South Morang have powered home to claim their fifth triumph of the NFNL Division 3 Women’s season, producing a comprehensive 96-point win over North Heidelberg at Mill Park Lakes Reserve.
It was bound to be a challenge for the Bulldogs who came into the match with only 14 players, compared to the Lions’ 20, however the home side put together a strong display to produce their biggest score of the season in a 13.18 (96) to 0.0 (0) victory.
Hailey Cordova was excellent for the Lions and finished as one of the best players on the ground, gathering plenty of the football and creating lots of opportunities for teammates. Along with the likes of Devony Hoare and Ella Pinney, they were able to keep the ball moving forward for their side throughout the afternoon.
Jorja Hayden meanwhile kicked a game-high three goals to be her side’s leading goalkicker for the season after seven matches.
North Heidelberg’s best efforts were led by Kyann Buntine and Lou Harper, who both continued their solid seasons to date and have each now been named in their side’s best on four occasions.
South Morang started the game well and won plenty of the ball, but they took some time to break through with their first goal of the afternoon thanks to a resistant defensive structure from the away side, instead kicking four behinds to start the game.
Eventually the Lions would find what they were looking for when Hayden got boot to ball and bounced through South Morang’s first goal.
Maddison Wright got onto the goalkickers list not long after when her kick on the run trickled through truly, establishing a 17-point quarter time advantage for the hosts.
The second term started in a similar fashion to the first when after a couple of behinds, Hayden and Wright each kicked their second majors of the game to push the Lions’ lead out to 32 points.
North Heidelberg were resilient and did their best to maintain possession of the ball, but with South Morang continuing to press hard, they were able to keep producing shots on goal.
Chloe Thompson was able to find the big sticks during the term before Emma McQueen slotted a difficult set shot as the half time siren rang to push her side’s lead out to 46 points at the main break.
South Morang continued to maintain their momentum in the third quarter as Bianca Muraca goaled within the first minute to ensure the Lions remained as the side in control of the contest.
The Bulldogs kept putting their best foot forward, but the home side were taking every chance given to them, as Ella Pinney converted a set shot opportunity to send her side further ahead.
Two more South Morang majors made it back-to-back four-goal quarters, as the margin reached 72 points by three quarter time.
The final term was North Heidelberg’s best quarter of the match. Tightening up defensively, their ability to apply large amount of pressure to their opponents caused the Lions to remain goalless for over half of the last term.
Five behinds were what the hosts started the quarter with before they ended the match with three majors from their final four scoring shots, to finish as strong 96-point victors.
Photo supplied by BlueStream Pictures
