A look back over last weekend’s action in the Under-16 to Under 18 junior competitions.
There were two contrasting results in the Under 18 Girls competition. The first game at Plenty Park Oval saw Diamond Creek Women’s claim a thrilling three-point victory over Eltham. After trailing by three goals at quarter time, the Creekers took the lead in the second and were able to hold on for the rest of the contest to secure the 9.7 (61) to 9.4 (58) victory. 11 players impacted the scoreboard for either side, with Abigail Datko and Joss Hanrahan named best on for the Creekers and Panthers respectively.
The other Under 18 Girls game took place between Research and Mernda at Research Park. Research kicked 29.7 (181) and kept Mernda to just 0.2 (2) to remain undefeated after their first two games. 12 players kicked goals for the hosts, with best on Sierra Filippone kicking seven goals, Ally Pilakis kicking six and Maighan Arnold kicking five. Sienna McCarthy was yet again one of Mernda’s better players.
In the Under 17.5 Boys competition three sides remain undefeated, with one of those sides in Yarrambat having the bye this weekend. Diamond Creek is one of those sides that haven’t lost yet and sit atop the table after their victory over Laurimar. The Creekers trailed by seven points at half time before a nine-goal to two second half saw them over the line 13.11 (89) to 8.4 (52). Hamish Day led the way in attack for Diamond Creek with four goals while Luke Pinzone had a terrific outing. Laurimar had three players kick two goals each, with one of those being their best on in Logan Knight.
Eltham claimed their first victory of the year over Mernda at Waterview Recreation Reserve. The Panthers set up the victory in the first half, kicking 10 goals to two, before another four goals in the second half boosted their total to 14.15 (99) to Mernda’s 3.7 (25). Joshua Lawless kicked five goals for Eltham, whose captain Will Lewis had another stellar performance. Ashton Miles was the Demons only multiple goalscorer, with best on Ryder Carter-Humphrey kicking a goal as well.
Montmorency returned to the winners list with a 28-point win over Wallan at Montmorency Park North Oval. Trailing by 11 points at quarter time, Montmorency kicked five goals and kept Wallan scoreless in the second term enroute to the 13.6 (84) to 8.8 (56) win over their fellow Magpies. Riley Keating had a terrific performance for Montmorency whose leading goalkicker on the day was Lachlan Galletly with four. Wallan best on Campbell Harrison was one of two players to kick two goals for his side.
South Morang returned to the field in the Under 17.5 Boys competition this weekend and secured the four points against Whittlesea. The Lions kicked eight goals straight in the first quarter and kicked 17.6 (108), keeping the Eagles to 6.10 (46). Kaiden Isherwood built on his three-goal performance in Round 1 with seven goals and was one of South Morang’s best alongside Marcus Cutajar. Jack Wunderlich continued his great start to 2025 for the Eagles whose leading goalkicker on the day was Xavier Morrison (two).
At the Under 16 Girls (1) level there were a pair of close contests. The only big margin in that division was in Diamond Creek Women’s and Yarrambat’s game at Plenty Park Oval. Yarrambat kicked 12.7 (79) and kept the Creekers to just 0.2 (2) to remain the only undefeated side in the competition. Charli-Jordan Ford kicked three goals while Deena Gerges kicked two and was the Bats best on.
Research and Montmorency played out a thrilling contest at Research Park. After being locked up at quarter time the Searchers took the lead at the main break by seven points. They then took a two-point lead at the final break before holding on for a 5.5 (35) to 5.4 (34) win. Grace Hegarty kicked three goals for the hosts while Amelia Sala had a strong outing. Zoey Cummings was Montmorency’s best on and was one of four goalkickers for the Magpies.
In the contest between Eltham and Mernda at Eltham Central Park, the Demons claimed their first win of the season. Mernda’s total of 6.4 (40) was kicked in the first three quarters, keeping the Panthers to 3.4 (22). Demons vice-captain Tasmin Newton kicked three goals while Eltham had all individual goalkickers, with best on ground Ashley Denny one of those players to impact the scoreboard.
Some intriguing contests took place in the Under 16 Girls (2) competition. At Greenhill Reserve Darebin made it back-to-back wins with a 56-point victory over Wallan. The Falcons led by seven points at quarter time before kicking seven goals to just one behind in the final three quarters, winning 9.9 (63) to 1.1 (7). Abigail Pratt had her best performance of 2025 to date while Grace Barker and Zara Quinn kicked two goals. Ariana Lauletta was the Magpies best on.
