Nine teams made it two wins from two following the weekend’s action in the NFNL senior women’s competition.
Heidelberg Golf Club Division 1
The round started on Saturday afternoon when Montmorency 1 and Heidelberg did battle at Montmorency Park North Oval, with the Magpies holding on for a three-point victory. It was a strong start from the reigning premiers who led by 14 points at half time, but they were kept to just three more behinds for the remainder of the game. The Tigers had their chances to claim the four points but finished the match kicking 13 behinds to go down 3.4 (22) to 1.13 (19). Madeline Gallagher again led the way for the home side, with Ella Spark also impressing, while Mia Tascone and Amelie Gilchrist were key to Heidelberg staying in the contest.
Diamond Creek Women’s 1 responded to their narrow defeat last week by claiming a 14-point win over Banyule at Plenty Park Oval. The Creekers got out a 20-point advantage at half time and although the Bears registered five scoring shots to four in the final two terms, they fell short 5.6 (36) to 2.10 (22). Linda Thorp had another two-goal performance, while Holly Pink was one the home side’s strongest. Jemma McCarthy finished as Banyule’s best for the afternoon, kicking one of the visitors two goals.
St Mary’s made it two wins from two in their first season in the top flight following a comfortable 52-point triumph over Darebin 1 at Telfer Reserve. It was a four-goal to one opening term that set up the 10.5 (65) to 2.1 (13) win for the Burra, who now sit on top of the ladder with a percentage of over 900. Megan Girolami put together one of her best performances inside forward 50 with an impressive six-goal afternoon. Brigid McEntee also had a fantastic outing for the hosts while the Falcons’ best efforts were led by Carmenlia Smith and Paije Kearney.
Cleaning Melbourne Division 2
Ivanhoe dominated their Saturday afternoon battle with Heidelberg West, winning by 120 points at Ivanhoe Park. The Ivies kicked at least three goals in each term while keeping the Hawks scoreless on their way to a 17.18 (120) to 0.0 (0) triumph to make it two wins from two. There were 10 individual goalkickers for the home side, with Georgia Pirdis leading the way with four majors following a six-goal effort last week. Lily Fitsioris was named as the Ivies best player for the match alongside multiple teammates.
It was a second straight triumph for Mernda who finished as 14-point victors over Whittlesea at the Whittlesea Showgrounds. After the Eagles led by two points at quarter time, a three-goal to two second term put the Demons in the lead and they never looked back afterwards, prevailing 4.10 (34) to 3.2 (20). Madalyn Kelly was excellent for the visiting side, while Gulia Ceravolo and Brianne Keogh earnt mentions in the best again. Lara Likos and Harper McPherson-Goulding stood out for Whittlesea.
Lower Plenty continued its hot start to the 2024 season after defeating Diamond Creek Women’s 2 by 86 points at Plenty Park Oval. The Bears produced two five-goal quarters in the 12.16 (88) to 0.2 (2) triumph, with Milla Fereday leading the charge with a terrific six-goal display, making it 11 goals from two matches for the forward. Imogen Fitzgerald also impressed for the visitors, while Bentley Butler performed well for the Creekers.
Darebin 2 produced another win to start their 2024 campaign on the right foot, defeating Wallan by 32 points at Greenhill Reserve. The Falcons finished with 12 scoring shots and kept their opposition scoreless for a second straight week in the 4.8 (32) to 0.0 (0). Hannah Rutherford finished as Darebin’s best while the side had four individual goalkickers for the afternoon. Shazi Cappello was a solid contributor for the Magpies in defeat.
A final quarter surge cemented a second consecutive win for Greensborough, finishing as 22-point winners over Montmorency 2 at Montmorency Park North Oval. The Boro led at each quarter break but only led by nine points at three quarter time before kicking two goals to nil in the final term to win 5.12 (42) to 3.2 (20). Sheridan Blizzard and Amy Vine were Greensborough’s most influential players while the home side was led by Alana Gaggiano.
NFNL Division 3 Women’s
Two late goals drove Panton Hill to their second straight win, defeating Hurstbridge by 11 points at Ben Frilay Oval. You can read the full match report by clicking here.
Epping survived a late Laurimar comeback to claim their first win in the senior women’s competition, prevailing by just two points at Epping Recreational Reserve. The Blues led by 13 points at half time and seven points at three quarter time before being held to one major in the final term, while the Power kicked two, but it wasn’t enough as the hosts won 3.4 (22) to 3.2 (20). Michaela Barr and Cindy Turnbull were the home side’s top performers while Holly Pitts kicked all three of Laurimar’s goals.
The Fitzroy Stars produced a comfortable 46-point triumph over North Heidelberg at Sir Douglas Nicholls Oval to make it two wins to start the 2024 season. Despite being slightly inaccurate, the Stars were in control right throughout the afternoon, finishing on the right end of the 6.12 (48) to 0.2 (2) result. Leah Seeto was terrific for the hosts while Natarsha Bamblett was the side’s only multiple goalkicker. Meg Harper stood out for the visitors.
A strong performance from Thomastown saw them win their first senior women’s match, defeating South Morang by 39 points at Mill Park Lakes Recreation Reserve. The Bears kept the Lions to just one goal for the match while kicking seven majors of their own in the 7.5 (47) to 1.2 (8) triumph. Brooke Gibson and Shelby Nanscawen kicked two goals apiece while Olivia Antonello was superb for the visitors. Ella Pinney meanwhile had another great game for South Morang.
