Some entertaining contests were had in our NFNL senior women’s competition over the weekend as Round 4 concludes.
Heidelberg Golf Club Division 1
Darebin 1 were quick to bounce back from their tight defeat last week to produce a comfortable 26-point triumph over West Preston-Lakeside 1 at J.E. Moore Park. The Falcons shot out of the blocks with a four goal to nil opening term and while the Roosters had their chances, they couldn’t capitalise, eventually going down 6.4 (40) to 1.8 (14). Sacha Kenna and Alesha White kicked two goals for the visitors while Dallas Rowland had another great game. In the absence of Tallia Pulcino and Ashleigh Snow, Olivia Bandera stood up to produce a solid performance.
Diamond Creek Women’s 1 did enough to hold on in a thrilling contest out at Plenty Park Oval, defeating Montmorency 1 by just two points. The Creekers led by 14 points at half time, but the Magpies reduced their deficit to three points at the final change. However, despite the visitors’ best efforts, the Creekers hung on to triumph 4.4 (28) to 3.8 (26). Linda Thorp continued on from her five-goal game last week with another three majors, with Chiara Nardo having a stellar afternoon. Abbey Ward was Montmorency’s best alongside Nicole Blythe.
Eltham returned to the winners list with a convincing 40-point victory over Greensborough at Eltham Central Park. After a fairly tight opening quarter, the Panthers kicked six goals to two in the remaining three terms to secure a 9.13 (67) to 4.3 (27) win. Kate Cardamone stood out up forward for the home side kicking four goals, Cardamone has now kicked a total of seven majors in her side’s two wins this year. Sarah Huntington was the Panthers’ best while for Greensborough, Dakota Gray De Jong kicked three majors.
Cleaning Melbourne Division 2
A Saturday morning clash kicked off Round for in the competition as Whittlesea claimed a 10-point win over Hurstbridge at the Whittlesea Showgrounds. The Eagles led at each quarter break and despite being kept scoreless in the final term, they were able to keep the Bridges at bay on their way to a 3.2 (20) to 1.4 (10) triumph. Tiana Markey kicked two of the home side’s three goals for the game with Lara Likos producing a strong display. Ruby Moore again impressed for the visitors; she’s now been named in the best in all three games she’s played so far this season.
The Fitzroy Stars made it three consecutive wins on Sunday after defeating Darebin 2 by 43 points at A.H. Capp Reserve. Just seven points separated the two sides at quarter time. But the Stars would go on to keep the Falcons scoreless for the remainder of the match and eventually win 6.9 (45) to 0.2 (2). Rita Hunter was outstanding, kicking three majors in her first game of the season, while Kristen Atkinson was again brilliant for the visitors. Karly O’Malley was Darebin’s best for the afternoon.
Banyule proved too strong in their clash with St Mary’s at N.J. Telfer Reserve, winning by 51 points. You can read the full match report by clicking here.
NFNL Division 3 Women’s
An incredibly close game played out at Plenty Park Oval between Diamond Creek Women’s 2 and Montmorency 2, with the Magpies winning by just two points. Play was interrupted in the first quarter due to a severe injury, with both sides agreeing to play two 15-minute terms to complete the match. Both teams kicked goals in the final quarter, but it was the visitors who did enough to cling to a 1.3 (9) to 1.1 (7) win. Abbey Ward (who went on to play for Montmorency 1 that same day) was brilliant as well as Maddi Taylor-Wilde, with Simone Secombe named as the Creekers best.
North Heidelberg had a historic day on Sunday, as they claimed their first ever win in the senior women’s competition, defeating West Preston-Lakeside 2 by eight points at Shelley Reserve. The Bulldogs produced more scoring shots in the 2.3 (15) to 1.1 (7) victory with Charlotte Jarman kicking her first goal of the season and Mikayla Clarkson also hitting the scoreboard, making it back-to-back weeks for the forward. Marsa Arob was named as the Roosters best for the afternoon.
Wallan have carried their incredible start to the season into another week, this time comfortably defeating Laurimar by 83 points at Wallan Recreational Reserve. The Magpies kept the Power goalless throughout the match while piling on 12 goals themselves on their way to an impressive 12.11 (83) to 0.0 (0) victory. The home side had nine individual goalkickers for their 12 goals, with Renee Kelly standing out in a terrific performance. Ivana Pecanac producer her best game of the season for the Power.
Mernda made it four wins from four in 2023 after proving too strong for the previously unbeaten Heidelberg West, winning by 41 points at Waterview Recreation Reserve. The Demons had 17 scoring shots but could only muster five goals in the 5.12 (42) to 0.1 (1) triumph. Brooke Gibson was the only multiple goal scorer on the field with two majors, while Brianne Keogh and Teneisha Fiore were excellent. Molly Reinke made it three times in four weeks where she was named in her side’s best.
