It was a dramatic final round of the home and away season in the top flight, while some big results took place across the opening week of finals in Division 2 and 3.
Heidelberg Golf Club Division 1
It was a must win game for Diamond Creek Women’s 1 on Saturday when they faced Banyule at Beverley Road Oval and they did just that, finishing 37-point winners. The Creekers did the damage in the first half, scoring an accurate 8.1 while keeping the Bears to just two majors on their way to a 11.5 (71) to 5.3 (34) victory, which at that point, put them in the top four. Chiara Nardo was superb for the reigning premiers and kicked four majors, while Linda Thorp produced three goals. Maykaylah Appleby stood out too for the visitors while the Bears’ best efforts came from Chloe Sheean, who kicked three of her side’s five goals for the afternoon.
With Diamond Creek Women’s 1 prevailing, Darebin 1 had to defeat Eltham at A.H. Capp Reserve if they were to play finals football in 2023. And while the Panthers produced one more scoring shot for the match, the Falcons accuracy meant they were able to claim 19-point triumph, winning 9.4 (58) to 5.9 (39) to seal their place in the top four. Julia Phung and Karmen Wong were excellent for the home side and had a big say in the final result. The latter kicked two majors as well as Cameron Williams who has now kicked seven goals in the last three games. Angelique Reibelt produced her 19th goal of the season and was one of five individual goalkickers for Eltham.
Montmorency 1 produced a nice lead into their finals campaign after a comfortable 29-point victory over West Preston-Lakeside 1 at Montmorency Park North Oval. The Roosters did keep it close throughout the opening three terms, trailing by just seven points at the final change before the Magpies dominated the last quarter, kicking five majors to nil on their way to winning 9.6 (60) to 4.7 (31). Jessica Nursey proved to be the difference up forward, kicking a season-high four goals while Madeline Ellis produced another best on ground performance for the ladder leaders. Ashleigh Snow’s quality was on show despite her side’s loss and was named as the visitors’ best, while Chloe Oakley kicked two goals for the Roosters.
Cleaning Melbourne Division 2
Heidelberg waltzed through to the Second Semi-Final after a strong 72-point win over Mernda in the Qualifying Final at Whittlesea Showgrounds. The Demons were kept scoreless until the second half which until that point, the Tigers had slotted through six majors and didn’t look back on their way to recording a comfortable 10.13 (73) to 0.1 (1) result. Nikki Watts kicked three goals and was named as her side’s best in a terrific display, while midfield teammates Tessa Hankinson, Mia Tascone and Emily De Sando were all just as impressive. Gulia Ceravolo led the way for Mernda, with the likes of Monica Bradford and Brianne Keogh also having influential moments at times throughout the match.
The Fitzroy Stars claimed their first finals win in the NFNL women’s competition, coming from behind to defeat Greensborough by 12 points in the elimination final at Whittlesea Showgrounds. The Boro had a one-point advantage at three quarter time, before the Stars stormed home in the final term in what was an outstanding effort, kicking four goals to two in the quarter to prevail 8.5 (53) to 6.5 (41) and go through to the first semi-final. Bonnie Kairouz kicked three of the Stars eight goals for the match while Dawn McGuiness was at her best, playing a brilliant match. Three majors from Dakota Gray De Jong kept the Boro in the game while Tayla Hill finished as Greensborough’s best.
NFNL Division 3 Women’s
Heidelberg West defeated Montmorency 2 for the second time in as many weeks to book their spot in the second semi-final, winning by 27 points at Whittlesea Showgrounds. The Hawks were brilliant in their first senior women’s finals match, keeping the Magpies scoreless until the final term on their way to a 4.10 (34) to 1.1 (7) win which could have been larger had it have not been for inaccurate goalkicking. Crystal Grech and Molly Reinke have been two of the more prominent stand outs for Heidelberg West this season and the duo again delivered on the big stage, meanwhile Sophie Foote kicked two majors and was the side’s only multiple goalkicker. Josephine Akuei was excellent for the Magpies despite the defeat.
In a tight elimination final at the Whittlesea Showgrounds, Darebin 2 held on to win by just four points in a great contest against Diamond Creek Women’s 2. Just three goals were kicked in the match, but it was anyone’s game until the final siren, with the Falcons prevailing 2.2 (14) to 1.4 (10) to move onto the semi-final. Alfie Larkin and Caitlin Smith were Darebin’s two goalkickers, with the Larkin having an outstanding game alongside teammate Mel Griffin. Holly Pink’s great form in the home and away season translated into Sunday’s final, while Simone Secombe finished as the Creekers’ leading goalkicker with 13 goals, after being the side’s only goalkicker in the defeat.
