St Therese and WDNA emerge as M-League junior frontrunners
A COUPLE of big wins from both St Therese and WDNA in the 17 and Under and 14 and Under grades has moved them into the front-running positions for the respective titles. St Therese remains undefeated in both grades after two rounds, while WDNA is still yet to lose in the 17 and Under division. Last Wednesday night saw the teams triumph over their lower ranked opponents.
Looking at the 17 and Under results, St Therese came away with a handy 34-goal victory over Darebin, winning all four quarters and being particularly dominant after quarter time. Darebin kept with St Therese to only trail by three goals at the first break, but then the title favourites took control after that, scoring 17, 14 and 17 goals as their opponents managed the 17 goals in total.
Ryan Lovell scored 21 goals in a half in goal shooter after starting the match in goal defence, teaming up well with Liam Mason (24), while Josh Francis (16) switched with Lovell into defence for the second half. Ryan Francis D’Amour was the pick of the Darebin players on the night, playing three quarters between both centre and goal defence, while Jamie Shannon scored 14 goals in the first three quarters in goal attack.
In the other match, WDNA took care of Peninsula Waves to remain undefeated and set up a top of the table clash with St Therese in Round 3, running out 55-28 winners. WDNA burst out of the blocks to pile on 28 goals to nine in the first half – including keeping the Waves to just two goals in the second term, before Peninsula managed to break even in the third. WDNA got back on top in the last term to win it 15-8 and secure the comfortable 28-goal victory.
Nic O’Meara was best-on in the win, scoring 23 goals in three quarters as goal shooter. He was well supported by Dan King up the other end who restricted the attack through his role in goal defence, with the Waves only able to score 17 goals while he was on court. Campbell Brown also scored 23 goals in three quarters, while for Peninsula, Christian Doukas (15 goals) and defender Alec Wooley were productive.
17 & UNDER ROUND 2 RESULTS:
WDNA (55) defeated Peninsula Waves (28)
St Therese (61) defeated Darebin (27)
In the 14 and Under division WDNA picked up its first win of the season with a 23-goal victory over TBC. After a tight first term – where WDNA lead by three goals – the game opened up in the second quarter with a 15-6 quarter in favour of the eventual winners. The third quarter mirrored that first term showing there was somehow a clear advantage shooting towards that end, before WDNA stepped up again in the last with a 16-6 last stanza to win, 47-24.
Max Major was named best on for his role in centre, while River Zielinski (goal defence) and Chiara Kotis (23 goals in goal attack) were among the best in the win. Thomas Lane (16 goals) also. stepped up across three quarters in goal shooter. For TBC, Eden Gaffney scored 21 goals in a loss, while David Coghlan was also one of his side’s best.
In the other match, St Therese picked up the comfortable 37-goal win over Melbourne Up & Comers thanks to a dominant second term. After leading by a narrow two goals at the first break, St Therese put the foot down and piled on 22-0 in the second quarter to take a 24-goal lead into the main break. The eventual winners continued their good form in the second half, albeit in closer circumstances, and eventually came away with the 50-13 victory.
Jackson Lee scored a match-high 21 goals in three quarters in the goal circle, while rolling into wing defence for the third term. Brodie Lilly (20 goal) was also prolific in attack, while Jack Shaw played all three midcourt positions and was named among the best on court. Melbourne Up & Comers’ Cameron Lindell played a half in centre before being pushed back to goal defence to stem the bleeding, while Tom Bryant (seven goals) was the top scorer in a losing side.
14 & UNDER ROUND 2 RESULTS:
WDNA (47) defeated TBC (24)
St Therese (50) defeated Melbourne Up & Comers (13)
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