A MIXED weekend of football and netball across the region saw thrillers aplenty as the season continues to heat up.
Goulburn Valley Football League
Seymour have made it three wins in a row in the Goulburn Valley Football League competition, sweeping aside Tatura to win by 104 points.
A fast start saw the Lions score five goals in next to no time, before settling to a 32-point lead at the first change, 39-7.
In a high-scoring second quarter, both teams exchanged goals at will, but with Nathan Fowler on fire, he helped guide the Lions to a 36-point lead at the main break, 77-41.
The Lions were inaccurate in the third term, but pleasingly, they kept the Bulldogs in check defensively as they increased their lead, 96-41.
Seymour broke the shackles in the last term and completely dominated affairs, kicking seven goals, yet the margin could have been greater if not for another seven behinds.
Still, the 21.19 (145) to 6.5 (41) victory means the Lions boast good form ahead of a crucial match-up away to Shepparton this week.
Tom Jeffrey and Fowler kicked five goals apiece, while Josh Porter, Jack Peris, Seamus Feery and Jack Murphy were also in the best.
Riddell District Football Netball League
Romsey spoiled the debut of two-time AFL premiership player Marlion Pickett at Melton South by pinching a two-point win at Melton Recreation Reserve, moving the Redbacks into the top five.
The Redbacks got off to a fast start by kicking three of the first four goals of the afternoon, but it was all Melton South for the next stage as they piled on the next seven goals of the game.
However, the Redbacks kicked the last three goals of the half to keep themselves within touching distance, trailing by 16 points at the main break.
Romsey then converted their momentum as the second half began and kicked seven goals in a row to make it 10 straight, with Jack Jedwab in particular in the thick of everything.
The Redbacks had to hold on in an intense final term, but their 14.4 (88) to 12.14 (86) victory means the Redbacks were able to displace Melton South in the top five.
Jedwab led from the front with his six goals for the afternoon, while Jaxson Kinnear, Nathan Blair, Matt Burkett, Ethan Beer and Matthew Milburn were also named in the best for the Redbacks.
Six goals from Chris Stewart helped Wallan take victory over Macedon in a tense match at Tony Clark Reserve.
The Magpies made a good start to lead 26-21 at quarter time, but it was their second quarter where they arguably won the game, as despite Macedon largely peppering the goals, they could only record two goals from nine scoring shots.
Meantime, Wallan scored four straight goals, allowing them to hold a 50-40 lead at the main break.
The Magpies made hay in the third term as they punished Macedon’s inaccurate kicking, piling on four goals in succession to take a game-high 33-point lead. But three goals in red time to the Cats meant it was still game on in the final term, with Wallan leading 76-61.
Wallan had all the answers in the final term, with both teams kicking four goals apiece as the Magpies won 16.6 (102) to 12.17 (89).
Stewart’s six goals earned him best on ground honours, but he was well supported by Michael Mannix, Jesse Davies, Jake Carlisle, Nash King and Patrick Mahoney.
At the other end of the equation, Lancefield are still seeking their first win in 21 attempts, with a costly third quarter the culprit against the Gisborne Giants, who, in the process, scored their first win in the senior competition in their brief history.
The Tigers were jumped in the opening quarter but kept themselves in the contest with three goals as they trailed 20-34.
Lancefield closed the gap slightly in the second term, kicking four goals to three to trail 44-55 at the main break.
With the first goal of the third term, Lancefield looked as though they were about to hit the front, but the Giants had a brutal response, kicking six goals to break the game open, leading 91-59 at the final change.
Lancefield didn’t give up, kicking the first three goals of the final stanza to reduce the margin to 10 points, but it was Gisborne’s day as they recorded a 16.7 (103) to 13.10 (88) win.
Tom Jackson did everything he could for the Tigers, kicking seven goals, while Leroy Ristevski also starred. Harry Behan, Reuben Schembri, William Wright and Riley O’Meara completed the best players.
Northern Football Netball League
Kilmore were no match for Reservoir in their round five matchup, having their colours lowered by 23 points at Crispe Park.
The Mustangs are in their best run of form for 10 years and got the jump in the first term to lead 24-3 at the first change.
Kilmore closed the gap slightly in the second term, but they were unable to eat into the margin sufficiently and trailed 18-33 at the long break.
Reservoir broke the game open in the third term by kicking the only three goals, making the margin an unassailable one as they led 53-18 at the final change.
Kilmore did what they could, and while they kicked four goals, it was never enough to cut in to the Mustangs’ lead as they fell 6.8 (44) to 9.13 (67).
Lachlan Chesher was the Blues’ only multiple goalkicker, while Marcus Lacorica, Grant Paxton, Mitchell O’Dwyer, Jake Hibbs-Hall and Josh Coe were also named in the best.
Netball
Lancefield remain perfect in the A grade RDFNL competition after accounting for Gisborne Giants by five goals, scoring their fourth straight win.
The Tigers led at every change as they constantly answered every challenge from the Giants, eventually finishing with a 48-43 win.
Shanae Brundell scored 37 goals in the victory.
Romsey also scored a win over Melton South, taking a 57-38 win, with Charlize Bellette continuing her good form in the goal circle, scoring 41 goals, while Wallan are still seeking their first win of the season after falling 45-59 to Macedon.
Kilmore had a challenging Friday night in the NFNL netball competition, with two of their nine teams taking victories, while Broadford 1 were the Roos’ only successful team, taking a 21-goal triumph over Banyule.
