A CLOSE round of football and netball games across the region delivered mixed results in gusty conditions.
Riddell District Football Netball League
Melton South ended Wallan’s recent winning run at Greenhills Reserve.
The league’s newcomers made the Pies pay with only four points on the board by halftime, before the Panthers eased to a 37-point win, 7.9 (51) to 13.10 (88).
Angus Love kicked two goals for the Magpies, with captain Steven Boyall, Victor Micallef, Nash King, Harley Short, and Sean Morris named in the best players.
Woodend-Hesket had a 109-point win against Lancefield, at Gilbert Gordon Reserve in Woodend, finishing 25.15 (165) to 8.8 (56).
At Romsey Park, Romsey clashed with Melton Centrals.
The visitors made a fast start and scored four goals to Romsey’s two to lead at the first change, 17 to 29.
When play resumed the Redbacks made a gritty comeback eventually resulting in a lead change, which they held at the long break, 30 to 29.
Centrals made their move in the third quarter, scoring three goals to one in a fiery game of keepings off, 39-48.
The final term was fatal for Melton Centrals when Romsey hit the lead and defended it to win by 20 points, 8.26 (74) to 8.6 (54).
Romsey’s Nathan Rayment was best on with four goals and Samuel Wilson posted two. Ethan Beer, Jaxson Kinnear, Callum Lever and Nathan Stephens were also named in the best.
Northern Football Netball League
Kilmore’s first meeting with Mernda for the season proved topsy-turvy, with the Blues trailing by 22 points at the first change, before storming back to even the contest by half time.
Kilmore gave its all until Mernda stacked its backline in the last term and were victorious by 18 points.
On Sunday in the Women’s competition Kilmore played an intraclub game due to Greensborough’s forfeit, while Wallan were no match against Montmorency 2, 2.10 (22) to 0.2 (2).
Goulburn Valley Football League
With a bye in the fixture, the Goulburn Valley Football League played an interleague game against the Ovens and Murray League, Nathan Beattie represented the Seymour Lions.
The Ovens and Murray finished in front by 77 points, 18.19 (127) to 7.8 (50), and the leagues will fight it out again next year.
Netball
On court at Greenhills Reserve, Wallan proved too good for Melton South, leading at each change. It was the Magpies’ first win for season 2025, with goal shooter Maeve Donegan scoring 31 goals, continuing her fine form, while Rebekah Konstantopoulos added 14, with the final score reading 57 to 25.
Woodend Hesket ended Lancefield’s winning streak.
The Hawks led at each change with Rebecca Hicks in the ring sending 37 goals onto the scoreboard.
Shanae Brundell, for the Tigers was defiant with 26 of her own.
It was Woodend’s day however, scoring their 57 to 35 win to ensure they would end the round maintaining top spot on the ladder.
At Romsey Park, the Redbacks took on Melton Centrals. Despite the gusty wind the goals came easy once directed from centre stage.
Romsey’s goal shooter Charlize Bellette cleared 34 nets and for Melton, Imogen Sexton cleared 23.
Centrals led at each change, yet there was a possibility of the Redbacks catching up.
Coach Remy Pirihi could see why.
“I have some good ties with some of the ones at Romsey. It was good energy,” he said.
“The last quarter they came home super strong. We rotated our defence and that exposed us with their height at the back end. They found their goal shooter really well. Thankfully we built a good three quarters… other weeks we’ve been guilty of not starting well and we have to fight really hard in the end.”
Centrals won by 12 goals, 52 to 64.
Kilmore had a challenging Friday night in the NFNL netball competition with three of their nine teams taking victories— one against the Fitzroy Stars for an opposition forfeit, while Broadford competed with four teams, with two taking victories.
