North Heidelberg have moved a game clear at the top of the NFNL Division 3 Women’s table after defeating Macleod by five points at De Winton Park.
After losing to Macleod by five points in round 7 this season, North Heidelberg was able to secure a five-point victory this time around, 1.5 (11) to 1.0 (6).
Both teams were positioned in the top two of the 2025 Division 3 Senior Women’s, with the same win-loss record. Whilst Macleod put up a fight to jump into first position, North Heidelberg held their spot firm, with both teams keeping their spots on the table.
Louisa Harper, Meg Harper, Rylee Enright combined their efforts to keep the pressure on Macleod, and to create chances for their team to convert goals.
Alongside them, Ellouise Bishop, Lynden Caldwell and Serah Bentley were also battling it out on the field for North Heidelberg, delivering an outstanding performance.
Despite Macleod losing this round, all of Joel Steindl’s girls put up a fight and stayed consistent throughout the game. Alessandra Galletti, Casey Dunell, Hannah Gray and Abbie Bice stayed on the ball and tried to keep the momentum going out on the field for their team.
Coming in strong for Macleod was Ally Gunstone and Pippa Medley. Pippa was exceptional on the field, staying on the ball consistently and assisting her teammates when she could.
The opening quarter saw both teams coming out strong, going head-to-head and trying to gain the momentum.
North Heidelberg made impactful plays against Macleod. However Macleod defenders stayed strong, with the pressure from both teams not allowing either side to convert any goals.
The second term was challenging for both sides, as they fought to move the ball up effectively across the oval and to find goals. Macleod in particular were moving in teams on the field to create goal-scoring opportunities.
This saw the home side kick the first goal of the match through Ally Gunstone five and a half minutes into the term. That goal was the only score of the second term for either side, resulting in the Roos taking a three-point lead into half time.
North Heidelberg put an insanely strong fight on the field, despite not being able to get any goals in the first and second quarter, they stayed consistent and on the ball throughout the whole game.
They were eventually rewarded, scoring their first goal of the game just 52 seconds into the third quarter through the division’s leading goalkicker Teresa Cassar.
The pressure they were maintaining restricted Macleod throughout the game, not allowing many other opportunities on goal for them.
The fourth quarter was action filled, with both teams going neck-and-neck to make sure neither of their opponents were getting their hands on the ball.
It was a strong and hard-fought battle from both sides; however North Heidelberg took the five-point win, 1.5 (11) to 1.0 (6).
