A TENSE round of football and netball in cold conditions saw the landscape continue to shift across the region.
Riddell District Football Netball League
Wallan’s fourth victory in a row continues the Magpies’ charge towards top spot, sitting just a game behind new leaders Kyneton after a comfortable 75-point win over Gisborne Giants at the Macedon Ranges Sports Precinct.
Fresh off their first win the week before, the Giants were stunned by a Wallan charge as they conceded the first seven goals of the match to trail by 47 points.
Wallan led by 35 points at quarter time but had a struggle during the second term as they went goalless, while the Giants kicked three goals to close the margin to 22 points.
However, the Magpies then recovered to get back on track during the third term. Seven goals to one meant they had the game in their safekeeping to lead by 64 points at the final change, before winning 18.22 (130) to 8.7 (55).
Matthew Perri kicked eight goals to be a comfortable best-on-ground, while Nash King, Brayden Byrne, Sean Morris, Victor Micallef and Lachlan Inness also performed well.
Romsey, too, are on the charge, holding off all of Woodend-Hesket’s challenges to take an 18-point win away from home at Gilbert Gordon Reserve.
The Redbacks made a quick start by kicking the only two goals of the first term, but it was essentially goal-for-goal throughout the middle two quarters, with the margin seven points at both half time and three-quarter-time.
But the Redbacks kicked the only two goals of the last term to eventually win 9.9 (63) to 6.9 (45).
Playing-coach Nathan Blair was best, while Ethan Beer, Ash Millane, Marcus Tucker, Horrison Notman and Seamus Menner provided much-needed support.
Lancefield are still looking for their first win, lamenting a last quarter charge from Melton South which saw them turn a six-point half time deficit into a 25-point win at Lancefield Park.
The Tigers had a terrific second term, kicking four goals to one in the second term to go into the sheds leading by a goal.
However, Melton South, led by Sam Darley and Marlion Pickett, kicked seven goals to three in the second half to ensure the Tigers’ frustrating wait for a win goes on, winning 12.15 (87) to 9.8 (62).
Reuben Schembri, Adam Miles, Riley O’Meara, James Falcone, Thomas Sayers and Zachary O’Halloran were all named in the best.
Goulburn Valley Football League
Seymour have continued their climb towards challenging for a top four spot, taking their fourth victory in a row with victory over Shepparton at Deakin Reserve.
The Lions got the jump on their host with three of the first four goals to take an early 16-point lead at the first change.
The second term was very evenly contested, but the Lions held out to ensure the Bears wouldn’t make too many inroads on their lead, holding a 15-point lead at the main break.
Seymour then made their move in the third term, kicking four goals to one to skip out to a 34-point lead.
With the game in their safekeeping, the Lions took their foot off the pedal a touch, but Shepparton, despite their best efforts, were never going to chase them down, with the Lions winning by 16 points, 10.9 (69) to 7.11 (53).
Ben Cooney starred for the Lions, while Nicholas Quigg, Jack Peris, Lachlan Giles and Lachlan Beattie were also in the best.
Northern Football Netball League
Despite a strong start, it just wasn’t Kilmore’s day against ladder-leaders Fitzroy Stars in division three.
The Blues kicked the opening two goals of their contest at JJ Clancy Reserve as an upset looked to be brewing early on, with Jared Crosbie flying in particular.
However, the second quarter saw a shift in the game, with the Stars kicking six of the next seven goals to move into half time 24 points clear, after being 11 down at the first change.
Kilmore fought hard in the third quarter to reduce the margin, and with the only two goals of the term, it was still anyone’s game as they turned for home, with the Stars sitting 12 points clear.
But the Stars are ladder-leaders for a reason, kicking the final five goals of the game to blow the margin out to 44 points, 11.13 (79) to 5.5 (35).
Crosbie starred, with Mitchell Portoglou, Liam Monaghan, Mick Marrett, Chris Barton and Josh Hart, playing his 100th game, also playing well.
Kilmore women dominant in big win
KILMORE are on the board in division two for the Northern Football Netball League women’s competition, taking a 62-point victory over Darebin.
An incredibly fast-starting Blues outfit kicked five of the first six goals at AH Capp Reserve to move 26 points clear at the first change and continued to control the pace of play.
The Blues kicked the only goal of the second term to keep themselves 29 points in front at half time.
Two more goals in the third term meant that it was party time for Kilmore, moving 45 points clear at the final change.
The Blues ensured that they wouldn’t put their foot off the gas in the final term, taking a confident 13.8 (86) to 3.6 (24) victory in their best win yet.
Jessica Vilinskis was best on ground for the Blues in a dominant performance, with Jenaya Stewart, Noami Whalan, Chiara Nardo, Kristy Nunn and Tahlia Pyle all named in the best.
Nardo and Stewart kicked three goals apiece.
Wallan just missed out on getting back on the winners’ list, losing by three points to Reservoir.
It was a tight game all afternoon at Crispe Park, with the margin never more than nine points.
However, two goals late in the third term from Emily Frankenberg gave the Magpies the lead turning for home, three points to the good.
Reservoir, however, kicked the only goal of the last quarter, and held on to win 4.3 (27) to 4.0 (24).
Frankenberg, with her three goals, was best, while Gemma Beggs, Olivia Gibb, Bec Turnbull, Melanie Hope and Nicole Evans were also named among the better players.
Kilmore will now host Greensborough at JJ Clancy Reserve on Sunday, while Wallan will be required to bounce back on Sunday as they travel to Montmorency 2.
Netball
Wallan are on the board for 2025, taking an 18-goal victory against the Gisborne Giants in a twilight affair.
After leading by three goals at both the first change and the main break, the Magpies made their move in the third term, scoring 15 goals to nine to extend their lead to nine goals at the last change.
A further 17 goals to eight meant the Magpies had a comfortable 59-41 victory.
Maeve Donegan dominated the goal circle, scoring 45 goals.
Lancefield go into their much-anticipated clash with Woodend-Hesket in confident form, taking a dominant 35-goal win over Melton South.
The Tigers led from go-to-whoa in the win, winning every quarter comfortably in their 68-33 success.
Shanae Brundell scored 52 goals for the Tigers.
Despite leading at quarter time, Romsey were unable to stop Woodend-Hesket from winning by 18 goals.
The Hawks took control in the final three quarters to keep their winning run going, finishing strongly to win 53-35.
Charlize Bellette scored 24 goals.
In the NFNL netball competition, Kilmore 1 took a close win over Montmorency in division 4, 27-25, while Broadford 1 fell to Greensborough, 17-36.
Kilmore’s win was one of four for the Blues on Friday night, while it was better news for Broadford 2 and 3, who both took victories
