ROUND seven of the Northern Football Netball League competition saw plenty of movement from teams looking to keep their form going ahead of the halfway point of the season.
Whittlesea will look to rebound after taking its second consecutive loss in division two, this time away to Macleod.
It means the Eagles have lost to both of the top two on the ladder in consecutive weeks.
There was still plenty to play for at three quarter time at De Winton Reserve, with the margin just 14 points, but the Kangaroos kicked the only three goals of the last term to win 13.14 (92) to 8.15 (63).
Clayton McCartney played well, and was named Whittlesea’s best, while Lachlan Shinn-Mahony, Paul Higgins, Khaled El-Leissy, Harley Fraumano and Deakin Tennant were also named.
Eight final-quarter goals meant Laurimar continue to ask questions of division three leaders Fitzroy Stars, with a 74-point win over Heidelberg West.
The game at Heidelberg Park was a scrap for three quarters, with Laurimar leading comfortably for most of the day, before setting sail in the last quarter to eventually win 16.16 (112) to 5.8 (38).
Bailey Macleod continued his good form for the Power, while big men Ethan Bateman and Aiden Clarke played a key role. Luke Wilson, Kaiden Arthur and Micah Vecchio completed the best players for the afternoon.
Mernda has moved its way into a five-team logjam that separates fourth and eighth, courtesy of an 18-point win over Kilmore at Waterview Reserve.
The Demons made an electric start with the wind in opening a 22-point lead, but Kilmore hit back to level the scores at half time.
Mernda again made a move in the third term, before throwing numbers back against the breeze, eventually winning 9.14 (68) to 7.8 (50).
Big man Billy Morrison was dominant in the ruck, while Jake Bennett, Christian Evans, Josh Mazzarella, Dayne Kellett and Chris Roussos were also named in the best.
In division one, South Morang had a heartbreaking afternoon, losing with a kick after the siren to North Heidelberg.
Still seeking their first win, the Lions kicked eight goals in the second term to lead by 26 points, but then found themselves 19 points down by the final change after conceding eight goals themselves.
The Lions were able to hit back, but a goal on the buzzer from North Heidelberg’s Zane Souleiman broke their hearts, as they continue to seek their first win in division one.
In a high-scoring game, the final score saw the Lions kick 17.12 (114) to North Heidelberg’s 18.11 (119).
Joshua Lansfield kicked five goals, while Kobe Van Zwienen, Mitchell Kalpakis, Tyrone Leonardis, Nathan Stefanile and Noah Cumberland were also in the best players.
Netball
Whittlesea 1 have moved to third in division one of the Friday night netball competition thanks to a 56-33 win over Bundoora.
It was an overall mixed weekend for the Eagles, winning one more game and losing two across the grades, while Whittlesea 2 had a bye in third division.
South Morang 1 tasted defeat in division three, losing 37-45 to Thomastown, while winning only one more game around their grades.
Laurimar 1 also went down in a thriller to Greensborough in division four, losing 29-34, which proved to be the only blemish for the Power throughout the night as their remaining four teams all took victories.
Northern Football Netball League women’s competition
Laurimar break through for first win
LAURIMAR tasted its first victory of the season in the division three Northern Football Netball League women’s competition with a comprehensive 41-point triumph over Darebin at Laurimar Town Park.
The Power led from the outset, kicking the opening goal within a minute, before adding two more to zoom away to a 20-point lead by half time.
A further three goals in the last term meant it was party time for the Power, who moved off the bottom of the ladder with a 6.7 (43) to 0.2 (2) win.
Naomi Hocking dominated for the Power, while Stephanie Crook, Paige Venter, Emma Taylor, Holly Pitts and Mackenzie Belot also played well.
Laurimar celebrates the first goal of the day, kicked through Keira Widgery, to kickstart a day of celebration against Darebin
Whittlesea also dominated their affair with Epping at the Whittlesea Showgrounds, kicking two goals in every quarter as they powered to a 52-point win.
An even spread of goalkickers in their 8.10 (58) to 1.0 (6) win was led by Tara Jenner, who kicked two goals, while Tahlia Brander continued her significant form. Olivia Hodgson, Jenner, Ivana Pecanac, Harper McPherson-Goulding and Asha Close completed the best players for the Eagles.
In division two, South Morang had a dominant afternoon at Ben Frilay Oval against Hurstbridge, scoring a 76-point victory.
Six goals in the third quarter was the tonic for the Lions to dominate as they moved into fourth spot.
Jacqui Van Tilburg and Hayley Ball kicked three goals apiece, while Hailey Cordova was dominant again. Devony Hoare, Ruby Failla, Ella Pinney, Mikayla Bennett and Hayley Ball completed the best players.
The Lions now have a top four clash against Kilmore at home this week, while Whittlesea travel to Diamond Creek Women’s 2 and Laurimar host Heidelberg West.
