Eight games were decided by 25 points or less as the NFNL senior women’s competition returned from the Easter Break to compete in the Anzac Day long weekend.
Heidelberg Golf Club Division 1
The only ANZAC Day contest in the NFNL Women’s competition saw Heidelberg win their first game of the season after defeating Banyule by five points at Warringal Park. After the Tigers got off to a fast start the Bears fought back and took the lead in the last quarter before a final minute goal from Emma Rowe goal got the hosts over the line. Rowe kicked three goals on the day and was one of the best alongside Mia Tascone while Megan Barnes was one of Banyule’s better players alongside Mikalee Maroney.
Montmorency 1 remained on top of the table after defeating Eltham by 14 points in a Saturday twilight fixture at Montmorency Park. A three goal to nil third term set up the Magpies victory, holding off a Panthers comeback to win 6.8 (44) to 3.6 (30). Shelby Lemire added another three goals to her tally for the season while Molly Bell and Shae Collinson were outstanding. Abbey Vaughan and Brianna Cowley both continued their strong starts to the season as well.
In an enthralling grand final rematch, St Mary’s were able to claim the chocolates against Diamond Creek Women’s 1 by three points at Plenty Park Oval. You can read the full match report by clicking here.
Lower Plenty have won their first game since returning to the top flight of the women’s competition, defeating Darebin 1 by 77 points at A.H. Capp Reserve. The Bears kept the Falcons to just one behind in the 11.12 (78) to 0.1 (1) victory. Amelia Mullane kicked five of the Bears 11 goals while Hayley Brown added three. Among the best performers for both sides included Anayah Maher and Ava Klaic for Lower Plenty plus Kate Moorhen and Amy Crowden for the hosts.
Cleaning Melbourne Division 2
Diamond Creek Women’s 2 won their first game of the season by 21 points against Panton Hill out at Plenty Park Oval. The Redbacks had their chances but were unable to kick a goal as the Creekers claimed the 4.5 (29) to 0.8 (8) win. Isabella Hazelwood-Smith kicked two goals and was named best on for Diamond Creek Women’s while Charlotte Boyce and Angela Milesi were two of the better performers yet again for Panton Hill.
Ivanhoe returned to the winners list in big fashion against Thomastown. The Ivies kept Thomastown scoreless and kicked 18 goals themselves in the 18.20 (128) to 0.0 (0) victory at Ivanhoe Park. Star forward Georgia Pirdis was outstanding up forward and kicked 10 goals for the first time in her senior career at the NFNL, while Shenay Ibrahim kicked three and had a strong performance also for the hosts.
West Preston-Lakeside continued their undefeated start to the year with a 43-point victory over the Fitzroy Stars at Sir Doug Nicholls Oval. The Roosters kept the hosts goalless in the first three quarters while kicking five goals themselves in the 7.12 (54) to 1.5 (11) win. Ashleigh Snow and Tallia Pulcino were yet again sublime, with Pulcino kicking three goals. Medika Bonney had one of her better performances of the season to date for the Stars alongside Rose Stewart.
South Morang made it two wins in a row against Greensborough in a Sunday twilight fixture at Greensborough War Memorial Park, defeating the hosts by 25 points. After an even opening three quarters, the Lions kicked three goals and kept the Borough scoreless in the final term to win 6.9 (45) to 3.2 (20). Hailey Cordova kicked three goals in another best on ground performance while Devony Hoare was named in the best for the third straight match. Meggan Nelsen and Olivia Angwin also had strong outings for the hosts.
NFNL Division 3 Women’s
Another enthralling contest at Ben Frilay Oval took place on Saturday evening as Hurstbridge snuck over the line by three points against North Heidelberg. Trailing by 14 points early in the third term, the Bridges fought back and kicked four of the last five goals to seal the 7.3 (45) to 6.6 (42) win. Natarsha Harrop kicked three goals while Kristy Steven, Ruby Butterfield and Renee Brain were again crucial in the hosts win. Taylah Braddock and Remy Moore both ended up with two goals each for the Bulldogs.
Whittlesea claimed their second win of the season with a 74-point triumph over Darebin 2 at A.H. Capp Reserve. The Eagles kept Darebin scoreless and had at least eight individual goalkickers in the 10.15 (75) to 0.0 (0) win. Tahlia Brander led the way up forward with two goals while vice captains Olivia Hodgson and Harper McPherson-Goulding both played key roles in the thumping win.
Wallan were able to hold off a resilient Epping outfit by 16 points at Epping Recreational Reserve. The 2023 Division 3 premiers were able to slowly increase their advantage throughout the game, on their way to a 5.6 (36) to 3.2 (20) victory. Ava Borg kicked two goals for the Magpies while Mellisa Barnes and Chanelle Marcetic-Vaotangi were the best players for their respective sides.
Kilmore continued their excellent start to life in the women’s competition with a massive 59-point win over Heidelberg West at Heidelberg Park. The ‘two Blues’ kicked 10 goals while keeping the hosts goalless in the first half and the final quarter en route to a 10.11 (71) to 2.0 (12) win. Chloe Talbot and Jeanaya Stewart were both terrific in the victory for Kilmore as well as Chiara Nardo, while Crystal Grech fought gallantly in the ruck for the away side.
Montmorency 2 are on the winners list in season 2025 after defeating newcomers Macleod by 13 points at Montmorency Park. The Magpies kicked all four of their goals consecutively between the first and third terms and were able to hold on for a 4.5 (29) to 2.4 (16) win at home. Hayley Keating and Olivia Nesci were serviceable for the Magpies. Casey Dunell and Ally Gunstone were two of the better performers for the Roos along with Mairead Csar.
Reservoir claimed their first win since returning to the women’s competition, defeating Laurimar by 35 points at Laurimar Reserve. The Power were kept scoreless for three of the four quarters as Reservoir kicked an accurate 6.3 (39) to Laurimar’s 0.4 (4) in the win away from home. Jacinta Brew’s stellar start to the season continued with a three-goal outing while Giuseppina Tarantello was named in the best again for the Mustangs.
