A look back over last weekend’s action in the Under-16 to Under-18 junior competitions.
The three-game slate in the Under 18 Girls competition started at Plenty Park Oval as Diamond Creek Women’s faced Montmorency. The Creekers produced seven scoring shots to three in the opening half before kicking five of the last six goals of the match to prevail by 39 points. Strong efforts from Diamond Creek Women’s duo Brianna Cowley and Elisha Folino helped the side responded perfectly to their defeat last week, while the Magpies were led by Charly Bandera and Jemma Gersh, the latter kicking the away side’s only goal.
Eltham were aiming for their third straight win when they hosted Whittlesea at Eltham Central Park. It was a competitive opening half between the two sides, with the Eagles holding a narrow two-point advantage at the main break before eight of the next nine scoring shots went the way of the Panthers who went on to claim a 20-point triumph. Eliza Davis kicked two of the winning side’s three majors for the afternoon while Cassie Hicks also impressed for the hosts. Sierra Rogers maintained her great start to the 2024 season for Whittlesea.
The round concluded at Ben Frilay Oval as Yarrambat battled with Research. The unbeaten Searchers were challenged early in the match, trailing to the Bats by two points at quarter time. However, they were able to wrestle back control of the game and only inaccuracy prevented the visitors from producing a larger margin than the 25-point victory. Sierra Filippone was exceptional for Research and produced a three-goal effort, with teammate Isabella Turner also solid. Ash Hunt and Lilly Tebbatt played well for Yarrambat.
Another three games were played out in Under 17.5 (1) kicking off with Yarrambat and Whittlesea’s clash at the Whittlesea Showgrounds. The Eagles flew out of the blocks in the opening half, kicking six goals to one to build a 32-point lead. The Bats evened things up in the final two quarters and kept the hosts goalless in the last term, however Whittlesea had done enough in the early stages of the game to win by 22 points. Hamish Caine starred with five majors for the Eagles with Blake Morley also impressing. Northern Knights listed player Ned Nihill returned for Yarrambat and was one of three goalkickers.
Eltham Black hosted Research out at Eltham Central Park, with the Panthers at their scintillating best. Looking to respond from two consecutive defeats, the hosts put together an 11-goal opening term and finished the afternoon a very accurate 25.3 in the 125-point triumph. Incredibly 19 of the 21 players that took the field got on the scoreboard, with Eamon Magnuson leading the way with three majors. Jesse Todd finished as the Searchers’ best and has made four appearances in his side’s best from four games.
Montmorency made the trip to Mill Park Lakes Reserve to face South Morang Blue. The Lions kicked two majors in each quarter to prevail by 28 points and claim their first victory since Round 2. Lucas Yacoub made it a third straight match of kicking three majors while teammates Malik Keegan and Seth Hudson-Joseph also impressed for the home side. Nash Dyer and Jake Boyne were solid for the Magpies while Zachary Broadbent slotted three goals for the first time in 2024.
The battle between South Morang Gold and Eltham Red opened Round 5 in Under 17.5 (2). Both sides were neck and neck throughout the first half, with the Panthers leading by a solitary point at the main break. But the Lions took the game by the scruff of its neck in the second half, kicking nine goals to two in the final two terms to secure a 45-point win. Ethan Krstanovski was excellent for the home side while four more majors from Joshua Evans has taken his tally to 15 for the season. Lucas Richardson played one of his best matches of the year for the visitors despite the defeat.
Laurimar hosted Epping out at Laurimar Reserve. The Power were outstanding for all four quarters of their clash, kicking at least four majors in each quarter and ending the game an accurate 21.4 in the 90-point result. Thomas De Maria booted a season-high four majors, while Zac Langford’s brilliant campaign for Laurimar continued with another strong effort. Oscar Eyre and Dominic Galati were the standouts for the Blues, with the latter either kicking a major or being named in his side’s best in all five matches this season.
Mernda faced off with Kilmore out at Waterview Recreation Reserve. The Demons got on top early and led by nine points at quarter time, before a four-goal second term put the Blues back in control of the contest. They were able to hold their lead throughout the match to finish 22-point winners, making it three straight victories. Cooper Dulson starred for the away side alongside teammate Lucas Chesswas who kicked three majors. Darcy Kinash maintained his terrific patch of form with a three-goal effort for the Demons, while Jack Maxey was also great.
We saw another three games take place in Under 16 Girls (1) starting out at Ben Frilay Oval as Yarrambat took on Eltham. The Bats continued the dominance that had seen them win their last three matches and despite some inaccuracy early, an impressive 11-goal second half solidified an 81-point triumph. A season-high of five majors for Charli-Jordan Ford led the charge for the home side while Paige Corr was also superb for the winning team. The Panthers saw strong games from Shaelee Jenkins as well as Addison Fitzpatrick who kicked three goals.
