Only four teams remain without a loss in 2024 after some high-quality football was played during Round 3 of the NFNL senior women’s competition.
Heidelberg Golf Club Division 1
Banyule and Heidelberg faced off in their annual Anzac Day battle on Thursday, with the Tigers prevailing by 30 points at Beverley Road Oval. A four-goal to nil opening half set up the 6.4 (40) to 1.4 (10) victory for the away side, bounceing back from their tight defeat to Montmorency last week to move to a 2-1 record. Usual suspects Emily De Sando and Mia Tascone controlled things for Heidelberg while Emma Rowe slotted three majors. Olivia Perillo led the way for the Bears.
Darebin 1 scored their first win of the 2024 season in impressive style, defeating West Preston-Lakeside by 46 points at A.H. Capp Reserve. Both sides were level at the first break before the Falcons powered through to kick nine goals to two in the remaining three terms to finish 9.8 (62) to 2.4 (16) winners. Nikita Magriplis kicked three majors for the home side, with teammate Jordan Smyth finishing as the side’s best. Molly McErlain stood out for the Roosters in defeat.
Diamond Creek Women’s 1 handed St Mary’s their first defeat of the year following a narrow five-point triumph at Plenty Park Oval. The Burra led by seven points at quarter time before the Creekers wrestled back the advantage and never lost it thereafter, holding on to win 6.8 (44) to 5.9 (39). Georgia Tait was terrific in her first game for the club after VFLW duties, while Maddison Meagher impressed on senior debut. Strong contributions from Jessica Ryan and Charlotte Evans helped the visitors stay in touch.
Cleaning Melbourne Division 2
Montmorency 2 claimed their first points of the season with a terrific 27-point victory over Diamond Creek Women’s 2 at Plenty Park Oval. The Magpies kept the Creekers scoreless until the final term and having established a 29-point advantage by that stage, the visitors eased their way to a 5.6 (36) to 1.3 (9) triumph. Ella Peatling was one of Montmorency’s best players for a second consecutive game as was Megan Brubacher who was superb. Meanwhile Laura Di Domenica continued her amazing form and was excellent for the Creekers.
Surging away late in their clash with Lower Plenty, Mernda secured a third straight triumph with a 29-point win at Waterview Recreation Reserve. In a highly anticipated clash between two sides that had produced impressive opening fortnights to the season, the Demons led by six points at three quarter time before a four-goal to zero final term sealed an 8.5 (53) to 3.6 (24) victory. Madalyn Kelly was terrific for the hosts and was one of three multiple goalkickers for her side, while Jordan Henry was solid again for the Bears.
Greensborough have made it three wins from three in the competition after defeating Ivanhoe by 12 points at Greensborough War Memorial Park. You can read the full match report by clicking here.
Whittlesea were outstanding in their clash with Darebin 2 at the Whittlesea Showgrounds, winning by 49 points. It was a five-goal second quarter that broke the game open and allowed the Eagles to salute 8.13 (63) to 2.0 (12). They also kicked their highest score since Round 11, 2022, with four majors from Remy Moore helping them achieve that feat. Ashley Fitzpatrick also impressed for the home side while the Falcons saw great games from Alisha Priestley and Zoe Williamson.
It was a historic win for Heidelberg West who picked up their first points in Division 2 when they defeated Wallan by 38 points at Heidelberg Park. The Hawks controlled the match from the outset, keeping the Magpies goalless all afternoon on their way to a 6.5 (41) to 0.3 (3) triumph. The leaders of the home side in Taya Barnett, Crystal Grech and Chloe Rowan all played key roles in the win, with the latter scoring two of her side’s six goals for the game. Chelsea Paton played well for Wallan.
NFNL Division 3 Women’s
North Heidelberg bounced back strongly, following their defeat last week, to produce a 61-point victory over Epping at Epping Recreational Reserve. The Bulldogs finished with 22 scoring shots for the afternoon, keeping the Blues to just one behind in the process, as they finished on the right end of the 8.14 (62) to 0.1 (1) result. The visitors had seven individual goalkickers with Lou Harper leading the way with two goals. Natasha Te Kurapa performed solidly for the Blues despite the loss.
Thomastown put together their best performance of the 2024 season to date, comfortably defeating Hurstbridge by 71 points at Main Street Recreation Reserve. The Bears kicked two goals to one in the opening term before slotting 10 of the next 11 majors to finish 12.11 (83) to 2.0 (12) winners. Brooke Gibson and Chiara Nardo were unstoppable inside 50, kicking six and four goals respectively to help the hosts secure the four points. Lily Butterfield and Natarsha Harrop had great games.
South Morang produced the biggest winning margin of the round, as they took care of Laurimar by 88 points at Laurimar Reserve. The Lions had no problems finding the goals, generating 15 scoring shots in the 14.11 (95) to 1.1 (7) triumph, their second highest score in senior women’s history. Ruby Failla added to her excellent start to the season with another brilliant effort while Jorja Hayden starred in the attacking half, kicking five goals. Naomi Whalan finished in her side’s best for a second straight match.
The Fitzroy Stars remain as the only side without a loss after three games in Division 3, following a 38-point win over Panton Hill at Sir Douglas Nicholls Oval. While it was close early, the Stars won every quarter in the 7.9 (51) to 2.1 (13) result as Natarsha Bamblett led all goalkickers with three majors for the afternoon. Stephanie Briggs and Leah Seeto were others that stood out for the hosts while Amelia Pullybank was strong for the Redbacks in her second game of the season.
