Tara Murray
Whittlesea and Laurimar kept their premiership dreams alive with wins in the first week of the Northern Football League women’s finals.
The Eagles remain in the hunt in division 2 after beating Fitzroy Stars on Saturday in an elimination final. It was the Eagles first ever final.
Neither team scored a goal in the first quarter, with just one goal each in the second term.
Scores were locked at three quarter time, setting the game up for a thrilling finish.
The Eagles kicked three goals to one in the final term to get the 5.6 (36)-3.6 (24) win.
The Eagles will now face Banyule in a knockout semi final on Sunday at Epping Recreation Reserve.
In division 3, Laurimar had a big win against Heidelberg 2 on Sunday in an elimination final.
The Power got the win, 6.8 (44)-3.1 (19).
The Power will face West Preston-Lakeside 2 in a knockout semi final on Sunday.
Mernda, which had the week off after finishing on top, will play Hurstbridge in the other semi final, with a grand final spot on the line.
In the division 1 men’s competition, Bundoora all but secured a top three spot with victory against Greensborough.
The Bulls got the win on Saturday, 11.12 (78)-10.4 (64).
Sam Lloyd kicked three goals for the Bulls while Kyle Green got two goals.
Brent Marshall was named the Bulls best in game 200.
Whittlesea got a vital win in the fight for survival in division 1. The Eagles beat Northcote Park 10.10 (70)-6.3 (39).
The Eagles kicked six goals to three in the second half to get the win.
Jaron Murphy kicked three goals for the Eagles.
The Eagles now sit eighth, a game clear of Hurstbridge and Northcote Park.
In division 2, Thomastown and Epping both suffered losses, while in division 3 Mernda, Laurimar and South Morang got wins, while Lalor was beaten.
