Stars Charge into Second Qualifying Final
As far as making statements go, Fitzroy Stars could not have asked for much more on Sunday in the Division 2 Women’s qualifying final against Kilmore.
The Stars’ 19.13 (127) was the highest score and the 126-point win was the biggest winning margin by a club in the Northern Football Netball League women’s competition’s finals history, eclipsing the efforts of VU Western Spurs’ Division 2 grand final victory in 2019 against Heidelberg, having scored 15.19 (109) and won by 107 points on that day.
While Kilmore was weakened by consistent performers throughout the year such as Chiara Nardo, Nicole Bauce, Shazi Cappello and Sienna Shinners all unable to play, the Stars were simply relentless all day and have now charged into the second semi-final looking to atone for last year’s grand final defeat.
The first quarter was a repeat of the previous week’s home-and-away encounter at JJ Clancy Reserve – there, Fitzroy Stars got the jump by kicking the opening five goals in quick time; this time around, it was four goals in the opening term.
At the forefront of that run was Amina Keegan, with the league-leading goalkicker putting through the first three goals of the afternoon, all from close range.
But while Keegan was putting on a show up forward, a lot of credit had to go to the Stars’ midfield, which was running hard both ways.
Tayla Hart-Aluni was winning plenty of clearances in the middle, while Devony Hoare and Chloe Thompson were working magnificently to continue pushing the ball forward.
Ella Hill Berto and Rosie Wilson were the connectors across the half forward flank for the Stars, and it was the latter who joined in the goalkicking fun with a terrific snap from 30 out, giving the Stars a 4.4 (28) to 0.0 (0) start.
Kilmore was forced to play catch-up for a second week in succession, and to start the second quarter, the Blues arguably had the better of the territory.
They looked at their most potent with the ball in Zahra Kelly’s hands, as she seemed to clean up many Fitzroy Stars forays forward, while Alexis Knight fought hard in the ruck, and Grace Gerada played a variety of positions forward of the ball, while chipping in inside the midfield and in the ruck at times too.
Kilmore recorded its only score of the day in the first half of the second quarter, but its inability to kick goals with the wind laid bare that the Blues were badly missing its most creative forward-half players, while the Stars looked a scoring threat every time they went forward.
That came to fruition later in the second term, with Hart-Aluni taking a great mark, spinning, then finishing off with a running goal for the Stars’ first of the quarter, before Keegan added another great goal to her highlights reel to make it four for the first half. The Stars led 6.5 (41) to 0.1 (1) at half time.
The Stars did not take their foot off the pedal whatsoever in the third quarter.
Montanna Hudson kicked the first goal of the half, before Hart-Aluni continued her stellar day with another terrific goal.
Keegan kicked her fifth later on, before Wilson kicked her second, taking a courageous mark back with the flight of the ball for good measure as well. Rianne Hood, Hoare and Wilson also converted later in the quarter to ensure it was the Stars’ day, leading 13.10 (88) to 0.1 (1) at the final change.
The last quarter was all the Stars again, kicking multiple great goals as they dominated the contest. Keegan kicked three for the term, while Medika Bonney converted from close range.
Hoare kicked the final two goals of the afternoon, taking her tally to three for the day – all of them terrific goals. Her second provided arguably the goal of the day, a small tap to herself out of congestion, before converting on the run from a tight angle.
Hart-Aluni, Wilson, Keegan, Hoare, Hill Berto and Thompson were all named as the Stars’ best players.
Kelly was a clear standout for Kilmore, with Knight and Gerada also playing a part. Chloe Brown had the difficult task on Keegan throughout the first three quarters, but fought a good battle, despite Keegan’s eight goals. Ella Stewart’s midfield work and Tahlia Pyle’s efforts in defence also earned praise.
While the Stars now charge into their meeting with Ivanhoe, the Blues will have to pick up the pieces of a qualifying final loss to the Stars for a second-straight season.
A good omen, perhaps, is that their opponent on Sunday, Darebin, was the team that Kilmore defeated to record its first-ever finals win in the women’s competition last year. It will be hoping to get reinforcements back in time for the do-or-die clash.
Falcons Fly into Semi Final
It was a perfect time for Darebin Falcons to kick its highest score since round 7, 2021, putting together a 69-point victory over Reservoir in the Division 2 elimination final to set up a rematch of last year’s first semi-final exit at the hands of Kilmore.
The Falcons were on top right from the get-go, kicking a goal in the opening minute through the impressive Karly McNiece, who was dominant across the front half.
Reservoir was quick to get back on the board, with arguably its best player, Nicole Hales, putting through its opening goal of the day.
However, the rest of the quarter was one-way traffic for the Falcons.
Julia McArdle kicked a brilliant running goal from the boundary line to restore the Falcons’ lead, before it was extended thanks to an excellent front-and-centre from McNiece, who was seemingly everywhere.
After a free kick, Jessica Darcy put through the Falcons’ fourth, and it helped them lead 4.4 (28) to 1.0 (6) at the first change.
Reservoir needed a response, and got it early in the second term, with Hales putting through an excellent dribble goal.
However, Darebin always seemed to have the answers.
Abbey Duggan got a cherished goal against the breeze, converting a set shot.
Grace Addamo kept Reservoir in the game with a set shot goal, but Darebin continued to hold the advantage at the main break, 5.4 (34) to 3.4 (22).
The third quarter was all Darebin, putting the game away with a ruthless, yet inaccurate, display.
McNiece opened up the scoring with another brilliant goal, before Nikita Magriplis snapped through another.
When Mikaila Theodoropoulos put through a long-range effort, the margin had suddenly ballooned to 39 points at the final change, with Darebin leading 8.14 (62) to 3.5 (23).
The final quarter belonged to Duggan. She put through her second goal with a contested mark and goal from close range, before Darcy added another.
Imogen Milford capitalised on a Darebin error to give Reservoir its only goal of the second half, but Darebin would pile on the pain to finish the game strongly.
Duggan rattled off the final four goals of the game to make it five for the quarter, putting through some top-tierers in the process.
Her third goal was a running goal, while going off the ground for her fourth. Her best effort was saved for last, however, putting through a snap from close range while off balance, making it six for the afternoon.
The Falcons’ 14.17 (101) to 4.8 (32) victory was their highest score since kicking 16.6 (102) against Greensborough in the aforementioned 2021 match.
Duggan and McNiece were clear standouts – McNiece comfortably the best player across the ground throughout the first three quarters, and Duggan getting off the chain in the last. However, there were impressive performers across Darebin’s midfield too, with Hannah Brennan, Claire Hardi, Julia McArdle and Mia Lawson also performing well.
For Reservoir, Hales worked hard around the packs and was rewarded with her two goals, while Piper Joyce, Raquel Rocco, Milford and Chloe Rowan also performed well.
-Michael Thompson (via The Northern Footy Show)
Image also supplied by TNFS
