The home and away seasons in Division 2 and Division 3 have been run and done while the top four still hasn’t been locked in for Division 1 following their penultimate round on the weekend.
Heidelberg Golf Club Division 1
Banyule secured a double chance spot on Friday night after a thrilling two-point triumph over Eltham at Eltham Central Park. The Bears kicked 1.9 to three quarter time and trailed the Panthers by two goals heading into the final break, before keeping the hosts scoreless while kicking two majors of their own to prevail 3.11 (29) to 4.3 (27). Olivia Perillo had a big say in the win for her side with a massive performance while Drew Barnes was again at her best in the result. Kate Cardamone was superb for the hosts as was Michaela Molenberg.
Darebin 1 jumped back into the top four over the weekend after a dominant 57-point win over West Preston-Lakeside 1 at J.E. Moore Park. The Roosters were kept goalless while the Falcons kicked nine majors in the 9.7 (61) to 0.4 (4) result and now move a game clear of fifth placed Diamond Creek Women’s 1. Cameron Williams led the way up forward with four goals in game number two for the season, while Julia Phung impressed around the ground. The hosts best efforts came from Michelle Millhouse and Rachele Carrozza.
Ladder leaders Montmorency 1 were pushed to their limits against a surging Diamond Creek Women’s 1 outfit, but just held on in the final term to win by two points at Plenty Park Oval. The Creekers led by one-point at half time and then trailed by two goals at three quarter time before keeping the Magpies scoreless in the final term and registering five scoring shots themselves, however they just fell short in the 4.8 (32) to 4.6 (30) loss. Madeline Ellis made it a second straight appearance in Montmorency’s best with teammate Madison Bayes kicking two goals. Meanwhile Lauren Durante was important up forward for the hosts, kicking three majors.
Cleaning Melbourne Division 2
Greensborough locked away a top five spot and in fact, finished the season in fourth position after a strong 33-point victory against Whittlesea at the Whittlesea Showgrounds. The Boro were inaccurate throughout the afternoon but managed to keep the Eagles goalless for three of the four quarters in the 5.12 (42) to 1.3 (9) win. Dakota Gray de Jong produced three majors while Emmison Zealley had another best on ground performance for the visitors. Annette Carle played a terrific game for Whittlesea and has been named as her side’s best player for two straight weeks.
Heidelberg produced a dominant performance ahead of their finals campaign after defeating Hurstbridge by 103 points at Ben Frilay Oval. Unfortunately, the Bridges were kept scoreless for a third straight week while the Tigers produced their highest score of the season in the 15.13 (103) to 0.0 (0) victory. Emma Rowe was at her goalkicking best and finished with an equal season high of seven goals for the visitors while Annalise Turner performed brilliantly. As she has all season, Kristy Steven was a standout for the Bridges alongside Natarsha Harrop.
St Mary’s made it 10 consecutive wins in their clash with the Fitzroy Stars at N.J. Telfer Reserve, securing a 30-point victory to round out the home and away season. The Burra led at all three-quarter breaks on their way to the 5.14 (44) to 2.2 (14) triumph, and the result could have been larger had it not been for inaccuracy. Sarah Johnston still managed to score three goals while the brilliant Jessica Hardy was at her best once again for the home side. Dawn McGuinness and Kristen Atkinson did what they could for the Stars.
NFNL Division 3 Women’s
North Heidelberg finished their inaugural campaign with one of their best wins of the season after defeating finals bound Diamond Creek Women’s 2 by five points at Shelley Street Reserve. The Bulldogs scored just one goal after half time but were impressive in keeping the Creekers at bay throughout the second half, holding on to finish 4.3 (27) to 3.4 (22) victors. Ellouise Bishop was outstanding, finishing with two goals and being named as her side’s best for the fourth time in her last five games. Holly Pink was impressive for the visitors, so too was Renae McIntyre.
Minor premiers Wallan returned to the winners list ahead of their finals campaign after a strong 36-point triumph over Darebin 2 at Wallan Recreational Reserve. The Falcons were kept scoreless until three quarter time while four goals in the first half from the Magpies secured the 5.7 (37) to 0.1 (1) victory. The home side had five individual goalkickers for their five majors with two of those in Kia Montgomery and Kelly Lennox standing out as some of the side’s best players. Alisha Priestley was a solid performer throughout for the Falcons.
Heidelberg West got an early win on Montmorency 2 at Montmorency Park North Oval, claiming a 28-point victory ahead of their meeting in the first week of finals this weekend. The Hawks had the Magpies measure throughout the game, with the 5.6 (36) to 1.2 (8) triumph being their 11th win of the 2023 season. Taya Barnett kicked two goals and now has seven majors in her last three games for Heidelberg West. Teammate Emily O’Keefe was terrific while Ella Peatling and Caitlyn McLeod were some of the Magpies best.
