A split has emerged between the top five and the rest in Melbourne Cleaning Division 2.
That split was primarily driven by Darebin’s four-point win over Kilmore in a really tight contest where the Falcons had to hold off a fast-finishing Blues outfit in the final term.
After leading by five points at the main break, Darebin kicked two unanswered goals to extend their advantage to 18 points at the final change. Kilmore then charged for the line, kicking two goals but ultimately running out of time to overturn the deficit. A scoreline of 3.7 almost certainly posing some questions around what might have been.
Abbey Duggan kicked two goals for the home side while usual suspects Claire Hardi, Kate Moorhen and Hannah Brennan were impressive for the Falcons.
Alexis Knight was the player of the afternoon with a game-high seven Coaches MVP votes for Kilmore with Chiara Nardo and Ella Stewart also putting in solid shifts for the Blues.
West Preston Lakeside chalked up a nice win over Lower Plenty, running away with a 39-point win. The Roosters were in charge from the word go and a 22-point lead at half time would prove decisive. A further two goals in the third term put the result to bed as they chalked up their second win of the season.
Roosters Isabel Young and Sarina Galati were the dominant players on the ground earning nine Coaches MVP votes apiece and Michelle Millhouse kicked a couple of goals for the winners. Olivia Houlihan and Molly Wright gave their all for the Bears who just couldn’t find enough avenues to goal.
Fitzroy Stars continue to hum along in top spot, defeating North Heidelberg by 56 points at Sir Doug Nicholls Reserve.
The Stars jumped out of the blocks and were never headed as they ran away with the win, keeping the Dogs scoreless after half time in an impressive defensive display.
Amina Keegan continued her form up forward for the home side, kicking four goals to sit five clear on top of the Division goal kickers list. Rosie Wilson and Devony Hoare sharing top marks from the coaches with nine MVP votes each. North Heidelberg’s Rose Stewart and Alice Bowden acknowledged as the best players for the Dogs across the afternoon.
Ivanhoe remains in second place but had to do it the hard way against a determined Panton Hill outfit, eventually prevailing by 19 points.
The first quarter proved to be the difference between the two sides, with Ivanhoe heading to quarter time 20 points in front without the Redbacks registering a score. From then on however Panton Hill kept the Ivies to just two goals and if not for some wasteful kicking could have been in with a chance of causing a huge boilover. A scoreline of 2.5 stopped them from getting closer.
Ivanhoe’s Sophie Bone scored a perfect ten-vote game for her performance, while teammate Sophie Smith and Panton Hill’s Ruby Moore also earned MVP votes. Emily Johnson was the only multiple goal kicker in the match for Ivanhoe.
Reservoir capped off the round with a resounding 68-point win over Hurstbridge.
It was one-way traffic from the outset as the Mustangs set about establishing and maintaining their lead throughout the match, three goals to Imogen Milford was the highlight of the goal kickers list.
Tahlia Meier was the standout with nine MVP votes as the visitors chalked up their fourth win of the season to date. Jasmine Sellman was the best player for Hurstbridge which sits at 3-3 after six rounds.
