PERFECT weather brought out some big scores and some big hauls on Saturday as the Northern Football Netball League season reaches the last month of the home-and-away season.
In division two, South Morang’s quest for top spot took a significant blow, with ninth-placed Thomastown producing a shock 10-point win at Mill Park Lakes Reserve.
It was not the result the Lions wanted as they celebrated Liam Failla’s 300th club game, while also announcing the re-signings of club captain Bailey Brown and Nathan Stefanile during the week.
The Bears were clearly up to give the Lions a challenge in the first quarter but could only manage two goals from eight scoring shots to give the Lions a bit of a let off, leading 18-7 at the first change.
South Morang got their act together in the second term, kicking six goals to three to hit the front, and led 46-38 at half time.
Whatever was said at the break clearly got Thomastown back on track, as it kicked three goals to one to take the lead once again, leading 60-54 at the final change.
With it all to play for, Thomastown kicked the first goal of the last term, but South Morang hit back through Davin Cameron.
However, the Bears had enough to kick another one to eventually win 10.13 (73) to 9.9 (63).
Liam Jolly, Teague Van Zwienen, Demetrios Constantinou, Kobe Van Zwienen, Cameron and Cayden Failla were all named in the best.
Whittlesea kicked away in the final term to give its season the slightest bit of hope, defeating last-placed Panton Hill by 38 points at Whittlesea Showgrounds.
It was a big week for the Eagles, who announced during the week that current coach Garry Ramsay will step down at the end of the season, and hand over the role to club great Andrew Fairchild for 2027.
The Eagles battled away for much of the day, with Panton Hill playing to keep alive its division two hopes, leading 27-21 at the first change.
Whittlesea started to get going in the second term, kicking three goals to hit the front, leading 43-41 at the main break.
The Eagles started to edge clear in the third quarter, kicking five goals and extending its lead to 13 points at the final change, 73-60.
With their finals hopes on the line, the Eagles kicked six goals to two in the last term to take an important win, 17.8 (110) to 11.6 (72).
Bailey Robinson continued his stellar season, while Liam Tyrrell, Riley Powell, Deakin Tennant, Zane Anderson and Khaled El-Leissy also played well.
In division three, there was a quadruple dose of celebration for Laurimar in its 178-point victory over Kinglake at Laurimar Reserve.
The Power celebrated Matt Keys’ 250th game and Stephen McCallum’s 200th, while youngster Fletcher Carrick made his debut.
However, the big milestone of the day only needed a quarter to be completed, as big man Patrick Fitzgerald made his return and promptly kicked the five goals he needed to mark 1000 goals for his career, with teammates and spectators storming the field to celebrate.
Laurimar’s dominance ensured it would lead 64-0 at the opening change.
The opening minute of the second quarter brought about Fitzgerald’s 1000th goal, while the Power continued to celebrate in every single way with a 121-12 lead at the main break.
Laurimar continued kicking goals as it led 171-24 at the final change, before eventually finishing off with a 32.17 (209) to 5.1 (31) triumph.
Fitzgerald kicked 10 goals on a special day, while Liam Waldron continued his stunning run of form with six goals. Keys kicked five, while McCallum and Carrick kicked two apiece on their big day.
Bailey Macleod continued his superb run with a best-on-ground effort.
Mernda also ran up the scoreboard, kicking 25 goals in one of its better performances in years to defeat Epping by 126 points.
A big week for the Demons was made even bigger by confirmation playing-coach Brent Marshall re-signed for the next two years.
The Demons’ foot skills ran hot as they racked up nine goals in the opening quarter, with James Sekulovski in the thick of everything as they led 58-13 at the first change.
A further five goals to one in the second term meant the game was done and dusted at half time, with the Demons leading 95-22.
The Dees kicked away again in the third quarter to breeze past the 100-point barrier, kicking a further nine goals to lead 150-30 at the final change.
Scoring slowed drastically in the final term, but the damage was well and truly done – the Dees kicking 25.15 (165) to 5.9 (39).
Sekulovski kicked seven goals, while Billy Morrison, Zach Ciacia, Lachlan Potter, Jesse Guelfo and Joshua Caputo also played well.
In Friday night netball, Whittlesea 1 had a loss in Premier division one, losing 33-57 to North Heidelberg, while it was better news for Whittlesea 2, defeating Bundoora 44-33. South Morang 1 had a win, defeating Heat 23-23, while Laurimar 1 defeated Oak Park 36-31.
Whittlesea mustered one win from four matches, while South Morang won two games out of five. Laurimar managed three wins from five matches on the night.
