A final quarter surge from Heidelberg Golf Club Division 1 reigning premiers Montmorency 1 saw them claim an eight-point victory over Diamond Creek Women’s 1 at Montmorency Park North Oval on Sunday.
In a game which didn’t surpass the double-digit margin barrier, it would be two final quarter goals that saw the Magpies prevail 4.9 (33) to 4.1 (25) in a terrific contest.
After each having fantastic 2023 campaigns, ruck-midfielder duo Emily Beanland and Jessica Nursey’s class was on show once again throughout the afternoon, with Nursey being well supported by Chiara Scuderi, Taylah Harris and Madeline Ellis.
Ellis’ work rate and delivery into attack was particularly impressive, while tall duo Grace Robinson and Lani Ward often loomed large despite Diamond Creek Women’s resilience in defence.
Led by Olivia Caruana, the Creekers backline was the side’s strongest aspect of its performance. Reigning Division 1 Best and Fairest winner Maykaylah Appleby also provided a solid running option from defence, often starting influential chains from defence to attack.
It was that quick movement from defence to attack that got the ball rolling for Diamond Creek Women’s in the opening term, with experienced forward Linda Thorp on the receiving end of a great bit of play from her teammates to kick her first goal of the season at the 14-minute mark.
The Magpies started to settle into the game in the form of territory gain, but they were unable to convert their inside 50 entries into goals, allowing the Creekers to pounce and produce a second major on transition.
Trailing by eight points at quarter time, Montmorency responded within the opening 90 seconds of the second quarter, with Harris slotting through an important major to cut the margin back down to two points.
Despite the Magpies having all the ascendancy for the remainder of the term, a resolute Diamond Creek Women’s defence stood firm and restricted the reigning premiers to just one point for the rest of the quarter to take a one-point lead into half time.
Montmorency continued to get on top in the midfield battle, and they would soon be rewarded for their efforts via a Lani Ward goal at the six-minute mark of the third quarter, gaining the lead in the process.
As the Magpies continued to push hard in attack, the Creekers continued to hold them at bay in defence and were eventually able kick their third goal of the afternoon against the run of play, allowing the visitors to head to three quarter time with the advantage.
Their momentum seemed to flow into the early stages of the final quarter, as Thorp’s second goal of the day made it an eight-point ball game in favour of the visitors.
But Montmorency refused to let the match slip away, with a Grace Robinson major keeping her side in the contest halfway through the last term.
Both sides turned the pressure up and continued to fight gallantly in the later stages of the match. The Magpies produced repeat entries inside 50 and despite missing some chances on goal, had established a two-point advantage with minutes remaining.
It would then be co-captain Jessica Nursey put the result beyond doubt, kicking her first goal of the season to lead Montmorency to an eight-point victory.
