LAURIMAR is another step closer to avenging its grand final loss from last year, far too strong for arch-rival Mernda in the Northern Football Netball League division 3 qualifying final at Lalor Reserve on Saturday.
The Power took a little bit of time to shake off a dogged Mernda outfit, but from early in the second quarter onwards, it was largely one-way traffic.
The Demons certainly had their chances early on, missing their first four shots, but at the other end, the Power were efficient enough to kick three goals from six shots to lead 21-11 at the first change.
After the Demons kicked two of the first three goals to reduce the margin to five points, Laurimar took over and kicked five of the next six to essentially take control of the game.
A 60-35 half time lead was reduced to 19 points when the Demons again kicked two of the first three of the third quarter, but the Power was able to break the game open with three late goals to eventually extend the margin to 38 points at the final change, 88-50.
The Demons kicked the first goal of the final term, but Laurimar was just too good, kicking the final three goals to eventually run out 16.15 (111) to 8.11 (59) winners.
It was a day for the less heralded for both teams when it came to naming the best players.
For Laurimar, small forward Tyler Thomas was the firestarter, kicking three goals, while Cameron Maloney, Rylan Herrick and Cooper Cusinato did their jobs down back. Joshua Campbell and Bailey Macleod completed the Power’s best players.
For Mernda, Jacob Russell worked hard in the ruck in his first senior appearance of the season, while Declan Felle had a terrific battle with Power spearhead Patrick Fitzgerald. Dayne Kellett, Justin Spadorcia, Zach Ciacia and Lachie Taylor completed the best players.
In division two, it was an ultra-successful weekend for both Whittlesea region teams, with both South Morang and Whittlesea getting into the finals.
Whittlesea needed everything to go right – and it did.
Its side of the equation was beating St Mary’s at Whatmough Park.
After a shocking start which saw St Mary’s kick the first four goals in five minutes, it looked as though the Eagles were finished.
But slowly and steadily, the Eagles got back into the game. Damage limitations saw the Eagles kick three of the last five goals of the first term to trail by 20 points at the first change, 18-38.
At one stage, St Mary’s led by 30 points after kicking three of the first four goals of the term. But the Eagles started to close in slightly, kicking the final two goals of the term to trail by 14 at the main break, 42-56.
Then, it started to happen.
The Eagles kicked five goals in 12 minutes in the third quarter, turning that 14-point deficit into a 16-point cushion, before a late goal to Taidhg Bland meant it was a 21-point gap at the final change after an incredible term, 79-58.
With the Eagles kicking the first two goals of the final term, the margin was 28 points their way, before holding out a late St Mary’s charge to win 14.8 (92) to 11.11 (77).
Thomas Falls continued his exceptional season, with Bland and Bailey Robinson also important in the clinches. Zane Anderson, Blake Morley and Jack Morley completed the best players.
The Eagles got a boost through Old Paradians defeating Fitzroy Stars, which left South Morang needing to beat Macleod for the men in blue and yellow to secure a spot in the finals.
That panned out in a shootout, with the Lions too good, winning by 31 points at Mill Park Lakes Reserve – a result which also gave the Lions the division 2 minor premiership.
After the Lions led 21-17 at the first change, an eight-goal to three burst in the second term meant the game was essentially done and dusted at the main break, with the Lions leading 71-37.
Macleod did make a bit of a run in the third term, kicking four goals to two in the third quarter to reduce the margin, with South Morang still leading 86-63 at the final change.
With the first two goals of the final term, Macleod’s chances of breaking Whittlesea hearts were still alive, as the margin fell to 12 points.
But the Lions found a second wind and kicked the next six goals to suddenly increase the gap to 49 points with a devastating eight-minute burst, before easing to win 19.11 (125) to 14.10 (94).
Mathew Robinson, Carter McCall, Demetrios Constantinou, Adam De Propertis, Tyson Gresham and Kobe Van Zwienen were all named in the best.
All four Whittlesea area teams continue their finals campaign this week. While South Morang have the week off as minor premier, awaiting the winner of the St Mary’s and Northcote Park qualifying final, Whittlesea will look to continue its good run of form when it takes on Old Paradians at Eltham on Sunday.
Laurimar will play for the first spot in the division 3 grand final when it takes on Ivanhoe on Saturday at Lalor, while Mernda faces a fight to keep its season alive at the same venue on Sunday when it plays Watsonia in the first semi-final.
