Lower Plenty were at their best in their Cleaning Melbourne Division 2 Women’s clash with Thomastown, prevailing by 69 points at Montmorency Park South Oval.
In the first Battle of the Bears between the two clubs in the NFNL’s senior women’s competition, Lower Plenty were able to run rampant over Thomastown throughout the entire contest, eventually winning 11.11 (77) to 1.2 (8).
The win puts Lower Plenty on top of the Division 2 ladder and are now the only side to boast six victories in 2024. Meanwhile, after occupying top spot themselves, Thomastown slip down to fifth spot following wins to the Fitzroy Stars and West Preston-Lakeside on the weekend.
The class of Shae Audley and Bree Unthank was on display for all to see, with Unthank’s work across the ground, in the air and on the ground unmatched by her opposition, while Audley provided plenty of run and dash from stoppages.
Audley was able to hit the scoreboard quite frequently and finished as the equal leading goalkicker on the day alongside forward Amelia Mullane with four majors.
Thomastown entered the game with five less players than their opponents, but while their midfield at times struggled against Lower Plenty, there were still some strong performances displayed, highlighted by the in-form Chiara Nardo who was superb in proving support for her teammates around the ground.
Despite the final scoreline, Thomastown’s defensive unit was resilient for the majority of the contest, with Ruby Sommerville and Ruby Patisano the two standouts in that area of the ground. The duo went on to finish as their side’s two best players for the afternoon.
It was the early stages where the away side’s defence was at its best, stopping the majority of Lower Plenty’s forays forward, while creating their own chains towards their attacking 50.
The reward would soon come in the form of the opening major of the match, as some great transition from defence to attack resulted in Abbigail Serong finding the big sticks.
With five minutes remaining, Lower Plenty started to turn the tables and responded the visitors’ opening goals with back-to-back majors courtesy of Audley and Kyla Parry, allowing them to rush out to an eight-point lead at the first break.
The hosts were able to build on the momentum gained late in the first term by piling on goals in the second quarter.
In a 10-minute span, Mullane, Audley and Unthank all hit the scoreboard to push Lower’s advantage out to 28 points.
From there Thomastown was able to create their own opportunities and were also just as impressive in retaliating any further attacks from the hosts, ensuring the margin remained at 27 points heading into half time.
Stewart Lewis’ side were able to start the third quarter just as strongly as they did in the second quarter, with Audley finding the goals for a third time.
But Thomastown again stood tall in the defensive half of the ground. While their midfielders went to work in creating multiple stoppages, their spread of pressure in the back 50 ensured any Lower Plenty shots on goal were from difficult angles, allowing them to concede just four more behinds for the rest of the term.
With a 37-point advantage heading into the final term, the Bears of Lower Plenty were able to open the floodgates early in the last term with two quick goals.
The hosts would finish the match with five majors in the last term, three of which coming off the boot of Mullane to cap off a terrific afternoon for her and her side.
