A MONTH has been completed in the Northern Football Netball League season, yet we’re still learning about who might hold the balance of power.
Whittlesea had their biggest test of the season thus far with a crunch clash against high-flying St Mary’s at Whatmough Park, but it was the Eagles who ran away with the contest with the game on the line in the last half, kicking six goals to three to turn a three-point deficit at the main break into a 17-point victory, 10.14 (74) to 8.9 (57).
Jaron Murphy’s four goals proved to be the difference, while Taidhg Bland, Thomas Falls, Keidan Treacy, Riley Carter and Paul Higgins were also named in the best in a game which saw the Eagles remain undefeated alongside pace-setter Diamond Creek.
Other results around the grounds in division two saw Diamond Creek record a 72-point win over Watsonia, Northcote Park took a 21-point win over Panton Hill, Lower Plenty proved too good for Thomastown, winning by 54 points, and Macleod took a 95-point win over Old Paradians.
In division three, Mernda are on the board for the 2025 season after doing enough to defeat Ivanhoe at Waterview Recreational Reserve.
In what could best be described as a scrap, the Demons held Ivanhoe goalless until midway through the last quarter, by which time they had, bizarrely, kicked 17 behinds in a row.
Regardless, the Demons’ 8.14 (62) to 3.17 (35) victory means they keep their finals hopes alive.
Matthew Campbell continued his brilliant season by nullifying Ivanhoe’s attacking force, while Christian Evans, Jake Bennett, Jayden Bell, Josh Mazzarella and Nick Gregson were also named in Rob Fletcher’s best players.
Laurimar continue to fly, recording their third win in succession after defeating Old Eltham Collegians by 88 points at Eltham College.
A six-goal to one behind first term saw the Power burst out of the blocks on Saturday afternoon, and they simply did not put their foot off the gas from there.
Six more goals in the third term meant the Power turned for home with a 68-point lead, before adding four goals to one in the last quarter to win 21.13 (139) to 8.3 (51).
Thirteen players got in on the action for the Power, led by best-on-ground Carter McCall, who kicked four majors. Stephen McCallum also kicked four goals, while Luke Wilson, Jacob Lawson, Micah Vecchio and Ethan Frawley were also named in the best players.
Other results saw Kilmore roar back from a 26-point three-quarter-time deficit to overrun Kinglake to win by three points, Reservoir made it back-to-back wins with a 56-point triumph over Heidelberg West, and Epping bounced back in taking an 83-point win over Lalor.
In division one, South Morang welcomed reigning three-time premier Heidelberg to Mill Park Lakes.
While the assignment was an incredibly tricky one, the Lions did well to keep the Tigers honest in their big cat battle throughout much of the day, trailing by 28 points at the main break.
Seven goals in the third quarter did the trick for the Tigers, who would eventually go on to win 14.14 (98) to 7.8 (50).
Teague Van Zwienen, Christian Mardini, Mitchell Kalpakis, James Hewson, Jesse John Christidis and James Traianou were named in the best players for the Lions.
A key clash with fellow winless team Bundoora is on the horizon for South Morang this week, with the winner taking a huge step towards remaining in division one, even at this early stage of the season.
