Northpark NFLW Review – Semi Finals


Published on Monday, August 14, 2017

Author : Jacinta Frazzetto

Week two of the Northpark NFLW finals provided plenty of excitement, with an upset win and tight results at Preston City Oval.

In Division 1, Diamond Creek Women’s booked its place in the grand final, defeating Bendigo 3.6 (24) to 2.1 (13) in an upset second semi final victory.

After a tight tussle in the first quarter, the Creekers secured the first goal of the match in the final seconds to take an eight-point lead into quarter time.

The Creekers then scored the opening goal of the second term to stretch their lead out to 14-points, before long range set shot from Kerryn Harrington delivered the Thunder’s first goal and closed the margin to just seven points heading into half-time.

With the third quarter played between the arcs, no goals were scored and the Creekers took a nine-point lead into the final change.

An Andrea Walsh goal brought Bendigo within three points halfway through the fourth quarter, but the Creekers responded with a goal of their own to stretch their lead out of the Thunder’s reach.

Clara Fitzpatrick and Natalie Bire were brilliant for the Creekers, while Michelle Barkla and Kerryn Harrington were the best performers for the Thunder.

Bendigo will now face the VU Western Spurs in Sunday’s preliminary final at Preston City Oval, with the winner advancing to the grand final. The Thunder defeated the Spurs by 20 points in their last meeting in Round 9

The VU Western Spurs moved into the third week of the finals following an 8.8 (56) to 4.7 (31) victory over Melbourne University in the first semi final on Sunday.

The Spurs got off to the perfect start with Emma Mackay kicking the ball off the ground on the goal line to send through the first major of the match. However, the Mugars responded superbly with the next two goals and took a 10-point lead into quarter time.

The Spurs made the most of their time spent kicking with the wind in the second term and hit back via Mackay’s second goal and a major to Nadine Lampard soon after – producing a 24-point turnaround to take a 14-point lead into half time.

The only goal of the third quarter went the Mugars’ way, closing the Spurs lead to a single goal at the final change.

VU Western Spurs produced a strong final quarter, with two majors from Taylor Moss and an excellent running goal by Elizabeth Skinner ensuring their team got over the line and secured a place in the preliminary final.

Sabrin Nyawela and Kirralee Myers were exceptional for the Spurs, while Prudence Cordes and Giulia Sgro-Ralph ended their seasons with great performances for the Mugars.

In Division 2, minor premier VU Western Spurs advanced into the grand final with a 3.10 (28) to 1.2 (8) win over West Preston-Lakeside in the second semi final.

Chloe Kalanj hit the scoreboard early for the Roosters as her side took a two-point lead into quarter time.

After VU Western Spurs kicked seven behinds in a row, Sarah Osborne delivered the Spurs’ first goal and a seven-point half-time lead.

A Stacy Rigon goal in the third and then her second in the fourth term stretched the Spurs’ lead out to a match winning 20 points and handed them a second week off during the finals series.

Madeleine Burgess and Danielle Mazzocca were outstanding for the Spurs, while Natarsha Bamblett and Jessica Bamblett were named best afield for the Roosters.

West-Preston Lakeside will now match up against Darebin in the preliminary final. The Roosters defeated the Falcons by just 10 points in their recent qualifying final.

Darebin earned its way into the preliminary final with a hard-fought 2.7 (19) to 1.2 (8) victory over Kew in the first semi final.

In a low scoring affair, Kristin Stensholt scored the invaluable first goal of the match late in the second term, giving the Falcons an eight-point half time lead.

Kew hit back early in the third quarter via a great Tara Donnan goal and levelled the scores by the three-quarter time break.

Darebin controlled much of the final quarter before a dribbling Stensholt goal sealed the match.

Taryn Escreet and Nikola Deiter were pivotal in getting the Falcons over the line, while Lily Barr and Rachel Ayres stood out for the Bears.

The Preston City Oval will host both the Division 1 and Division 2 preliminary finals on Sunday August 20.

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