Only six teams remain undefeated following the opening two rounds of the 2021 NFNL Women’s football season.
Montmorency remains unbeaten as a club, with both the Magpies’ two teams victorious across their opening two matches. Meanwhile, Diamond Creek Women’s 1, Eltham, Greensborough and competition newcomer Lower Plenty also take 2-0 records into Round 3.
Round 2 featured two games on Saturday afternoon, which included Lower Plenty winning the battle of the Bears against Banyule at A.J. Burkitt Oval. A fairly even tussle in general play, Lower Plenty was able to make the most of its entries inside the forward 50m in the 32-point win. Ashleigh Smith and Mikayla Plunkett continued their great starts to the season and featured prominently, while Ruby Panozzo also impressed. Drew Barnes was a standout in defeat for Banyule. Lower Plenty continues to stand up defensively and is yet to concede a goal across the opening two games.
Montmorency 1 continued its dominant form in a 57-point win over Bundoora at Montmorency Park North Oval. The Magpies have scored 146 points across the opening two games, while conceding just seven. Madison Bayes jumped to equal first on the competition goal kicking table, booting six of her side’s eight goals in a brilliant performance. Chloe Robinson, Shae Collinson and Nicole Blythe were also standouts on a day where the Magpies shot out of the blocks with four opening-quarter goals and never looked back. Candice Dyson was best for Bundoora and has made a promising start to the 2021 campaign.
Sunday’s matches were headlined by a rematch of the 2019 Division 1 Women’s grand final between Diamond Creek Women’s 1 and VU Western Spurs 1 at Plenty Park. After losing the premiership-decider, the Creekers were able to exact some revenge, scoring a 24-point triumph over the Spurs – who suffered their first defeat since losing the 2018 preliminary final. The lead exchanged hands throughout the opening half, before two goals prior to half time gave the Creekers an eight-point advantage at the main break. A goal to Aleisha Casley brought the Spurs back within two points early in the third term, however the Creekers were able to break the game open thereafter – finishing with five of the last six goals to record a 9.7 (61) to 5.5 (35) triumph. Crystal Grech and Karly Cobern were dominant in the win, as was recruit Monique DeMatteo, who was one of four Creekers to kick two goals. The Spurs were well served by Natalie Pearce and Tayla Dinuccio.
Diamond Creek Women’s 2 was a big winner in the earlier match against VU Western Spurs 2, running away with a 56-point triumph. Ahead by 16 points at the main break, the Creekers piled on six goals in the second half to notch their first win of the season. Leah Swain starred for the Creekers for the second-consecutive match, Taylah Mount booted four goals, while Emily Chiechi impressed and chimed in with two majors. Emma Wheeler and Stacy Rigon never stopped trying for the Spurs.
Darebin 1 was far too good for West Preston-Lakeside in a 95-point triumph at A.H. Capp Reserve. The Falcons could do no wrong in an impressive-four quarter display – helping the team respond following last week’s defeat to Diamond Creek Women’s 1. Georgia Wilson had a day out and finished with a game-high four goals, while Alexandra Pronesti added three of her own. Karly O’Malley also enjoyed a great outing. Despite the one-sided scoreboard, Ashleigh Snow and Chloe Oakley produced great showings for the Roosters and tried hard to stem the tide.
In the earlier game at A.H. Capp Reserve, it was Eltham who made a major statement in a 39-point triumph over Round 1 winner Darebin 2. The Panthers got to work early, piling on four goals in the first term to take a 25-point lead into quarter time. A three-goal to one third term ensured the visitors could enjoy the final term with the win all but secured. Jacki White kicked four goals to add to last week’s three-goal effort, while Leah Darcy and Alannah Murray also had a big say in the result. Lisa Halfpenny was best for the Falcons.
Montmorency 2 scored a 25-point win over Hurstbridge at Ben Frilay Oval, with Ebony Harris’ five-goal haul a highlight in the Magpies win. The visitors booted seven goals to one in the opening three quarters, however the Bridges dug in bravely in the last term to kick three of the four goals and reduce the final margin. Chelsea Pearson and Lauren Dow were major contributors for the Magpies, while Renee Grant and Rebecca Harris (two goals) performed well for Hurstbridge.
Laurimar opened its account for 2021 with a 31-point win over Reservoir at Laurimar Reserve. The Power kicked the game’s opening four goals to lead by 24-points at half time, however Reservoir showed grit in the third quarter to remain in the contest at the last change. Laurimar responded to the challenge and kicked the only two goals of the final term to march to victory. Ashtyn Wharton was a clear standout for Laurimar, while Taylah Selim Faux and Vicki Tsoulias each contributed two goals. Jaydah Hope was brilliant for Reservoir and had good support from Stevie Hare.
Reigning Division 3 premier Greensborough continued its great start to the new campaign with a dominant 78-point win against Wallan at Wallan Recreation Reserve. The Boro’s inaccuracy was costly early, registering 0.7 in the opening term. However, once the first goal went through, they then began to flow regularly. Charley McFawn and Lauren Collis were brilliant for the victors, while Frances Collis, Zoe Pannam and Lanarose Picione combined for eight goals. Lauren Macpherson was Wallan’s best.
St Mary’s bounced back from an opening-round defeat with a 25-point win away to Mernda at Waterview Recreation Reserve. The Burra made a great start and booted three goals in the opening term and maintained a 20-point advantage at half time. The sides traded two goals apiece in the third term, before the Burra added the only goal of the last term to stretch their advantage. Brigid McEntee and Taylor Harvy led the charge, while Sarah Williams capped a great game with a goal. Natalie Todaro played to her usual high level and was Mernda’s best player.
Heidelberg came from behind at three-quarter time to defeat Whittlesea by 18 points at the Whittlesea Showgrounds. Trailing by a point at three-quarter time, the Tigers booted three unanswered goals in the last term to score a gutsy win. For Whittlesea, it was a second-near miss in what has been a promising start to their journey in women’s football. Mia Tascone produced a brilliant performance for the second-successive week for Heidelberg, while Fiona Sheehan and Ash Riley (two goals) were also instrumental in the victory. Tahlia Brander was a shining light for Whittlesea, while Brielle Kinnear also played well.
