A look at some of the key moments from the weekend’s NFNL action.
FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS
The 2019 NFNL season started under lights, with three venues hosting night matches in perfect conditions on Friday. Bill Lawry Oval once again hosted the senior men’s season-opener, with Northcote Park storming to a 35-point win over Bundoora – headlined by a five-goal haul from spearhead Jackson Starcevich. The senior women’s season also got under way on Friday, with Eltham hosting St Mary’s at Eltham Central Park. The Panthers got off to a flyer, which helped set up a 30-point win. Meanwhile, Banyule and Greensborough played the first under-19 game of the season in front of a large crowd at Beverley Road Oval. The home side stretched its lead at every change in a 44-point triumph. With light upgrades taking place at several venues within the NFNL, expect more night footy around the grounds in the future.
WELCOME TURTLES
Old Eltham Collegians made its NFNL debut over the weekend, with the Turtles featuring on both the football field and netball court. The netballers played the club’s first official game in the league, going down to Greensborough 2 by eight goals in a 30-22 result at RMIT University. The club’s first football match resulted in a win, with the Turtles’ reserves scoring a six-point win over Panton Hill at Eltham College. The senior side was unable to match the reserves’ feat, proving no match for an impressive Redbacks outfit in a 70-point result.
THE COMEBACK
Lower Plenty’s return to Meadows Greyhounds Division 1 wasn’t going to plan early on Saturday. The Bears trailed Montmorency by 35 points at quarter time – courtesy of a one-goal to seven opening term. But what looked to be a rude awakening to the top flight, turned into one of the club’s great wins. Lower piled on seven unanswered goals in the second term to take a 10-point lead into half time. The Bears maintained their dominance in the third term, piling on 5.8 to 1.4 to take a near-unassailable 38-point advantage into three quarter time, before finishing with a 36-point win. Patrick Flynn and Darcy Barden led the way, while grand final hero Ben Paterson booted four goals.
THE FAREWELL
Watsonia gave club favourite Matthew Crompton the perfect send-off, scoring a 32-point triumph over St Mary’s in the A Plus Labour Solutions Division 2 twilight game. The 2016 Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3 premiership captain and competition best and fairest winner was named among the Saints’ best players in his 118th and final game for the club. A premiership player with Macleod, Crompton joined Watsonia in 2012 and has gone on to become one of the Saints’ most decorated players.
Watsonia skipper Matt Crompton gets chaired off in his final game for the Saints today.
The 2016 premiership captain and competition best and fairest winner celebrated the occasion in style with his side getting a win over St Mary’s. pic.twitter.com/Lq9rbHDcR8
— Northern FNL (@northernfnl) April 6, 2019
NEW FACES MAKE IMMEDIATE IMPACT
It was a Round 1 to remember for a host recruits in their first game with their new clubs. Ben Fennell showed his class in his Greensborough debut, booting six goals against former club Hurstbridge at Ben Frilay Oval. Jack Blair was instrumental in Heidelberg’s triumph against reigning premier West Preston-Lakeside, while Luke Collins was Bundoora’s best in its loss to Northcote Park. Nicholas Reibelt (Eltham), Michael Perfetto (Watsonia), Thomas Cantwell (St Mary’s), Tom O’Neill (Old Eltham Collegians) and Chris Ryall (Kilmore) were each named their respective side’s best player in their first game.
