Teams started to stamp their authority across all three NFNL senior women’s competitions after Round 7 action.
Heidelberg Golf Club Division 1
The Friday night encounter between St Mary’s and Heidelberg ended with the home side producing a strong 45-point win at Whatmough Park. The Burra rushed out to a 16-point quarter time lead after a three-goal to nil opening term and went on to win each quarter for the rest of the match in an 8.6 (54) to 1.3 (9) triumph. Charlotte Evans, Megan Girolami and Caitlin Kreuzberger each kicked two majors in the win while Lanarose Picioane finished as the side’s best. Emily Baldi and Mia Tascone stood out for the Tigers in defeat.
Diamond Creek Women’s 1 bounced back from last week’s loss to record an impressive victory by 11 points over Montmorency 1 at Plenty Park Oval. Following an even opening term, the Magpies got out to a seven-point half time lead before the Creekers piled on five majors to two in the second half to finish 8.5 (53) to 6.6 (42) victors at home. Lauren Durante continued her terrific year with a season-high three goals for the Creekers, while Talisha Rowland was also superb for the home side. Premiership duo Madeline Gallagher and Shae Collinson were Montmorency’s best.
Banyule returned to the winners list in convincing fashion after defeating Darebin 1 by 35 points at Beverley Road Oval. It was a three-goal to nil opening term that set the tone in the 7.9 (51) to 2.4 (16) triumph, producing their biggest score of the season in the process. Western Bulldogs VFLW listed star Tannah Hurst continued to have a major impact for her side while Bears teammate Rebekah Watson slotted three goals for the afternoon. Karmen Wong starred for the Falcons alongside Sarah Hanlin.
Cleaning Melbourne Division 2
A brilliant four quarter performance from the Fitzroy Stars saw them prevail over Darebin 2 by 88 points at Sir Douglas Nicholls Oval. The Stars produced 11 goals in the opening three terms, while in the process, keeping the Falcons scoreless until the final term as the claimed a 12.17 (89) to 0.1 (1) result. Natarsha Bamblett, Amina Keegan and Akanisi Tsiros shared the load up forward and each kicked three majors, with Stephanie Briggs also impressing. Mia Krasenstein finished as the Falcons’ best player for the afternoon, being in the side’s best for the first time in 2024.
Ivanhoe flexed their muscles in an excellent display over Montmorency 2, winning by 111 points at Montmorency Park South Oval. The Ivies arguably produced one of their best efforts of the season in the 16.15 (111) to 0.0 (0) performance, kicking eight majors in each half to record their third 100+ score of the campaign. It was the Georgia Pirdis show up forward, who having kicked bags of six and four already this year, produced a season-high best of eight majors. Federica Frew kicked five while Anna Williams was a strong contributor. Charly Bandera and Ciara Marino stood out for the Magpies.
Greensborough produced their first win since Round 3 after a 28-point triumph over Mernda at Greensborough War Memorial Park. The Boro were challenged early and led by just three points at half time, before slotting through four majors to nil in the second half to finish 5.9 (39) to 1.5 (11) winners. All five goals from the home side were kicked by Amy Vine, who has now scored eight majors in the last fortnight, meanwhile Ari Gosden was fantastic also for the Boro. Great contributions from co-captains Emily Bell and Teneisha Fiore kept the Demons in the hunt throughout the afternoon.
It’s back-to-back victories for West Preston-Lakeside after their clash with Whittlesea at J.E. Moore Park, prevailing by 54 points. The impressive effort from the Roosters came mainly in the second half, after they turned a 14-point half time lead into a 9.16 (70) to 2.4 (16) winning result. Tallia Pulcino again starred for the home side and produced four majors in a best on ground performance. Other efforts from Isabel Young and Trinity Mills also propelled West Preston-Lakeside to victory, while Tahlia Pyle and Julie Pole were some that had solid games for the Eagles.
Lower Plenty were at their best in their clash with Thomastown, prevailing by 69 points at Montmorency Park South Oval. You can read the full match report by clicking here.
NFNL Division 3 Women’s
Diamond Creek Women’s 2 proved too strong for Laurimar when they met at Laurimar Reserve, winning by 53 points. It was a close game in the opening term, with the Creekers leading by just seven points before keeping the Power goalless for the rest of the match in the 9.6 (60) to 1.1 (7) victory. The ever-reliable duo of Bentley Butler and Stefanie Memos excelled again for the visiting Creekers, while Jorja Hoskin was the side’s only multiple goalkicker with two majors. Rachel Chettle and Naomi Whalan were Laurimar’s best.
Wallan are now two wins from their last two games with an impressive 40-point triumph over Epping at Greenhill Reserve. The Magpies were in control throughout the entirety of the afternoon, kicking goals in all four terms while keeping the Blues scoreless in the 6.4 (40) to 0.0 (0) result. Toni Gussenhoven opened her goalkicking account for 2024 in terrific style with four of her side’s six majors for the game. Lily Borg was also great for the home side while Epping were best led by Jennifer Allinson and Natasha Te Kurapa.
Hurstbridge secured their third successive win after outclassing Heidelberg West by 42 points at Ben Frilay Oval. The Bridges got out to a 22-point half time lead before extending their margin in the final two terms to win 8.6 (54) to 2.0 (12). Chloe Topperwien and Natarsha Harrop were some of the stand outs for the home side while Melissa Martini did the damage inside 50 with three goals. Emily O’Keefe and Kiana Horman were each great in their own right for the Hawks.
South Morang powered home to claim their fifth triumph of the season, producing a comprehensive 96-point win over North Heidelberg at Mill Park Lakes Reserve. You can read the full match report by clicking here.
