Perfect conditions made for many high quality games throughout the Mirvac NFNL Women’s competitions.
The Mirvac Division 1 Women’s actions began under lights on Friday night, with an inaccurate Eltham overcoming an early deficit to claw to a 23-point triumph over Heidelberg at Eltham Central Park. The Panthers trailed by six points at quarter time despite recording four more scoring shots but booted five goals to one thereafter in the 5.12 (42) to 3.1 (19) win. The result kept Eltham in seventh place on the ladder and moved but moved the Panthers a game and percentage clear of the eighth-placed Tigers. Claudia Williver had another dominant night out for the Panthers, with Shannyn Ashby and Sienna Gunning also major contributors. Fiona Sheehan and Jessica McLean were best for Heidelberg.
Bundoora notched its second win of the campaign over West Preston-Lakeside, with the Bulls scoring a 7.6 (48) to 5.7 (37) over the Roosters at J.E. Moore Park. As a result, the Bulls lifted themselves off the bottom of the ladder, at the Roosters’ expense. Bundoora showed great resilience in the win, with the Bulls needing to come from behind at three quarter time after surrendering a 15-point half time lead. The visitors booted 2.3 to zero in the final term to win by 11 points. Talia Vincent was best afield and kicked three crucial goals, while Emily Barrett and Antonietta Parisi were also instrumental in the win. Ashleigh Snow was a standout for the Roosters and did everything in her power to get her side over the line.
Darebin bounced back from the disappointment of last week’s one-point loss to Diamond Creek Women’s by inflicting just the second defeat of the season on Montmorency. The sixth-placed Falcons now sit just one win off second spot following the 4.4 (28) to 1.7 (13) win at Montmorency Park North Oval. Tamara Olcorn and Angelique Reibelt were at their absolute best to guide the Falcons to their fourth win of the campaign and combined for three goals. Emily Beanland and Hannah Laffey fought hard for Montmorency in a tough day for their side, who went goalless for the opening three quarters to suffer their second defeat from the past three games.
Lower Plenty won an absolute thriller against Whittlesea at Montmorency Park South Oval, with the Bears prevailing by five points. Less than a goal separated the sides at the end of each quarter, with the home side clinging on for a 5.3 (33) to 4.4 (28) victory. Young star Molly McCormack again put on a show for Lower Plenty in a best on ground performance, with Rebecca Brown and Tess Dillon (three goals) also playing leading hands to improve their side’s record to 5-2. There were plenty of positives for the Eagles despite the result not going their way. Tahlia Brander and Casey Lashford were fantastic, while Michelle Kendall booted two goals.
Diamond Creek Women’s kept its perfect record intact with a dominant showing against Greensborough at Plenty Park Oval. The Creekers controlled the contest from the outset and piled on eight goals to one in the final term to win big. Linda Thorp had an unforgettable day, with the star forward booting 10 goals to take her season tally to 27 in six games. Brooke Plummer was brilliant in her senior debut, with the Northern Knights star showing the class that has her well and truly in AFLW draft contention. Lauren Collis and Morgan Broadley were best for Greensborough.
The top-three sides all secured wins in Mirvac Division 2 Women’s, which included a tightly fought contest between Hurstbridge and St Mary’s at Ben Frilay Oval. The Bridges were goalless in the opening half but finished full of running in the 4.11 (35) to 4.3 (27) triumph, which helped them maintain second place on the ladder. Melissa Martini and Alienna Jones were best for the home side, while Rebecca Hayes was the game’s only multiple goal kicker. Ebony Clayton and Elyssa Rees maintained their brilliant form for St Mary’s, despite the final result not going their side’s way.
Montmorency improved its record to six wins and a draw from its opening seven goals in a commanding 52-point win over Darebin. The Magpies took control after a fairly even first term to register the 10.11 (71) to 3.1 (19) win over the Falcons at Montmorency Park North Oval. Jemma Laffey was deadly in front of goals and finished with four majors, while Maddi-Taylor Wilde and Sarah Townsend got things going further up the field. Darebin was well served by Jessica Marks and Molly Neylon.
Diamond Creek Women’s was just as convincing in its win over Wallan, with the Creekers keeping their opponents goalless in the 82-point result at Plenty Park Oval. Diamond Creek Women’s got the early jump and opened up a 44-point advantage at half time. Wallan did well to stem the scoring during the third term, however the Creekers were back to their best in the final term when they piled on six goals. Emily Saunders was prolific in a best on ground showing, while Zoe Bailey and Brier Kawenga combined for eight goals. Veronica Capin and Kelly Lennox led the way for Wallan on a tough day.
Mernda caused a boilover in Mirvac Division 3 Women’s, with the Demons downing then ladder-leader Banyule in a low-scoring game at Waterview Recreation Reserve. The Bears suffered some early injuries, and the Demons took full advantage, recording a 2.3 (15) to 1.1 (7) win. The result propelled Mernda into third place and the Demons now sit just one win outside the top-two. Natalie Todaro has been a model of consistency this year and was again a star for Mernda, while Shenay Reeves and Chloe Roy also performed well. Casey Woodward was best for Banyule, whose three-game winning streak came to an end.
Fitzroy Stars assumed top-place on the ladder after recording a fourth-consecutive win in a 56-point triumph over Laurimar at Laurimar Reserve. The Stars were sound defensively and didn’t concede a score in the game. Shania Austin Jones was a standout up forward and booted four majors, while Jessica Nannup and Porsha Atkinson found plenty of the ball. Lara Reeves and Tiahn Cowan were admirable in defeat for the Power.
VU Western Spurs moved a game clear in fourth place after securing a 9.6 (60) to 1.1 (7) victory over Reservoir at Crispe Park. Jane Neil had a memorable game in front of goal and finished with six majors, with the Spurs also well guided by starring performances by Ashleigh Ford and Madeleine Bennetts. Jaydah Hope maintained her strong form for Reservoir, as did Alessandra Galletti.
