St Mary’s has earmarked itself as the team to beat in Heidelberg Golf Club Division 1 football after a top of the table clash last weekend.
The Burra overcame Eltham by 13 points in the game of the season to date, winning 8.11-59 to 7.4-46.
St Mary’s jumped out of the blocks with the first couple of goals to lead by 16 points midway through the first term, but the Panthers responded with a couple of goals from Michaela Molenberg closing the gap. The Panthers took the lead early in the second term before three consecutive goals from St Mary’s saw them take a nine-point lead to the main break.
Two goals to one in Eltham’s favour in third term continued the close contest as both sides were separated by a straight kick heading to the final change.
But two goals from Jaydah Hope and Maykaylah Appleby put the game within the Burra’s keeping as they continued their unbeaten streak.
Emmison Zealley was named best afield for St Mary’s along with Georgia Kitchell and Mikayla Plunkett – Sarah Johnston finished with three goals. For Eltham, Abbey Vaughan and Jemma Laffey were excellent and Michaela Molenberg continues to streak ahead in the Division goal kicking, sitting on 29 after six games and 13 clear of Johnston in second spot.
Banyule chalked up its third win of the season with a thrilling come-from-behind win over Lower Plenty at Beverly Road Reserve in a battle of the Bears 5.3-33 to 4.6-30.
The home side had the better of the first term; however Lower Plenty controlled the second and third quarters to head to the last break nine points in front looking for their second win of the season.
But Banyule knuckled down in the final term, dominating territory and keeping Lower Plenty scoreless while kicking two goals of their own to overturn the lead and hold on in a close finish.
Casey Woodward, Annabel Goodison and Heidi Cummins led the way for Banyule and Jessica Sheard kicked a couple of goals, while Lauren Brazzale and Kiara Keenan were judged best afield for Lower Plenty.
Heidelberg closed out the weekend’s results with a 28-point win over Diamond Creek. The Creekers kept pace for the first three quarters, but Heidelberg pulled away to win well in the final term kicking four goals to one in a 10.8-68 to 6.4-40 victory.
Three goals apiece to Alice Jesser and Isabella Parnell was the catalyst for the Tigers’ second win of the season. Caitlin Basham, Nikki Watts and Mikayla Lee also putting in strong performances for the visitors.
Lauren Durante and Linda Thorp kicked a couple of goals each for Diamond Creek, but they continue to search for their first win of the season. They’ll get to re-visit the Grand Final match up of last season when the Creekers travel to face Montmorency next week coming off the bye.
