In an entertaining contest at Montmorency Park North Oval, Montmorency 1 became the only unbeaten side in the Heidelberg Golf Club Division 1 women’s competition after defeating Darebin 1 by five points.
Montmorency had more possession for much of the first half, but failed to convert until the final term, where they kicked four goals to two, to claim an 8.5 (53) to 7.6 (48) victory.
Georgia Thomson proved to be an important contributor all afternoon, with her kicks gaining hefty metres down the field.
The Magpies continued to get stand out performances from the tandem of Nicole Blythe and Taylah Harris in the midfield, who helped keep control of the game even when the odds looked unfavourable.
Jessica Nursey would lead the goal-scoring for both teams with three majors on the day, and now leads the competition goal kicking leader board.
Meanwhile Dallas Rowland and Holly Allen each poised dynamic performances for the Falcons, with their speed on the ball generating momentum that resulted in many forward opportunities for their side.
Laura Griss would dominate the ruck well enough to pave pathways for clearances that gave the Falcons a counter against the Magpies getting first use of the ball.
The opening term started off as a battle for control between the two teams, but that was eventually broken with a well created set shot for Claire Papaleo, who would convert to open the scoring for the visitors.
Meanwhile, the Magpies produced some crucial one-percenters, showcased by Madison Baynes breaking out of the contest to kick a goal off the ground to even the game up.
After further chances at goal for Montmorency went astray, the Falcons fought back to convert on their own attempts that were snapped through by Laura Griss and Sierra Chandler, giving their side an 11-point lead at quarter time.
Both sides struggled to find the scoreboard in the following quarter, with the Falcons being held goal-less thanks to the intercept work of Madeline Ellis out of the backline.
Jordyn Elchstadt would be the one to break the scoring drought after striking true on a set shot for goal, but the lead was still with the Falcons by six-points heading into the main break.
The momentum shift allowed the Magpies to keep creating opportunities to score and as a result, Jessica Nursey would be the benefactory, snapping two majors that gave the hosts the lead for the first time in the match.
Darebin responded in the form of Dallas Rowland however, whose snap at goal was followed by Sierra Chandler’s second major of the game to give the visitors a seven-point advantage at three quarter time.
But Montmorency started strong in the final quarter in what would be a sign of things to come.
Chiara Scuderi shifted her way through to find a trailing Taylah Harris that kicked true to reduce the lead for the Magpies before a Shelby Coall major would give them the lead for the second time.
More scoring would trickle as Nursey capped off a prolific game with her third goal after a tap from Georgia Thomson, whose following kick to Coall would result in a goal that stretched the lead to a game-high 17 points.
However, Darebin weren’t giving up without a fight, as their tackling pressure made enough ground to find Alyssa Nolan for a major that reduced the lead to 11-points.
Claire Hardi then stood tall to take a mark inside 50 and kicked truly to reduce the margin to under a goal.
But despite Darebin’s final attempts to push forward, the Magpies held on to win their third consecutive game of the season.
