IN the highest scoring match of the season thus far, reigning premiers Geelong was able to knock off fresh face LTU (LaTrobe University) by eight goals. In match that showed just how high-powered the respective attacks – and ball movement from end-to-end was – Geelong got up 78-70 over LTU to get on the board in the M-League Mixed Premier division.

The match itself not only supplied 148 goals, but 115 of those came from the respective towering shooters up each end. LTU’s Liam Killey shot 60 goals as goal shooter for four quarters, using his clear height advantage over Gerard Murphy and Luke Marko Rawlings. Up the other end, Cameron Allum fired off 55 goals, playing three quarters in goal shooter, while rotating with Zanna Woods to goal attack in the third term. That quarter proved to be Geelong’s lowest scoring term of just 16 goals, so the reigning premiers reverted back to the status quo.

Woods – who was last year’s grand final MVP – shot 23 goals to provide great support to Allum in the win. The pair were the standout on the court, though the likes of Jake Noonan – a half in centre – and Zara Walters – a full game in wing attack – certainly provided plenty of feeds through to the shooters. Remarkably Geelong had LTU right where it wanted its opponents at half-time, leading by 11 goals, before a 22-16 third term cut the deficit back to five. With the game on the line, Geelong scored 19-16 in the last term to win, 78-70.

Despite Allum’s strength, Thomas Giliberto also impressed in goal keeper to be named LTU’s best, working hard alongside Olivia Ellis in the defensive goal circle. It was an ominous performance from LTU who matched it with the benchmark in the competition. Sarah Szczykulski and Olivia Taylor also played full matches in the defensive third, with the side missing Tim Marshall and Brodie McCleish.

Looking to other results, and Ariels remained undefeated in Season 2022/23 with a three-goal victory over Melbourne Quakes. The win backed up a five-goal triumph over the Sonics in Round 1, with Jemma Osborne starring in the win. The Ariels goal attack shot 19 goals across four quarters in goal attack, teaming up well with Kurt Thompson (33) for the 52-49 victory. Wing defence Holly Bujega was also impressive, while for the Quakes, David Chisholm was a force, shooting 44 of his side’s 49 goals, with a number of key players missing from the lineup.

In another close game, Valley Wolves got on the board this season, getting the better of Round 1 winners, Altona Falcons. The Wolves won by six goals in Wednesday night’s contest, getting up 56-50, with Brayden Pastore being a crucial player in wing defence. Nat Billings playing three quarters in the shooting circle and was influential as well, while for the Wolves, both Joshua Smith and Andrew Lewis scored 20 goals playing just a half each in goal shooter.

The other match was not as close as the rest, with Parkville Panthers steamrolling Eastside Sonics by 31 goals. Despite missing a few important players, the Panthers piled on 61 goals to 34 after quarter time, shaking off an early Sonics challenge. Jake Hederics moved into the goal circle in the second half after playing goal keeper in the first half, and shot 27 goals, while former Super Netball shooter Kaylia Stanton nailed 21. Midcourter Elli Leydin was impressive in setting up creative plays, while Jack Carpenter was the best for the Sonics, shooting 39 goals in the loss.

VMMNA MEN’S PREMIER LEAGUE ROUND 2 RESULTS:

Geelong (78) defeated LTU (70)
Ariels (52) defeated Melbourne Quakes (49)
Parkville Panthers (75) defeated Eastside Sonics (44)
Valley Wolves (56) defeated Altona Falcons (50)