THE landscape of the Northern Football Netball League competitions shifted dramatically on Saturday, with mixed results reshaping the ladder for the Whittlesea area’s teams.
Whittlesea is on the brink of not only missing the division two finals but could be dragged into the relegation battle following a second-half fadeout against Old Paradians at Garvey Oval on Saturday.
The 11.13 (79) to 9.12 (66) loss leaves the Eagles three games outside of the top five, while sitting just two games above last-placed Thomastown.
The Eagles started well enough, leading by six points at quarter time and extending that lead to 19 midway through the second term.
Old Paradians responded in kind to close the gap to five points at the main break, but Whittlesea kicked to another gear in the third term to restore the break to 17 points.
But the Raiders had a response and fashioned the next six goals together to turn their deficit into a 19-point lead and were good enough to hold on for a win that keeps their own finals chances alive, and leaves Whittlesea’s season teetering.
William Plain, Thomas Falls, Jack Morley, Jack Wunderlich, Clancy Bland and Bailey Robinson all played their part for the Eagles, who now need to respond at Sir Douglas Nicholls Oval against Fitzroy Stars this weekend.
South Morang, however, boosted its hopes of the double-chance by recording a 21-point victory over Lower Plenty at Mill Park Lakes Reserve.
The Lions actually dropped to third due to St Mary’s recording a bigger victory, but that mattered little to them as it was an important victory that helps continue shaping their season.
The Lions got off to a stellar start, kicking away to a 16-point lead at the first change, before kicking four goals to one in the second term to lead by 35 points at the main break.
There were some nerves in the second quarter as Lower Plenty kicked three goals, while holding the Lions goalless, to close the gap to 19 points at the final change, but South Morang had enough in reserve to repel the Bears’ challenges to win 10.15 (75) to 8.6 (54).
Bailey Brown put in a best-on-ground performance, ably supported by Teague Van Zwienen, who kicked four goals, Davin Cameron, Nathan Stefanile, Chris Petroro and Aaron Galileos.
In division three, Laurimar kicked away in the last term to nullify Watsonia’s chances, scoring a 28-point win at Binnak Park.
The game was separated by no more than two goals for a majority of the first three quarters.
Laurimar led by a goal at quarter time, then extended its advantage to 12 points by the main break.
Watsonia challenged by kicking the final two goals of the third quarter to reduce the margin to seven points at the final change, but Laurimar was all over the Saints in the final term, kicking the only three goals to record a 10.13 (73) to 6.9 (45) victory.
Jesse Donaldson continued his stellar season with four goals in an outstanding performance and is emerging as a genuine contender for the league best and fairest, while Ethan Bateman, Joel Lawson, Stephen McCallum, Liam Waldron and James Apted were also named in the best.
An undermanned Mernda took the game right up to ladder-leaders Ivanhoe for a half, but the Hoers kicked into gear as the game went on and took a 73-point victory at Waterview Reserve.
The Dees led by as much as 17 points during the first quarter but still held onto a two-point lead at the opening change.
Continuing to go blow-for-blow, the Demons still led by 11 points midway through the second, but the Hoers added four goals in time on to turn the game around and led by 14 points at the main break.
After kicking the first goal of the third, the Dees simply ran out of legs as the run and carry of Ivanhoe’s experienced midfielders started to tell. Ivanhoe kicked six goals in the third term to lead by 41 points at the final change, before kicking five goals to nil in the last term to blow the game out, 20.15 (135) to 9.8 (62).
Billy Morrison, James Sekulovski, Brent Marshall, Jett Philips, Joshua Caputo and Jesse Guelfo were all named in the best.
Netball took a week off due to the school holidays, and will return on Friday night.