It’s hard to imagine a closer set of divisions in our NFNL senior women’s competitions as teams prepare for the last four games of the home and away season.
Heidelberg Golf Club Division 1
St Mary’s have now put together consecutive wins to jump back into second spot after defeating Banyule by 15 points on Friday night at Beverley Road Oval. The Burra led by 15 points at the main break after a strong start before the Bears brought the deficit back to seven points ahead of the final term, with a one-goal to nil last quarter securing a 5.6 (36) to 3.3 (21) victory for the visitors. Georgia Kitchell and Emmison Zealley were again excellent for St Mary’s while Megan Girolami kicked three majors. Megan Barnes was impressive for Banyule alongside Mikalee Maroney.
Heidelberg and Diamond Creek Women’s 1 produced an absolute thriller in their clash at Warringal Park on Friday night, with the Creekers holding on for a nail-biting one-point triumph. Read the full match report by clicking here.
Montmorency 1 held firm in their battle with Darebin 1 to prevail by just three points at A.H. Capp Reserve. The Magpies were able to turn a slow start into a 15-point lead at half time before the Falcons made it a three-point ball game by three quarter time. Both sides managed just one behind each in the final term, which proved enough for the visitors to get back on the winners list in the 4.5 (29) to 4.2 (26) result. Shae Collinson and Chiara Scuderi starred in the triumph for the reigning premiers, while Nikita Magriplis and Yuri Stefania were excellent in helping the Falcons stay in the contest.
Cleaning Melbourne Division 2
Thomastown made it three straight wins after defeating Mernda by 22 points at Main Street Recreation Reserve. The Bears led throughout the afternoon and were ahead by as much as 24 points before settling with a 4.11 (35) to 1.7 (13) victory, seeing them take second position on the ladder. Chiara Nardo continued to be hard to stop for her opposition and had a three-goal performance for the third consecutive match. Olivia Antonello and Sierra Te’o were also influential in the win for the hosts while in her second game of the season after returning to the club, Awek Dut was a standout for the Demons.
Ivanhoe produced their fifth successive match without a loss after defeating the Fitzroy Stars by 13 points at Sir Douglas Nicholls Oval. The Stars led by six points at quarter time before a three-goal to nil second term put the Ivies in the box seat, to run away 7.4 (46) to 4.9 (33) victors away from home. More terrific performances from the likes of Federica Frew and Molly Uwland helped lead Ivanhoe to another triumph while Atelini Seeto and Jessica Bamblett were superb for the Stars, with the latter kicking three majors.
Whittlesea claimed their first win since Round 4 after a narrow three-point triumph over Greensborough at the Whittlesea Showgrounds. The Eagles were terrific in the first half and led by 15 points at half time before the margin was cut to 10 heading into the final change. The home side were then kept to one behind in the final term by a determined Boro outfit but were able to hold on and win 3.5 (23) to 2.3 (20). Whittlesea saw great performances from the likes of Harper McPherson-Goulding and Tahlia Pyle, while Sheridan Blizzard and Ari Gosden rose to the occasion for the visitors.
A huge second half propelled Lower Plenty to a strong 70-point victory over Darebin 2 at Montmorency Park South Oval. The Bears were held to 24 points by half time but still led by 14 points over the Falcons before booting eight goals to nil in the final two terms to claim a 11.14 (80) to 1.4 (10) win. Bree Unthank showed her class in ruck while Shae Audley scored a season-high six goals for the hosts. Christy Hughes finished in Darebin’s best for the third time in five games after another solid showing.
NFNL Division 3 Women’s
North Heidelberg’s finals chances got a huge boost after a 28-point win over Diamond Creek Women’s 2 at Shelley Street Reserve. The Bulldogs led at each change in the 6.7 (43) to 2.3 (15) victory, and now jump into fifth position with four rounds remaining. Mikayla Brown kicked two majors while Meg Harper again impressed for the home side. Kayley Reid was a standout in her second match for the Creekers, while Imogen Hammond’s excellent campaign continued for the visitors.
A huge contest between Hurstbridge and South Morang ended with the Bridges holding on for a four-point triumph at Ben Frilay Oval. The game was tight all afternoon, with the Lions leading by two points at half time before trailing by three points at the final change. Both sides managed a major in the last term, but the home side did well to maintain possession in the last moments of the game to finish 4.4 (28) to 3.6 (24) winners. The in-form trio of Ruby Butterfield, Chloe Topperwien and Kristy Steven again stood up for Hurstbridge, while Ella Pinney had another outstanding game for the Lions.
Epping found their way back to the winners list after a dominant 57-point victory over Laurimar at Laurimar Reserve. The Blues had no problems finding the goals throughout all four terms and kicked their highest score of the season in the 8.10 (58) to 0.1 (1) triumph. Brittney Knight starred up forward with five majors, while Tarsja Hooper was also great for the away side. The Power’s best efforts came from Amanda Neary and Mikaela Stores.
Another important game between two top five sides in Panton Hill and Heidelberg West saw the latter hold on to win by just five points at A.E. Cracknell Reserve. The Hawks held a 13-point lead heading into the final quarter, before the Redbacks restricted them to one behind and registered four scoring shots of their own. However, the visitors did well to stop the Redbacks from finding the important go-ahead and were on the right side of the 5.5 (35) to 4.6 (30) result. Kiana Horman was impactful in the win for Heidelberg West and finished with two goals, while in her first game for the club, Teagan Sheldon was Panton Hill’s best.
