There’s still plenty to play for in the NFNL Women’s competition as we approach the final two weeks of the home and away season.
Winning Edge Division 1 Women’s
Greensborough pulled off a major upset at J.E. Moore Park, defeating West Preston-Lakeside 1 by four points. Trailing by three points at three quarter time, the Borough kicked 1.1 in the final term while keeping the Roosters scoreless to prevail 3.6 (24) to 2.8 (20). Emmison Zeally and Bree Unthank stood up for the visitors when it counted while Ashleigh Snow did all she could to reel her side over the line.
In another close battle at Montmorency Park North Oval, Montmorency did enough to claim an important nine-point win over Darebin 1. In what was a highly anticipated third vs fourth contest, the Magpies led at all three-quarter breaks to win 5.5 (35) to 3.8 (26) and as a result, take third place of the Falcons. Shae Collinson had another best on ground performance for the home side with Chiara Scuderi kicking two majors. Shannon Egan was impressive for Darebin.
VU Western Spurs bounced back from a five-game losing streak to comfortably defeat Lower Plenty-Bundoora by 88 points at Henry Turner Reserve. A nine goal to nil first half set up the 14.14 (98) to 1.4 (10) win for the Spurs, with Ashleigh Ford and Stacey Rigon kicking three majors each. Darcee O’Loughlin played her best game on a tough day for the visitors.
Diamond Creek Women’s 1 have sewn up the minor premiership after a brilliant 120-point victory over Heidelberg 1 Plenty Park Oval. The Creekers set their intent early in the contest with an eight goal to one first term, never looking back to triumph 20.19 (139) to 3.1 (19). Georgia Tait and Linda Thorp again were excellent on the goalscoring front, kicking four majors each, with Alicia Maskell also stepping up for the home side. Tessa Hankinson and Emily De Sando were the best for the Tigers, as they have been for most of the season.
SG Print & Paper Division 2 Women’s
In a low scoring affair at A.H. Capp Reserve, Darebin 2 held on to claim a six-point win over the Fitzroy Stars. Under lights on Friday night, the Falcons were able to snap a three-game losing streak and run out 2.6 (18) to 1.6 (12) winners. Natasha Groves and Nikita Magriplis were the two goalkickers for Darebin with Caitlyn Jeffress playing a great game. Renae McKeown and Jessica Nannup were solid contributors for the Stars.
Eltham continued their dominant run in the competition, claiming a brilliant 27-point win over Banyule on Friday night at Eltham Central Park. You can read the full match report here.
St Mary’s made it five consecutive wins to jump up to second spot, after comfortably defeating Whittlesea by 88 points at Whatmough Park. You can read the full match report here.
In a match between the two bottom placed sides in the competition, Diamond Creek Women’s 2 picked up their second win of the season, defeating Montmorency 2 by 31 points at Montmorency Park North Oval. A five goal to nil first half was the catalyst for the 7.11 (53) to 3.4 (22) victory, with the Creekers moving off the bottom of the ladder as a result. The visitors had all individual goalkickers for their seven goals, with Olivia Papaleo one of their best. Bailey Schultz was a standout in her first game of the season for the Magpies.
Cleaning Melbourne Division 3 Women’s
Ladder leaders Mernda suffered their first defeat since grading and their first defeat to a Division 3 side, going down by the barest of margins to Hurstbridge at Waterview Recreation Reserve. The Bridges responded from their shock loss to Heidelberg 2 a fortnight ago, as they held on to record an incredible 2.4 (16) to 2.3 (15) victory. Belinda Harris was outstanding for the visitors, kicking an important second half major, while Melissa Martini was also excellent. Ruby Sommerville had one of her best games for the Demons this season.
Laurimar recorded one of their best wins of the season, proving too strong for West Preston-Lakeside 2 as they prevailed by 34 points at Laurimar Reserve. The Power led at all three quarter breaks and in turn only allowed the Roosters to register one scoring shot to ensure the 6.4 (40) to 1.0 (6) win. Forward Georgia Smith had her best game of the season, kicking four goals with Holly Pitts also impressive. Allison Styger tried hard all day for the visitors.
Heidelberg 2 made it two consecutive wins to jump off the bottom of the ladder for the first time this season, defeating Wallan by 25 points at Warringal Park. The Tigers kicked their highest score of the year on their way to the 5.3 (33) to 1.2 (8) victory. In her first match of the 2022 campaign, Isabella Italiano impressed with a brilliant display while Ashleigh Riley kicked two majors for the Tigers. Kristy Nunn and Nicole Evans were the standouts for the Magpies.
