A look back over last weekend’s action in the Under-16 to Under-18 junior competitions.
The three games from Round 9 in Under 18 Girls opened at Plenty Park Oval with Diamond Creek Women’s taking on Research. A five-goal to one opening half set the tone for the Searchers before a four-goal third term sealed a 57-point triumph to maintain their unbeaten run. For back-to-back games and for third time in 2024, Ally Pilakis booted five majors and was terrific inside the attacking half. The efforts of Alli Allen and Katelyn Busuttil also impressed for the visitors while Elisah Folino was a standout for the Creekers, also hitting the scoreboard.
Yarrambat took on hosting duties when they faced Eltham at Yarrambat War Memorial Park. Only one-point was scored between the two sides in the opening term before the Bats broke the game open in the second quarter to lead by 19 points. A six-goal second half, along with their ability to keep the Panthers goalless, ensured the home side went on to win by 57 points. Jasmine Farrell’s excellent form continued for Yarrambat and was one of two multiple goalkickers for her side. Jessica van Hattum stood tall once again for Eltham despite the loss.
A close battle between Montmorency and Whittlesea concluded the round at Montmorency Park North Oval. It was a terrific contest throughout, with scores tied at half time before the Eagles led by just a point heading into the final term. The visitors were able to kick an important major in the last quarter while keeping the Magpies to just three behinds in the same period on their way to a tight four-point victory. Alexandra Cook was the standout for Whittlesea and played a major role in helping her side claim their first win of the year. Malaika Baya was just as superb for Montmorency in a match which included her first goal of the season.
Three games took place in Under 17 Boys (1) beginning with Montmorency taking on Research at Montmorency Park North Oval. Inaccuracy from the Magpies kept the Searchers in the hunt early before the home side piled on the final six goals of the game to end a four-game losing streak with a 49-point triumph. Zane Mouhamad finished as the Magpies’ best for the afternoon, while Ashton Locklier led things from a goalkicking perspective with two majors. Nathan Bradshaw was terrific for the Searchers and has now been mentioned in his side’s best for seven consecutive games.
Whittlesea made the trip to Mill Park Lakes Reserve to clash with South Morang Blue. The Eagles won the last meeting between these two sides back in Round 4 and after trailing by 12 points at half time, they were able to take a narrow three-point advantage into the final term. But the Lions impressed in the last quarter, with a three-goal term proving enough to prevail by 10 points. Joseph Ortisi performed well for South Morang in the win, while William Micelotta and Jack Traianou booted two goals each. Despite the loss, Nicholas Whewell was excellent for Whittlesea.
Yarrambat faced Eltham at Yarrambat War Memorial Park in what was an even contest in the opening half. The Bats led by two points at quarter time and by eight points at the main break, before continuing to increase their lead in the final two terms, while keeping the Panthers to just one major in the same period, as the finished 39-point victors. Another strong performance from Archer Harvey up forward saw him kick four majors, while Ryan Baynes finished as the winning side’s best. The Panthers were led by the likes of Sam Baldwin and Lachlan Ham.
The three game slate in Under 17.5 Boys (2) began with Epping travelling to take on South Morang Gold at Mill Park Lakes Reserve. A competitive opening term saw scores level at quarter time, before the Lions took control of the contest, as they kicked 10 of the next 12 goals of the match to prevail by 58 points. The hosts had nine individual goalkickers for the afternoon, which included Isaac Gvero, Jordan Tarpkos and Nicholas Torquati who finished as their side’s better players. An undermanned Blues outfit was led by Lochlyn Whelan.
Mernda looked to make it back-to-back wins when they took on Laurimar in a top of the table clash at Waterview Recreation Reserve. A 13-point quarter time lead from the Demons was cut down to seven by the Power at the main break before the hosts gained the ascendency and built on their advantage throughout to win by 27 points. Aidan Schwabl was a massive influence on Mernda’s victory as was Darcy Kinash and Edmond Saikaly, who each kicked three majors. Bailey Rowe fought hard all day for Laurimar while Harry McKeown booted two goals.
A big win took place by Kilmore to end the round as they made the trip to Eltham Central Park to clash with Eltham Red. The Blues certainly had their goalkicking boots on during the afternoon and put through 17.2 in the opening half which set the tone for a 126-point triumph, producing their second 150+ score in their last three matches. 13 players from the visitors hit the scoreboard, headlined by Blake Munari-O’Dwyer with five majors. Luke Zahra meanwhile kicked four of Eltham’s seven goals for the match.
Diamond Creek Women’s 1 and Montmorency kicked things off in Under 16 Girls (1) with their match at Plenty Park Oval. The unbeaten Creekers didn’t lose their attacking powers during the bye and finished the game with 26 scoring shots while keeping the Magpies scoreless in a 76-point triumph. NFNL representative Milla Garraway finished as the home side’s best, while Grace Farah and Heidi Gifford both kicked two goals each. Another NFNL representative in Alyssa Wearne impressed again for Montmorency.
