The Fitzroy Stars have jumped into third spot on the Cleaning Melbourne Division 2 women’s ladder, after a dominant second half saw them defeat Mernda by 29 points at Sir Douglas Nicholls Oval.
In a battle that had huge ramifications on the top five, scores were level between the two teams at half time, before the Stars piled on 14 scoring shots to nil in the final two terms to finish 6.13 (49) to 3.2 (20) victors.
Both teams now sit on the same points, but the Stars have jumped the Demons into third spot with a superior percentage, putting them well in the hunt for a double chance spot.
Medika Bonney continued her stellar season with a strong showing in midfield and was well supported by Stephanie Briggs who fought hard from the word go.
Bonney also kicked two majors for the match, as did Kristen Atkinson, while the performance of Nikita Rotumah was superb for the hosts.
Mernda were led by Brooke Gibson and Gulia Ceravolo who provided plenty of creativeness and work rate through midfield. Gibson also added another two goals to her 2023 tally.
Ruby Sommerville’s game saw her finish in her side’s best for a third straight week.
The beginning of the contest saw both sides feel each other out, with the Stars having most of the territory early on.
However, it was the Demons that got first blood through Gibson halfway through the term, before Emily Williams added a second for the visitors with five minutes remaining.
The Fitzroy Stars eventually were able to get the match back on their terms and responded to the Demons solid start through a goal from Bonney, who cut the deficit to seven points at the first change.
Momentum started to drift towards the home side’s favour early into the second quarter and some great work by her teammates led to two quick goals from Atkinson, which gave the Stars the lead.
The Demons did what they could to wrestle control of the contest back throughout the second term and their efforts were eventually rewarded with a second major to Gibson, which tied proceedings at half time.
As the third term commenced, the Fitzroy Stars looked dominant, creating multiple chances inside their attacking half despite being unable to convert on many of them.
Their rebound work was impressive also, particularly during a patch in the third quarter where Mernda were gaining territory. The Stars defenders stood their ground and ensured the visitors didn’t hit the scoreboard.
After registering scoring nine behinds, the Stars finally found the big sticks with moments remaining in the quarter, as Bonney’s second goal gave the home side a 15-point advantage at the final break.
The Demons were determined to cut the margin in the final quarter, but the Fitzroy Stars all but extinguished those hopes five minutes into the term when they kicked their fifth of the afternoon courtesy of Atelini Seeto.
It would then be Natarsha Bamblett who sealed the match with her first goal of the 2023 campaign, ending a two-game losing streak for her side and all but securing a second straight finals berth for the club’s women’s side.
