It was a mixed day for the region’s clubs as the football season hits the halfway point.
Riddell District Football Netball League
Wallan was the only successful football team in the region, recording a 77-point win over Melton Centrals in the perfect bounce-back performance after its loss to Melton South last week.
The Magpies made a flyer at Arnolds Creek Recreation Reserve, kicking six goals to two behinds in the first term and were unrelenting throughout the balance of the afternoon.
While it was a little closer after quarter time, with 10 goals to five kicked, the afternoon belonged to the Magpies, who won 16.17 (113) to 5.6 (36).
Captain Steven Boyall led from the front with a best-on-ground performance, while Sean Morris, Nash King, Brodie Gilchrist, Corey Viani and Shaun Stewart were all named in the best. Matthew Perri kicked four goals in the win, which moves the Magpies back into fourth place.
Lancefield had a tough day out at ladder-leaders Diggers Rest and was unable to contain the scoring power of the Burras.
The Tigers were only able to find the big sticks three times throughout the day, while Diggers torched them by kicking five goals in three of the four quarters throughout the day, recording their 18.22 (130) to 3.7 (25) victory.
Riley O’Meara did what he could against the tide, while Reuben Schembri, Ben Sankey, William Wright, Ned O’Connell and Max Taylor were also named in the best for the Tigers.
Romsey had the first of two weeks off with the bye and will also sit out the King’s Birthday weekend along with the rest of the competition.
Goulburn Valley Football League
After the weekend off with the Goulburn Valley’s interleague match against the Ovens and Murray, Seymour returned to action.
However, their winning streak would be put to a stop, with Mooroopna proving much too strong for the Lions.
There were danger signs early on when the Cats were able to enjoy nine scoring shots in the first term, despite only converting on two occasions.
The Cats then made the most of their chances in the second term, kicking four goals to two to extend their lead to 27 points by the main break, before three goals to one meant they were 39 points ahead at the final change.
A further four goals to two in the last term meant Mooroopna enjoyed the spoils all afternoon, scoring a 13.12 (90) to 6.4 (40) victory.
James Wooster, Dylan Scopel, Thomas Martin, Jack Murphy and Nathan Fowler were all best for the Lions.
Northern Football Netball League
In the battle of the Blues, Kilmore was made to play catch up all day against Epping after a slow start and could not reel them in.
Epping controlled the pace of play right from the outset, kicking five goals in each of the first three quarters, and leading by 37 points at half time.
Kilmore had an almighty crack in the third term in kicking six goals, but was never able to recoup the big deficit at any stage, eventually taking a loss which sees them fall to seventh position, 13.4 (82) to 17.13 (115).
A positive was the form of Blake Munari-O’Dwyer on debut as the 23rd man, earning a mention in the best with two goals, while Chris Barton, Liam Monaghan, Joe Barry, Grant Paxton and Zack Ferguson also played well for Kilmore. Jared Crosbie led the line with three goals.
Women’s
Kilmore continue their stunning run
Kilmore have continued to announce themselves as a genuine threat in the Northern Football Netball League division two senior women’s competition, moving well clear in third position thanks to a dominant second-half performance against South Morang at Mill Park Lakes Reserve.
The Blues made a flying start on Sunday, kicking the opening four goals of the contest, with Chiara Nardo in particular making a huge impact, while another highlight was Jade Ventura kicking her first goal in Kilmore colours after a long wait to get onto the park due to injury troubles.
Kilmore led by 16 points at quarter time but did have to weather a storm in the second quarter from South Morang, who had the better of the play.
Still, the Blues had some terrific highlights, with Nardo kicking the goal of the day—an effort which saw her handball, gather her own handball, before finishing from a tight angle.
That helped Kilmore lead by 18 points at the main break.
The Blues then secured the win by playing a dominant third term, kicking five goals to one to take control of the contest, leading by 43 points at the final change.
Another three goals to one in the last term meant that the Blues were able to enjoy a terrific day out, winning 14.12 (96) to 4.13 (37).
Jessica Vilinskis was named Kilmore’s best, while Ella Stewart was also key to the win. Nardo kicked five goals for the afternoon, while Sienna Shinners, Jenaya Stewart and Macey Kubeil completed the best players for the Blues.
The Blues have now won three games in succession, and have moved up to third, with only Lower Plenty and Fitzroy Stars ahead.
Kilmore will now travel to AE Cracknell Reserve after the King’s Birthday break to take on Panton Hill.
Wallan suffered a significant blow in their quest for the division three finals with a 43-point loss to North Heidelberg at home at Greenhill Reserve.
The Bulldogs got the jump on the Magpies on Sunday, scoring three goals in the opening term to clear out by 21 points at the opening change.
However, Wallan played some good football in the second quarter and were rewarded with the only goal of the term through Melanie Hope.
Despite pushing hard to close the gap, the Magpies could not do so, and the margin was 14 points at the main break.
In what was a repeat of the first quarter, the Magpies were powerless to stop the Bulldogs from scoring three goals for the quarter, and it meant that it was a 35-point lead to the Bulldogs at the final change.
There was no avenue for the Magpies to respond in the final term, with the Dogs kicking the only goal of the term, eventually recording a 7.8 (50) to 1.1 (7) win.
Kelly Lennox was named the Magpies’ best, while Chelsea Paton, Olivia Gibb, Melanie Hope, Bec Turnbull and Charlie Rice were also in Wallan’s better players.
The Magpies face a must-win game at Greenhill Reserve following the King’s Birthday break when they host Diamond Creek Women’s 2.
Netball
Lancefield bounced back strongly from its first loss of the season last week, scoring a 10-goal win over Diggers Rest.
Despite the Tigers sitting second and the Burras sitting last, the Tigers had to work for their win, leading by two goals at half time, and three at the final change, before scoring 13 goals to six in the last term to eventually clear away.
Shanae Brundell was strong for the Tigers, scoring 38 goals from 42 attempts, while Darcee Ellard added 16 goals.
Wallan and Melton Centrals could not be separated on Saturday afternoon, with both teams taking a share of the points in a 42-all draw.
The Magpies led by five goals at the main change, but Centrals slowly reeled in the Magpies, before a winner couldn’t be decided.
Maeve Donegan scored 29 goals to lead the way for Wallan.
In the Northern Football Netball League competition, Broadford and Kilmore took strong wins in the division four competition.
The Kangaroos were much too strong for Hazel Glen, scoring a 29-17 win, while Kilmore finished full of running against Laurimar, scoring a 35-30 win.
The Blues’ win was a highlight of a night where they would otherwise score two wins and a draw across their remaining eight outfits, while Broadford went at a perfect clip, scoring three wins from their three games.
