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 Yarrambat War Memorial Park as Yarrambat faced Whittlesea. After a two-point margin at quarter time, the Bats took control of the contest to kick all seven goals of the match to finish 47-point winners, ending a three-game losing streak. Jasmine Farrell earnt a third consecutive mention in Yarrambat’s best and was one five goalkickers for the home side, along with Emma Hendrie and Emily Pannam who kicked two apiece. Sierra Rogers was hard to stop again for the Eagles.
Diamond Creek Women’s hosted Eltham at Plenty Park Oval and in similar fashion to the game when these two sides last met in Round 1, the first term was competitive. The Creekers then gained a 15-point lead at half time before the Panthers struck back with three third-term majors to lead by two points at the final change. But the home side went to another level in the last quarter with a magnificent five-goal term to win by 25 points. The likes of Brianna Cowley and Elisha Folino starred for Diamond Creek Women’s while Eltham was led by Jessica van Hattum.
Research was determined to extend their winning run to six when they took on Montmorency at Research Park. A five-goal to nil opening term would set the tone for the in-form Searchers, who produced 17 scoring shots on their way to a comfortable 61-point triumph. Alli Allen and Sierra Filippone scored three goals each, while Tess Gillson and Isabella Turner were also impressive for the hosts. Siena Di Carlo finished as the Magpies’ best for the first time this season while Ciara Marino returned to the team and performed admirably.
In Under 17.5 Boys (1), the first of three matches in Round 6 kicked off with a battle between Montmorency and Whittlesea at Montmorency Park South Oval. The game was tight all afternoon as while the Eagles led at each quarter break, it was never by greater than eight points, before a two-goal to nil final term sealed a 15-point victory. For the second time this season, Caden Allen produced a four-goal effort for the winning side, with teammate Baylie Day continuing his great patch of form. Nash Dyer’s three goals and Oliver Scott’s solid effort kept the Magpies in the hunt throughout.
Yarrambat hosted Research at Yarrambat War Memorial Park for their first match-up since the opening round. The Bats did well to build their lead throughout the game, conceding just three majors in each half to prevail by 37 points. Luke Cassar finished as the hosts’ best and also managed two goals for the afternoon, meanwhile Archer Harvey’s lead at the top of the leading goalkicker charts rose to seven after another four-goal performance. Tom Dozzi and Riley Kerr stood out for the Searchers in defeat.
A highly entertaining clash was played between South Morang Blue and Eltham Black at Mill Park Lakes Reserve. The Panthers won the opening round match between these two sides in comfortable fashion but with just two points separating the two sides at the main break, it looked as though this game would go down to the wire. The Lions got some breathing room to lead by 13 at three quarter time, before the Panthers fought hard in the final term, winning the quarter, but just fell short to the home side, who finished one-point victors. Stefan Vasilevski and Lucas Yacoub were huge for South Morang in the win, while Thomas Bell and Jack Hartney were brilliant for the visitors.
We saw three further games play out in Under 17.5 Boys (2), starting at Mill Park Lakes Reserve, as South Morang Gold did battle with Mernda. After suffering their first loss of the season last week, the Demons looked determined to respond against a Lions outfit who had won two straight games, and that’s exactly what they did, registering 19 scoring shots on their way to a strong 39-point win. Darcy Kinash had a big say in Mernda’s win with a terrific four-goal effort, meanwhile Callum Moore also starred for the visitors. The Lions saw great matches from Christian De Nittis and Paul Magnisalis.
Eltham Red took on hosting duties when they played Epping at Eltham Central Park. The game was in the balance by quarter time before the Panthers slowly broke the game open and led by 23 points at three quarter time. The home side would finish with 18 scoring shots in a 17-point victory, their second of the season. Joel Brown produced a season-high of four majors, with teammate Aiden Tickle continuing his incredibly impressive campaign. The same can be said for the Blues’ Dominic Galati, who again stood out for his side.
Laurimar and Kilmore played out a superb contest at Laurimar Reserve. The lead changed hands on multiple occasions, with the Power ahead by seven points at quarter time before they trailed by a point at the main break. The hosts would restore their advantage at three quarter time to lead by 12 points, before the Blues kicked three goals to nil in the final term to claim a six-point triumph, their fourth consecutive win. Blake Munari-O’Dwyer finished as Kilmore’s best in his third game of the season, with Evan O’Dell and Mitchell O’Dwyer kicking two crucial majors each for the winning team. Oliver Smith and Jack Cornwell starred for the Power.
Round 6 in Under 16 Girls (1) opened at Eltham Central Park as Eltham faced Whittlesea. Having fell short in their last three matches, the Eagles started the game well and were able to keep the Panthers scoreless after quarter time on their way to a 30-point victory away from home. Whittlesea were led by Murray Bushrangers listed star Lana Carroll, who kicked three of her side’s four majors for the game and finished in her side’s best for the third time in three matches. Katie Barley meanwhile had another solid performance for Eltham despite the loss.
