The Northpark NFLW regular season finished in fantastic fashion, with upset wins a feature of the round.
The top-five teams in both divisions will now turn their attention to the finals series, which begins at Bill Lawry Oval this weekend. The ground will host the qualifying finals on Saturday, before the elimination finals take place on Sunday.
In Division 1, Kew secured its finals berth with a 5.11 (41) to 3.2 (20) win over La Trobe University. The Bears were unable to make the most of their opportunities with the wind in the opening quarter, scoring 0.7. La Trobe made the Bears pay when it was their turn with the breeze and took a six-point lead into the main break. However, Kew responded brilliantly in the second half and ran away a 21-point winner. Jasmine Mikovic and Bronte Bilston-Gourley were fantastic for the Bears, while Kate Bond and Brittany Bordignon were La Trobe’s best. After finishing fifth, Kew comes up against fourth-placed Melbourne University in Sunday’s elimination final.
Diamond Creek Women’s will head into its finals campaign full of confidence after defeating Whitehorse 17.14 (116) to 1.1 (7). The Creekers never took a backwards step after kicking five first-quarter goals and held the Colts scoreless until the final term. Emma Fraser and Nicole Hales led the way in a great team. The win ensured the Creekers held onto the double chance and will face second-placed VU Western Spurs in the qualifying final. Their last clash went down to the wire, with the Spurs victorious by three points.
Darebin added the only blemish to an otherwise perfect season for Bendigo, producing an upset 10.5 (65) to 8.4 (52) win. The Falcons came out firing, kicking the opening three goals to take a 12-point lead into quarter time. The Thunder managed to close to within two points by the final change, thanks to an exceptional three-goal third quarter from Andrea Walsh. However, the Falcons refused to let the game slip and a spirited three-goal last quarter secured the home victory. Simone Nalder and Georgia Holden (three goals) were pivotal in getting the Falcons over the line, while Aisling Tupper and Tiahna Cochrane were the Thunder’s best. Bendigo will look to put the loss behind it during a well-earned week off, before beginning its finals campaign next week against the winner of the qualifying final.
Melbourne University secured its ninth win with a 9.7 (61) to 3.5 (23) victory over the VU Western Spurs. It was the Mugars second win over the Spurs for the year. Leading by seven points at half time, the Mugars kicked away with a six-goal to one second half and will carry plenty of momentum into their elimination final. Giulia Sgro-Ralph and Elyce Hay excelled for Melbourne University, while Emily Stanyer and Lauren Anthony were the best Spurs.
Pascoe Vale finished its campaign on a winning note, scoring a 4.4 (28) to 2.4 (16) away win over Deer Park. The Panthers kicked the only two goals of the final term to clinch their second victory of the season and leapfrogged La Trobe University into ninth spot. Deep Park finished the year in eighth place with a 2-1-11 record.
In Division 2, Kew leaped into fifth position to earn a finals place with a 0.9 (9) to 1.2 (8) win over La Trobe University in windy conditions. Needing a victory to have any chance of playing finals, the Bears secured a dour triumph against a gallant opponent looking for its sole win of the year. Despite not sitting in the top-five since Round 4, the Bears seventh win booked them into an elimination final against Montmorency.
West Preston-Lakeside made it three wins on the trot, defeating Laurimar 3.5 (23) to 0.5 (5). Setting up a 15-point lead by quarter time, the Roosters were able to hold off a Power side who will rue four missed scoring opportunities in the second quarter. Jessica Bamblett was fantastic for the Roosters and Catherine Pasceri’s two goals proved to be crucial. Sam Fisher-Baker and Courtney Corr were named the Power’s best. The Roosters will face Darebin, who they defeated by just six points in their most recent match-up, in Saturday’s qualifying final.
Diamond Creek Women’s finished its season on a high with a 6.4 (40) to 2.0 (12) win over Whitehorse. Atoning for a draw in their Round 3 outing, the Creekers proved to be too strong in the reverse fixture. Kayla Glazebrook and Linda Thorp were terrific for the Creekers, while Amelia Finnegan and Laura Reddon were solid contributors for the Colts.
Darebin secured the double chance with a 6.3 (39) to 3.4 (22) victory over South Morang. Needing a win to hold their spot in the finals, it proved to be heartbreak for the Lions who fell 23 points behind the in-form Falcons in the opening half. Taryn Escreet and Nikola Deiter were fantastic for the Falcons, while Cassie Hurst and Vanessa Sankovic stood out for the Lions.
The VU Western Spurs continued their superb season, defeating Montmorency 11.4 (70) to 2.2 (14). The Magpies took a five-point lead into the first break but the Spurs responded with the next 10 goals in a potent display. Jessica Heath kicked four goals for the victors, while Kathryn Reid and Rhiarn Daley were the Magpies’ best. The top-placed Spurs are in red -hot form after winning nine games in a row and now enjoy a break in week one of the finals.
