As we approach the King’s Birthday bye, Round 8 results don’t give any further indication as to which teams will feature in senior women’s finals action in 2024.
Heidelberg Golf Club Division 1
The first of two Saturday games in the top flight started at Whatmough Park, as Diamond Creek Women’s 1 claimed a thrilling one-point victory over St Mary’s. After a two-goal to one opening term, the Creekers found themselves trailing by four points at half time and one-point at three quarter time, before another two-goal to one term in the last, which included the go-ahead goal with five minutes remaining, secured a tight 6.3 (39) to 5.8 (38) triumph. Maykaylah Appleby was superb for the visitors and helped lead her side to victory alongside Grace Addamo, Bonnie Cantrill and Linda Thorp. The Burra were led by Georgia Girolami and Emmison Zealley.
Banyule moved into the top four at the expense of Montmorency 1 after claiming an impressive 21-point victory over the reigning premiers at Montmorency Park North Oval. The Magpies were kept to single digits for the second time this season in the 3.6 (24) to 0.3 (3) result, with the Bears registering their total score in the final three terms of the match. Janie Cahir and Ava Jordan starred for the away side, with Sienna Gunning also continuing her good form, while Indra Lambeth finished as the hosts best for the afternoon.
Heidelberg did enough to prevail in their clash with Darebin 1 on Sunday, winning by eight points at Warringal Park. The Tigers led at each change, getting out to a lead as high as 15 points early in the final term, and despite giving up two of the last three majors of the match to the Falcons, they were able to hold on and win 5.5 (35) to 4.3 (27). Emma Rowe kicked two of her side’s five goals of the match to make it 18 majors for the season for the forward, with Mia Tascone also terrific again. Imogen Kendal and Laura Griss stood tall for the visitors while Nikita Magriplis kicked two majors.
Cleaning Melbourne Division 2
Montmorency 2 claimed an important win at Waterview Recreation Reserve, defeating Mernda by 13 points to taste victory for the first time since April. Eight scoring shots to zero in the opening term set up the 5.9 (39) to 4.2 (26) Magpies win, with a two-goal to one second half from the Demons not enough for them to win their sixth match of 2024. Hayley Keating and Ella Spark were the visiting side’s most impressive performers for the match, while Ameerah Gentle and Jemma Guglielmi were solid contributors for Mernda.
Thomastown produced a bounce back win in strong fashion, defeating Darebin 2 by 59 points at Main Street Recreation Reserve. The Bears managed to keep the Falcons scoreless after quarter time while producing 20 scoring shots for the match in a 59-point triumph, registering their fourth score of 60 points or more in 2024. Chiara Nardo’s stunning form continued for Thomastown with a three-goal best on ground performance and Monica Bradford was incredibly influential for winning side. Zara Stavros finished as Darebin’s best for the afternoon.
Ivanhoe made it back-to-back dominant victories, this time with a 79-point win over Whittlesea at Ivanhoe Park. The Ivies did most of their damage in the first half of the game, kicking nine goals to zero, before keeping the Eagles to one more point for the rest of the match to produce a 12.10 (82) to 0.3 (3) result. More excellent efforts from the likes of Georgia Pirdis, Federica Frew and Molly Uwland propelled the Ivies to victory, with Sairose Friars also playing brilliantly. Hayley Osborne had one of her best games of the season for Whittlesea while Julie Pole also an admirable contributor for the visitors.
West Preston-Lakeside’s outstanding form since coming into Division 2 continued, this time with a telling 12-point triumph over Lower Plenty at Montmorency Park South Oval. The Roosters early 10-point advantage slightly decreased as the game went on, and they went into three quarter time just five points ahead before keeping the Bears to one-point in a strong last quarter to win 7.9 (51) to 6.3 (39). Chloe Kalanj and Isabel Young were critical in the win for the away side as well as Tallia Pulcino who kicked two majors. Amelia Mullane did all she could for Lower Plenty, kicking five of six goals for the hosts.
The Fitzroy Stars were at their dominant best after prevailing by 119 points over Greensborough at Sir Douglas Nicholls Oval. The Stars ended up registering 36 scoring shots in the 18.18 (126) to 1.1 (7) triumph, recording their largest score in their club’s senior women’s history. Their 18 goals came from six multiple goalkickers headlined by Christine Mayberry with four. Natarsha Bamblett and Akanisi Tsiros were others who had a strong impact on the result for the Stars. The defeat didn’t stop the Boro’s Ari Gosden performing well, while Olivia Campisi finished in the away’s side best in her second game of the year.
NFNL Division 3 Women’s
Panton Hill returned to the winners list after a narrow eight-point result over Wallan at A.E Cracknell Reserve. In a tight affair, it was Bridie Groves’ third quarter goal for the Redbacks that proved to be the only major of the match in the 1.4 (10) to 0.2 (2) victory, taking the inaugural side’s record to 4-3 so far in 2024. Angela Milesi and Ruby Walker led the way for the home team while the Magpies saw solid efforts from the likes of Lily Borg, Chelsea Paton and Macey Kubeil.
Hurstbridge also move to the same 4-3 record after picking up a 26-point triumph over North Heidelberg at Shelley Street Reserve. A really strong opening half was what set the tone the Bridges, as they kicked 4.7 to 0.0 on their way to a 5.9 (39) to 2.1 (13) result. The visitors had multiple contributors in their fourth straight triumph of the season, including Kristy Steven, Natarsha Harrop and Ruby Butterfield. Amelia Gunn continued her good form for the Bulldogs with teammate Tayissa Tibos also impressing.
Heidelberg West had all the answers in a brilliant display at Heidelberg Park, proving too strong for Laurimar by 100 points. Only some slight inaccuracy prevented the Hawks from producing a bigger scoreline than their 13.22 (100) total, keeping the Power scoreless in the process. Kiana Horman kicked her first three majors of the season in the victory, with Taya Barnett and Chloe Rowan some other standouts for the home side. Power captain Stephanie Crook finished as her side’s best and has earnt five straight mentions in the best in 2024.
It’s now four consecutive wins for South Morang, after a 35-point victory over Diamond Creek Women’s 2 at Plenty Park Oval. Similary to Heidelberg West, the Lions ended the match with 15 scoring shots, but could only manage 4.11 (35) despite keeping the Creekers scoreless. Devony Hoare’s terrific patch of form continued for South Morang and has now finished in her side’s best in three straight games, while Hailey Cordova kicked two of her team’s four goals. Mele Manu and Imogen Hammond stood out for the home side in defeat.
