Round 12 saw several teams stake their finals claim as the action heats up in all three NFNL Women’s football competitions.
ANZ DIVISION 1 WOMEN’S
Darebin locked down second spot and a double chance come finals with a comfortable 15.10 (100) to 2.1 (13) win over Bendigo at A.H Capp Reserve. With a blistering five-goal opening term, the Falcons got off to the ideal start and didn’t look back. Millie Caddy and Sabine Cowley Du Parquet were fantastic for the Falcons, while Carly Isaac and Emily Taylor were the best performers for the Thunder, who weren’t able to replicate their winning efforts from Round 11. Darebin travels to Henry Turner Memorial Reserve to face the undefeated VU Western Spurs in a top of the table match. Bendigo will look to keep their slim finals hopes alive when they host West Preston-Lakeside, who they beat by 12 points only last round.
The VU Western Spurs’ bye last round didn’t halt any of their momentum as they comprehensively defeated West Preston-Lakeside 15.9 (99) to 0.2 (2) at J.E. Moore Park. Six opening-quarter goals to the Spurs set the wheels spinning their way and they continued to be unstoppable for the remaining three quarters. Belinda Huynh provided run for the Spurs, while Caitlyn Brown kicked five goals. Monique DeMatteo and Rechelle McSwain shared the top coaches votes for the Roosters for a second-consecutive week.
After three consecutive losses, Diamond Creek Women’s returned to the winners’ list emphatically, defeating Bundoora 16.15 (111) to 0.1 (1) at Yulong Reserve. The Creekers enjoyed plenty of scoring shots as they dominated the play from start to finish. Grace Addamo was the best player on the ground with four goals and Dianna Haines was also a valuable contributor for the Creekers. Amy Callaway and Jemma Cremore fought the match out until the end for the Bulls. Diamond Creek will now head into a bye this weekend full of positivity, while Bundoora can jump into fifth position if they beat Montmorency and results fall their way.
MC SECURITY DIVISION 2 WOMEN’S
Fourth-placed Heidelberg overcame third-placed Darebin 8.7 (55) to 1.3 (9) in a dominant performance at A.H Capp Reserve to keep their double chance aspirations alive. The Tigers took a 15-point lead into quarter-time and a two-goals to one second quarter saw them stretch their lead out to 21-points by half time. Heidelberg held the Falcons goalless for the rest of the match while adding another four of their own to score their sixth win of the year. Ever dangerous Tiger forward Emma Rowe booted five goals in a best on ground performance, while Cassia Menkhorst continued her consistent season. Jem Wilson was the best performing Falcon for a second week running. Heidelberg hits the road again to play Eltham in Round 13, while Darebin is tasked with the tough challenge of facing an undefeated VU Western Spurs outfit at Henry Turner Memorial Reserve.
Diamond Creek Women’s well and truly kept their finals hopes alive with a 4.5 (29) to 3.3 (21) victory over St Mary’s. After kicking the opening goal of the match, the Creekers grabbed a six-point quarter time lead, before the Burra responded with a two-goal second term that saw them snatch a five-point lead at half time. The Creekers controlled most of the play in the third quarter to add 1.3 to their tally, while holding the Burra scoreless. A two-goal to one final quarter saw the Creekers grab the all-important four points. It flipped the result of their previous meeting on its head, with a remarkable 49-point turnaround moving them only percentage out of the top-five. Creekers Lyndall Parnis and Victoria Iles produced their best performances of the year when it truly mattered ,while Amy Mitchener and Emily Bannan were great for the Burra. St Mary’s hosts South Morang in a pivotal clash while Diamond Creek Women’s enjoy a well-earned week off.
VU Western Spurs picked up where they left off prior to their bye with a 7.12 (54) to 1.0 (6) win over Eltham at Eltham Central Park. The Spurs played consistent football throughout the match and it was only inaccurate goal kicking that let them down in an otherwise convincing performance. Danielle Mazzocca kicked two goals for the Spurs while Leah Darcy was a solid performer for the Panthers.
MIRVAC DIVISION 3 WOMEN’S
VU Western Spurs held onto second place after clinching a 1.3 (9) to 0.6 (6) brave victory over Reservoir at Crispe Park. In a low scoring affair, Reservoir will rue a third quarter that saw them add only three behinds to the Spurs’ two minor scores and take only a two-point lead into the final quarter. Spur Katie Lambeski secured the only goal of the match in the fourth quarter to help pinch an important win for her side. Grace Booker and Olivia Panjkov were pivotal in getting the Spurs over the line, while Chiara Nardo and Natalie Murray were gallant in defeat for Reservoir. Reservoir must now defeat Hurstbridge in order to keep their slim finals chances alive, while the VU Western Spurs return home to host Wallan.
Greensborough returned to the winners’ list with a 5.4 (34) to 2.4 (16) win over Montmorency at Greensborough War Memorial Park. A four-goal to one opening half saw the Boro take a 16-point lead into half time and despite a closer second half, the Magpies were unable to peg back the difference. The win sees the Boro maintain their one-game buffer atop the ladder, while the Magpies now fall one game behind third-placed Laurimar and the second placed VU Western Spurs. However, they still hold a two-game advantage over fifth-placed Hurstbridge. Lauren Collis was at her damaging best for the Boro alongside Kelly Mullins, while Amber Vincent and Makaela Egan stood out for the Magpies. Montmorency is on the road again to meet Mernda, while Greensborough faces Laurimar in a huge match-up that will shape both sides’ final positions on the ladder.
Hurstbridge took a huge step towards finals, defeating fellow Wallan 3.4 (22) to 0.6 (6) to leapfrog their way over the Magpies into fifth position. After the Mustangs took a nine-point lead into the first change, the Magpies closed to within four-points at half time. However, their five second-quarter behinds proved to be costly, as the Bridges nailed a goal in the third term to stretch their lead back out to 11 points. A final quarter goal saw Hurstbridge seal the match. Shanayde Mullens and Natarsha Harrop backed up their great performances last week for the victorious Bridges, while Olivia Attard was best on ground for the Magpies for a second-consecutive week.
Laurimar claimed its third win a row, defeating Mernda 4.5 (29) to 0.4 (4) at Waterview Recreation Reserve. A three-goal to zero opening half set up a 21-point buffer for the Power that Mernda wasn’t unable to make up in the second half. Sarah Scheggia was brilliant for the Power, while Nicole Aldridge’s two goals were crucial. Natalie Todaro and Amber Board worked hard for Mernda.
