Week 2 of the WaterMarc Junior Finals Series is upon us as Ben Pascuzzi casts an eye over a number of junior competitions in action this week.
In the Under 17 Blue competition, Montmorency takes on West Preston at Crispe Park with the winner to advance into battle against the powerful Eltham in the Grand Final. The Magpies had a poor showing against the grand finalists last Sunday, losing by 57 points. West Preston is on the up after a confidence building 17-point victory over Mill Park in the semis.
The Under 17 Red competition sees West Lalor and Whittlesea playoff at Eltham Central Park for a grand final spot against Diamond Creek. The Dragons had a heart-breaking loss to the Creekers in the semis, losing by just five points. Whittlesea also had a close showing, knocking Greensborough out of the finals race by three points.
Montmorency goes to battle against Diamond Creek in the Under 16 Blue competition at Huskisson Reserve vying for a grand final spot against South Morang. The Magpies were so close to a victory over the Pies last week, going down in a nail-biting semi by just three points. The Creekers had a resounding victory over Research by 35 points and will be looking to carry that momentum into this week’s preliminary final.
Epping and Eltham meet at Coventry Oval in the Under 16 Red competition, where the winner shall take on Hurstbridge in the Grand Final. Epping lost to the grand finalists by 44 points in a disappointing effort last Sunday, whilst Eltham put in a scintillating display in its 73-point victory over West Preston. The Panthers will be hoping that resounding win will carry them to the Grand Final.
Coventry Oval also plays host to the Under 15 Blue preliminary final as Mill Park and Epping go to battle. The Stallions lost to grand finalists South Morang Blue by 79 points last Sunday but will be looking to make the most of their double chance this week. Epping scraped through itss encounter with Whittlesea in the semis by a solitary point.
The Under 15 Red competition sees Greensborough tackle Montmorency at Crispe Park. The winner will take on Research in the Grand Final after it beat Greensborough by 43 points last week. The Magpies defeated Wallan by 24 points and will carry that momentum into this week’s game, while the Boro are desperate to atone so they can have another crack at the Searchers.
An unexpected preliminary final awaits in the Under 14 Blue competition as the previously undefeated Epping takes on South Morang Blue at Eltham Central Park. Epping hadn’t lost a game in five years before going down to Northcote in a massive upset by three points on the weekend. The Blues will be determined to bounce back against a South Morang Blue side on the up after thrashing Wallan by 68 points in the semis.
Another surprise preliminary final awaits in the Under 14 Red competition as West Preston and Diamond Creek go to battle at Huskisson Reserve for a chance to play in the Grand Final against Keon Park. West Preston will be looking to turn around their disappointing loss against the Stars last week, while Diamond Creek is full of confidence after accounting for former ladder leader Research. With scores tied when the siren sounded, extra time also couldn’t separate the sides, with Creekers eventually prevailing by six points in a golden point thriller.
Eltham and Laurimar tackle each other at Whittlesea Showgrounds in the Under 13 Blue competition. The winner will take on South Morang Blue in the Grand Final after the Lions beat Eltham by 22 points in the semis. Laurimar had a closer affair with Whittlesea, beating the Eagles by nine points to advance to this preliminary final.
The Under 13 Red competition sees West Preston Roosters take on Greensborough at Crispe Park. Both will be vying for a spot in the Grand Final against Montmorency after the Magpies accounted for the Roosters by 74 points. The Roosters will be looking to turn that result around this week. Greensborough had a more positive result after beating Research by 17 points in the semis.
In the two girls competitions, Diamond Creek Women’s is looking to progress to a second consecutive Grand Final against Darebin Falcons when it takes on South Morang in the Under-19 Youth Girls, while Montmorency and South Morang Maroon battle it out in the Under-16 Youth Girls.
Good luck to all teams this weekend as they fight for a spot in their respective Grand Finals.
