It was a weekend mixed with upsets and convincing results across all three divisions as we head towards the home straight of the NFNL Women’s competition.
Winning Edge Division 1 Women’s
West Preston-Lakeside 1 remain undefeated since grading after a comfortable 34-point win over Heidelberg 1 at J.E. Moore Park. After scores were level at quarter time, the Roosters were able to take control of the Friday night contest, kicking six goals to one in the remaining three quarters to run out 7.7 (49) to 2.3 (15) winners. The home side have seven individual goalkickers on the night, with Talia Pulcino producing another best on ground performance. Emily De Sando again stood up for the Tigers.
Darebin 1 have made it three wins in a row following a 32-point win over Greensborough at A.H. Capp Reserve. The 8.6 (54) to 3.4 (22) triumph keeps the Falcons well and truly entrenched in the top four while the Borough will need an incredible run of luck to book a spot in the finals. Chloe Williams kicked three majors while Holly Allen produced an impressive effort for the home side. Emmison Zealley continued her recent good form for Greensborough.
It was back-to-back comfortable victories for Montmorency 1 on Sunday when they proved too strong for VU Western Spurs at Montmorency Park North Oval, winning by 83 points. Scoring at least three goals in each term, the Magpies were on song throughout the whole afternoon, keeping the Spurs goalless in the first half on their way to prevailing 15.8 (98) to 2.3 (15). It’s now 14 goals in four games for Jemma Laffey after she kicked a season high five majors for the Magpies while Shae Collinson was impressive. Jacinta Ganino put in her best match of the season for the visitors.
Diamond Creek Women’s 1 sent a statement to the rest of the competition after a commanding 166-point win over Lower Plenty-Bundoora at Plenty Park Oval. The Creekers were relentless in their pursuit of win number nine for the season, kicking 14 second half goals to win 26.25 (181) to 2.3 (15). The home side had 11 individual goalkickers, seven of those with multiple majors as Lauren Durante (five) and Georgia Tait (four) led the way. The visitors never stopped trying throughout the afternoon, with Antonietta Parisi and Olivia Brittain some of the better players.
SG Print & Paper Division 2 Women’s
Banyule continued their good form following a 19-point triumph over Darebin 2 at A.H. Capp Reserve. The Bears were able to keep their lead after quarter time, with a two goal to one second half enough for the visitors to win 5.4 (34) to 2.3 (15). Candice Dyson kicked two majors for the Bears who remain second only on percentage, while Jane Cahir was excellent again. Tamara Olcorn was the Falcon’s best.
Whittlesea jumped back into the top four after a 47-point win over Diamond Creek Women’s 2 at Plenty Park Oval. The Eagles had a dominant first half, leading 40-0 at the main break, before running out 10.7 (67) to 3.2 (20) winners. Luke Kennedy produced a bag of five while Jessica Vilinskis had yet another incredible performance. Kayley Reid stood out for the Creekers.
St Mary’s keep piling the pressure on the top two after a convincing 82-point win over Montmorency 2 at Montmorency Park North Oval. An eight goal to one first half set the tone for the Burra’s 13.14 (92) to 1.4 (10) victory, keeping them one win behind Eltham and Banyule. Sarah Johnston made it a fourth consecutive game of scoring four or more goals, with a bag of six keeping her atop of the competition’s goalkicking leader board. Jessica Hardy continued her outstanding season with another best on ground performance while Hannah Laffey was solid for the Magpies.
Eltham remain on top of the ladder after an impressive 52-point win over the Fitzroy Stars at Sir Douglas Nicholls Oval. Read the full match report here.
Cleaning Melbourne Division 3 Women’s
In the upset of the competition, Heidelberg 2 broke their winless drought, prevailing by 18 points over Hurstbridge at Ben Frilay Oval. The Tigers led at each change to keep an inaccurate Hurstbridge at bay, finishing 4.1 (25) to 0.7 (7) winners. Ruth Bamford and Matilda Plummer led the way in the visitors’ win while Rebecca Hayes was solid for the Bridges who are in danger of losing their op two spot following the defeat.
West Preston-Lakeside 2 snuck over the line by the barest of margins over Wallan at J.E. Moore Park. With the margin not reaching further than two points at any of the quarter break and despite trailing at each change, two last quarter behinds from the Roosters were all that was needed to claim a 1.4 (10) to 1.3 (9) win. Alice Robinson was the home side’s best, kicking her side’s only major in the second quarter while Amy Crowden continued to impress from a Magpies point of view.
Mernda continue their charge towards the minor premiership, following a 25-point win over Laurimar at Laurimar Reserve. Despite another inaccurate showing, the 4.10 (34) to 1.3 (9) victory means the Demons have extended their gap on top of the ladder while the Power still hold on to their top four spot. Ameerah Gentle kicked three majors for the visitors while Janelle Duncan played her best game. Tess Keogh again stood up for the home side.
