A look back over last weekend’s action in the under-16 to under-18 junior competitions.
With Yarrambat having the bye this week, three games were played in Under 18 Girls, starting with a top-of-the-table clash between Diamond Creek Women’s and Montmorency at Plenty Park Oval. The Creekers had a promising start, leading by three points at half time in the hopes of ending the Magpies’ unbeaten streak. But the ladder leaders went up a notch in the second half, kicking three goals to one to win by 10 points. Ella Spark and Lily Stubbs were crucial in securing the win for the away side. Stephanie Rozario battled hard all day kicking a game-high two goals for the hosts.
Whittlesea hosted Laurimar at the Whittlesea Showgrounds and despite both sides being out of finals contention, each team produced a great effort. The Power came out of the gates quickly, keeping the home side scoreless in the first half, however inaccurate goalkicking allowed the Eagles to remain in the contest throughout. The visitors were scoreless in the last term but managed to hold off their opposition to win by 12 points. Larissa Tedford kicked Laurimar’s only two goals for the day with teammate Mabel McMillan stood out for the winning side. Abbey Partington was Whittlesea’s best in a solid effort.
In a must-win game for both sides, Eltham took on South Morang and Eltham Central Park. With the Lions having the bye next week, they had to win to secure finals while the Panthers would be out of contention with a defeat. The home side started well, keeping Eltham to just one-point for the half while scoring three goals of their own, and it proved enough of a base to go on with the job and win by 30 points. Hailey Cordova was the only multiple-goal scorer of the day with two while Zara Lockiler kept up her awesome form with South Morang. Cassie Hicks produced a great performance for the hosts.
Four games took place in Under 17.5 Blue beginning with Diamond Creek Blue, who travelled to Whittlesea Showgrounds to take on Whittlesea. Looking to maintain their top of the ladder status, the Creekers started well, but the Eagles still kept in touch with 18-point deficit to chase at half time. But a four-goal to two second half sealed the visitors’ 27-point victory. Kade Garraway and Ethan Cail kicked two goals each while teammate Jack Smith was best on for Diamond Creek in an outstanding game. Both Harvey and Max Hempenstall led the way for Whittlesea.
Epping traveled to J.E Moore Park to face off against West Preston-Lakeside, with both teams looking to claim another win before season’s end. The Roosters got out to a strong 22-point advantage at half time and did well to hold that lead throughout the rest of the game, sealing a 29-point win to produce their first triumph since Round 4 and their equal highest score since Round 6. Xavier Madrigrano stood out and produced a best on ground performance with Christian Ganino also playing well, kicking two majors. Archer Bugden backed up his terrific match last week with another solid performance.
Laurimar hosted Montmorency at Laurimar Reserve, with the Magpies hoping to get a spot in the top two against a Power outfit who are out of the finals race. In a close opening three quarters, Montmorency held a nine-point advantage, looking to finish strong in the last term, but the home side took control of the game, kicking the last four goals of the game to upset the Magpies at home by nine points. Matthew Gomez and Kohen Wosglen kicked two each for Laurimar with Cooper Fitzpatrick was huge for his side’s win. For the Magpies, Dylan Colledge kicked a game-high three goals.
The game of the round status belonged to Eltham and Yarrambat after their top four contest at Eltham Central Park. With still plenty to play for, both sides were keen to secure a vital four points. The Panthers led at each of the opening three quarter breaks, taking an eight-point advantage into the final term. However, the Bats took over in the closing quarter, kicking three goals to one to prevail by just four points. Kyan Carman had another incredibly impactful performance for the Bats, kicking five goals. At the other end, it was Ben Carbone who was superb for the Panthers.
It was a round of big wins in Under 17.5 Red ahead of the end of the home and away season. South Morang travelled to Coventry Oval to face Diamond Creek Red, as the Lions remained on track to secure the minor premiership. The ladder leaders dominated from start to finish, registering 36 scoring shots to prevail by 114 points away from home. Arnie Sui backed up his five-goal game last week with an incredible eight majors on the day. Christian Galea earnt best on ground honours for South Morang meanwhile Jaye Mcgrath was named in the Creekers’ best for the third time in four games.
Kilmore hosted Research at J.J. Clancy Reserve in what looks to be an early preview to a potential first week finals match up. The Blues maintained the advantage in the game throughout, with a five-goal to one last quarter selling a 45-point win, their seventh of the 2023 campaign. Three goals from Kilmore’s Mitchell O’Dwyer were the catalyst to the victory, while his side also had nine individual goalkickers. James Shadbolt was named as the Searchers’ best for the afternoon, being his side’s only multiple goalscorer.
Greensborough took on Wallan at Wallan Recreational Reserve, looking to go one step closer to sewing up a double chance spot. The Boro got things rolling early, holding the Magpies goalless in the first half while scoring six majors themselves. It was enough of a base for the visitors to go on with the job, kicking nine goals to four after the main break to win by 74 points. Lachlan Clark played his best game of the year kicking four goals for the winning side, while Aston Studwick kicked two majors for Wallan.
