LAURIMAR has taken the first spot in the 2025 Northern Football Netball League division three grand final after dismantling the previously unbeaten Fitzroy Stars in a superb second semi-final performance at Main Street Recreation Reserve.
It means the Power now have a chance to effectively defend their division three premiership that they won in 2023 in a dramatic decider against Mernda, while looking to go back up to division two at the first possible opportunity.
The Power made best use of the wind thanks to a devastating seven-minute spell in the opening quarter and led by as much as 48 points before the Stars hit back, but it was not enough for a jubilant Laurimar outfit.
For all that, however, the start looked quite nervy from the Power’s end. Patrick Farrant kicked the first goal for the Stars, and Laurimar, despite peppering the goals with the wind, could only manage five behinds in the opening 10 minutes.
But when the Power finally got going, they did so with a bang. Joel Lawson opened the door for the Power, who soon put in a powerful burst, with Patrick Fitzgerald, Stephen McCallum, Cooper Herbert and two goals from co-captain Kaiden Arthur giving them a 35-point lead at the opening change, 41-6.
When Bailey Macleod kicked the opening goal of the second quarter, there were danger signs for Fitzroy Stars, and, despite responding with the next two goals, it always appeared it was going to be Laurimar’s day. Fitzgerald kicked the next two goals for the Power, and Arthur added his third to make it 48 points.
The Stars had a response, but one goal from their next eight shots was never going to get them back into the game, with Laurimar leading 72-31 at the main break.
The third quarter saw the Stars ask plenty of questions throughout but weren’t able to make inroads as Laurimar defended resolutely. The margin was reduced to 29 points going into the final 10 minutes of the term, but two big goals, firstly from Fitzgerald and then from Noah Mooney, seemed to take the steam out of the game, as Laurimar maintained its 41-point lead, 88-47.
Both teams seemed to play out time with the result of the game decided. Laurimar cruised home despite not kicking a goal in the final term, and their 13.14 (92) to 8.13 (61) victory means the Power have booked their spot in the grand final.
Arthur’s electric first half ensured he was the player of the game, while coach Jimmy Atkins also noted the work of Jai Langford, Harley Marsh, Josh Leather, William Jacovou and Macleod.
A proud Atkins reflected on a big effort, which he said was needed against such a quality outfit.
“I’m so proud of them. They played so well from start to finish and we finally got a four-quarter effort against them, which means the result looked after itself,” he said.
“It’s credit to the playing group, they showed patience, but once they got their first goal, the second and third came pretty quick, but the forward entries started to go where we wanted them to go, and it opened up the Stars pretty quickly.
“We knew it was going to be won in the midfield, our mids were fantastic, but the Stars mids were very good too at the same time. Josh Leather and Noah Mooney helped step up in the ruck as well.”
Atkins said the contested ball aspect of the Power’s game, which has been critical to their finals success so far, was one that he felt was underrated.
“It flies under the radar. I think it’s a myth that people think we’re not a contested team, but we are. We do the numbers most weeks and we’re normally winning the contested ball,” he said.
Atkins also saved praise for the work of his defenders, particularly Aidan Clarke and Ethan Bateman’s job on Farrant.
“Farrant is a star, and a human highlight reel. I thought Aidan Clarke did a great job on him, while Ethan Bateman helped out as well. All our backmen played well under pressure,” he said.
With preparation important, as well as Laurimar’s reserves also into the grand final and the under 19s still alive in the second division competition, Atkins said he will take a sharp focus into the club’s preparation.
“We’ll celebrate this one for now, and take a big deep breath, get our bodies right and prepare as much as we can. We’ll watch who we are playing. The break is awesome, we are going to need it, we’ll train next Saturday morning and prepare for whoever we’re playing. We’re looking forward to it,” he said.