Diamond Creek Women’s 1 ventured out to A.F. Walker Reserve to do battle with Whittlesea. The Creekers settled into the game early before a five-goal second term broke the match open and allowed them to run away with a 60-point victory away from home and remain undefeated in 2024. Jayda Cooney was at her best inside 50 with a year-high tally of four goals, while Milica Tanic played a great game for the visitors. Ava Kieth was the Eagles’ best with Kiah McKinnon-Rowe having another solid outing.
Round 5 concluded at J.J. Clancy Reserve as Kilmore clashed with Montmorency. The Magpies responded to their defeat last week well and held the Blues to just two scoring shots on their way to 19-point triumph. Zoey Cummings returned to the side and produced an excellent performance for the winning team, with Aysha Aksoyoglu another that impressed in the visitors’ victory. Despite the loss, Chiara Amoroso continues to star for Kilmore, making it a fifth straight week in her side’s best and kicking her team’s only goal on the weekend.
Diamond Creek Women’s 2 had the bye while two games took place in the newly formed Under 16 Girls (2) competition. Darebin took on hosting duties at A.H. Capp Reserve as they faced Mernda. A blistering five goal to nil opening quarter proved to be the perfect start for the Falcons, who kept their advantage throughout the match finished 62-point winners. Amalie Hasan produced a season-high three-goal effort for the winning team, while Molly Atkinson had another terrific performance for Darebin and was named in the side’s best again. Sienna McCarthy stood tall for the Demons.
Research was looking for their third successive win when they battled with South Morang at Research Park. After a competitive start, the Searchers built on an early lead throughout the afternoon and finished the match with 16 scoring shots in a 58-point triumph. It was Dakota Edmonds who led from the front up forward, with a brilliant four-goal performance. Kyah Isatchenko also played well for the home side while the Lions were led by Lexie Rutter.
With Eltham Black taking the bye, two matches were played in Under 16 Boys (1) starting with an entertaining encounter at Yarrambat War Memorial Park between Yarrambat and Montmorency Black. The contest was even throughout the opening two terms as the Bats led by just five points at half time. They extended that advantage to 19 points at the final change before they had to hold off a strong last quarter surge from the Magpies to win by just two points. The likes of Jayce Callegari and Isaac Jones were some Bats’ that played roles in their side’s victory while Carlin Hoath was pivotal in the visitors’ fightback.
The other match of the day saw Mill Park host Diamond Creek at Redleap Reserve. The undefeated Parkers continued their impressive unbeaten streak after kicking seven goals to two in each half on their way to a massive 79-point victory. Another magnificent performance from Jai Bartzis up forward saw him kick five goals to make it 18 majors in four games for the forward. Dean Talarico and Jasper Tucker again starred, while Jack Morgan and Joseph Dayoub produced solid efforts for the Creekers.
A set of four games took place in Under 16 Boys (2) with Eltham Central Park hosting the opening match of the round between Eltham Red and Greensborough. It was an excellent game where you didn’t know which side were able to run away with the victory, as scores were level at half time, before the Boro led by just four points at the final change. It would be the visitors, who kicked five of the eight scoring shots produced in the last term, that prevailed by 11 points and continued their unbeaten start to 2024. Hunter Corfield and Asher Bell were great for Greensborough while Cooper Plant kicked three of the Panthers’ six goals.
Whittlesea was aiming to make it five wins from five when they clashed with Laurimar at Laurimar Reserve. A five-goal to one opening term set the tone for the Eagles, who went on to finish 42-point winners away from home. The visitors had multiple contributors in the triumph including Willem Morrison, who booted three majors, and Jarvis Moloney who finished in his side’s best for a second straight match. Bailey Guy and Deacon Parker performed admirably for the Power despite the loss.
Mernda did battle with Montmorency White out at Waterview Recreation Reserve. Like Whittlesea in the previous game, it was a strong opening quarter that was the catalyst in the Demons’ victory, kicking six goals to one in the first term before outscoring the Magpies 10 goals to six in the final three terms to prevail by 69 points. It was another inspirational effort from Justin Spadorcia that helped the home side finish the match as winners, while Jayden Bianco and Cooper Carter kicked three goals each. Lachlan McConnell led the way for the visitors.
The final match of the round saw Wallan pitted against South Morang at Greenhill Reserve. The Magpies ability to keep the Lions goalless in the first half was all they needed to gain a solid advantage throughout the afternoon and despite being held scoreless in the last term, Wallan had done enough to win by 22 points. Hayden Walker performed well in his second match of the season while Jack Brundell kicked a season-high three goals for the home side. Declan Luke did all he could for the Lions and finished with four of his side’s eight majors for the match.
