Our biggest senior women’s competition yet got underway over the weekend with some sides already stamping their authority in their respective divisions.
Heidelberg Golf Club Division 1
A good battle between Banyule and Montmorency 1 ended with the Magpies holding onto a 10-point win at Beverley Road Oval. Both sides had one-goal apiece to their names at the main break, with the Bears having a slender two-point lead, before the Magpies kept their opponents to 1.2 for the remainder of the game while booting three majors of their own in the 4.3 (27) to 2.5 (17) victory. A host of contributors helped the visitors get the four points, headlined by midfielder Isabel Villarreal and forward Jessica Simpson who kicked two goals. Heidi Cummins impressed for Banyule.
St Mary’s kicked off their premiership defence in style with a massive 120-point win over Lower Plenty at Montmorency Park South Oval. In three of their four quarters, the Burra produced five majors or more, as Megan Girolami starred with seven goals in her side’s 19.14 (128) to 1.2 (8) triumph. Sarah Johnston (five) and Jaydah Hope (four) were others from the away team to kick multiple goals, while captain Elyssa Rees was also excellent throughout the afternoon. The Bears were led by solid efforts from Darci Fitzgerald and Ava Klaic.
Eltham returned to the NFNL senior women’s competition with a bang, comfortably defeating Darebin 1 by 77 points at A.H. Capp Reserve. An eight-goal to two opening half set the tone for the Panthers, who ended the match with 25 scoring shots in the 14.11 (95) to 3.0 (18) win. Coming across from Whittlesea, Emily Wunderlich made an immediate impression on her teammates and clubs in the top flight with a four-goal performance, while on senior debut, Abbey Vaughan was outstanding in the victory. Olivia Papaleo was a standout for the Falcons and was one of three goalkickers for the hosts.
Diamond Creek Women’s 1 got off to a strong start in their 2025 campaign, after defeating Heidelberg by 21 points at Warringal Park. You can read the full match report by clicking here.
Cleaning Melbourne Division 2
Off their Division 3 premiership in 2024, Panton Hill got things going their way to start in Division this year, defeating Thomastown by 43 points at Main Street Recreation Reserve. The Redbacks produced their highest score since Round 12, 2024 in the 7.10 (52) to 1.3 (9) triumph, with Angela Milesi and Tia Warford kicking two goals apiece for the winning side. Stephanie Jacobson and Monique Ramsay were also terrific for the visitors while the Bears’ best efforts were led by Matilda McLauchlan and Alexandra Muraca.
West Preston-Lakeside were at their best in a dominant 107-point victory over Diamond Creek Women’s 2 at J.E. Moore Park. The Roosters shot out of the blocks with a six-goal to nil opening term and kept the Creekers to just three scoring shots on their way to an 18.17 (125) to 3.0 (18) win. It was Tallia Pulcino who was outstanding inside the attacking half, as she finished with six goals, while Rachel Scully and Ashleigh Snow also chipped in with three majors apiece. Alexis Baillie and Grace Bullard did all they could for the away side.
The Fitzroy Stars were a class above in their 98-point win over South Morang at Mill Park Lakes Recreation Reserve. The Lions were kept scoreless until the final term, while the Stars kicked at least three goals in each term to produce a brilliant 14.15 (99) to 0.1 (1) win. Amina Keegan kicked a career-high six goals against her old side while vice-captain Rianne Hood was her side’s best in a scintillating display. Mikayla Bennett and Devony Hoare led the way in what was a tough day for the Lions in their first Division 2 match since 2019.
The twilight contest saw Ivanhoe break away after half time to deliver a 34-point triumph over Greensborough at Greensborough War Memorial Park. A competitive opening half saw the Ivies lead by just six points at the main break before a five-goal to one second half was enough for the away side to prevail 8.13 (61) to 4.3 (27). Following her 48-goal campaign last year, Georgia Pirdis picked up where she left off with four majors, while Rhiannon Campbell was also a multiple goalkicker with two on her way to being named her side’s best. Olivia Angwin impressed for the Boro.
NFNL Division 3 Women’s
Division 3 kicked off with a Saturday afternoon clash between Heidelberg West and Hurstbridge at Heidelberg Park, in which the Bridges ran away with a narrow eight-point win. The Hawks led 7-0 at quarter time before the away side took over thereafter, keeping their opponents to only five more behinds while they kicked three goals in the 3.2 (20) to 1.6 (12) victory. Renee Brain carried on her great form at the backend of last year with a best on ground effort for Hurstbridge on Saturday while Natarsha Harrop led all goalkickers with two. Elizabeth Toumbourou and Emily O’Keefe kept the Hawks in the hunt throughout.
North Heidelberg ran out 31-point victors over Darebin 2 at A.H. Capp Reserve in what was a strong performance. The Bulldogs produced 16 scoring shots, their most in a match since Round 13, 2024, with only inaccuracy preventing them of winning more than the 3.13 (31) to 0.0 (0) final scoreline. Former Whittlesea player Remy Moore was a standout in her debut game for the away side as was Ellouise Bishop who was one of three individual goalkickers for the afternoon. Autumn Robinson and Cassie Willcocks played well for the Falcons.
Wallan controlled their match throughout to finish 25-point winners in their opening round battle with Laurimar at Laurimar Reserve. The Magpies managed to find the big sticks throughout the opening three quarters, creating enough of a buffer to end the match with a 4.3 (27) to 0.2 (2) triumph. Lily Borg and Toni Gussenhoven were some to star for the away side, while they also had four individual goalkickers. The Power’s only Team of the Year representative from 2024 in Stephanie Crook continued to stand tall in the backline and was named as her side’s best.
Macleod opened their inaugural senior women’s account in stunning style, defeating Epping by 43 points at De Winton Park. The Roos started strong and increased their lead at each quarter break, keeping the Blues to just 1.1 on their way to a 7.8 (50) to 1.1 (7) triumph. Former Banyule duo Alessandra Galletti and Ally Gunstone put their skills on display to lead the hosts to victory, while Laura Burke was the side’s only multiple goalkicker with two majors. Cindy Turnbull remained a standout for Epping with Cathryn Busuttil also playing a solid match.
An excellent four-quarter display saw Whittlesea pick up an opening round win over Reservoir to the tune of 56 points at Crisper Park. The Eagles held a comfortable 29-point advantage at the main break and despite kicking 4.9 in the second half, were still able produce a strong 9.14 (68) to 2.0 (12) result. Helping the club achieve its highest score in the senior women’s competition since Round 4, 2022 was Leah O’Dell and Audrey Steinke who kicked five majors between them. Tahlia Brander also contributed well, while the home side was led by Natalie Bozzi.
Kilmore sent an incredibly strong message to the rest of the competition in their first hit out as a senior women’s side, after a huge 120-point victory over Montmorency 2 at J.J. Clancy Reserve. The Blues made their intent known with a five-goal opening term, but it was their seven-goal third quarter that propelled them to a massive 18.12 (120) to 0.0 (0) win. The hosts saw Chiara Nardo and Jenaya Stewart lead the charge, with their excellent efforts in the midfield and up forward, while Emma Pyle had a Kilmore debut to remember, kicking four goals. Hayley Keating was a highlight for the Magpies.