Diamond Creek Women’s 1 hosted Kilmore at Plenty Park Oval as they searched for their sixth win from six matches in 2024. The Creekers were able to dominate the contest from start to finish, ending the game with 26 scoring shots in a strong 81-point win. Adele Coppola, who would play in the Creekers’ senior side and finish in their best just a few hours later, would do the same in this game, also kicking a game-high three goals. Milla Garraway too played well for the home side while Mabel-Jean Flannery was admirable for the Blues.
Yarrambat were aiming for a fourth straight triumph when they traveled to Montmorency Park North Oval to take on Montmorency. A four-goal opening term set the tone for the Bats, who kept the Magpies to just two majors on their way to a 65-point victory. Isabella Hawkins and Somer McCormack led the way up forward with three goals apiece, while Daisy Whyte was also superb for the visitors. Chloe Hicks continued her strong patch of form for the Magpies with another solid showing.
Two games took place in Under 16 Girls (2) with Diamond Creek Women’s 2 hosting Research at Plenty Park Oval. The home side was unable to break through the strong Searchers defence, as the visitors were able to build on a lead throughout the match to finish 59-point victors. Sienna Bandera, Ayva Humphreys and Kyah Isatchenko each kicked two majors apiece for the Searchers, with the latter finishing as her side’s best.
South Morang made the trip to Waterview Recreation Reserve to take on Mernda, with both teams looking to get on the winners list. The Lions were able to hold their lead throughout all four quarters and keep the Demons scoreless in the process of claiming a 36-point victory. South Morang’s five goals were spread between Sophia Hrysoulakis (two) and Gemma McDonald (three), with both players finishing in their side’s best. Meanwhile Heidi Bagnato continued her strong season so far Mernda.
With Diamond Creek having the bye, two games were part of Round 6 in the Under 16 Boys (1) competition. It started at Yarrambat War Memorial Park with Yarrambat taking on Mill Park. The Parkers created a 14-point advantage in the first term and then held their lead to finish 23-point victors despite having two less scoring shots for the game. Dean Talarico impressed yet again for Mill Park as did Jai Bartzis, who kicked five goals for a second straight week. Zak Casey and Joshua Fitzgerald were some that stood out for Yarrambat.
Montmorency Park North Oval hosted the game between Montmorency Black and Eltham Black to close out the round. 10 points separated the two sides last time they met, but despite leading by eight points at quarter time, the Panthers produced a much more dominant performance to defeat the Magpies by 60 points. Jacob Jewitt was excellent for the visitors while Jack Tranquilli lead all goalkickers with three majors. Montmorency’s Chas Woodward kept up his terrific patch of form despite the loss and was one of four goalkickers.
The four-game slate in Under 16 Boys (2) began at Montmorency Park North Oval as Montmorency White faced Wallan. Wallan started the game strong but were unable to make most of their chances, finishing the first half with a 5.13 scoreline. However, they led by 26 points at the same time of the match and were able to grow their advantage throughout the game to finish 53-point winners. Kane Lemmar put in one of his best games of the season with teammate Jack Brundell scoring another three goals for the winning side. Patrick Johnston battled hard for Montmorency.
A tight game took place at Mill Park Lakes Reserve as South Morang clashed with Mernda. The match was close all day, with no side having a greater margin that two points throughout the opening three quarters. The Demons led by two at the final change, before the Lions kicked two goals to one in a nail-biting last quarter to prevail by just two points, winning their first match of the season as a result. Liam Ingwersen as well as Declan and Toby Luke were outstanding for the home side, while Ethan Athanasiou and Justin Spadorcia again impressed for Mernda.
Whittlesea’s next attempt to keep their undefeated season intact came at the Whittlesea Showgrounds, as they battled with Eltham Red. The Eagles had all the answers from the opening siren, kicking nine majors in the first quarter to set up a massive 134-point triumph, their biggest win of this year’s campaign. Willem and Xavier Morrison were the stars of the show up forward, slotting six and five goals respectively, while Connor Field finished as Whittlesea’s best. The Panthers were led by Benjamin Wilson.
The round concluded at Anthony Beale Reserve with Greensborough taking on Laurimar. The Boro played well throughout the match, keeping the Power to just one behind in the second half on their way to a comfortable 63-point win, as their unbeaten streak continues. Asher Bell again led his side’s goalkicking feats, this time with four majors, while teammate James Kelly also had a nice afternoon. Billy Cash stood out for the visitors, earning a mention in his side’s bets for the first time in 2024.
