Two draws and four more results decided by 10 points or less highlighted an entertaining Sunday of senior women’s action.
Heidelberg Golf Club Division 1
Darebin 1 held their lead throughout to defeat top of the table Diamond Creek Women’s 1 by seven points at A.H. Capp Reserve. The Falcons put together a great opening two terms to lead by 14 points at half time, and then hold off the Creekers in the second half to prevail 3.3 (21) to 2.2 (14). Olivia Papaleo put together an outstanding performance for the home side and finished as the team’s best while Laura Griss has now kicked four goals in three games for Maddie Webster’s side after a two-goal effort. Adele Coppola and Simone Secombe played well for the Creekers.
St Mary’s have moved to top position on the ladder following a 21-point victory over Montmorency 1 at N.J. Telfer Reserve. You can read the full match report by clicking here.
Banyule and Heidelberg produced another thrilling contest at Beverley Road Oval, with the Tigers claiming their second victory over the Bears in 2024, this time by three points. Scores were level at half time before the Tigers edged out a five-point advantage at three quarter time. The lead pushed out to 11 early in the final term and despite the Bears having the last three scoring shots, the visitors did enough to claim a 3.2 (20) to 2.5 (17) win. It was Taylor Harwood and Annalise Turner who were key in contributing to Heidelberg’s triumph, meanwhile Emma Rowe booted two goals. Tannah Hurst and Sienna Gunning kept Banyule in the hunt all afternoon.
Cleaning Melbourne Division 2
It was a fourth win of the season for Darebin 2 as they edged past Greensborough by 11 points at A.H. Capp Reserve. A huge opening term from the Falcons saw them lead by 22 points at quarter time. The Boro would fight back and kick four of the next six goals for the remainder of the match, however Darebin stood tall and finished 5.9 (39) to 4.4 (28) victors. Lola Munday again impressed and made it four straight appearances in the Falcons’ best this year and was one of three goalkickers for the hosts. Amy Vine kicked three for Greensborough while Tara Robertson was another that played well for the Boro.
Thomastown made it two wins from two in their new Division 2 journey, this time taking care of Whittlesea by 34 points at the Whittlesea Showgrounds. A three goal to nil opening term set the tone for the Bears, who kept the Eagles to only three scoring shots for the match on their way to a 5.12 (42) to 1.2 (8) victory. After superb games last week, Monica Bradford and Chiara Nardo again excelled for the visitors alongside Shelby Nanscawen. Harper McPherson-Goulding was a standout for Whittlesea, while Tahlia Pyle continued her good form to start 2024.
The first draw of the season took place at Ivanhoe Park, as Ivanhoe and West Preston-Lakeside couldn’t be separated. Both sides exchanged leads throughout the first half, with the Ivies ahead by 11 points at quarter time, before the Roosters struck back and led by 10 at the main break. The hosts would get the advantage again at the final break, albeit it by just two points, before the visitors kicked the last two scoring shots of the match to produce a 4.0 (24) to 3.6 (24) draw. Federica Frew kicked three for Ivanhoe with Taylor Secomb having a fantastic game, meanwhile Tallia Pulcino was terrific for West Preston and nearly willed her side over the line.
Lower Plenty claimed their fifth win of the 2024 campaign after proving too strong for Montmorency 2 by 47 points at Montmorency Park North Oval. The Bears had to overcome a slow start, trailing by two points at quarter time, before they slotted eight of the next nine goals of the afternoon to run out 8.13 (61) to 2.2 (14) victors. Bree Unthank was enormous for the visitors and finished the match with three goals, while Amy Saunders and Chenara Rogers also impressed for the winners. Madison Rhys-Jones produced her best effort of the season for the Magpies.
Mernda join Lower Plenty in securing a fifth win for the season, after they defeated the Fitzroy Stars by 32 points at Waterview Recreation Reserve. The Demons started strongly and kicked two majors in each of the opening three quarters while keeping the 14-player Stars to just one goal in the same period on the way to a comfortable 7.7 (49) to 2.5 (17) win. 2022 Division 3 leading goalkicker Ameerah Gentle kicked a season-high three majors for Mernda, Jemma Guglielmi was again excellent for the hosts. The Stars were led by Natarsha Bamblett and Leah Seeto.
NFNL Division 3 Women’s
South Morang fought hard to maintain their small advantage in a narrow six-point triumph over Panton Hill at A.E. Cracknell Reserve. The Lions led at each quarter break, but never by more than eight points, and despite being kept goalless by the Redbacks after quarter time, the visitors were able to cling on to a 2.5 (17) to 1.5 (11) win. Rhianna Bennett and Devony Hoare each earnt mentions in South Morang’s best for the first time this year and were pivotal in the victory. Camille Seers and Ruby Walker’s efforts didn’t go unnoticed and were integral in keeping Panton Hill within reach all afternoon.
Both Epping and Diamond Creek Women’s 2 put together an absolute thriller at Epping Recreational Reserve with both sides having to settle for a draw after an entertaining contest. The Blues led by a point in a low-scoring opening half before the game opened up, which gave the Creekers a six-point three quarter time advantage. A tense final term followed, with a Cindy Turnbull major in the dying moments resulting in a 2.4 (16) to 2.4 (16) tie. Turnbull starred for the Blues as well as Rebecca Dufflin, each kicking goals in the match. Bentley Butler and Stefanie Memos were both just as terrific for the Creekers, maintaining their great seasons to date.
It was a second victory for the season for Heidelberg West who finished 10-point winners over North Heidelberg at Heidelberg Park. The Hawks got out to a nine-point quarter time lead (which extended to 14 points at the main break) and were never headed thereafter to produce a 3.8 (26) to 2.4 (16) win in front of their home fans. Hawks star Chloe Rowan kicked all three of her side’s goals for the match and was instrumental alongside Crystal Grech. Kyann Buntine put together another strong performance for the Bulldogs.
Wallan broke the drought and won their first match of the 2024 season, defeating Laurimar by 59 points at Laurimar Reserve. A seven-goal to nil first half helped paved the way for the Magpies to have a comfortable 8.12 (60) to 0.1 (1) victory, registering their highest score of the year. Sarah Osbourne and Bec Turnbull were the visitors’ only multiple goalkickers with two apiece and finished as Wallan’s best for the afternoon. Itahiza Mizzi made it back-to-back mentions in Laurimar’s best despite the defeat.
