THE Northern Football Netball League season is on the home stretch, with division three set to launch its finals campaign this week.
In division three, Laurimar tentatively showed a little bit of its hand but eventually took a 13-point win over Ivanhoe at Ivanhoe Park in what was a first act before both teams meet again on Saturday, however, for much bigger stakes this time around, with a qualifying final matchup.
The Power struggled to get score on the board early, kicking two goals from 11 scoring shots, while Ivanhoe kicked three goals from four scoring shots to keep itself in the game by the first change, with the Power leading 21-19.
However, Laurimar dusted itself off in the second term and went on a wild run which delivered eight goals for the quarter in what was a devastating display, while Ivanhoe added three. The result of all that was the Power led by 30 points at half time, 71-41.
The Hoers weren’t done yet, however, and again asked questions of the Power during the third term where they kicked six goals to two. As a result, the game was up for grabs again, with Laurimar holding on to a two-point lead at the final change, 83-81.
Jimmy Atkins’ men responded to his wishes at three-quarter-time and kicked four of the first five goals of the quarter to essentially seal the game, before winning 16.14 (110) to 14.13 (97).
It was a tasty entrée to what looks to be a terrific finals matchup on paper, with Bailey Macleod again in the thick of it for the Power, while Joel Lawson kicked two goals to again be a factor. Luke Wilson, Noah Mooney, Cooper Cusinato and Kaiden Arthur were also named in the best, while Patrick Fitzgerald’s haul of five goals ensured he took the division three goalkicking title.
Mernda was relieved to finally secure its first win since round 11, and the first under 2026 coach Brent Marshall, taking a 16-point win over Heidelberg West at Heidelberg Park.
In a tentative opening, Heidelberg West kicked two of the first three goals to take a five-point lead going into the first change, 14-9, but Mernda showcased good transition football in the second term to kick four goals to one, and stealing a march to take a 14-point lead going into half time, 36-22.
The Dees continued to build their lead in the third quarter as they continued to attack, kicking three goals to two to make it a 23-point game at the final change, 57-34.
Heidelberg West asked questions of the Demons throughout the last quarter, but Marshall’s men had all the answers, kicking 10.13 (73) to the Hawks’ 8.8 (56).
Josh Mazzarella finished off his season with a best-on-ground performance, while Julian Spiteri, Brayden Plant, Will Fordham, Riley Black and Nathan Baccega were also dynamic throughout the afternoon.
In division two, Whittlesea withstood a brave fight from Panton Hill to eventually kick clear in the second half, winning by 62 points.
The Eagles needed to be up for the fight at AE Cracknell Reserve, with the Redbacks out for redemption after losing by 140 points to a powerful Diamond Creek team the week before.
Five goals to three in the opening term meant the contest was up for grabs at the opening break, with Whittlesea leading 31-23.
Khaled El-Leissy and Jaron Murphy had an excellent first half for the Eagles, and they delivered three of their four goals for the term to help Whittlesea clear out by half time, leading 59-35.
Panton Hill kicked the first goal of the second half to maintain its interest, but Whittlesea had far too much scoring power going forward, and in particular, it was Murphy and Christian Prestopino who controlled the third term, combining well to help the Eagles extend their lead to 48 points by the final change, 97-49.
Whittlesea was excellent in the final term, adding another four goals to two to eventually win 19.12 (126) to 9.10 (64).
Murphy’s four goals was a telling factor, while Taidhg Bland again dominated through the middle. El-Leissy added three goals, while Riley Powell, Harley Fraumano and Mitchell Andrews also caught the eye of coach Garry Ramsey.
South Morang’s bid to stay up in division one is all-but over, with a 59-point loss to North Heidelberg at Shelley Park meaning the Lions would have to win their final two games, and rely on results to go their way, to stay up.
The Lions were jumped in the first quarter, with the Bulldogs adding six of the first seven goals of the game to open up a 22-point lead at the first change, 38-16.
The game was essentially sealed at half time as the Bulldogs continued to have their way, kicking five goals for the quarter, while the Lions could only manage a solitary effort through Joshua D’Intinosante as they trailed 25-71 at the main break.
While the margin looked insurmountable, the Lions had a crack in any case as they looked to keep alive their dreams of staying in division one, with the first three goals closing the gap to 31 points.
North Heidelberg steadied and maintained its lead, kicking two goals to hold a 29-point lead at the final change, 86-57.
Four goals in three and a half minutes meant that South Morang’s charge was over, with North Heidelberg wresting back control of the game, and running it out strongly as the Bulldogs maintained their finals push, kicking 20.11 (131) to 10.12 (72).
Noah Cumberland played one of his best games for the club, while Nathan Stefanile also impressed in the ruck. Jesse John Christidis, Kain Hall, Adam De Propertis and Tye Hall rounded out the best players.
In the Friday night netball competition, Whittlesea 1 had a terrific outing, defeating Bundoora by 19 goals as it continued to prepare for finals.
It was the only win the Eagles had from their three games, with Whittlesea 2 having the bye in division three.
South Morang fell just short of defeating Thomastown, losing by three goals in division three, while winning three of its seven games.
Laurimar took three wins from five games in a good outing for its Friday night.
