NFL reporter Lavan Ruban looks back on the weekend that was in the junior competition.
Round 9 of the Under-17 Blue competition saw fourth-placed West Preston have a close call with fifth-placed Hurstbridge, the final margin 14 points. The Blues’ Tom Simpson booted six goals, in a best on ground performance. For West Preston, James Tadd was best, while Jake Phelps kicked five majors.
Both Mill Park and Montmorency have moved further up the ladder, while ladder leaders Eltham had the bye. Mill Park and Montmorency defeated their respective opponents, Research and Epping, by 98 and 75 points, moving to second and third place on the ladder.
At the conclusion of Round 9 of the Under-19 Youth Girls competition, Keon Park and South Morang stood equal on the ladder, with the same number of wins, losses, and byes. Both sides produced competitive performances in their clash, with the Stars eventual winners by two points. The Stars’ Nikita Magriplis was named best afield with six goals to her name, while the Lions’ Cassie Hurst booted five.
Darebin Falcons had a bye, allowing the Diamond Creek Youth Girls to take first place on the Under-19 Youth Girls ladder. The Creekers kept Mill Park scoreless, in a 121-point demolition. After a week off, Darebin reserves coach Matt Marsden said the Falcons were tracking well heading into the finals series.
“The youthies are currently undefeated heading into the pointy end of the season and more importantly, have had a healthy number of new girls get involved in women’s footy,” Marsden said
“Emily Whitfield and Rechelle McSwain have really set the bench mark for under-19 talent in the youthies and will certainly play major roles in the rest of their season."
Fifth-placed Montmorency also produced an exceptional performance, defeating current wooden spooners, the Lalor Stars, by a healthy margin.
The Under-16 Blue competition saw the Searchers experience better luck, defeating Yarrambat by 78 points. The win sees them move to the top of the ladder.
Montmorency, who were first placed at the start of the round, fell short by 19 points to Diamond Creek, moving to third place.
West Preston Blue recorded their fourth win of the season against South Morang, the final margin a mere three points.
The Under-15 Blue grade saw much closer games, with the round commencing with a neck-and-neck match between Mill Park and Whittlesea. The final margin, a singular goal.
Eltham also recorded a win, just their second of the season, against current wooden spooners Diamond Creek.
South Morang Blue have kept their spot as ladder leaders and premiership favourites, defeating fourth-placed Epping.
Epping continued on their merry way in the Under-14 Blue competition, comprehensively defeating Wallan by 136 points.
Around the grounds, South Morang Blue put up a strong performance, and look set to be one of the teams to beat during the finals. Greensborough were also among the winners, and are now at fifth place on the ladder.
The Under-13 Blue competition saw a big defeat, with South Morang Blue keeping the West Preston Blue squad scoreless, in a 112-point result.
Laurimar and Whittlesea contested close games, and both ended up winners, respectively winning by five and three points. Eltham were also on the winners list, retaining their position as premiership contenders.
South Morang Blue experienced similar success in the Under-12 Blue competition, restricting Northcote to a singular behind in a 99-point win.
Whittlesea and Epping played out the first draw in the comp, tying at three goals and four behinds apiece. Montmorency Black have moved to fourth place, defeating last-placed Diamond Creek.
In the Under-11 Blue competition, second-placed Research were very narrow victors, finishing on top of Diamond Creek by one point. Ladder leaders Eltham continued their winning streak, while South Morang Blue defeated Mill Park by seven behinds.
The youngest of the lot, the Under-10 Blue also produced fantastic games, with the round seeing South Morang Gold continue their unbeaten streak, with a 26-point win.
West Preston, currently sitting at the foot of the ladder, defeated Eltham by 19 points, while Montmorency Black move to third place with their fifth win of the season.
