Women’s football is back as NFNL Media cast an eye over Heidelberg Golf Club Division 1 and Melbourne Cleaning Division 2.
Heidelberg Golf Club Division 1 saw Eltham score a big win over Lower Plenty, piling on 15 goals for the day in a 93-point win.
Panthers co-captain Michaela Molenberg was the clear standout, booting eight goals in a best on ground performance. Willow Priest and fellow co-captain Mary Robinson were also among the best.
It was a character-building day for the Bears, as Hailey Cordova, Anayah Maher, Kyla Parry gave their all. They’ll be hoping for a better performance this week against Heidelberg while Eltham will test themselves against 2025 grand finalist Montmorency.
Speaking of the Magpies, they opened their 2026 account in grand style with a 19-point win over reigning premiers Diamond Creek. Montmorency were wire to wire leaders for the afternoon and perhaps would have liked to take more of their chances in front of goal to really make a statement in the opening round of the season, but four points against quality opposition is all that matters at this stage of the year.
Goals were shared for the Magpies with Georgia Thomson kicking two for the winners and Isobel Shaw, Sarah Chambers and Madeline Ellis in the best. For the Creekers, Stephanie Crook, Karly Cobern and Olivia Caruana stood out while captain Karly Corben and vice-captain Linda Thorp kicked two goals apiece.
Diamond Creek faces a fresh Banyule side who were on the bye in Round 1.
The final match of the weekend saw St Mary’s send a statement against Heidelberg at Whatmough Park, keeping the Tigers goalless in a 66-point win which could have been a bit more if not for a 9.13 scoreline from the Burra. Sienna Martinez, Rebekah Miller, Mia Tascone and Amelie Gilchrist the best for the home side while Elyssa Rees, Kiara Delia and Georgia Kitchell tried hard all day for the Tigers.
St Mary’s will have the bye this week before heading on the road to face Montmorency in Round 2.
Melbourne Cleaning Division 2 threw up some great tussles in Round 1, with Reservoir claiming a five-point win over last year’s grand finalists Fitzroy Stars.
The Stars had the best of the first half with a 12-point lead heading to the main break and looked as though they might do enough to hang on with the Mustangs wasteful in front of goal with 1.10 at three-quarter time. But the home side found their radar in the last term, kicking two goals to snatch the lead and the opening four points of the season.
Nicole Hales, Terri McIntosh, Charlotte van der Vlies were the best for the home side and Devony Hoare, Rianne Hood, Renae Mckeown were the standouts for the Stars who would feel as though they let an opportunity slip late in the game.
Reservoir host West Preston Lakeside on Sunday at Crispe Park and Fitzroy Stars will host Darebin in what shapes as one of the matches of the round.
The Falcons have put an early marker down as a side to contend with after a strong 66-point win over Panton Hill. The Falcons had the game in their keeping by half time and pressed home a decisive win, keeping the Redbacks goalless until the final term.
A couple of goals each to Aleisha Lannigan, Karly McNiece and Sierra Chandler in a big win, along with Portia Greenacre, Kate Moorhen earning praise from the Darebin coaching team. Ruby Moore and Stephanie Jacobson earned best afield honours for Panton Hill which will be hoping to turn the tables this weekend against North Heidelberg.
The Dogs had a cracking contest against Hurstbridge but ultimately just fell short on the road, with the Bridges taking a five-point win. The home side looked to be in control at the final change with a lead of 24 points, but North Heidelberg came with a rush via the unstoppable Remy Moore who booted all four of the Dogs’ goals of the game. The visitors ran out of time to grab the four points, however.
Moore was the headliner, but Mikayla Bennett and Rylee Enright also put in excellent opening round performances and for Hurstbridge, Mellisa Martini kicked two majors, and Ella Pinney and Ashleigh Bayes found themselves in the best on the day.
Ivanhoe was the biggest winner of the weekend with a massive 80-point win over West Preston Lakeside. A four-goal effort from Georgia Pridis helping Ivanhoe to 13 goals on the day along with Molly Uwland, Talya Callahan and Rhiannon Campbell among the best players for the visitors.
West Preston was up against it with a reduced playing list, but Isabel Young and Elisha Folino gave their all on the day.
The last game of the round saw Kilmore too good for Lower Plenty 2, winning by 27 points.
Three goals to Chloe Talbot and strong performances from Shazimaria Cappello, Ella Stewart and Jade Ventura meant the visitors have kicked off their season in terrific fashion, ahead of what looks to be another stiff contest against Hurstbridge this week.
For the Bears there were promising signs and certainly a bit to work with, as Kyah Isatchenko, Elizabeth Toumbourou and Dakota Gray Dejong were judged best afield. Their attention now turns to hosting Ivanhoe on Sunday.
