Three close finishes and a statement making win played out in what was an entertaining opening week of the 2024 senior women’s finals series.
Cleaning Melbourne Division 2
Lower Plenty booked their place in the first semi-final after a dominant 89-point victory over a gallant Thomastown outfit. Read the full match report by clicking here.
A fantastic contest between Ivanhoe and the Fitzroy Stars in the qualifying final saw Ivanhoe hold to prevail by just four points. The first half was incredibly even between the two sides, with scores level at quarter time, before the Ivies managed to take a narrow one-point advantage into the main break. Ivanhoe would then kick the only goal of the third term and leave the Stars scoreless in the same period to take an important lead of eight points into the final term before the Stars pushed hard in the last quarter, kicking a goal with 12 minutes remaining to put the pressure on their opponents. The Ivies however held firm and played out the final moments of the afternoon well to finish 3.6 (24) to 3.2 (20) victors. Federica Frew’s two first half goals were vital in the triumph as were the efforts of Emilia Bisogni and Molly Uwland. Fitzroy Stars forward’s Shania Austin and Natarsha Bamblett kept their side in it with crucial majors of their own.
NFNL Division 3 Women’s
A thrilling elimination final went eight down to the wire as Hurstbridge finished five-point winners over North Heidelberg. Both sides found the big sticks inside the opening half of the first term to see just one-point separate the two teams by quarter time. A tense second quarter saw no majors kick, but plenty of opportunities still arise for each team to hit the scoreboard, as the Bulldogs held a narrow two-point advantage approaching the second half. The Bridges then looked to create an opening in the third, kicking two goals to nil, to take a handy 10-point lead into the final term, before North Heidelberg fought back, kicking two majors in a minute to hit the front with 10 minutes remaining. However, the Bridges would have the final say, as Natarsha Harrop proved clutch in the final moments, kicking to go-ahead goal to give her side a terrific 4.3 (27) to 3.4 (22) triumph. Harrop ended the match with two goals in a match-winning performance, with teammates Renee Brain and Ruby Butterfield also impressing. Ellouise Bishop, Haley Creal and Tarsh Owen starred for North Heidelberg.
Panton Hill advanced to the second semi-final, after coming from behind to record an impressive 12-point win over South Morang. The Lions looked to settle better than their opponents in the initial stages, kicking a goal within two minutes of game time, before also finding a second major later in the term to lead by seven points at the first change. The Redbacks then produced their best quarter of the game in the second, as they fired home three majors, and kept the opposition scoreless to produce a two-goal advantage at half time. Scoring dried up in the second half, with Panton Hill looking to increase their lead, but only managing behinds. The Lions too had some opportunities to reduce the deficit, but despite keeping their opponents scoreless in the final quarter, they were unable to find the big sticks, with the Redbacks winning 4.3 (27) to 2.3 (15). Teagan Sheldon was excellent in defence for the winning side, with Jessica Dight and Bridie Groves others to stand out. Hailey Cordova did all she could for South Morang and was one of her side’s two goalkickers for the match.
Photo supplied by BlueStream Pictures
