With divisions set in each of our three senior women’s competitions, the contenders are starting to emerge following this week’s matches.
Heidelberg Golf Club Division 1
Diamond Creek Women’s 1 shot to the top of the ladder after a 22-point victory over Heidelberg at Plenty Park Oval. The Creekers led from the first bounce, with their 4.8 to 2.2 opening half setting up the 6.8 (44) to 3.5 (23) triumph. Linda Thorp produced a season high tally of four majors in another excellent effort up forward, while Maykaylah Appleby and Maddison Meagher continued their strong seasons. Emma Rowe kicked all three goals for the Tigers with teammate Emily De Sando also impressive for the visitors.
It was a nail-biter out at Telfer Reserve as St Mary’s produced a one-point win over Banyule. The Burra started well out of the blocks to keep the Bears scoreless in the opening term, but the visitors responded to lead by a point at the main break. Both sides would produce one more goal apiece for the remainder of the match, but St Mary’s were able to hold off a late Bears comeback to prevail 3.7 (25) to 3.6 (24). Emmison Zealley and Brigid McEntee were two players from the hosts that willed their side over the line, while Sienna Gunning and Olivia Perillo were superb for Banyule.
Montmorency 1 got back to winning ways with a 17-point victory against Darebin 1 at Montmorency Park North Oval. The Falcons responded well to a quiet first quarter to only trail by nine points at half time, before Montmorency kicked two of the last three goals of the match to win 7.8 (50) to 5.3 (33). It was another outstanding performance from Madeline Gallagher that helped the home side prevail. Jordyn Eichstadt was the side’s only multiple goalkicker while for Darebin, Imogen Kendal and Claire Papaleo had great performances.
Cleaning Melbourne Division 2
A strong final term from Lower Plenty saw them defeat Ivanhoe by 29 points at Montmorency Park South Oval. The Bears led by 12 points at three quarter time before an impressive three-goal to nil last quarter solidified the 8.8 (56) to 4.3 (27) triumph. Emily Temple and Bree Unthank stood out for the home side while Kyla Parry led the way inside 50 for the winning side with three majors. Emilia Bisogni and Anna Williams were terrific for the Ivies despite the defeat.
Mernda responded to their heavy defeat last week by claiming a narrow nine-point win over Darebin 2 at A.H. Capp Reserve. The Demons produced a strong opening half to lead by 20 points at the main break, and although they were kept to just two behinds by the Falcons for the rest of the match, the away side held their nerve to finish as 4.4 (28) to 3.1 (19) victors. Laila Zayat was again one of Mernda’s best with Janelle Bertoni also a great contributor for the visitors. Morgan Deacon finished as Darebin’s best while teammate Darcy Pingitore kicked two goals.
Life in Division 2 started perfectly for Thomastown, who comfortably defeated Montmorency 2 by 82 points at Main Street Recreation Reserve. The Bears kicked at least two majors in each quarter and produced their highest score of the year in the 11.19 (85) to 0.3 (3) victory. Monica Bradford and Chiara Nardo were brilliant for the home side, controlling things around the ground and finishing with six majors between them. Chelsea Harvey and Olivia Nesci stood out for the Magpies.
The Fitzroy Stars also got off to a flyer in their return to Division 2 after a 44-point win over Whittlesea at Sir Douglas Nicholls Oval. The Stars led by 14 points at half time before keeping the Eagles to one more scoring shot for the remainder of the match, while producing 11 of their own on their way to the 9.11 (65) to 3.3 (21) triumph. Jessica Bamblett starred with six majors in her first game of the season, while Akanisi Tsiros was another who played a role in the home side’s win. The Eagles’ best efforts were led by Brielle Kinnear.
NFNL Division 3 Women’s
A clash between two sides who made the move to Division 3 in Diamond Creek Women’s 2 and Heidelberg West saw the Creekers finish seven-point victors at Plenty Park Oval. The Creekers had 12 more scoring shots for the afternoon, but inaccuracy kept the Hawks in the hunt, however the home side had done enough throughout the match to win 3.13 (31) to 4.0 (24). Stefanie Memos was again excellent for Diamond Creek Women’s and teammate Imogen Hammond kicked two vital goals for the eventual winners. For the Hawks, Sarah Barlow kicked three of her team’s four goals while Emily O’Keefe played well.
North Heidelberg picked up their second win of the 2024 season, defeating Panton Hill by four points in a close encounter at Shelley Street Reserve. The Bulldogs were unable to hit the front at any of the three quarter breaks, trailing by two points to the Redbacks at the final change, before a decisive last term goal from Kyann Buntine gave the home side a 1.6 (12) to 1.2 (8) triumph. Lynden Caldwell and Teresa Cassar also impressed for the Bulldogs while Panton Hill were led by Erin Grant and Ruby Walker.
South Morang put together one of their most powerful performances of the year in an 81-point victory over Epping at Epping Recreational Reserve. The Lions were in control of the contest from start to finish, producing 26 scoring shots in a strong 11.15 (81) to 0.0 (0) win away from home. The visitors had six individual goalkickers for the afternoon, with four majors from Hailey Cordova and three from Emma McQueen leading the charge. Blues captain Mellisa Barnes played great in her first match of the season.
After going down in their opening three matches of the 2024 campaign, Hurstbridge have now won their last two games after a 13-point win over Wallan at Greenhill Reserve. The Bridges led right throughout the match, with a two-goal to nil opening term setting up the 3.2 (20) to 1.1 (7) victory. Ruby Butterfield, Kristy Steven and Chloe Topperwien were all terrific for the visitors while the Magpies saw strong games from Shazi Cappello and Toni Gussenhoven.
