The final round of the NFNL Women’s grading competition saw plenty of highlights and intriguing results as teams prepare to be placed in their division’s for the remainder of the 2022 season.
In the early game of the round, Diamond Creek Women’s 2 got their first triumph of the 2022 season, defeating West Preston-Lakeside 2 by 18-points at Plenty Park Oval. Leading at every change, the Creekers kicked four goals to two after quarter time to secure the 2.5 (17) to 5.5 (35) win. Isabella Dixon was brilliant for the home side, so too was Olivia Caruana. Lillian Manolopoulos and Alyssa Delos stood out for the Roosters.
Hurstbridge got back to winning ways at Ben Frilay Oval but it wasn’t a walk in the park as they defeated a gallant Darebin 2 outfit by just three points. The Bridges had a 14-point lead at three quarter time, but the Falcons came home strong in the last term and despite kicking three final quarter goals, Hurstbridge did enough to hold on to a tight 6.3 (39) to 5.6 (36) victory. Melissa Martini was at her best once again kicking three majors while Natarsha Harrop was also impressive for the home side. Aife Larkin and Amy Tacey were some of Darebin’s best.
In a close contest over at Greensborough Park, VU Western Spurs completed an outstanding come from behind win five-point over St Mary’s. Trailing by 12 points in the first term, 16 points in the second and eight in the third, the Spurs piled on three goals to one in the final quarter to record a famous 4.7 (31) to 5.6 (36) win.
Greensborough were no match for Montmorency 1 at Greensborough War Memorial Park, the Magpies prevailing by 30 points, their third successive win in the competition. Following their huge Anzac Day win over Heidelberg last week, the Magpies were relentless once again, keeping the Borough goalless in the 0.5 (5) to 5.5 (35) victory. Nicole Brattusa and Jemma Laffey kicked two majors each while Chiara Scuderi was again excellent. Emmison Zealley and Elsie Clifford were gallant in the Borough defeat.
West Preston-Lakeside 1 returned to the winning list in a big way, defeating Banyule by 68-points and ending the Bears undefeated start to 2022 in the process. The Roosters were brilliant in all four quarters, keeping the Bears goalless for the entire match to prevail 10.10 (70) to 0.2 (2). Ashleigh Snow, Talia Pulcino and Heidi Woodley stood out in the win for the home side while Heidi Cummins continued her good form despite the heavy defeat.
Whittlesea moved to 3-1 to start the 2022 campaign after defeating Montmorency 2 by six-points at Montmorency Park Oval. The Eagles kept the Magpies scoreless at quarter time but were in for the long haul thereafter as Montmorency applied the pressure. Whittlesea did well to hold the lead at each break to prevail 6.8 (44) to 7.8 (50). Jessica Vilinskis and Luka Kennedy were some of the Eagles best, while Shelby Coall and Sian Capito kicked three majors each to keep the scoreboard ticking for the Magpies.
Diamond Creek Women’s 1 remain the only undefeated side in the NFNL Women’s competition when they defeated Darebin 1 by 42-points. You can read the full match report here.
Lower Plenty-Bundoora ended their two-game losing streak in brilliant fashion, defeating the Fitzroy Stars by 35-points at Sir Douglas Nicholls Oval. Lower Plenty-Bundoora managed to keep the Stars scoreless until after half time while kicking six majors of their own to win 6.6 (42) to 1.1 (7). Milla Fereday and Marianna Saill-Dilnot kicked two goals apiece for the combined side while Antonietta Parisi was best on ground. Samantha Brown and Renae McKeown were always kept the ball moving forward for the Stars.
Laurimar picked up their first win of the season in impressive style, defeating Heidelberg 2 by 35-points. The Power looked in complete control throughout the match, finishing strong to win 7.13 (55) to 3.2 (20). Holly Pitts kicked three for Laurimar in an impressive game up forward while Vicki Tsoulias and Tess Keogh were among the best.
Eltham made it back-to-back wins when they comfortably defeated Wallan by 52-points. For the second consecutive week, the Panthers only allowed their opposition to score a solitary behind while they piled on seven goals to win 7.11 (53) to 0.1 (1). Alannah Murray and Jacki White stood out in Eltham’s triumph.
In the final game of the round, Heidelberg 1 bounced back from their disappointing loss a fortnight ago to defeat Mernda by 51-points. The Tigers never looked back from the opening bounce as they ended Mernda’s undefeated start to the 2022 campaign, winning 8.9 (57) to 1.0 (6). Emily De Sando continued her brilliant start to the year with Grace Papagianis also a strong contributor for the Tigers. Awek Dut and Gulia Ceravolo were the stand outs for the Demons.
