WHITTLESEA prepared for its division two finals campaign by taking the best possible result, with a strong second and final quarter allowing the Eagles to take down finals-bound Northcote Park.
The Eagles had to be up for the fight early on, as the Cougars took it right up to Whittlesea with four opening-quarter goals. However, Whittlesea’s response was to kick five goals in the first term, allowing it to hold a six-point quarter time lead, 33-27.
After settling into the contest, Whittlesea knuckled down in the second quarter and held Northcote Park to just one behind for the term, while adding two goals of its own to ensure the Eagles would lead by 19 points at the main break, 47-28.
Whittlesea needed to stay in the game, with Northcote Park again kicking to the end where it had good results in the first quarter and closed the margin to 11 points early in the term.
However, the Eagles kicked the next two goals, which helped maintain their lead, despite conceding the final two goals of the quarter to the Cougars. Whittlesea turned for home up by 13, 62-49.
Whittlesea finished full of running. Two goals in the opening two minutes put the game to bed, and a further three goals ensured it would be a big 45-point victory, 14.12 (96) to 7.9 (51).
An even team performance in front of goal saw Jack Taylor and Christian Prestopino score three goals apiece, while Thomas Falls, Taidhg Bland, Jaron Murphy, Lachlan Shinn-Mahony, Zane Anderson and Clayton McCartney were all named in the best.
Despite their best efforts, South Morang will be relegated back down to division two after a season in the top division, following a 21-point loss to Banyule at Mill Park Lakes Reserve.
The Lions were brave throughout the day, leading by five points at the first change, and trailing by just seven at half time.
However, with Banyule playing to secure its spot in the division one finals for the first time in its history, the Bears scored four goals to two in the third quarter to break the game open, leading by 22 points at the final change.
The Bears eased home and repelled all of the Lions’ advances to win 11.14 (80) to 8.11 (59), leaving the Lions to ponder next season back in second division.
Kobe Van Zwienen, Joshua D’Intinosante, Mitchell Kalpakis, Kain Hall, Tye Hall and Jesse John Christidis were all named in the best for the Lions.
In division three finals, Mernda’s brave outing in the elimination final ended in heartbreak, with a late goal to the Fitzroy Stars leaving the Demons just five points short of a memorable win.
The Demons got out to a strong start to lead by 15 points at the first change, before holding on to a 12-point lead at the main break.
With the first three goals of the second half, the Demons held a 31-point lead and were looking good to progress to the first semi-final.
However, Fitzroy Stars fought back, kicking three of the last four goals of the term to close the gap to 18 points at the final change.
The Stars were dominant in the final term and peppered the goals but couldn’t take the lead until a late effort at the 25-minute mark, ensuring they would win 9.14 (68) to 9.9 (63).
Matthew Siciliano was best for Mernda with four goals, while Jake Bruni, Zach Ciacia, Daniel Bryant, Anthony Talbot and Cooper Bartczak were also named in the best.
