In a convincing display at Epping Recreation Reserve, Darebin 1 have advanced to the Winning Edge Division 1 preliminary final following a 67-point win over Montmorency 1.
The Falcons never looked like losing, keeping the Magpies goalless until half time and scoreless after three quarter time to prevail 11.9 (75) to 1.2 (8), setting up an intriguing clash with West Preston-Lakeside 1 next week.
Lulu Beatty had another outstanding game to continue a solid finals series while Nikita Magriplis kicked a season high three goals up forward for the Falcons.
In a disappointing day for the Magpies, Molly Reinke again stood out while Mika Suzuki kicked the side’s only major for the afternoon.
Montmorency would find themselves on the scoreboard early with a rushed behind, but it was Magriplis who kicked the first major of the afternoon for the Falcons.
Darebin continued to press Montmorency throughout the entire term with Sacha Kenna kicking a major before quarter time to extend their advantage to 14 points.
The ball was locked inside the Falcons’ forward half again for most of the second term. Magriplis was in amongst the action again scoring a second goal before Alex Reynolds, who was playing her first game for Darebin 1, got on the scoresheet to make it an almost five goal margin.
Maddie Webster’s side were also impressive defensively, holding Montmorency to just one behind for the half to ensure they took a comfortable margin into half time.
While the Magpies did everything they could to turn the tables at the start of the second half, the floodgates started to open for the Falcons.
Rikki Ryan kicked a goal before Darebin’s leading goalkicker Chloe Williams, who had a quiet first half, also got on board, kicking the side’s sixth major of the game.
Magriplis then had a third major before Ryan and Susan Cadman added to their tallies to blow the margin out to 60 points.
Montmorency did manage to find the big sticks thanks to a set shot conversion from Mika Suzuki late in the term. The major broke a drought of five consecutive quarters without a goal for the Magpies.
But Williams scored on the three-quarter time siren to ensure Darebin maintained their 10-goal advantage heading into the final change.
In a low-key final term, the Falcons continued to be resolute down back, keeping Montmorency to a second scoreless quarter.
Cadman kicked a second goal to seal what was a brilliant victory for a Darebin side who will be full of confidence in the lead up to their huge preliminary final against the Roosters next week.
