The Northpark NFLW competition has certainly settled into a great rhythm with Round 3 producing some remarkable matches.
In Division 1, Melbourne University produced an impressive performance to defeat Darebin 6.7 (43) to 2.2 (14). After a tight first half, Melbourne University kicked away with six second-half goals to Darebin’s one. Alexandra Gittings starred for Melbourne University and Prudence Cordes kicked three goals. Tamara Olcorn put on another great display for Darebin and was named in her side’s best for the third-straight week, with support from Isabelle Porter.
The VU Western Spurs kept their flawless start to the season intact with a fantastic 7.6 (48) to 4.3 (27) win away from home over Kew. Kew started the match well and took a five-point lead into the quarter time break, but the Spurs came out firing afterwards and maintained the lead for the rest of the match. Aleisha Casley kicked three goals for the Spurs, while Olivia Storer had plenty of the footy. Priscilla Lodge and Elise Wiggins were Kew’s best.
Pascoe Vale fought hard to secure its first points of the season with a four-point victory over La Trobe University. In what was a tight contest between two previously winless teams, Pascoe Vale held strong to ensure that they were the team in front on the scoreboard at the final siren. Stephanie Castagnini and Claudia Gunjaca were La Trobe’s best in the close loss.
Diamond Creek Women’s ensured that it maintained top position on the ladder with a 8.10 (58) to 2.5 (17) victory over Whitehorse. The Colts battled hard against the ladder-leader, taking a seven-point lead into quarter time before the Creekers hit the scoreboard and strung four goals in a row together in the last quarter to finish off the match strongly. Isabella Farchione and Natalie Bire were the Creekers best while Lucy Watkin and Brodie Watts stood out for Whitehorse.
In the round’s other game, Bendigo proved far too good for Deer Park in rainy and windy conditions. The Thunder piled on 16 goals and kept their host scoreless at Deer Park Sports Oval. Kodi Jacques was best afield and capped off her performance with two goals, while Tiahna Cochrane, Jacinta Louttit and Andrea Walsh (five goals) all put in strong performances.
In what was a superb round of footy, the Division 2 competition produced exceptional matches across the board.
Laurimar put their first four points of the season onto the ladder with a 1.4 (10) to 0.1 (1) win over La Trobe University. Laurimar’s defence held strong all game, restricting La Trobe to just one scoring opportunity. In what was a tight match, Emily Temple played brilliantly for Laurimar and Jane Astbury tried hard all day for La Trobe. Molly Cronin kicked the game’s only goal.
Four quarters wasn’t long enough to decide the match between Whitehorse and Diamond Creek Women’s, with both sides scoring 3.6 (24). Remarkably, it was Diamond Creek’s second-consecutive draw. The Creekers managed to set up a 12-point lead heading into the final change following a dominant third quarter, but the Colts came back strongly to score 2 goals in the last quarter and tie the match. Linda Thorp and Imaan Hargreaves proved to be invaluable for the Creekers, while Gabriella Clark and Ashley Johnson were fantastic for the Colts.
Darebin survived a Round 3 scare from Montmorency to keep its unbeaten record intact with a 6.9 (45) to 6.5 (41) win. With the lead changing hands multiple times throughout the match, both teams fought hard to stay in it. Trailing by six points at three quarter time, Darebin kicked 2.5 to Montmorency’s 1.1 to grab the lead back for the final time and secure the four points in what was a brilliant game of footy. Both Megan Allan and Sian Capito, who booted 3 goals, were excellent for Montmorency.
West Preston-Lakeside made it two wins on the trot with a 4.10 (34) to 2.0 (12) victory over South Morang. West Preston-Lakeside produced an outstanding all round display to keep South Morang to just two scoring opportunities, while creating 16 of their own. Monique Dematteo and Dialla Fayad were great for the Roosters while Alisha Pryde and Cassie Hurst stood out for the Lions.