South Morang and Whittlesea played a close contest at Mill Park Lakes Reserve. It was a seesawing contest between the two, however a four goal to two second half in favour of the Lions sealed the 4.4 (28) to 3.3 (21) victory. Lexie Rutter was the only multiple goalscorer for either side, finishing with two goals. Rachael Williams played a key role in the victory while Kiah McKinnon-Rowe had another terrific performance for the Eagles.
Kilmore continued their strong start to the season with a four-goal victory over Laurimar at Laurimar Reserve. Despite some inaccuracy in front of goal, the Blues were in control for majority of the contest, eventually winning 5.11 (41) to 2.5 (17). Maddison O’Brein was the leading goalscorer for Kilmore with two while Amarni Bentley built on a promising performance in round two. Caitlin Poulton also had a terrific performance for the Power.
Only one game was decided by 50 points or less in Round 3 of the Under 16 Boys (1) competition. That one game was at the Whittlesea Showgrounds where South Morang won their first game of the season against Whittlesea. The Eagles led at quarter time but gave up that lead before the main break. South Morang then held the hosts to two goals in the second half, kicking an additional four goals to secure the 9.11 (65) to 5.10 (40) win. Noah Traianou was yet again terrific for the Lions whose leading goalkicker was Alex Parisi with five goals. Orlando Andersen-Wells continued his great start to the year for Whittlesea as well.
Laurimar Black made it three wins from three on the weekend, defeating Diamond Creek by 56-points at Laurimar Reserve. The Power extended their advantage across the entire contest, finishing on 11.15 (81) to Diamond Creek’s 3.7 (25). It was Oscar Muldon’s turn to kick a big bag for the Power, ending up with six goals. Fletcher Carrick was sublime again for Laurimar while Hugo Hunter was the Creekers best performer.
Eltham Black atoned for their five-point loss to Yarrambat in Round 2 with an 83-point victory over Mernda at Eltham Central Park. The Panthers had 8.16 and had kept Mernda to four scoring shots up to half time, with the hosts eventually finishing on 14.23 (107) to Mernda’s 3.6 (24). Ned Hewett was sublime for the Panthers alongside Cruze Cooke and Jordan Emmanuel who both kicked three goals each. Demons captain Jett Philips stood tall yet again.
Yarrambat continued their unbeaten start to the year with a 58-point win over Kilmore at JJ Clancy Reserve. The Bats took advantage of their opportunities in front of goal, kicking 15.5 (95) and restricting the previously undefeated Kilmore to 5.7 (37). Three players kicked four or more goals for Yarrambat, led by Toby Jeffs who kicked five. Andrew Sevas finished with four and was named the Bats best on while Campbell White was listed as Kilmore’s best player.
In the Under 16 Boys (2) competition three games saw margins greater than 90 points. One of those games was the one between Kilmore White and Wallan where the Magpies won by 94 points at JJ Clancy Reserve. Wallan kicked 7.3 in the first quarter and kept the Two Blues to one goal to help set up the 18.14 (122) to 4.4 (28) win. All five Wallan goalkickers had two or more goals, led by best on Darby Bishop who kicked five. Kilmore best on Richie Rode was one of three goal scorers for the hosts.
The closest game in the Under 16 Boys (2) grade took place at Ben Frilay Oval between two undefeated sides in Hurstbridge and Research. Hurstbridge kicked four goals to just one behind in the first half before holding firm for the rest of the contest, eventually winning 9.9 (63) to 4.7 (31). Maxiums Kelso had a strong outing for the Bridges who had only one multiple goalscorer in Zach Thomas. Zachary Cochrane kicked two goals for the Searchers whose best on was Jenson Campbell.
Kinglake Memorial Oval hosted the Kinglake and West Preston-Lakeside matchup. The Roosters kicked 10 goals to just one in the first half which played a key role in setting up their first victory of the season, 15.21 (11) to 3.2 (20). Christian Perri kicked four goals and was one of the Roosters best alongside Joshua Marsi. Vasco Strong was serviceable for the Lakers.
And at Greensborough War Memorial Park Greensborough had another big victory, this time over Laurimar Teal. The Borough conceded their first goal of the season, managing to kick 17.23 (125) themselves to make it three 100+ point victories so far in 2025. Zach Elia and Nathan Halley kicked three goals each for the Borough. Charlie Reato was the hosts best on while Dominic Werner had a strong performance for the Power.
