early. Only two points separated the sides at half time, with the Magpies clinging on to the slender lead, before a two-goal to nil second half propelled them to an 18-point win. In her first game for the Magpies from Northern Knights duty, Kira Lemire was outstanding, and was one of three goalkickers for the away side. Paige Graham led the way for the Bats.
Ending the round was Eltham and Research’s clash at Research Park. The unbeaten Searchers were in for a big battle with the resolute Panthers, as the away side led by five points at quarter time and 10 points at both half time and three quarter time, before holding their nerve with a two-goal to nil final term to hand their opponents their first defeat of the season. Maalu Choka’s three majors helped Eltham get over the line while Research’s best efforts were led by Emmy Graziano and Katelyn Busuttil.
The three-game slate in Under 17.5 Boys (1) began at the Whittlesea Showgrounds with Whittlesea facing Eltham Black. The Panthers were able to edge out their opponents early, leading by eight points at half time, before increasing that advantage to 23 points ahead of the final term. However, the Eagles almost managed to pull off a great comeback, keeping their opponents to just one behind in the last quarter, but they fell short by just nine points. Nicholas Driscoll and Max Poliness were crucial in getting Eltham the win, while Ben Williams was great for the hosts.
Another close game played out in Round 12, this time between Yarrambat and South Morang Blue at Yarrambat War Memorial Park. The Bats had all the answers early and led by 31 points after a dominant opening half. But the Lions roared their way back into the game in the third with a four-goal term, before producing a five-goal final quarter that saw them fall short by a mere five-points in an entertaining contest. Bryce Arthur was outstanding again for the home team while Archer Harvey booted four majors. Kaden Isherwood and Lucas Yacoub kicked three apiece to almost help the Lions complete a marvelous comeback.
Research faced Montmorency for the third time in 2024, out at Research Park. Just like the previous two meetings, the Magpies were in control throughout, kicking their highest total score since back in Round 4 to finish 58-point victors. Henry Moran kicked a season-high of four majors in a great display up forward while Ryan Kelly played his best match of the year. Tom Dozzi and Harrison Wenn led the way for the Searchers despite the loss.
Sunday’s matches in Under 17.5 Boys (2) began at Epping Recreational Reserve with a top versus bottom clash between Epping and Kilmore. With just 15 players, Epping were gallant, but Kilmore were incredibly dominant from start to finish, registering 32 scoring shots in an 89-point triumph. Jett Davies continued his great goalkicking form after last week’s efforts with a five-goal performance, while William Bowshall-Tanner finished as his side’s best and was one of three players to kick three goals. Marcus Rousalis was solid for the home side.
Laurimar hosted South Morang Gold at Laurimar Reserve in a match which was fairly even initially. After a five-point quarter time advantage, the Power were able to increase their lead during each quarter, eventually breaking away from the Lions in the second half to claim a 21-point win. Cooper Fox’s great patch of form continued for the home side, while Thomas De Maria slotted three majors. George Thalasinos was a standout for South Morang Gold.
Eltham Red and Mernda’s battle at Eltham Central Park concluded the round. It was a massive opening term blitz from the Demons that set the tone in this match, kicking five majors while keeping the Panthers scoreless on their way to a 43-point victory away from home. Jack Maxey has now been named in his side’s best in three of his last four games after another excellent game, while four more goals from Darcy Kinash takes his tally in 2024 to 37 majors. Luke Zahra was terrific meanwhile for Eltham despite the defeat and kicked five of his team’s seven goals.
Getting things underway in Under 16 Girls (1) this week was a huge top of the table clash between Diamond Creek Women’s 1 and Yarrambat at Plenty Park Oval. The Creekers were able to settle into the game early and get away from the Bats at the important stages to produce an impressive 35-point victory on their home deck. The stars were on show for the Creekers with Grace Farah and Maddison Meagher finishing as the team’s best players, while Adele Coppola was the winning side’s only multiple goalkicker. Grace Daly and Daisy White played well for Yarrambat.
Montmorency looked to return to the winners list when taking on Eltham at Montmorency Park North Oval. The Magpies put together a strong performance, keeping the Panthers to one behind, on their way to a 33-point victory. Caila De Cesare and April Hammond led the winning effort for a home side who had four individual goalkickers for the game. The defeat didn’t stop Yuriko Johnstone from having another great influence, being named in her side’s best for the sixth time in eight games in 2024.
