The return of the NFNL senior women’s competition saw plenty of tight contests over the weekend and sides continuing to build momentum ahead of the final month of the regular season.
Heidelberg Golf Club Division 1
Two Friday night games took place in the topflight of the women’s competition, the first of which seeing St Mary’s remain undefeated with another three-point victory over Diamond Creek Women’s 1 at Whatmough Park. The Creekers got off to a fast start, kicking the first three goals of the match in the opening two terms, before the Burra fought back and reduced their half time deficit to five points having trailed by 14 at quarter time. After both sides scored one behind each in the third the Burra kicked the only goal of the last term and held the Creekers scoreless, securing the 3.7 (25) to 3.4 (22) win. Georgia Kitchell was excellent yet again in ruck alongside Elyssa Rees while Meg Girolami’s two goals played a key role in the win. Adele Coppola continued her stellar season alongside Heidi Gifford and Maykaylah Appleby.
The other Friday night game took place at Eltham Central Park, with Eltham securing a crucial six-point victory over Banyule. Dan Sheaan’s side got the first two goals of the match in the first eight minutes before things started to stabilise for the remainder of the first half. Trailing by four points at the main break, the Panthers kicked three of the four goals in the third term before holding off a Banyule fightback in the last term to claim an 8.6 (54) to 7.6 (48) victory at home. Abbey Vaughan and Willow Priest shone for the Panthers while Angie Reibelt and Michaela Molenberg kicked two goals each. Olivia Mincone kicked four for the Bears who were well led by Hayley Moxon and Rebekah Watson.
Montmorency 1 claimed their third consecutive victory, defeating Ivanhoe by 45 points at Ivanhoe Park yesterday afternoon. The Magpies kicked the only goal of the first term before kicking another two to take a 23-point lead into half time. After kicking one goal from four scoring shots in the third they then kicked three goals to one in the last quarter to win 7.12 (54) to 1.3 (9). Jessica Simpson kicked a season-high three goals and was one of the Magpies best players alongside Chiara Scuderi and Emily Gallagher. Talya Callahan fought hard in her 50th senior game alongside Sophie Bone and Lily Fitsioris.
Cleaning Melbourne Division 2
Darebin 1 claimed their second consecutive victory with a 50-point win over Hurstbridge at Ben Frilay Oval. The Falcons started off strongly, kicking two goals in the opening two terms whilst keeping Hurstbridge to just one goal and three scoring shots. They then pressed home their advantage with a five goal to three behind second half, with final scores settling on 9.8 (62) for the Falcons to the Bridges 1.6 (12). Julia McArdle impressed in the victory alongside Jessica Darcy, with Darcy kicking three goals alongside Claire Papaleo. Ruby Butterfield continued her great season alongside Kristy Steven and Brooke Taylor, with Taylor the Bridges only goalkicker.
Fitzroy Stars have reaffirmed their premiership credentials, defeating reigning premiers Lower Plenty by eight points in their clash at Sir Doug Nicholls Oval. You can read the full match report by clicking here.
Kilmore jumped into second spot on the Division 2 table with a 58-point win over Panton Hill at A.E. Cracknell Reserve. Scores were locked up at quarter time before the Blues kicked four goals to nil in the second quarter. Andy Stewart’s side added another five goals in the second half and kept the Redbacks scoreless in that period, securing a 10.4 (64) to 1.0 (6) victory. Jade Ventura kicked four goals while Chiara Nardo kicked three and was excellent in the victory alongside Jessica Vilinskis. Jessica Hall fought hard all day while Ruby Moore kicked the Redbacks only goal of the match.
NFNL Division 3 Women’s
North Heidelberg won its seventh game of the season, defeating Laurimar by 78 points in their meeting at Laurimar Reserve. The Bulldogs kicked six goals from 17 scoring shots in the first half and conceded just one goal in that period to take a 41-point lead into the main break. They added another five goals and kept the hosts scoreless in the second half, claiming an 11.18 (84) to 1.0 (6) win. Teresa Cassar added another four goals to her goal tally for the season while Remy Moore kicked three and impressed yet again alongside Sarah Bentley. Laurimar captain Stephanie Crook also fought hard and was their only goalkicker on the day.
Thomastown made it three wins from their last four goals with a 22-point win over Epping at Epping Recreational Reserve. The Bears got off to a fast start, kicking three goals to three behinds in the first half to take a 17-point lead into half time. Garth Duncan’s side then kicked another three goals in the final two quarters and conceded two goals from four scoring shots, eventually winning 6.3 (39) to 2.5 (17). Julia Milevski kicked three goals and was superb in the victory alongside Ruby Pantisano and captain Cara Mazzarella. Cindy Turnbull continued her terrific season alongside vice-captain Zara Howell and Katelyn Hart.
Diamond Creek Women’s 2 returned to the winners list with a 26-point win over Wallan at Greenhill Reserve. After both sides failed to register a score in the first quarter the Creekers two goals in three minutes in the second to gain a 12-point buffer at half time. They added another two goals in the third and fourth quarters and kept the Magpies to just one behind to secure the 4.3 (27) to 0.1 (1) win on the road. Mele Manu and Paris Gay were brilliant in the win alongside Laura Di Domenica who was one of four goalkickers for the Creekers. Lily Borg and Chelsea Paton fought all day for the Magpies.
Heidelberg West secured a second consecutive percentage boosting victory, defeating Darebin 2 by 93 points at Heidelberg Park. The Hawks kicked seven goals in the opening half of the contest to enter the main break up by 47 points. They then kicked six goals and had 16 scoring shots in the second half, finishing on 13.15 (93) whilst holding the Falcons to 0.0 (0). Catherine Sotiropoulos kicked three goals for the match while Chloe Rowan, Crystal Grech and Elizabeth Toumbourou continued their terrific seasons. Christina Cauchi and Autumn Robinson were two of the best for the Falcons alongside Raechel Murray.
Whittlesea moved a game clear in fourth spot on the table with a 25-point win over Montmorency 2 in their match at the Whittlesea Showgrounds. The Eagles kicked two goals to nil in the opening term before one behind for each side in the second quarter saw Aimee McDougall’s side lead by 15 points at the main break. They then kicked three goals straight in the second half and conceded just one goal, with scores eventually settling on 5.4 (34) for the Eagles to Montmorency’s 1.3 (9). Harper McPherson-Goulding was sublime in the win alongside Tayla Grech while Katrina Bruch kicked two goals for the Eagles. Athanasia Patroungas’ stellar season continued alongside Oliva Nesci and Hayley Keating.
Macleod won their fifth game in a row yesterday afternoon, defeating Reservoir by 24 points in their contest at Crispe Park. Joel Steindl’s team kicked the only goal of the first half and conceded just one behind in that period. The Roos then kicked two goals in each of the final two quarters and conceded two scoring shots to claim the 5.2 (32) to 1.2 (8) win. Brienna Musgrave, Hannah Gray and Sarah Dunell continued their superb seasons, with Musgrave kicking two goals alongside Kayla North. Brigid Howell was resilient in defeat while Giuseppina Tarantello was the Mustangs only goalkicker.
