A look back over last weekend’s action in the Under-16 to Under-18 junior competitions.
A potential finals preview kicked things off in Under 18 Girls on Sunday, as Diamond Creek Women’s played host to Yarrambat at Plenty Park Oval. The game lived up to expectations as despite the Creekers leading by 20 points at quarter time, that margin reduced to six points at the main break before the Bats took a five-point lead into the final term. But the home side fought back and kicked three goals to two to prevail by just three points. Three majors from Zoe Ricardo proved key to the Creekers’ triumph, while Lilly Tebbatt’s efforts almost got the away team over the line.
Montmorency and Eltham did battle at Montmorency Park South Oval, with the Panthers getting on top early. They led by 16 points at half time, having not conceded a score during the opening two terms, before putting through three of the last four goals of the game to run out 31-point victors. Joss Hanrahan’s excellent form continued in the win for Eltham, having now been named in the side’s best in her previous six matches. Jemma Gersh was a standout for the Magpies.
Top of the ladder Research made the trip to take on bottom of the ladder Whittlesea at A.F. Walker Reserve to conclude the round. After suffering their first loss of the season last week, the Searchers bounced back well, keeping the Eagles scoreless in a 30-point victory. Abigail Flenley and Isabella Turner starred for the winning side while despite the loss, Whittlesea kept the ladder leaders to their second lowest score of the year, with the gallant effort led by Ella Daly and Ella Moore.
The three-game slate in Under 17.5 Boys (1) began at the Whittlesea Showgrounds, with Whittlesea taking on Yarrambat. The Bats got things going early and were able to slowly increase their advantage throughout, taking a 25-point lead into the final break. The Eagles had only managed seven behinds up to that point, and despite kicking two goals to one in the last quarter, they still fell 18 points short of victory. Bendigo Pioneers listed player Russell Clark made it back-to-back weeks in Yarrambat’s best while Lucas Martin also impressed. Blake Morely was difficult to stop again for Whittlesea despite the loss.
South Morang Blue faced Research at Mill Park Lakes Reserve. The Lions led by just eight points at quarter time, before taking complete control of the contest, keeping the Searchers to just one more major while piling on another nine goals of their own to run out 60-point winners. Thomas Hewson was superb in the home team’s triumph while teammates Kaden Isherwood and Lucas Yacoub booted three goals apiece. Charlie Klaster made it three mentions in Research’s best in his last four games.
A huge top four battle ended Round 13 with Eltham Black clashing with Montmorency at Eltham Central Park. The Panthers had the ascendency for the majority of the afternoon, kicking 10 goals to three in the opening half, and despite being outscored in the final two quarters, they were still able to produce a handy 26-point triumph. Zain Andreetta was excellent for the winning side and starred with a season-high five majors inside forward 50. Benjamin Carbone was also solid for Eltham while the Magpies were again led by Nash Dyer.
Round 13 in Under 17.5 Boys (2) got underway at Mill Park Lakes Reserve with South Morang Gold doing battle with Kilmore. After only one goal was kicked between the two sides in the opening term, a five-goal second quarter from the top of the table Blues broke the game right open, as they eventually went on to produce a 57-point win. Cooper Ramsay was one of the best players on the ground with a three-goal effort from the away side. Marc Pandolfo was named in South Morang’s best for the second consecutive game.
Eltham Central Park played host to Eltham Red and Laurimar’s clash. In similar fashion to the two previous games between these two sides in 2024, the Power were in control from the outset, and this time it was an eight-goal to one first half that set up a strong 58-point triumph away from home. Bailey and Kyan Rowe were some of the standouts in Laurimar’s victory while three goals in successive weeks for Thomas De Maria takes his season tally to 17. William Murray led the way for the Panthers.
Mernda and Epping’s game at Waterview Recreation Reserve ended the round. Only one-point separated the two sides by quarter time, before a huge six-goal second term from the Demons put the match in their hands, as they went on to claim a 72-point win. Another four majors from Darcy Kinash makes it 41 goals for the forward, whilst in the same weekend he played his fifth Under 19.5’s game for the club, Cameron Stoneham also impressed for Mernda. Joshua Bawden was the Blues best.
A huge top four battle between Montmorency and Whittlesea started the three games that were played out in Under 16 Girls (1) on Sunday. The Magpies led throughout the opening three terms and were ahead by as much as nine points at three quarter time, before the Eagles fought back with a two-goal to nil final term to produce a stunning three-point triumph. Dayna Kelly’s two goals were huge in Whittlesea’s victory while the other goalkicker in Kiah McKinnon-Rowe finished as the away side’s best. Bailee Bowden and Madison Morgan were great for the Magpies despite the loss.
