Ladders continue to take shape in the NFNL Senior Women’s Competition as we reach the halfway point of the home and away season.
Heidelberg Golf Club Division 1
In a battle between third and fourth, Montmorency 1 came out eight-point victors over Banyule at Montmorency Park North Oval. Dan Sheean’s side kicked three goals to just one behind in the first term before the Magpies levelled things at half time. Each side kicked one behind in penultimate quarter before the Magpies kicked the only goal of the last to secure a 4.5 (29) to 3.3 (21) victory. Madeline Gallagher kicked two goals for the Magpies while Shae Collinson, Isabel Villarreal and Chiara Scuderi were influential in the win. Keely Welsh and Lily Goodison both had solid outings for the Bears while Olivia Mincone also kicked two goals.
St Mary’s were the biggest winners of the weekend, defeating Ivanhoe by 78 points in the two clubs first ever meeting at the senior level at Ivanhoe Park. The Burra kicked three goals to one behind in the opening term before the hosts evened things up in the second to make it a 20-point ball game at the main break. They then kicked eight goals in the second half and kept the Ivies scoreless enroute to a 12.14 (86) to 1.2 (8). Sarah Johnston kicked another six goals to make it 13 goals in the last two games while Emmison Zealley and Elyssa Rees were excellent for the Burra. Rhiannon Campbell was Ivanhoe’s best on and their only goalkicker on the day.
Heidelberg also secured a big 66-point victory over Eltham in their contest at Eltham Central Park. Craig Hayes’ side kicked six goals to two in a frenetic opening term before things started to slow down in the second, with Heidelberg the only side to kick a goal that quarter. The Tigers then kicked another seven goals in the second half to Eltham’s one goal and four behinds to win 14.8 (92) to 3.8 (26). Emma Rowe and April Thompson finished with four goals each while Monique Cook and Emily Baldi had terrific performances. Willow Priest, Maalu Choka and Lily Harris were all serviceable for the Panthers.
Cleaning Melbourne Division 2
South Morang returned to the winners list with a 76-point win over Hurstbridge at Ben Frilay Oval. After leading by eight points at quarter time the Lions kicked 11 goals in the final three quarters while holding Hurstbridge goalless in the 12.10 (82) to 0.6 (6) victory. Hailey Cordova was sublime alongside Devony Hoare and Ella Pinney while Hayley Ball and Jacqui Van Tillburg kicked three goals each for the Lions. Kristy Steven and Natarsha Harrop both fought hard for the Bridges.
Fitzroy Stars claimed another big victory at Sir Doug Nicholls Oval, this time defeating Darebin 1 by 59 points. The Stars had nearly triple Darebin’s scoring shots, kicking 10.9 (69) whilst keeping the Falcons to 1.4 (10). Medika Bonney continued her unbelievable start to the season alongside Tiarna Steel and Karinda Farrant. Carina Bronte had one of her best performances of the year alongside Aisling O’Mahony.
Lower Plenty remained undefeated in Division 2 with a 119-point victory over Panton Hill at A.E. Cracknell Reserve. Stewart Lewis’ team kicked eight goals to just one behind in the opening half before kicking another 10 goals in the second half to win 18.13 (121) to 0.2 (2). Five of the Bears nine goalkickers had two or more goals, with Milla Fereday leading the way with four goals. Charlotte Kerr, Ava Klaic and Shae Audley were all excellent for the Bears while Angela Milesi, Ruby and Bianca Walker fought their heart out for the Redbacks.
NFNL Division 3 Women’s
North Heidelberg and Macleod played a close contest at Shelley Street Reserve, with the Roos ending up victorious by five points. After leading by five points at quarter time the Roos kicked two goals to one in the second term to take a 12-point lead at the main break. North Heidelberg then kicked two goals to nil in the third to take a one-point lead at the final break before a goal from Macleod with four minutes remaining in the game was enough to get them over the line 4.1 (25) to 3.2 (20). Remy Moore and Ellouise Bishop were yet again terrific for the Bulldogs, with Moore kicking two goals. Brienna Musgrave was influential for Macleod and was one of four goalkickers for them.
Montmorency 2 made it four wins from their last five games with a 20-point victory over Wallan in the early afternoon game at Montmorency Park North Oval. Montmorency kicked an inaccurate 1.8 in the opening half, however they held their fellow Magpies scoreless in that period. They then kicked 1.2 in the second half to win 2.10 (22) to 0.2 (2). Olivia Nesci was superb again alongside the returning Chloe Robinson while Alana and Bianca Gaggiano were the only goalkickers for the match. Shayla McAuliffe and Emily Frankenberg were excellent for Wallan.
Thomastown claimed back-to-back wins with a heart stopping one point victory over Reservoir at Main Street Recreation Reserve. The Bears kicked two goals to two behinds in the opening term before one goal each in the second saw the margin sit at nine-points in favour of the hosts. Reservoir then kicked another goal and three behinds in the second half, however it wasn’t enough as the Bears secured the 3.1 (19) to 2.6 (18) win. Alexandra Muraca and Amanda Mowlam were superb for the Bears in the victory. Giuseppina Tarantello was the only goalscorer for the Mustangs and was excellent in the loss alongside Tamara Cole.
Diamond Creek Women’s 2 made it five wins on the trot with a 29-point victory over Heidelberg West. The Creekers led by four points at quarter time and 11 at the half before kicking three goals and conceding three behinds in the second half to secure the 8.5 (53) to 3.6 (24) victory over the Hawks. Jessica Bennett and Poppy Strickland were terrific for the Creekers whose leading goalkickers were Makaylah Appleby and Emily Saunders (two goals each). Alanah Moore had another superb performance for the Hawks alongside Chloe Rowan.
Laurimar won their first game of the season, defeating Darebin 2 by 41 points in their contest at Laurimar Reserve. The Power kicked three goals in each half and only conceded two scoring shots for the entire contest in the 6.7 (43) to 0.2 (2) victory on their home deck. Shane Munn’s team had six individual goalkickers, with Naomi Hocking, Stephanie Crook and Emma Taylor playing key roles in the win. Bridgette Harper had a solid performance for the Falcons alongside Karen Porter and Shawana Brown.
Whittlesea returned to the winners list with a 52-point victory over Epping at the Whittlesea Showgrounds. The Eagles conceded just one scoring shot for the match and had 18 themselves, kicking 8.10 (58) to Epping’s 1.0 (6). Tahlia Brander had another sublime performance alongside Olivia Hodgson and Tara Jenner, the latter kicking two goals for the Eagles. Rebecca Duffin had her best performance of the season to date while Cindy Turnbull’s excellent season continued.