Whittlesea and Kilmore’s game took place at A.F. Walker Reserve. Both sides had won one game each in their previous two meetings, but it was the Eagles who started strong and maintained their advantage throughout to prevail by nine points. Lana Carroll continued to star for the home side and was one of two individual goalkickers. Teammate Ava Keith also continued her superb campaign while for the Blues, NFNL representative Hannah Gibson impressed.
Top of the table Research had the bye as two games were played out in Under 16 Girls (2). Diamond Creek Women’s 2 were on hosting duties when facing Mernda at Plenty Park Oval. The Creekers managed to record most of the scoring shots produced in the match, keeping the Demons to one behind to three quarter time on their way to a 19-point winning result. Efforts from Krystal Burns and Madelyn Thomas helped the home side get over the line, while Olivia Nicoletti was a standout for Mernda.
Darebin returned from the bye to take on South Morang at A.H. Capp Reserve. After trailing by three points at quarter time, the Falcons put together a huge second term to lead by 17 points at the main break and whilst the Lions won the final two terms, it wasn’t enough to stop the home side prevailing by 11 points. Molly Atkinson was terrific again for Darebin while teammate Luella Napolitano kicked two of the team’s four goals for the match. Another great display from Sophia Hrysoulakis nearly got the away side over the line.
With Montmorency Black on bye duties, Round 12 in Under 16 Boys (1) commenced on Saturday night, as Yarrambat took on Diamond Creek at Yarrambat War Memorial Park. The Bats put on a show and registered 29 scoring shots to eight, with only inaccuracy preventing them for winning by more than the 51-point final margin. Zak Casey, Dylan McLaughlan and Harrison McMahon each kicked two goals apiece to contribute to their side’s big triumph, while Hamish Day did all he could for the Creekers.
The Sunday match saw a highly anticipated top of the table battle between Mill Park and Eltham Black at Redleap Reserve. A high scoring opening term saw nine goals kicked, with seven of them coming from the Panthers to lead by 30 points at quarter time. They never looked back afterwards, going on to move to the top of the ladder after a 57-point victory. Axton West produced a season-high five-goal haul for Eltham Black, while Jacob Jewitt finished as his side’s best. Blake Justice and Robert Marchant were solid contributors for the Parkers.
In Under 16 Boys (2) Whittlesea and Laurimar opened Round 12 at the Whittlesea Showgrounds. The Eagles made their intent mode from the opening bounce, with a six-goal to nil first quarter setting the tone for an eventual 78-point victory, to return to the winners list. Whilst Jack Wunderlich maintained his astounding season, a trio of teammates in Isaac Daniel, Billy Kennedy and Willem Morrison all kicked three majors each. Kai Egan made it consecutive weeks in the Power’s best.
Greensborough and Eltham Red faced off at Anthony Beale Reserve. A slow start from the Boro saw them trail by eight points to the Panthers, before they turned things around to lead by six points at half time. Kicking four of the final five majors of the game, the home side would claim a 22-point victory. Alex Dodd had a best on ground effort for Greensborough after kicking three goals, while Eltham’s strong efforts came from the likes of Angus Smith and Jackson Wilmot.
Mernda looked to solidify a top four spot when they hosted South Morang at Waterview Recreation Reserve. After a strong start saw them lead by 19 points at quarter time, the Demons had to settle for a 17-point half time margin, before a six-goal to three second half ensured they secured the 32-point triumph, their seventh of the season. Mitchell Gilday was excellent for the winning side, while Brayden Geary produced a season-best of four goals inside 50. Luke Ingwersen was impressive for the Lions and was one of four individual goalkickers.
Keen to make it eight straight wins, Wallan faced Montmorency White at Greenhill Reserve to close the round. It was Wallan who dominated things from the start, with a 10-goal to one first half, causing all the damage in an eventual 74-point win on their home deck. Campbell White’s season-high three goals has seen him now kick majors in his last five games, while Mark Sibllin was another who was brilliant in the win. Charlie Reid and Tyler Suckling stood tall for Montmorency.