Yarrambat looked to return to the winners list when they hosted Kilmore at Yarrambat War Memorial Park. The Bats kept the Blues to just seven behinds for the game while piling on 12 scoring shots of their own to finish 45-point winners. Zara Capp was brilliant in the win for home side while teammate Caitlyn Kennedy kicked her first three majors of the season to lead all goalkickers for the match. Incredibly, Mabel-Jean Flannery made it 13 times in Kilmore’s best from 13 games.
Diamond Creek Women’s 1 were determined to keep their unbeaten run going for another week when they took on Eltham at Susan Street Reserve. The Creekers kicked all five goals in the 41-point victory away from home, with only some inaccuracy preventing the final margin from extending further. Milica Tanic had one of her best games of the year for the winning side and was one of four individual goalkickers for the afternoon. Tiah Bishop meanwhile impressed for the Panthers.
With Mernda having the bye, two games took place in Under 16 Girls (2). An important game that looks to shape the top four played out between South Morang and Diamond Creek Women’s 2 at Mill Park Lakes Reserve. A low-scoring thriller was the story of the contest, with one-point separating the two teams during the quarter time and half time breaks before scores were level at three quarter time. The Lions would then kick the decisive goal in the final term to prevail by just three points. Natasha Penn and Isabella Vescio were some of the key contributors to South Morang’s victory, while Emilee Bezzina was terrific for the Creekers.
Research and Darebin’s battle at Research Park concluded the round. The Searchers burst out of the gates with a three-goal to nil opening term, which set the tone for their 49-point win, their seventh consecutive triumph of the 2024 campaign. It was Sienna Bandera and Ayva Humphreys who were the stars of the show for the home side, with the duo kicking three majors apiece to help take the ladder leaders to victory. Emily Pivetta was a solid contributor for the Falcons.
Round 13 in Under 16 Boys (1) saw Mill Park have the bye as two games were played. Yarrambat had hosting duties when clashing with Eltham Black at Yarrambat War Memorial Park. The Panthers had a great start to the match with a four-goal to one opening term, and despite that margin reducing to 12 points by the main break, the away side steadied and kicked 10 goals in the second half to power home to a 58-point triumph. It was a second straight game of five goals from Axton West that helped Eltham Black get over the line while teammate Liam Cameron was just as important in the victory.
The other game in the round saw Montmorency Black play Diamond Creek at Montmorency Park North Oval. After an early lead, it was a massive seven-goal to two second quarter from the Magpies that broke the game apart, which proved to be the difference in the 48-point win. Chas Woodward ended the game as the home side’s best and alongside Riley Watts, kicked three goals apiece. Jack Morgan and Lennox Thomson also kicked three majors each for the Creekers despite the defeat.
Some big results came about from Round 13 in Under 16 Boys (2). It began at Mill Park Lakes Reserve as South Morang did battle with Eltham Red. The Lions were able to lead from the outset and increase their advantage during the game before prevailing by 39 points, their second triumph over the Panthers in 2024. Another terrific performance from Cruz Ciarma saw his great patch of form continue for the hosts and Declan Luke led the way with four goals up forward. Angus Smith played well again for Eltham Red.
Whittlesea took on Greensborough in their meeting at Whittlesea Showgrounds. The top of the table Eagles were dominant from the opening siren and managed 24 scoring shots to two in a huge 72-point win on their home deck. Whilst Jack Wunderlich had yet another match where he finished as his side’s best, his teammate Isaac Daniel was also a big contributor in the hosts’ win. James Harding stood out for the Boro.
Mernda went searching for their fourth straight win when they travelled to Montmorency Park North Oval to face Montmorency White. It was clear from the start of the game that Demons were on song, with a six-goal to nil opening half setting up a huge 63-point triumph, their largest margin of victory since Round 7. Three goals apiece from Dezeal Digiacomo and Ben Lyons helped Mernda achieve the feat, while Patrick Johnston’s incredible campaign didn’t miss a beat despite his team’s loss.
Laurimar and Wallan’s clash concluded proceedings in Round 13 when they met at Laurimar Reserve. The Magpies were at their brilliant best, with the tone being set with a six-goal to nil first quarter, that helped them produce a massive 71-point win, their ninth consecutive triumph. Alastair Clarke finished as the away side’s best and was also one of 11 individual goalkickers for the side. Laurimar’s best efforts came from the likes of Jayden Clifford and Kade Weston.
