WHICHEVER way you look at this weekend, it was one where teams across the league paid tribute to Nathan Fitzgerald around the grounds, as the football community across the northern suburbs paid respect.
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It was a weekend where the football community completely wrapped its arms around the Epping and Lalor Football Netball Clubs, still reeling from the tragedy which struck both teams the previous weekend at Lalor Reserve.
However, it has to be said, full credit to Epping president Luke De Vincentis, who handled the week incredibly well as not just a president, but as a leader.
The memorial service replaced the reserves game, in which Epping elected not to play – and who can blame them – and from all reports, attracted thousands from the football community – as many as last year’s division one grand final held at the ground.
The multiple flowers, the marking on the ground to remember him and the emotion of all involved was wonderful.
Credit must go out to a number of people too who put their hand up to help – Mernda president Tommy Felle ran the bar in one of the more selfless acts, skipping his club’s game against Kinglake to help out another football club in its time of need.
Clubs across the region put photos of Fitzy on their scoreboards – a stunning show of respect for a man many might not have known but will never be forgotten.
On Sunday, the Epping players were fortunate enough to be part of the guard of honour for Fitzy’s beloved Richmond Football Club, with both the Tigers and Melbourne observing a minute’s silence before the game.
All 18 AFL clubs wore black armbands – another symbol of respect.
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The sadness for Fitzy reached far and wide. I was in Maryborough on Friday night, and it was what many people were talking about upon greeting the people I have missed greatly at that football club.
That community, and the nearby Castlemaine community, had its own moment of sadness in 2023 with the death of young Castlemaine player Dallas Keogh-Frankling. Similarly, the Bendigo Football Netball League were wonderful in galvanising the clubs and the family, with Castlemaine stepping up wonderfully.
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THE HAWKS SHOW RESPECT
From a football perspective, you did have to feel for Heidelberg West, wondering if there would be a game of footy to be played.
But credit to Epping who communicated well with the Hawks all week, letting them know early that there would be no reserves. A private vote showed an overwhelming majority of seniors and under-19s electing to play, while the reserves will be ready to play when they are prepared to – and have my support, and no doubt, the full support of the football community.
To its credit, Heidelberg West was able to score a 39-point win on what was a very emotional day. And credit too, must go out to coach Mick Missen, whose sole focus was on helping the Epping community, rather than talk about his charges’ win on a day where the Hawks remain in the hunt for a first finals appearance since 1994.
Missen is a man who wears his heart on his sleeve – he cares deeply and the Hawks coaching staff all had Epping pins.
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TIGERS FLEX THEIR MUSCLE
Spare a thought for Montmorency, putting together the highest score since Hurstbridge’s 99 points in round 11, 2021 (!!!) yet still losing by 10 goals.
For a standalone game, this was a remarkably high-paced game, with the Tigers kicking 23 goals, led by Jack Andrew’s six and Kai Kearns kicking five.
Matthew Clark kicked five goals for the Magpies as well, who did end up kicking nine goals in the second half, yet it was the second quarter which proved costly, with the Tigers kicking eight goals to two.
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BURRA THE FORM TEAM
St Mary’s might be the team to beat in division two at the moment.
Winners in seven of its last eight, the Burra have also re-signed coach Jack Bianchin for 2027 in a great show of confidence that things are tracking along in the right direction.
With its full team in, St Mary’s best footy is devastating – just ask Lower Plenty on Saturday, who bore the brunt of nine first-quarter goals, ending the game on the spot as the Burra led by 44 points at quarter time, and 72 at half time, before easing to a 47-point win.
Ty Kitchell was best on ground for the Burra, kicking three goals.
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SOUTH MORANG CHANGE THE GAME
You’ll read about it in the match report on page 28, but South Morang turned the division 2 competition into a three-way tie at the top with a frenetic final quarter.
It was a topsy-turvy match from all reports – Northcote Park led early, South Morang turned the tide in the second quarter, then the Cougars hit back in the third.
But the Lions are getting a reputation as good finishers in the competition, and five goals in 13 minutes helped get them in front, before kicking the last two of the game to win by 12 points.
They are a remarkably even team, the Lions. Nathan Stefanile has been terrific in the ruck again this year. McCall has been a great recruit and Jesse John Christidis is always dangerous.
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PANTON HILL GOALLESS
A much-needed percentage boost from Old Paradians was all thanks to its defensive efforts on Saturday, keeping Panton Hill to just five behinds for the afternoon.
Goalless efforts are becoming rarer in the Northern Football Netball League, so it was a big effort across the board to keep Panton Hill to such a low score.
It was not the day the Redbacks were after for that matter either – more on that below…
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THOMASTOWN SAVING ITS SEASON
An incredible first quarter was all the damage Thomastown needed to do to inflict not just a loss towards Macleod, putting its finals chances almost to bed, but also deliver a blow to Panton Hill, who now reclaim bottom spot.
The Bears haven’t been bad, they’ve been competitive in most of their games, and now have two wins from their last three, with a one-point loss to Fitzroy Stars inbetween.
Anthony Capeci and Jake Nikolov were the firestarters for the Bears on Saturday, while Lawrence Lo Piccolo and Mitchell Hayse also performed well.
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WHITTLESEA JUST STAY ALIVE
A loss on Saturday would have put Whittlesea’s season to an end, essentially.
Instead, a big third quarter run keeps the Eagles alive, kicking three goals to nil to overhaul the Fitzroy Stars, before holding on in a close seven-point win.
The Eagles still have plenty of work to do to overrun a two-game gap to the pack but they have games against Panton Hill and Thomastown to come. Win those two, and get some good results going their way, and they’re back in it.
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RESERVOIR STAY IN THIRD
Reservoir would have loved to prove it belonged in third on Saturday, and indeed, they did so with a 53-point victory at Binnak Park over Watsonia.
It was a day for the old and the young, with Aaron Edwards and Dean Jeffrey kicking four goals apiece, while Josh Grabowski continued his excellent season with a best-on-ground performance.
It was a loss for Watsonia which leaves it just percentage inside the top five and will have no control over its status as it now has a bye, while Heidelberg West will be hoping to take its spot with a game against Kilmore on the weekend at home.
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POWER YOUNGSTERS STEP UP AGAIN
It was young talent time at Laurimar Reserve on Saturday as a number of young players gave the Power a 76-point win over Old Eltham.
The best players were littered with young talents, with Liam Waldron playing perhaps his best game at senior level, kicking four goals.
Fellow youngsters Noah Mooney and Cooper Fitzpatrick also played ripping games, while the ever-present Bailey Macleod also continued his terrific run of form.
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MERNDA SURVIVE A SCARE
The Demons are still in the top five, but remain a little unconvincing, needing three quarters to put aside Kinglake.
Trailing by a point at the final change, the Demons went bang, bang, bang – heard that one before, if you are a Melbourne fan reminiscing about the 2021 grand final – to kick five goals in barely 10 minutes.
Matthew Bawden, playing his first game of the season after injury, helped get them going, and hopefully for the Demons’ sakes emerges as the key forward they desperately need.