THE Northern Football League hosted its 23 junior grand finals across six venues last Sunday. Here is a look back at some of the major results.
The Under-18 Girls premiership decider provided a boilover, with Darebin Falcons claiming a simply remarkable fifth consecutive Youth Girls premiership when it defeated the previously unbeaten South Morang.
The Falcons overcame a 26-point deficit at three-quarter time with a four-goal to nil final quarter. Amazingly, scores were tied when the final siren sounded so extra time was needed to decide the winner. The Falcons ended up prevailing by a solitary point with Grace Duffy and Lauren Datson both putting in huge performances on the biggest stage.
The Under-17 Blue Grand Final also saw an upset with Diamond Creek prevailing over Montmorency in a cracking match. After losing to the Magpies by 13 points in the second semi final, the Creekers headed into the decider as slight underdogs.
However, their win against Research in the preliminary final helped them take momentum into the Grand Final. It was a close match throughout, with the margin just eight points at half time, then 17 points at three-quarter time. But the Creekers kept the Magpies scoreless throughout the final term, to claim a deserved 38-point victory.
Leading the way for the Creekers was Jacob Booth who won the best afield medal and competition best and fairest winner Tyler Barnes. Both were assisted by Charlie Dunbar who booted four goals and Matthew Green who chipped in with three.
Eltham took the flag in the Under-17 Red Grand Final over Hurstbridge in a thrilling contest. Despite having the week off beforehand, the Bridges weren’t able to pull off a win in the dying stages, going down by five points to the Panthers in one of the most exciting Grand Final matches of the day.
After finishing the home and away season atop the ladder, the Panthers had to do it the hard way after losing to the Bridges in the second semi final. Playing an extra week proved the perfect remedy on their way to the premiership. The Panthers were led by Simon Carafa and Mitch Hill who booted three goals.
South Morang got the job done over Mill Park in the Under-16 Blue Grand Final. The Lions were coming off a heartbreaking loss in last year’s Grand Final to the same side. Despite going through the season undefeated, the Lions would have been sure to use last year’s defeat as motivation during the weekend’s game.
Despite the Lions inaccuracy in the second quarter, they were able to turn a seven-point quarter time deficit into a six-point lead at half time. A second half blitz saw them take home the flag with a 36-point win.
In the Under-16 Red Grand Final it was Thomastown who claimed a famous victory, storming home against Greensborough to win by 48 points.
Trailing by seven points at the main break, the Bears then took a seven-point lead into three quarter time before kicking an astonishing nine goals to two in the last quarter.
Nathan Gravina-Ates and Lachlan Evans each kicked three goals in the superb win, the Bears’ first junior premiership in two decades.
Epping once again lifted up the cup in Under 15 Blue Grand Final, with an upset win over South Morang, making it the the team’s fourth consecutive premiership success.
The Pingers were upstaged by the Lions throughout the regular season, losing three of their four encounters during the home and away season.
The Lions finished first on the ladder at the end of the home and away rounds and continued their regular season ascendancy over the Pingers with a 31-point win in the second semi final, to take the short route to the Grand Final.
However, the Blues were able to find an extra gear in the premiership decider. After trailing by two goals midway through the third quarter, Epping kicked a number of late goals in the third term to take the lead.
The last quarter was somewhat of an arm-wrestle with each side managing just one goal, giving Epping an 11-point win. Competition best and fairest winner Mitch Andrews named best on ground.
Yarrambat lifted the cup in the Under 15 Red Grand Final with a stirring victory over minor premier Diamond Creek, in front of a packed house at Eltham Central Park.
A 19-point lead at quarter-time gave the Bats a handy head start before they again controlled the second quarter to take 43-point lead into the main break. They went on to win by 54, with Martin Sin booting three goals and William Reddrop enjoying a big game.
Whittlesea lived up to expectations in the Under 15 Green Grand Final, with a strong second half helping it to victory over Bundoora Park. Having come into the game with the week’s rest, the Eagles were able to overrun the Bolts to win by 49 points.
The first half was tightly contested, with the Eagles holding a 2.6 (18) to 1.4(10) lead, but they burst out of the blocks in the third term to lead by 27-points at three-quarter time. The Bolts then kicked the first goal in the last quarter and had several opportunities later to reduce the deficit even further with a comeback on the cards.
But those chances went begging as the Eagles, led by Joel Naylor who kicked five goals including several from tight rage, were slotting them from everywhere which got them the win. Kale-Ab Koch was awarded best afield for the Eagles.
Montmorency was named premier and champion in the Under-15 Girls competition, with its 10-point Grand Final win over Diamond Creek Womens its 16th consecutive win this year.
In a low-scoring affair, a two-goal to zero third quarter proved all the difference with Molly Reinke and Hinako Eyre both amongst the Magpies’ best in the premiership win.
South Morang continued its stunning unbeaten run with a one-sided victory over Montmorency in the Under 14 Blue Grand Final. The Lions never looked in doubt, booting 25 goals to record the big win.
Aidan Stavridis was awarded best afield after kicking 10 majors, a feat he will be sure to long remember. He was helped by Brody Bell and Jason Pannam who booted four goals.
Mill Park recorded a comfortable win over Wallan in the Under 14 Red Grand Final to claim the 2014 flag. Finishing the season atop the ladder and earning the week before the big dance off, the Stallions were primed for the premiership decider.
They beat an in-form Wallan outfit, who finished the regular season in fourth on the ladder. Despite losing the grand final, to claim two finals wins just to make the big dance was already a big achievement in itself.
The Stallions were set up by a 5.4 to zero second quarter and they never looked back thereafter. Ethan Arena starred and was helped by Riley Edwards who bagged five goals and Lucas Casa who booted three.
South Morang Gold won the Under 14 Green Grand Final with a 48-point win over Lalor. The Bloods came from third to reach the decider but they couldn’t pull off a fairytale win as the Lions completed their season on a high.
Joel Impeduglia and Riley Mills (five goals) were in ripping form as they led the Lions on their way to the win.
