Kilmore’s JJ Clancy Reserve hosted the Whittlesea South Morang clash that had all the hallmarks of a grand final preview.
Surface issues at the Whittlesea Showgrounds saw all games scheduled for August 3 moved to Kilmore.
The day showcased the Eagles’ ability to turn on the best football either at home or on the road, and Eagles supporters who made the journey to Kilmore were not disappointed, with many taking the opportunity to experience a triple header with the Under 19s taking on Laurimar and the Seniors and Reserves battling South Morang.
Blake Watson, Mitch Andrews, and Captain Xavier Dimasi returned to the senior team, all making a major contribution in keeping the Eagles’ unbeaten streak alive.
Ryan Bond-Burns made his senior debut for the club, following some good form in the Under 19s.
Whittlesea showed they meant business from the get-go, with opening goals from Riley Powell, Christian Prestopino, and Taidhg Bland. It was not until the 20-minute mark that South Morang put a major on the board.
The second quarter again saw Prestopino and Powell dominating the goal square with three more Eagles’ goals. The main break saw the Eagles sitting with a comfortable 24-point lead.
At this point it looked like the Eagles would go through with an unbeaten record after 16 games, and all but secure the minor premiership.
Goals were scarce in the third quarter with Blake Watson’s goal the only major. But things were soon to turn around with the final term literally raining goals in what Whittlesea Coach Gary Ramsay described as two top sides playing with some passion.
“We will probably meet again in the finals,” Ramsay predicted.
Riley Powell, Jack Morely, and Clancy Bland opened the final term with three goals within a minute of each other and South Morang put on the pressure with the next three. The midfield pressure saw the majors dry up until Mitchell Andrews booted one through at the 21-minute mark, all but sealing a win for the Eagles.
The final siren saw Whittlesea come out 23 point winners 12.9 (81) to South Morang 8.10 (58).
Coach Ramsay was full of praise for the JJ Clancy Reserve, saying that it was a ‘nice big ground’, and the clash was packed with a finals-like atmosphere.
“We played well, it was probably our best ball movement game of the season. It was a good performance because South Morang hasn’t had a loss for a while, so it was two in form sides playing against each other, [and] on a neutral ground,” he said.
Best for the Eagles were Blake Watson, Jack Morley, Mitchell Andrews, Clancy Bland, Liam Tyrrell, and Deakin Tennant.
Next week Whittlesea faces off against second placed Diamond Creek, and the final game of the home and away season will see a clash against Northcote Park.
Another Laurimar win
Laurimar jumped off the bottom of the ladder with a convincing win over Panton Hill at Laurimar Reserve.
The win sees back to back victories for the Power and trailing eighth placed Panton Hill be under two percentage points.
The Power dominated the first half of the game with an impressive nine goal tally giving the side a good 21-point lead at the main break.
The third term looked like Panton Hill were about to turn the tables and take the win away from the Power, but the home side rallied in the final term to come home with a comfortable 12.9 (81) to 10.5 (65) win.
With St Mary’s to come next week before their final clash against Watsonia in the final round of the season, it could see the Power remain in Division 2 for Season 2025.
Best for Laurimar were Cooper Herbert, Ethan Bateman, Luke Wilson, Campbell Walker, Jacob Lawson, and Jacob Bateman.