Yarrambat hosted Whittlesea at Yarrambat War Memorial Park. The Bats dominated from the outset and managed three goals in each of the first two terms to lead by 37 points at half time. They continued to hit the scoreboard in the second half and kept the Eagles goalless on their way to a 71-point triumph. Mia Gigliotti had one of her best games of the season for Yarrambat while Isabella Hawkins kicked a season high four goals in a great display up forward. Dayna Kelly was again a solid contributor for the visitors.
Ending Round 9 in the competition saw Eltham take on Kilmore at Eltham Central Park. Just eight points separated the two sides when they met back in April, but it was the Blues who powered through from the start, with a four-goal to nil opening term setting up a strong 58-point victory away from home. After a great AFL Victoria MJDS, Chiara Amoroso starred again for the Blues and kicked a season-high four majors in her team’s win. Domenica Scaffidi impressed for the Panthers despite the loss.
South Morang had the bye as two games played out in Under 16 Girls (2). Darebin and Diamond Creek Women’s 2 did battle for the second time this year over at A.H. Capp Reserve. It was the Creekers who were able to turn the tables on their Round 3 defeat to the Falcons earlier this year, finishing the match with nine scoring shots to four in a 20-point triumph. The goals were shared between Hazel Baillie, Emilee Bezzina and Gabriella Tawil for the away side, while Vieda Simons-Moemai stood out for Darebin.
Research was on hosting duties when they welcomed Mernda to Research Park. The in-form Searchers produced a brilliant five-goal to nil opening quarter, which paved the way for them to kick at least two goals in the remaining three quarters to finish 72-point victors. It was Sienna Bandera and Ayva Humphreys who were the stars of the show, registering nine goals between them in the triumph. Lily Bondrov and Charli King did all they could for the Demons, with the duo being named in their side’s best in consecutive matches.
Two matches were part of Round 9 in Under 16 Boys (1) as Yarrambat had the bye. Eltham Black were on the hunt for their sixth successive win when they headed to Coventry Oval to take on Diamond Creek. The Panthers had an enormous start to the match, kicking 8.2 while not conceding a score in the first quarter. They would then add another 14 majors for the match as they comfortably defeated the Creekers by 109 points. It was the Logan Shepherd show up forward, after the Vic Metro representative slotted home 11 goals. Cooper Baker-Murphy battled hard all day for Diamond Creek.
Mill Park returned from two weeks away to host Montmorency Black at Redleap Reserve. The Magpies had all the answers early, leading by 10 points at quarter time before the hosts battled back to lead by five at the main break. Mill Park then were able to control proceedings throughout the third term, kicking the last five majors of the match to win by 39 points. Dean Talarico was at his best once again for the Parkers as well as Gabby Mouhamad who kicked two goals. Isaac Mullins and Mason Rigg were some that stood tall for Montmorency.
The four-game slate in Under 16 Boys (2) got underway at Waterview Recreation Reserve, as Mernda played Whittlesea. A six-goal to nil second term proved to be the catalyst in the Eagles’ 42-point victory, who are now unbeaten in their nine matches of 2024. Four goals from Isaac Daniel took his tally to 33 for the season, while Ryder Gresham was a key part of the visiting side’s triumph. Adriano Centurino earnt a mention in his side’s best for the second time in three matches for Mernda, while Ben Lyons kicked three of his team’s seven goals.
Wallan and Greensborough faced off in a terrific battle at Greenhill Reserve. The Magpies started well, but inaccuracy saw the Boro only trail by eight points at half time. The home side would end up with another 14 scoring shots but could only manage one more major, allowing Greensborough the opportunity to fight back in the last term. However, Wallan had done enough to prevail by just five points. Zac Bell and Alastair Clarke finished the game as some of the winning side’s best for the afternoon, while Kayden Ramirez impressed for the Boro.
Montmorency Park South Oval played host to the clash between Montmorency White and South Morang. The Lions shot out of the blocks with a hot start to the game, kicking nine goals to one in the opening half before going on with the job in an 84-point win. Declan Luke was a clear standout for the Lions and kicked five goals, while teammate Alex Nesci also chipped in with four majors. Toby Luke made it seven consecutive games in his side’s best while for Montmorency, Patrick Johnston was again hard to stop.
Laurimar and Eltham’s battle was the final game of the round at Laurimar Reserve. A great contest was had between the two sides in the opening half, with the Panthers leading by six points at quarter time, before the Power took over and led by 13 points at the main break. It was an advantage they extended throughout the rest of the match, as they kept their opponents to two more goals for the game in a 47-point triumph. Tobey Lambert led from the front and played a great game for the winners, while teammates Jayden Clifford and Mason Fitzgerald both had three goals each. Owen Bowles performed admirably for Eltham in defeat.
