The Eagles opened Saturday’s account clocking up two early goals in what would become a high pressure game.
With captain Xavier Dimasi and Mitchell Andrews back in the side, Whittlesea powered on to record six further goals at the first break.
Sitting on top of the ladder and unbeaten, Whittlesea made it clear that the situation was going to remain that way.
Photo: Eagles vice captain, Paul Higgins sends the ball towards goal.
But that is not to discount the pressure that visitors Northcote Park were able to apply in the following three quarters. They showed what they were capable of a week earlier by delivering an early scare over South Morang, leading up to the main break before being overrun in the second half.
The second term was a high pressure affair with Northcote Park putting eight scores on the board to the Eagles’ three. The main break saw the Eagles lead slip from 48 to 28 points.
The atmosphere at the showgrounds was electric. On one hand there were the win-less Cougars dishing it up to the ladder leaders in a performance that was nothing short of impressive.
Garry Ramsay must have delivered a stern message in the rooms at half time as the Eagles showed class in the third term with three goals to Northcote’s three behinds, thanks to the efforts of Riley Carter, Lucas Hobbs, and Lachlan Shinn-Mahoney.
The final term started with an early goal from Taidgh Bland in an effort that saw him remain on the top of the Coaches’ MVP award votes.
The final siren saw the Eagles firmly cement their position on the top of the ladder posting 17.9 (111) to Northcote Park’s 7.10 (52).
Goals came from Khaled El-Leissy (4), Lucas Hobbs (3), Matt Langford, Lachlan Shinn-Mahoney, and Jack Taylor with two each. Paul Higgins, Taidgh Bland, Riley Carter, and Riley Powell contributed one each.
Best on the day were Khaled El-Leissy, Mitchell Andrews, Taidhg Bland, Deakin Tennant, Jaron Murphy, and Josh Eid.
Whittlesea travels down the road to face Laurimar after next week’s break.
Tense game for Laurimar
Laurimar travelled to Binnak Park to face off against Watsonia in a tightly contested game.
Both sides traded score for score in the opening term with Watsonia proving to be slightly stronger.
Laurimar is no stranger to games decided by six points or less, and it looked like Saturday’s contest would follow the same route in what was the first meeting between the two sides in the Northern League.
Laurimar welcomed back Ethan Bateman, Rylan Herrick, and Jai Langford, while omitting Kaleb Bell, Chad Carmichael, Billy Lambert, and Mitchell Thompson.
The second term saw Watsonia completely dominate the scoreboard with seven shots through the sticks to Laurimar’s one.
The second half saw the trend continue with Watsonia coming out winners 7.13 (55) to Laurimar 6.5 (41).
Best for Laurimar were Rylan Herrick, Ethan Bateman, Bailey Macleod, Jai Langford, Luke Wilson and Aidan Clarke.
One-point decider
Mernda took on the Fitzroy Stars at home with Michael Evans and Christopher Roussos back in the side.
Mernda and the Fitzroy Stars battled it out at Waterview Recreation Reserve in a fascinating contest that saw the home side snatch victory by one point.
The result saw Mernda maintain its position as a finals contender at the midway point of the season.
The opening term looked like Mernda had the game sealed but the Stars were not going to let it happen that way, and as a result, a tight contest developed as the game progressed.
Half time saw the scores at 67.4 (40) for Mernda and 6.3 (39) for the Fitzroy Stars – a strange preview to things to come.
The third term was a thriller with the Stars finishing the quarter with a nine point lead.
The final quarter saw Mernda claw back the 134 point deficit to record a final score of 10.7 (67) to the Stars’ 10.6 (66).
Best for Mernda were Christian Evans, Joel Harris, Josh Mazzarella, Bryce Kimuliatis, Christopher Roussos, and Shannon Bennett.
Mernda faces Lalor at home on June 15 after next week’s break.
