IT was the most successful weekend of the season for the Whittlesea region’s teams.
In the Northern Football Netball League division two competition, Whittlesea utilised a 10-goal third term to move to within one game of top spot, taking a 54-point win over Northcote Park at the Whittlesea Showgrounds.
The Eagles had the ascendancy early, kicking four goals to three to lead by 10 points at the first change, and held on to that lead throughout the second term, holding station with two goals apiece.
However, it was the third term where the Eagles erupted. Angus Smith kicked three goals for the term, while Lucas Hobbs added two, and the Eagles added another five to just one from Northcote Park to lead by 63 points at the final change.
The Eagles threatened to make it a huge win by extending the margin to 80 points early in the last term, before the Panthers kicked four late goals to make the margin respectable, with the Eagles winning 19.8 (122) to 10.8 (68).
Smith finished with four goals, while Clancy Bland, Deakin Tennant, Khaled El-Leissy, Thomas Falls and Taidhg Bland also stood out.
In division three, Laurimar held off all of Reservoir’s advances to win by 15 points at Crispe Park.
The Power was off to a stunning start as they kicked four goals to one behind to lead by 26 points at the first change.
Reservoir, however, have made a name for themselves to run out games, and reduced the margin to one goal by the main break.
Laurimar again cleared out to lead by 19 points by the final change, and kept the Mustangs at bay to win 11.10 (76) to 9.7 (61).
Patrick Fitzgerald passed 900 goals for his career with a four-goal haul, while Kaiden Arthur was dominant. Jake Francis, Cooper Herbert, Aidan Clarke and Ethan Bateman completed the best players for the Power.
Mernda, which announced that coach Robert Fletcher would depart the club at the end of the season during the week, got back on track with a 33-point win over Heidelberg West.
After leading by two points at the main break, the Demons cleared away by kicking three goals to one behind against the breeze in the third term, before adding another four goals to three in the final term to win 11.16 (82) to 7.7 (49).
Lincoln Coffey was the dominant ruckman on the ground, and it was young talent time for the Demons on the day as it enjoyed great performances from fellow youngsters Lachlan Taylor, Christian Evans, Jayden Bell and Declan Felle, while Kyle Yankos and Brayden Plant, who led the way with five goals, also played well.
In division one, South Morang broke through with a five-goal final term to take their first win of the season over Eltham, moving off the bottom of the ladder in the process.
The Lions trailed at every change, before dominating affairs to finish the game off, cueing celebrations at Mill Park Lakes Reserve.
Koby Davies was best on ground, while Tyrone Leonardis, Kobe Van Zwienen, Davin Cameron, Noah Cumberland and Lucas Yacoub were also in the best.
In the women’s competition, Whittlesea had a strong win over Montmorency 2.
Starting strongly with a two-goal to nil first term, the Eagles maintained the pressure throughout the day to win 5.4 (34) to 1.3 (9).
Harper McPherson-Goulding, Leah O’Dell, Alexandra Baker-Murphy, Tayla Grech, Katrina Bruch and Indiana Robinson were all named in the best.
Laurimar struggled against North Heidelberg, losing by 78 points, 1.0 (6) to 11.18 (84).
Stephanie Crook, Mackenzie Belot, Naomi Hocking, Brianna Curran, Mikayla Wassell and Graceyn Pearce were named in the best.
South Morang had a bye.
In the netball competition, Whittlesea 1 were no match for pacesetters North Heidelberg 1 in division 1, losing 71-44.
Whittlesea 2 also had little luck, losing by two goals in division 3 to Bundoora, 35-33.
South Morang 1 had the bye in division 3, but took three wins from five games in the competition.
Laurimar took only one win from four games on Friday night.