Diamond Creek Women’s had the bye ahead of two massive games in Under 16 Girls Blue. Research was hoping to move into top spot when they travelled to take on Laurimar at Laurimar Reserve. A massive four goal to nil first half ensured the Searchers would not be headed, as they finished 27-point victors to rise to first place with a week to play. Chloe Tripp kicked two majors for Research while her teammate Emily Graziano played brilliantly and also went on to kick a goal. Lily Bondrov was a standout for the Power despite the loss.
It was a must win game for Yarrambat when they hosted Whittlesea at Yarrambat War Memorial Park, as by having the bye in the final round of the season, they had to win big over the Eagles to jump into the top four on percentage. The Bats had the Eagles measure after half time and while winning by 21 points, they couldn’t capitalise on their 12 scoring shots to jump their opponents on the ladder. The win came thanks to terrific efforts from Madeleine Ball and Isabel Becker while Dayna Kelly was again prominent for the visitors.
Friday night kicked off Round 13 in Under 16 Girls Red as Mernda hosted Darebin at Waterview Recreation Reserve. Scores were level at quarter time before the Falcons produced the rest of the scoring for the match, finishing as 18-point winners and solidifying top spot on the ladder for the 2023 season. Molly Atkinson was named in the side’s best for the third time in the last four games, with Edie Villiers’ performance also impressive for the away side. Gemma McDonald led the way for the Demons.
The second draw of the season took place between Montmorency and Diamond Creek Women’s 2 at Montmorency Park North Oval. Wins were important for both teams coming into the game, as the Magpies were looking to secure a top four spot while the Creekers were aiming to keep in touch with top of the table Darebin. Just one-point separated the two sides at three quarter time and in an intense last term, scores were level when the final siren sounded. Ella McCall was a leading force for the Magpies while goals from Aliesha Ryan and Madeline Toone in the first half proved critical for the visitors.
If Wallan wanted to keep their finals hopes alive, they had to defeat Eltham at Wallan Recreational Reserve. The game lived up to expectations and was a close contest throughout, with no majors kicked until the final term. Both sides ended up finding the big sticks in the last quarter, but it was the Magpies who found the winning goal to prevail by just one-point and keep their top four hopes alive. Jayda Cooney kicked the all-important major for the hosts while Charlotte Laszczuk kept the Panthers in it with her major at the other end.
With Yarrambat having the bye this week, three games took place in Under 16 Blue starting with Eltham Black taking on Mernda at Eltham Central Park. The Panthers took control from the outset with a 23-point quarter time lead and kept up their efforts throughout the rest of the match to finish 55-point winners. Luca Klaic kicked a season-high five goals for the hosts with teammate Jack Hartney adding three of his own as well as being named as his side’s best. Lincoln Coffey continued his excellent season for the Demons and was named in his side’s best for the eighth time in 10 games in 2023.
It was top against bottom of the ladder at Montmorency Park North Oval as Montmorency faced Kilmore Blue. The Blues had no answers for what was an excellent four quarter performance from the top of the table Magpies, who finished with 40 scoring shots in a big 136-point triumph. Competition goal leader Nick Canavan kicked seven goals for the second time this season against this opposition, with Sebastian Murphy another standout for the hosts. Jack Gibson produced his best efforts for the Blues despite the loss.
While they wouldn’t be appearing in finals regardless of the result, South Morang Blue were hoping to produce one final win when they clashed with Whittlesea at Mill Park Lakes Reserve. The Lions had the early lead, with an eight-point advantage at half time before the Eagles stormed back to take a one-goal margin into the final term. South Morang then produced one last burst, kicking three goals to one to hang on and win by five points. Stephan Vasilevski kicked two goals for the home side with Tyson Gresham had another outstanding game. For Whittlesea Ben Williams was named as his side’s best.
Three games took place in Under 16 Red opening at Mill Park Lakes Reserve with South Morang Gold taking on Eltham Red. Looking to build some momentum ahead of finals against the winless Panthers, the Lions got on top in the initial stages, with a 24-point half time lead turning into a 47-point triumph. Three majors from South Morang forward Joshua Evans took his season tally to 28 goals while Stephan Pisani produced a best on ground performance and also kicked two goals. William Walkley led the way for the Panthers.
An early finals preview was showcased in the top-of-the-table clash between Research and Laurimar at Research Park. While just four points separated the two sides on the ladder coming into the match, the Searchers produced their best to win by 44 points and secure the minor premiership as a result. Charlie Klaster was at his best for the hosts in a terrific display, while teammate Alexander Lopes booted three goals. Lincoln Mason earnt a third straight appearance in his side’s best.
Rounding out the weekend was an entertaining battle between Epping and Kilmore White at Epping Recreation Reserve. The hosts looked the better of the two sides in the first half but only slightly, as they led by nine points at the main break, before Kilmore fought back to reduce the deficit to a single point by the final change. Despite the visitors, best efforts, four scoring shots to one in favour of Epping sealed a three-point win for the finals bound side. Gabriel Bortolin made it a seventh time in 12 games that he’s been named in his sides best for Epping, while away side’s more impressive efforts came from Isaac Daniel and Tyreese Berkin.
