Round 6 was a big weekend of action across all three divisions in the ANZ NFNL Women’s competitions, heading into the representative bye.
In the Division 1 match of the round, second-placed Keilor overcame a scare to defeat third-placed VU Western Spurs 5.8 (38) to 4.5 (29). Mary Sandral gave the Spurs the opening goal of the match, but Keilor responded with the next two goals to take an eight-point lead into quarter time. Aysha Ward snapped a great goal to get the Spurs within two points and Elise Muller kicked truly after the siren to give the Spurs a four-point half-time lead. An early third quarter goal for Keilor via Tanay Barbuto gave the home side back the lead and they followed up with another goal to give themselves a 10-point buffer at the final change. The Spurs spent plenty of time in their forward line in the final term but Barbuto’s third goal for Keilor sealed the match. Jill Mcbain and Nicole Julian were pivotal in getting Keilor over the line and Lauren Anthony and Olivia Storer were excellent for the Spurs. Keilor will get another crack at an undefeated Bendigo outfit, while VU Western Spurs will look to hold onto third position against Darebin after the bye.
Ladder-leader Bendigo continued its stunning form with a 16.13 (109) to 0.1 (1) win over Darebin. In an extraordinary first half, Andrea Walsh kicked Bendigo’s first five goals of the match and her side took a 47-point lead into half-time. Bendigo played out the match the way they started and finished strongly. Olivia McEvoy was named best afield for a second week running, while Walsh went on to add two final quarter goals to bring her season tally to a competition leading 26. Laura O’Malley and Sierra Chandler tried hard for Darebin.
Diamond Creek Women’s captured its first win of the season, defeating Whitehorse 4.7 (31) to 2.3 (15) at Plenty Park Oval. The Creekers came out strongly in the first quarter and opened a 13-point lead that the Colts were unable to close for the rest of the match. Emma Fraser and Laura Attard were the Creekers best, while Paris Flowers and Tara Reiter continued their great seasons for Whitehorse. Whitehorse will have the opportunity to avenge their loss, returning to their home turf to play Diamond Creek in a reverse fixture straight off the bye.
In Division 2, Montmorency continued its charge up the ladder with an 8.11 (59) to 1.4 (10) win over South Morang in cold and wet Friday night fixture. After managing to lock the ball in their forward half, the Magpies deservedly took a 22-point lead into the main break and continued to apply great scoreboard pressure to run away 49-point winners. Molly Reinke was fantastic and Nicole Blythe kicked four goals for the Magpies. Sarah Tarrant and Alisha Pryde battled hard for the Lions in tough conditions. Montmorency will have two weeks off, with their bye following the competition break, and South Morang will host an undefeated West Preston-Lakeside outfit.
West Preston-Lakeside maintained its spotless record with a 12.8 (80) to 0.6 (6) victory over Darebin. The Falcons held strong for much of the first half, managing to hold the Roosters to four goals but the Roosters’ attack eventually broke through and added eight second half goals to the scoreboard. Chloe Kalanj and Tylah Spiteri proved to be too potent up forward for the Roosters, combining for nine goals, while Karly O’Malley and Olivia Attard played their roles for the Falcons. Darebin will return home to play an in-form La Trobe University in Round 7.
La Trobe University returned to the winners’ list with a 11.3 (69) to 4.1 (25) win over Laurimar. The Power took a one-point lead into quarter time but La Trobe dominated from that point onwards, kicking the 10 of the final 13 goals of the match. With four sides sitting on two wins at the beginning of the round, La Trobe gained a crucial four points that sees them jump into third position. Samantha Greene kicked nine goals in an exceptional performance. while Ellie Koiker was Laurimar’s best player for a third week running.
In Division 3, Bundoora secured its fifth win with a 11.27 (93) to 0.0 (0) victory over La Trobe University. Proving to be the too strong across the board, the Bulls produced a compelling performance that generated 38 scoring shots. Ashleigh Del Romano and Sianne Clancy got plenty of the footy for the Bulls, while Katelyn Sheather and Anna Mitchell tried hard for La Trobe. Bundoora will look to keep their flawless record in tact against Greensborough at Yulong Reserve in Round 7, while La Trobe will face St Mary’s at Greensborough Park.
Mernda secured back-to-back wins, defeating Eltham 1.1 (7) to 0.3 (3). In a low-scoring affair, Mernda’s Michelle Kendall kicked her most important goal of the season in the fourth quarter to give her side the lead and despite the Panthers best efforts in the final quarter, they were only able to put three behinds on the scoreboard. The win sees Mernda move up to fifth position and keeps their finals hopes well and truly alive, with a match against third-placed VU Western Spurs at Waterview Recreation Reserve Oval to come.
St Mary’s was on the winners’ list for a fourth week running following a 7.5 (47) to 3.2 (20) victory over Greensborough. The Burra took a 26-point lead into the main break and managed to hold off a fast-finishing Boro’s three-goal final term to win by 27 points. Serena Francke and Ruby Colley were superb for St Mary’s and Meggan Nelsen and Mackenzie Griffin stood out for Greensborough.
